A hydrogen gas sensor capable of accurately measuring hydrogen concentration of a measurement gas atmosphere in the presence of a variety of interfering gasses such as H2O and CO. In the hydrogen gas sensor, the flow sectional area of a diffusion-rate limiting portion 6 is rendered small; the electrode surfaces of first and second electrodes 3 and 4 are rendered large; and/or a solution containing a polymer electrolyte which may be identical to that of a proton-conductive layer 2 is applied onto the surfaces of the first and second electrodes 3 and 4 to thereby form a layer containing the polymer electrolyte. Thus, the rate of conduction of protons from the first electrode 3 to the second electrode 4 becomes greater than the rate at which protons are derived from hydrogen which is introduced onto the first electrode 3 via the diffusion-rate limiting portion 6.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydrogen gas sensor, and more particularly, to a hydrogen gas sensor suitable for measuring the hydrogen concentration of a fuel gas used for fuel cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
In view of the issue of global-scale environmental deterioration, fuel cells, which are clean and efficient power sources, have recently become the subject of active studies. Among fuel cells, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is expected to be suitable for vehicle use due to its advantages, including low operation temperature and high output density. In this case, a reformed gas obtained from methanol or the like is advantageously used as a fuel gas. Further, in order to improve efficiency and other parameters of performance, a gas sensor capable of directly measuring hydrogen concentration of the reformed gas is needed.
Since such a hydrogen gas sensor is used in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere, the operation temperature of the gas sensor must be low (about 100° C. or less). Such a low-operation-temperature-type sensor is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (kokoku) No. 7-31153. In the sensor, a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode are disposed on an insulating substrate, and the three electrodes are integrally covered with a gas-permeable, proton-conductive film; more specifically, "NAFION®" (trademark, product of Dupont), which is a type of fluororesin. NAFION® is a proton-conductive material capable of operating at low temperature and is used at portions of polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
The present Inventors found that when NAFION® is used as a proton-conductive layer as in the gas sensor disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-31153, the sensor output varies depending on the H2O concentration partial pressure of a gas under measurement (hereinafter referred to as a measurement gas atmosphere), so that accurate measurement becomes difficult. Further, the present Inventors found that the above phenomena occurs because protons pass through NAFION® together with H2O molecules, and therefore, the proton conductivity varies with the H2O concentration of the measurement gas atmosphere. That is, when the proton-conductive layer is formed of NAFION®, the sensor output depends on the H2O concentration of the measurement gas atmosphere, so that the sensor output decreases greatly, especially when the H2O concentration is low.
The present Inventors further found that although porous Pt electrodes (catalysts) are generally known to exhibit high activity at low temperature (porous Pt electrodes are used, for example, in fuel cells), when such a Pt electrode is exposed to an atmosphere having a high CO concentration, CO is adsorbed on the Pt electrode, or the Pt electrode is CO-poisoned, so that the sensor output is greatly decreased.
Since many fuel cells use pressurized fuel gas in order to improve power generation efficiency, sensors used in the fuel gas are required to have a small pressure dependency. However, in the sensor described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-31153, gas under measurement is diffused to the working electrode via the gas-permeable, proton-conductive film, so that the sensor exhibits a great pressure dependency, depending on the structure of the proton-conductive film itself, and therefore high measurement accuracy cannot be obtained.


A dipole cancellation system and method may include a plurality of magnetometers for measuring a device magnetic field associated with a plurality of device coils generating a device magnetic field having a primary magnetic dipole moment. A compensating coil carrying a compensating current running a first direction that generates a compensating magnetic field having a compensating magnetic dipole moment. The compensating coil may be positioned and the first current may be selected so that the compensating magnetic dipole moment completely cancels the primary magnetic dipole moment. A method may use the system to stabilize a spacecraft by calculating an estimated torque of the spacecraft, receiving a value for an external magnetic field, receiving a value for a device magnetic field, and calculating and applying a compensating current may be then applied to the compensating coil to cancel the primary magnetic dipole moment, wherein the spacecraft is stabilized.

The magnetic dipole moment on a spacecraft will produce a torque on the spacecraft due to the interaction of the dipole with the Earth's or another planet (such as Jupiter's) magnetic field. The magnetic dipole moment of a spacecraft may be due to current loops on the spacecraft or to permanent magnets on the spacecraft. The torque is computed from this equation:T=M×B  (Equation 1)
This equation dictates that torque (T) is the cross product between the magnetic dipole (M) and the Earth's or planet's magnetic field (B). This torque will cause the spacecraft to rotate. If such rotation is not desired, the torque will require compensation with another inertial torque in the opposite direction. An inertial torque is any torque that changes the spacecraft's angular momentum. The reference frame of the torque in the equation is the same as that of the dipole moment and the magnetic field. This torque produces an inertial torque on the spacecraft that will cause it to gain angular momentum over time. This angular momentum must be removed. For example, thrusters could be used to produce torques to compensate for this undesired torque. Solar pressure from the solar wings on a spacecraft with rotating wings could also be used to compensate for the torque due to a residual dipole, for example.
Generally, a magnetic dipole of a spacecraft is undesired from an attitude control point-of-view. Spacecraft designers make every effort to minimize these undesired magnetic dipoles. This torque only happens near planets with large magnetic fields such as the Earth or Jupiter. Many planets do not have magnetic fields. Some spacecraft take advantage of the magnetic field for control. They use rods made of magnetic steel that are wound with coils for control. These rods and coils form simple solenoids. An air coil torquer, which is a flat large area coil of wire, is another way of producing a control dipole.
When they are energized, that is current is passed through the coil, they produce a torque. However, due to hysteresis, even when off the magnetic core retains some magnetic dipole. Despite this, such magnetic torquers are used on geosynchronous satellites for control and for momentum unloading on other types of spacecraft.
Paluszek in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,945 discloses a method for reducing attitude perturbations attributable to the interaction of magnetic fields of a heavenly body with those of a spacecraft which orbits thereabout that includes the steps of measuring the spacecraft momentum over a portion of an orbit of the spacecraft about the heavenly body, and measuring the body rate over the same portion of the orbit. Information is accessed which relates to the historic magnitude of the magnetic field of the heavenly body in the portion of the orbit, or the magnetic fields may be directly sensed. The magnitude and direction of the magnetic dipole of the spacecraft are estimated from at least the momentum, the body rate and the accessed or sensed information, to form an estimate of the magnetic dipole. This may be a direct estimate or inferred from the attitude motion of the spacecraft Current is passed through coils associated with the spacecraft in response to the estimate for tending to cancel the perturbations. This system is designed to cancel the residual dipole to reduce the disturbance torque. It has no provision for not perturbing the residual dipole and will not work if the residual dipole is not to be cancelled.


A magnetic positioning system for use in inductive couplings. The magnetic positioning system having a magnet that provides sufficient magnetic force, but does not have enough electrical conductivity to overheat in the presence of the anticipated electromagnetic field. The magnet may be a bonded magnet or a shielded magnet. In another aspect a plurality of magnets are used to provide magnetic attraction forces and said magnetic repulsion forces that cooperate to align the inductive power supply and the remote device. In another aspect, a sensor allows differentiation between different positions of the remote device or inductive power supply. In another aspect, multiple magnets in the inductive power supply interact with multiple magnets in the remote device to position the remote device in different positions.

The present invention relates to inductive coupling and more particularly to systems and methods for positioning a device within an inductive field.
With the advent of improved and less expensive electronics, there is a growing use of wireless power supply systems. Wireless power supply systems eliminate the need for cords and therefore eliminate the unsightly mess and the need to repeatedly connect and disconnect remote devices. Many conventional wireless power supply systems rely on inductive power transfer to convey electrical power without wires. A typical inductive power transfer system includes an inductive power supply that uses a primary coil to wirelessly convey energy in the form of a varying electromagnetic field and a remote device that uses a secondary coil to convert the energy in the electromagnetic field into electrical power. To provide an inductive power transfer system with improved efficiency, it is typically desirable to provide proper alignment between the primary coil and the secondary coil. Alignment is often achieved using cradles or other similar structures. For example, the primary coil may be positioned around the outside of a cup shaped to closely receive the portion of the remote device containing the secondary coil. When the remote device is placed in the cup, the two coils become properly aligned. Although helpful in providing alignment, this approach requires deliberate placement of the remote device within the cradle. It may also limit the inductive power supply to use in connection with a single device specially configured to fit within the cup or cradle.
It is known to provide an inductive lighting system for underwater use in a pool with a magnet as set forth in U.S. Publication No. 2002/0008973 A1 to Boys et al, which was published on Jan. 24, 2002. The patent describes that the system may include a magnet for temporarily locating lamp units. Although this reference discloses the use of a magnet for locating a light in the context of an inductive coupling, the sparse disclosure relating to magnets fails to address a number of issues. First, the reference does not disclose where the magnets are located and whether or not magnets are included in both the inductive power supply and the lamp units. Second, the reference fails to show any recognition or offer any solution for the inherent tendency of typical magnets to heat in the presence of an electromagnetic field. Third, the patent fails to recognize the need for or provide any solution to address orientation of the remote device with respect to the inductive power supply.

Magnetic positioning for inductive coupling


A communications system includes at least one mobile wireless communications device for contacting a given entity having a telephone number associated therewith and an advertising server. The advertising server is configured to identify the given entity based upon the telephone number and identifying at least one property associated with the given entity. The advertising server is also configured to selectively send a targeted advertisement to the at least one mobile wireless device based upon the at least one property.

The pervasiveness of electronic communication and, in particular, mobile wireless communication, has led to a desire for the delivery of advertising to mobile wireless communications devices. In some applications, mobile advertising on such mobile wireless communications devices may be similar to more traditional advertising venues, such as television, radio, and print. For example, a mobile wireless communications device that has the capability of displaying video to a user may display a pre-recorded advertisement to the user. Indeed, a television commercial may even be displayed to the user. Similarly, a mobile wireless communications device may play a pre-recorded audio advertisement (such as a radio ad) to a user prior to the user making a telephone call.
There are, however, some fundamental differences between traditional advertising venues and mobile wireless communications devices. For example, most television programs cater to a specific demographic (e.g. males aged 18-35) and advertising displayed during those programs can be directed to products or services that may be desirable to those in that demographic. Differently, mobile wireless communications devices are used by members of many demographics.
To deliver advertisements to those users who may be interested in purchasing the goods and/or services being advertised, advances in mobile advertising that attempt to identify characteristics of the user and deliver advertising based thereupon may be desirable.

Advertising server for delivering targeted advertisements to a mobile wireless device and associated methods


A method and apparatus are described including receiving a report from an associated station, updating a list responsive to the report, adjusting a timeslot allocation map responsive to the updated list, encapsulating the adjusted map, transmitting the encapsulated adjusted map and assigning a timeslot specified in the timeslot allocation map to the associated station. Also described are a method and apparatus including receiving a synchronization frame over a communications channel, decapsulating a map located in the synchronization frame, determining if there is a timeslot specified in the map for which this associated station is one of an assigned main owner and an assigned backup owner, transmitting data over the communications channel during the timeslot for which this associated station is the assigned main owner, sensing the communications channel for a time interval and transmitting data over the communications channel that is idle for the time interval during the timeslot for which this associated station is the assigned backup owner.

There are some existing specifications which define the communications and operational support interface requirements for a data-over-cable system. One of these specifications is data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), an international standard which permits the addition of high-speed data transfer to an existing cable television (CATV) system and is employed by many cable television operators to provide Internet access over their existing hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) infrastructure.
Cable modems based on solutions such as DOCSIS are expensive and are not suitable to provide a quality of service (QoS) that is sensitive to real time audio communication and video streaming services in cable networks. It is desirable to develop a new system to transmit data through a CATV cable access network which can guarantee good quality of service (QoS) and leverage off of existing standard protocols at a reasonable cost. A user-terminal device or modem which operates on an existing CATV system and provides data services, such as wireless connectivity to an internet protocol network, is also desirable in a cable data system. In such a modem, reasonable opportunity to support both a cable interface and a wireless interface is sought to ensure sufficient bandwidth availability for a good quality user experience.

Method to improve channel utilization in a time division multiple access based protocol


There is described a printing unit and a method for printing with flexographic inks. The printing unit includes a screen roller engaging a doctor blade system (3), and which is in continuous operation, either by engaging a motor (10) or by operation by the transmission (2) of the printing machine. The screen roller (1) of the printing unit interacts with a rubber sheet (16) which is disposed on a rubber sheet cylinder (4) at a position between a printing plate cylinder (5) and a back-pressure cylinder (6). A slot (7) is provided in the rubber sheet, used when the screen roller (1) is to be engaged with the rubber sheet (17).

The present invention concerns a printing unit for printing with flexographic inks and lacquer in an offset printing machine that includes a printing plate cylinder, a rubber sheet cylinder, a back-pressure cylinder and an inking unit which includes a screen roller in engagement with a doctor blade system and which is arranged for continuous rotation, either by engaging a motor in a situation where the printing machine is not operating or by engaging the transmission of the printing machine when the printing machine is operating, the screen roller being arranged for swinging in and out of engagement with rubber sheet cylinder which has an axially oriented channel limited by the front edge and the rear edge of the rubber sheet.
The invention further concerns a printing machine with such a printing unit and a tool for use in mounting and dismounting the washing facility and the inking unit in such a printing machine.
The invention furthermore concerns a method of operation for printing with flexographic inks and lacquer in an offset printing machine which includes a printing plate cylinder, a rubber sheet cylinder, a back-pressure cylinder and an inking unit which includes a screen roller engaging a doctor blade system and which is continuously rotated, either by engaging a motor in a situation where the printing machine is not operating or by engaging the transmission of the printing machine when the printing machine is operating, the screen roller being arranged for swinging in and out of engagement with rubber sheet cylinder which has an axially oriented channel limited by the front edge and the rear edge of the rubber sheet
It is prior art to produce printing machines in which are placed different printing units, so that an offset printing machine also can be used with flexographic inks and lacquer. Examples of such prior art machines of the kind mentioned in the introduction are found e.g. in PCT/DK98/000303 and in EP 1 093 913.
The reason of the present invention is a need for providing a modular system, where a washing facility for the rubber sheet cylinder in a printing unit readily may be substituted with an inking unit, and where there is no risk that ink in the screen roller of the inking unit dries up simultaneously with enabling driving the inking unit by the transmission found in the printing machine in order to provide an operation of the printing unit which is entirely synchronous with the number of revolutions of the rubber sheet.
When the printing unit is of the type with screen roller engaging a doctor blade system, problems will arise with drying of ink/lacquer in the screen roller when the printing machine is standing still or when the screen roller is brought out of engagement with the rubber sheet cylinder, as the screen roller is not rotating in these situations.
When changing the printing machine by shifting between the washing facility and the inking unit, it is important that this occurs very quickly for reducing the down-time of the machine. By the known machines it is furthermore an ergonomically inconvenient task to perform substitution, since washing facilities usually are positioned obliquely under the rubber sheet cylinder. Therefore, it is difficult for an operator to get a real hold on the washing facility/inking unit. This also implies risk of the washing facility/printing unit falling down and causing damage of parts in printing machine and/or the washing facility/inking unit.

Printing with flexographic inks and lacquer


A prosthetic heart valve includes an annular stent having annularly spaced commissure portions. The tips of the commissure portions are preferably covered with fabric, and then additional fabric covers that fabric and the remainder of the stent, both inside and out (possibly also including a sewing ring insert at or near the base or inflow edge). The fabric is then covered by a layer of tissue, again both inside and out. A single sheet of additional tissue is mounted around the outside of the previously assembled components. This additional tissue forms the leaflet portions of the valve. The leaflet portions of the additional tissue are shaped by contact with a shaped mandrel, and the tissue of the structure is subjected to fixation (e.g., cross-linking) to produce a completed valve.

This invention relates to prosthetic heart valves, and more particularly to the type of prosthetic heart valves that use tissue material for the leaflets of the valve. The invention also relates to methods of making such valves.
There is increasing interest in artificial, prosthetic heart valves that use tissue material for the leaflets of the valve. Such valves tend to be less thrombogenic than mechanical prosthetic heart valves. This can reduce or eliminate the need for a patient who has received such a prosthesis to take anti-coagulant medication on a long-term basis. Tissue-based heart valves may also have other advantages, such as quieter operation. Because of the interest in such valves, improvements to them are greatly desired. Improved methods of making such valves are also sought.

Prosthetic heart valve including stent structure and tissue leaflets, and related methods


A treatment is described for delivering oxygen to tissue, especially hypoxic tissue. A medium saturated with gas is delivered to the tissue. Dissolved gas is transferred from the medium to the tissue. Ultrasound is transmitted to the tissue to enhance the transfer of gas to the tissue.

According to general industry estimates about 6 million patients suffer from non-healing wounds per year in the United States. These wounds primarily result from diabetes, immobilization, or circulatory problems. Left untreated, these wounds can lead to infection, amputation, or even death.
The healing of compromised tissues usually progresses through distinct stages leading to the eventual restoration of the natural function. As an example, injury to the skin initiates an immediate vascular response characterized by a transient period of vasoconstriction, followed by a more prolonged period of vasodilation. Blood components infiltrate the wound site, endothelial cells are released, exposing fibrillar collagen, and platelets attach to exposed sites. As platelets become activated, components are released which initiate events of the intrinsic coagulation pathway. At the same time, a complex series of events trigger the inflammatory pathways generating soluble mediators to direct subsequent stages of the healing process. These events may result in a transient to prolonged period of oxygen deprivation known as hypoxia in the tissues.
Normally, the healing process of injured tissues is uneventful and may occur regardless of any intervention. However, where an underlying metabolic condition or perpetual insult such as pressure is a contributing factor, the natural healing process may be retarded or completely arrested, resulting in a chronic wound. Trends in modern medical practices have shown that the wound healing of both acute and chronic wounds may be significantly improved by clinical interventions using methods and materials that optimize conditions in the compromised tissues to support the physiological processes of the progressive stages of tissue repair. In dermal wounds, key factors in providing the optimal conditions are the prevention of dead tissue accumulation and the maintenance of an optimal level of moisture and oxygen in the wound bed. All of these factors may be controlled by the management of wound exudate liquid.
A variety of techniques can be applied to facilitate the natural healing process. For example, wound dressings are commonly applied to wounds to control wound site environmental factors such as water vapor, oxygen permeability, bacterial impermeability, and absorption of exudate. Wound care dressing can be tailored to meet specific requirements including conformability to a body portion, selective adherence to a wound bed, and adhesiveness to the skin surrounding the wound site.
Collagen has been used in many forms as wound dressings such as collagen sponges, as described in Artandi, U.S. Pat. No. 3,157,524 and Berg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,201. However, most of these dressings are not satisfactory for the various types of compromised tissues. Collagen films and sponges do not readily conform to varied wound shapes. Furthermore, some collagen wound dressings have poor liquid absorption properties and undesirably enhance the pooling of liquids.
Another example of dressings that have been developed is hydrocolloid dressings. UK Patent No. 1,471,013 and Catania et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,498 describe hydrocolloid dressings that are plasma soluble, form an artificial eschar with the moist elements at the wound site, and gradually dissolve to release medicaments. Hydrocolloid dressings in general, and the Catania et al. dressings in particular, are subject to a number of drawbacks. The major disadvantages of these dressings include the potential to disintegrate in the presence of excess liquid at the site, and minimal, virtually negligible, control over water and/or oxygen loss from the wound. This latter disadvantage is particularly important, as excess water loss from a wound will cause an increase in heat loss from the body as a whole, potentially leading to hypermetabolism. In addition, hydrocolloid dressings require frequent dressing changes.
Some types of dressings can cause problems that compromise wound healing. For example, thin film dressings such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,835, may maintain excessive moisture over a wound bed, contributing to the overhydration or maceration of surrounding skin. Although sponges and gauze support tissue, they require frequent changing, and cause irritation to the compromised tissues during body movement and dressing removal. Calcium alginates turn into a gelatinous mass during interaction with moisture, are difficult to remove completely, and often dehydrate a wound bed due to the hydrophillic nature of the matrix. In addition, none of these devices or materials contributes to maintaining an appropriate level of oxygen to the compromised tissue site. Nor do any of the currently available devices significantly contribute to or support the autolytic debridement phase of wound healing.
A common problem in the management of both acute and chronic wounds is the maintenance of an optimal level of moisture over the wound bed during heavy exudate drainage. This is usually, but not always, during the early stages of healing. Most moist wound dressing technologies such as thin films, hydrocolloid dressings and hydrogels may be typically overwhelmed by exudate moisture during this heavy drainage phase. Management of moisture during heavy exudate drainage often necessitates the use of gauze or sponge packings that wick away excess moisture from the wound bed, thin film coverings that trap exudate liquid over the wound bed, calcium alginate dressings that chemically bind exudate moisture due to the hydroscopic properties of the seaweed extract and other materials that generally restrict exposure to atmospheric oxygen to the wound site.
The removal of exudate from wounds can be enhanced by negative pressure therapy. Briefly, this system consists of a vacuum arrangement that withdraws undesired material through a porous medium that is placed over the wound. While this approach has been shown to be clinically effective in removing exudate and maintaining a moist, sealed environment it does not address the issue of oxygen delivery or other nutrient requirements present in a sub-dermal wound bed's physiology.
Another common problem in tissue treatment is lack of oxygen or other critical nutrients at the wound site. Specifically, oxygen is the single most powerful aid in wound healing. Unfortunately, damage to tissue and vasculature around the wound site may disrupt circulation and limit oxygen transfer at the location where it is most needed. Hypoxemia, caused by disrupted vasculature, is a key factor that limits wound healing. Measurements have shown that the tissue oxygen tension within the wound and surrounding damaged tissues is substantially lower than the normal blood vascular oxygen tension. Whereas the blood vascular oxygen level of 80 to 100 mm Hg is considered normal, the wound environment may have as little as 3 to 30 mm Hg of oxygen. Research has shown that a level of 30 mm Hg or less is insufficient to support the processes of wound repair. Correcting hypoxemia through the administration of supplemental oxygen (O2) may have significant beneficial impact on wound healing in the perioperative and outpatient settings.
Many approaches have been used in an effort to increase the amount of oxygen delivered to compromised tissues. Initial developments to increase the oxygen tension in the compromised tissue environment involved either topical delivery of oxygen to the tissues or chambers in which the blood vascular oxygen tension is substantially elevated so as to also increase to tissue oxygen levels by diffusion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,799 describes a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that was constructed such that it fit tightly to a portion of the anatomy. The chamber was then flooded with oxygen gas to higher than atmospheric pressure to increase dissolution of oxygen for delivery to cellular processes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,571, 4,624,656, and 4,801,291 further describe various improvements for increasing the atmospheric oxygen concentration over the compromised tissue environment. Although these devices are capable of functionally increasing the oxygen level over a wound site, they suffer from the use of cumbersome apparatus, intermittent delivery of oxygen and poor transfer of oxygen from the oxygen-rich atmosphere to the hypoxic tissues.
Another device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,041, combined delivery of oxygen to tissues with providing an escape pathway for spent gas and wound-derived volatiles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,881 extended this development to use less bulky construction by utilizing an oxygen permeable membrane sandwich in which the interior portion was flooded with oxygen, which diffused through the wound contact membrane, but not the upper membrane, to oxygenate tissues. This was further improved in U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,403. These devices represent improvements that overcame much of the bulky characteristics of previous inventions but represent little or no improvement in the transfer of oxygen to hypoxic tissues nor do they constitute improvements in wound contact matrices customarily needed for wound care.
A different approach, used to increase the efficiency of the transfer of oxygen and to eliminate the bulky apparatus was to use nascent oxygen generation near the device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,685 provides a device for generating oxygen when the device was applied to a wound. The device disclosed is a bi-layered device where each layer contains a reactant that mixes and generates oxygen once exudate or other bodily-derived material activates the reaction. U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,582 describes the generation of oxygen from hydrogen peroxide for release at or near the skin surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,570 similarly uses an electrochemical reaction to convert oxygen in air to a peroxide or other reactive form of oxygen for delivery to the wound environment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,090 uses a reservoir that contained hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst in a device in contact with the wound, such as a hydrogel or polymeric foam. Another approach was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,620 in which pure gaseous oxygen was dispersed by sonic energy into a liquid matrix that was then solidified by cooling to encapsulate the oxygen in minute bubbles.
These devices represent improvements in the delivery of topical oxygen to the wound environment over the hyperbaric chamber. However, each carries significant limitations that have restricted the broad adaptation of the technology of topical oxygenation for care of compromised tissues. Previously described devices do not have a known concentration of oxygen and cannot function independently of atmospheric pressures or temperature to achieve effective oxygen distribution. In addition, the dependence upon activation by body-derived agents is unpredictable so as to make such devices impractical. Other devices are expensive to produce and require specialized equipment. Such devices cannot be used in the production of cold set polymers that are often used for the construction of medical devices used for compromised tissue care
Another aspect of tissue treatment is the delivery of active agents to the site of the injury. Active agents for use in compromised tissue treatment may be administered to an individual in a variety of ways. For example, active agents may be administered via methods known to those skilled in the art, such as topically, sublingually, orally, or by injection (subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous). Nevertheless, there are drawbacks to many of these methods, and an inexpensive, reliable, localized and relatively pain-free method of administering active agents has not been provided in the prior art.
One common method employed for the treatment of compromised tissues is the topical application of a salve or ointment. Topical application to a wound can be painful. Additionally, in the case of a deeply cavitated wound, an excess of active agent may be required because the agent must diffuse through layers of necrotic tissue and newly forming epidermal tissues. Furthermore, application of topical agents to sites in the interior of the body is highly impractical in that the topical agents are washed off or migrate to other sites. This difficulty in delivering the agent may require the application of an excessive amount of the agent and preclude an accurate determination of the effective amount of active agent delivered.
The oral and sublingual administrations of active agents used in tissue treatment also have their drawbacks. Ingestion of an active agent may result in the agent having negative system-wide effects and possibly disturbing the normal flora, or normal microbial environment, whose presence benefits an individual. Successful absorption of the agent into the bloodstream also depends on several factors such as the agent's stability in gastrointestinal liquids, the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, solubility of solid agents, intestinal motility, and gastric emptying.
Injection of an active agent, a normally painful method of administration, may have the same negative system-wide effects as that of an oral or sublingual administration. Yet more importantly, a danger inherent in the injection of an active agent is that rapid removal of the agent is impossible once it is administered. There is also a risk of transmission of infections and the possibility of vascular injury due to the use of needles. Topical, oral, sublingual and intravenous methods of administration pose several problems when delivering active agents for the treatment of compromised tissues.
What is needed therefore, are methods and compositions for improving treatments for compromised tissue comprising materials having superior exudate management capabilities, together with the ability to deliver active therapeutic agents and participate in the management of oxygen tension and other nutrient requirements around such sites. Methods and compositions are needed that can provide oxygen delivery to any size area of compromised tissue and preferably, may also provide moisture control and delivery of other active agents.


A power semiconductor device is provided in which reliability can be improved when the parallel number of semiconductor devices increases. When a bonding face on collector electrode is on an upper side, and a bonding face on emitter electrode is on a lower side, a collector electrode joint region as a joint region between a collector trace and a collector electrode on a chip mounted substrate and an emitter electrode joint region as a joint region between an emitter trace and an emitter electrode are located at a same position in an up-and-down direction and are adjacent in a right-and-left direction at an interval of 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power semiconductor device in which reliability can be improved when the number of parallel connection of semiconductor devices increases.
2. Description of the Related Art
A power semiconductor device has a function to convert DC power supplied from a DC power supply into AC power to be supplied to an inductive load such as a motor, or a function to convert AC power generated by a motor into DC power to be supplied to a DC power supply. In order to perform the conversion function, the power semiconductor device includes a power semiconductor device having a switching function, and repeats a conduction operation and an interrupting operation to perform power conversion from DC power to AC power or from AC power to DC power, and the power is controlled.
As related art, patent document 1 (JP-A-9-172139) disclose a technique as described below. Main electrode terminals are arranged to be aligned on almost the same straight line along the longitudinal direction of a resin case. One main surface (inside main surface) of each of the main electrode terminals faces the inside of a case main body part, that is, the side on which an insulating substrate is provided, and all the other main surfaces (outside main surfaces) face the outside of the case main body part, that is, the side opposite to the side on which the insulating substrate is provided. A conducting plate is arranged so that the main surface thereof faces the outside main surface of the main electrode terminal.
Patent document 1 discloses a structure in which two switching devices and two diodes, which are semiconductor devices, are connected in parallel on the insulating substrate (circuit substrate). In order to switch a large current, a circuit of a power semiconductor device is required to be constructed by connecting plural semiconductor devices in parallel correspondingly to the magnitude of the current. When the plural semiconductor devices are connected in parallel, and the parallel number increases, trace distances from electrode terminals as contact surfaces to external electrodes become different from each other, and because of this, a difference in parasitic inductance occurs, and there arises a problem that reliability of the semiconductor device deteriorates.

Power device having a specific range of distances between collector and emitter electrodes


The present invention provides a comparator with novel output logic. The comparator makes a comparison between an input voltage and a reference voltage. A differential amplifying circuit includes a first input transistor with a control terminal applied with the reference voltage and a second input transistor with a control terminal applied with the input voltage. An output section receives an export signal of the differential amplifying circuit and outputs an output signal that corresponds to the export signal and denotes a result of the comparison. A feedback circuit receives the output signal of the output section, and if the output signal is changed from a first level to a second level, the output signal feeds back to the differential amplifying circuit or the output section while it is restored to the negated level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a comparator.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an electronic circuit, a comparator has been used to make a comparison between two voltages. The comparator makes a comparison between two input voltages V1, V2 and generates an output signal denoting a result of the comparison. The output signal of general comparator becomes a first level (such as high level) when V1>V2 and a second level (such as low level) when V1<V2.

Comparator, control circuit of switching regulator using the same, switching regulator, and electronic equipment


A solid washing agent that is hard even in a high-temperature, high-humidity atmosphere or in a similar environment and that can prevent melting away and stickiness is provided.

Solid acylamino acid-based washing agents have disadvantages in that, for example, they are soft and thus melt away promptly, or are sticky. In particular, in the case of transparent washing agents, the gelling of the surface of such washing agents due to melting results in impaired transparency.
Therefore, to address such problems, there have been proposed a washing agent in which an N-long chain acyl amino acid salt has a specific molar ratio of alkali metal salt to ethanolamine salt (see Patent Document 1) and a washing agent in which an N-long chain acyl amino acid salt has a specific molar ratio of potassium salt to sodium salt to ethanolamine salt (Patent Document 2).

Composition for solid washing agent, and solid washing agent

Abstract: A composition for a solid washing agent containing an N-long chain acyl acidic amino acid salt as a component of an ingredient wherein the salt for the N-long chain acyl acidic amino acid salt is composed of an alkali metal salt and an ethanolamine salt, the molar ratio of the alkali metal salt to the ethanolamine salt is 10:90 to 75:25, the degree of neutralization is 1.5 to 2.0 eq, and an alkyl-modified silicone represented by formula (I) below is blended as an ingredient, and a solid washing agent formed from the composition.


A fairing for streamlining the junction between the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage or the fin of an aircraft, comprising an upper fairing shell, a lower fairing shell, a leading edge extension, and several fittings to join the upper and lower fairing shells to the horizontal stabilizer. The upper and lower fairing shells are solid laminates of composite material that are designed with a shape, composition, and thickness such that they can be elastically deformed when they are fitted to the horizontal stabilizer, providing a contact force permitting them to lay permanently in contact with the fuselage or fin. A process for manufacturing the fairing shells.

Typical aircraft designs incorporate fairings streamlining the junction between the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage or the fin.
The definition of the fairings may be divided conceptually in four parts:                two parts, called fairings shells, that smooth the intersection between the horizontal stabilizer upper and lower surfaces and the fuselage or vertical stabilizer surface.        a third part, called leading edge extension (LEX), that smoothes the intersection between the leading edge surface of the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage or vertical stabilizer surface.        the fourth part is comprised by several fittings that join the fairings to the horizontal stabilizer main structure.
The preferred materials for the parts mentioned above are:                Upper and lower fairings: composite materials (solid laminate from tape and/or fabric prepregs).        LEX: metallic materials (formed sheet and machined aluminium alloy)        Fairing fittings: metallic materials (machined aluminium alloy)
One of the main requirements that govern the design of these fairings is to prevent the scooping effect of the negative air pressures minimising the gap with the contact surface especially in the frontal edge to the aerodynamical stream. This scooping may cause a blow out of the fairing due to internal over pressure.
Known fairings face this issue incorporating either a guiding profile in the frontal edge or a set of complex spring-loaded mechanisms that push the fairing shells against the contact surface.
This invention is intended to provide HS to fuselage or fin new fairings with the following advantages:                Adaptability to more complex contact surfaces (i.e. with variable curvature).        Higher simplicity and lower cost (i.e. less number of parts).        Easier and lower cost installation and removal.        Improved aerodynamic smoothness.        Weight saving.        Easier and lower cost maintainability.

Elastic pre-deformed fairings for aircrafts


A method for the production of a standard oxide sample for X-ray fluorescence analysis of an impurity element contained in an inorganic compound. The standard oxide sample is produced by accurately weighing a high-purity compound of the type of the main-component element of the inorganic compound, dissolving the weighed compound in an acid, adding an element of the type of the impurity element to be subjected to determination in a prescribed amount to the acid solution, evaporating the resultant solution to dryness, and heating the dry residue of evaporation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for the production of a standard oxide sample for the determination of impurity elements contained in inorganic compounds such as raw material powders of refractory carbides, nitrides and borides, single crystals, oxides for the production of superconductors, and other industry grade oxides, by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
Such inorganic compounds contain minute amounts of various impurity elements such as chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel. In the production of a high-temperature superconductor from such a refractory inorganic compound, it is essential to be able to accurately determine the minute amount of impurity elements, in the compound.
2. Prior Art Statement
As observed in the process for determination of impurity elements in industry grade oxides, the determination of the impurity element content of a refractory inorganic compound has heretofore been performed by the method of chemically separating the inorganic compound into its main component element and its impurity elements (so as to reduce the effect of the large amount of main-component element) and then determining the impurity element content by ICP emission analysis or other spectroscopic analysis technique.
From the standpoint of the determination procedure, the chemical separation of the main element of the refractory inorganic compound from the minute amounts of impurity elements contained in the compound is extremely difficult, consumes much time, and is susceptible to experimental error.
In contrast, the nature of characteristic X-rays is such that even when the X-ray fluorescence is generated in the presence of large amounts of main-component elements, the characteristic X-rays of the impurity elements can be selectively determined within a range not affected by the main-component elements, with enhanced accuracy and reduced time consumption. Thus, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a suitable method for determination of minute amounts of impurity elements contained in the refractory inorganic compounds mentioned above.
In the method of X-ray fluorescence, the minute amounts of impurity elements have to be determined using calibration curves obtained using standard samples produced in advance. However, no one has ever produced the standard samples necessary for the determination of the impurity elements contained in the refractory inorganic compound by the method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.
The present inventors conducted a study on methods for effective solution of samples and conducted experiments using thermal decomposition curves, for the purpose of enabling the production of standard samples for determination of impurity elements in refractory inorganic compounds by the method of X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. This invention has been perfected as a result.

Method for production of standard oxide sample for X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & Industry


An imaging and decoding system for an imaging-based bar code reader. The imaging and decoding system includes an imaging system and a decoding system. The imaging system includes an imaging pixel array and a memory which function to: image the target bar code by scanning the target bar code at an acute angle with respect to a vertical axis of the target bar code to generate a tilted imaged bar code stored in memory, the tilted imaged bar code comprising an array of gray scale values stored in the memory; generate a virtual scan line traversing a horizontal width of the tilted imaged bar code; establish a zone about the virtual scan line; and project gray values within the zone onto the virtual scan line thereby generating a sequence of gray scale values associated with the virtual scan line, the sequence of gray scale values representative of a pattern of elements of the target bar code. The decoding system decodes the target bar code utilizing the sequence of values associated with the virtual scan line.

Various electro-optical systems have been developed for reading optical indicia, such as bar codes. A bar code is a coded pattern of graphical indicia comprised of a series of bars and spaces of varying widths, the bars and spaces having differing light reflecting characteristics. Systems that read and decode bar codes employing CCD or CMOS-based imaging systems are typically referred to as imaging-based bar code readers or bar code scanners.
The bar code reader includes an imaging and decoding system including an imaging system for generating an image of a target bar code and decoding circuitry for decoding the imaged target bar code. Imaging systems include CCD arrays, CMOS arrays, or other imaging pixel arrays having a plurality of photosensitive elements or pixels. Light reflected from a target image, e.g., a target bar code is focused through a lens of the imaging system onto the pixel array. Output signals from the pixels of the pixel array are digitized by an analog-to-digital converter. Decoding circuitry of the imaging and decoding system processes the digitized signals and attempts to decode the imaged bar code.
Two types of imaging system pixel arrays are typically used: a one dimensional (1D) imaging array and a two dimensional (2D) imaging array. A 1D imaging array is characterized by a single row of pixels, an 1×n array of 1 row and n columns of pixels, while a 2D imaging arrays is characterized by multiple rows and multiple columns, an m×n array of m rows and n columns of pixels.
In response to a need to include greater amounts of information in a bar code of limited overall horizontal width, high density bar codes have been developed which utilize bar code elements having very narrow widths. The ability of a 1D array imaging system to successfully decode a high density bar code is dependent upon blur and pixels per module (PPM). PPM refers to the number of pixels imaging the smallest, that is, narrowest element of the bar code. For example, a PPM of 1 would indicate that the narrowest element of the bar code is being imaged by a single pixel of the imaging array, a PPM of 2 would indicate that the narrowest element of the bar code is being imaged by two pixels of the imaging array. Advanced imaging systems are able to successfully read, that is, image and decode a bar code with a PPM low as 0.7. However, it is obvious that the ability of an imaging system to successfully read a high density bar code increases as PPM increases. The same is true for 2D array imaging systems.
One solution to reading high density bar codes is to use an imaging system with more pixels. However, increasing pixel count increases imaging system cost. What is needed is an imaging and decoding system for a bar code reader imaging system that provides for enhanced ability to read high density bar codes without the necessity of increasing the number of pixels.

Imaging-based bar code reader with enhanced decoding capability


A prosthetic assembly comprising: a body portion; first and second flanges provided on a rim of the body portion; the first and second flanges being provided with first and second openings respectively; and a bridging member connectable to the first and second flanges such that the member spans between the first and second flanges, the member being provided with a third opening; wherein the first, second and third openings are suitable for receiving first, second and third bone attachment members respectively.

A natural hip joint may undergo degenerative changes due to a variety of etiologies. When these degenerative changes become far advanced and irreversible, it may ultimately become necessary to replace a natural hip joint with a prosthetic hip. When implantation of such a hip joint prosthesis becomes necessary, the head of the femur, the acetabular, or both may need to be replaced. The head of the natural femur is first resected and a cavity is created within the intramedullary canal of the host femur for accepting the hip prosthesis. The hip prosthesis may be inserted and supported within the host femur by cementing the hip prosthesis within the host femur. Alternatively, the hip prosthesis may be impacted into the host femur so that it is a snug fit and supported by the host femur. In a further alternative, the femur may also be resurfaced, in which case the head is not resected. If the acetabulum also needs repair, all remnants of articular cartilage are generally removed from the acetabulum and an acetabular prosthesis which will accommodate the head or ball of the hip prosthesis is affixed to the acetabulum. The acetabular prosthesis is affixed to the acetabulum by means of cement, screws, an uncemented press fit or other appropriate fixation means.
Due to any number of reasons, however, a small portion of patients that undergo such orthopaedic surgical procedures may require subsequent revision surgery to replace the prosthetic device with a new prosthetic device generally referred to as a revision prosthesis.
In this regard, a revision acetabular prosthesis will generally include additional mounting points, such as integral extension members or hooks that provide additional stability for the revision acetabular prosthesis. These additional mounting points are generally required due to additional bone loss or defects exhibited at the acetabulum, such as collar/rim defects or pelvic discontinuity defects.
Various types of revision acetabular prostheses are currently available and different surgeons prefer different types of revision acetabular prostheses. Some surgeons prefer to use what is known as an Ilium flange that is formed integral with the acetabular prosthesis and enables further securement of the acetabular prosthesis in the Ilium region of the pelvis. Other surgeons prefer to use what is known as an obturator hook that is able to provide inferior fixation of the acetabular prosthesis by engaging the obturator foramen which is a large aperture adjacent the acetabulum. Because of this, a hospital must maintain a large inventory of different revision acetabular cups to meet the various surgeons' preferences. Moreover, the surgeon generally requires several revision acetabular cups available during surgery to account for any type of condition that may arise during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, as it may be desirable to have asymmetric securement to the acetabulum, left and right-handed revision acetabular cups may also be required.
This increased inventory of prosthetic devices increases the overall hospital costs and inventory control. Furthermore, by requiring the multiple revision acetabular cups to be available during the surgical procedure, multiple tools for the prosthetic devices may be required and these must be sterilized prior to the surgical procedure, thereby increasing the surgical time, cost and complexity. The present embodiments therefore seek to address these issues.


In an electrical system, concurrent maintenance of a system component coupled to the system by an adapter on a first communications path is accomplished through the provision of a second communications path to a system power controller, so that concurrent maintenance is not dependent on communications over the first communications path. In particular, concurrent maintenance of a direct access storage device (DASD) coupled to a computer system through a small computer system interconnect (SCSI) bus, an input-output adapter (IOA), a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus and a PCI bridge circuit (PCIB), is enabled by providing a IIC serial, point-to-point signal path between the bridge circuit and a system power control network (SPCN) to coordinate quiescing of the SCSI buses and powering down of the DASD.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of computer system maintenance, and in particular, to concurrent maintenance of peripheral component interconnect (PCI) based direct access storage devices (DASD's, i.e., disk drives).
2. Background Information
Typical medium to large size computer systems include at least one backplane, which is essentially a connecting board having integrated wiring and bus slots or other connectors, for interconnecting various computer system circuits designed to connect to the backplane. The backplanes are used to connect input-output (I/O) circuits, also commonly referred to as adapters or controller cards, for use in interfacing peripheral devices, for example, direct access storage devices (DASD's, e.g., hard disk drives), to the rest of the computer system. These I/O circuits are generally disposed on modules or cards which have standard connectors for plug-in to the backplane at bus sockets or slots. This allows for easy maintenance including removal, servicing, upgrading and replacement by service personnel.
Typically an interface circuit card is used to couple a DASD parallel or serial input/output bus to the computer system bus via the backplane. In some systems, there may be one or more backplanes and/or enclosures dedicated to DASD's, and these are referred to herein as DASD backplanes and DASD towers, respectively. An example of such a system is the IBM AS/400 (IBM and AS/400 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation).
An AS/400 computer system, for example, in its multi-tower configuration, includes towers interconnected by at least one host system bus, and also interconnected by a control network called the system power control network (SPCN). A known system power control network (SPCN) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,430, for example. The SPCN is a low volume serial network used, for instance, to monitor power conditions at a plurality of interconnected nodes in a multi-tower computer system.
Improvements in the SPCN are disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 08/912,561 (attorney docket RO997-083-IBM-101), Ser. No. 08/912,403 (attorney docket RO997-084-IBM-102) and Ser. No. 08/912,402 (attorney docket RO997-085-IBM-103), for example.
The SPCN may include one or more microprocessors which are operational to, for example, monitor the status of, and make occasional adjustments to, the power conditions at the respective computer system nodes. At system start-up or "initial program load" (IPL), the SPCN microprocessors gather computer system configuration information ahead of and independently of the computer system main communication paths.
Also known is a method and apparatus for correlating the physical locations of system components with their corresponding logical addresses using an SPCN, disclosed in Ser. No. 08/971,687 (attorney docket number RO997-154-IBM-108).
There are a variety of standard bus types and associated slot connectors currently in use in computer system backplanes, including serial and parallel versions of SCSI (Small Computer System Interconnect), and the currently popular PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), for example. Where a backplane includes primarily PCI type (slot) connections, it will be referred to herein as a PCI backplane. A PCI backplane has a host PCI bus integrated on the backplane, and includes at least one PCI bridge circuit (PCIB) which couples the local PCI slot connections thereon to the computer system host bus, and to any other local PCI buses/connections present, thereby "bridging" the buses. The computer system host bus could also be a PCI bus or another type of bus. It is possible for an SCSI-based I/O controller, which couples to a peripheral device over an SCSI bus, to be disposed on a card configured to plug-in to a PCI slot on a PCI backplane.
DASD's typically connect directly to either a serial or a parallel SCSI I/O bus. One possible DASD system configuration, therefore, includes one or more DASD's connected by an SCSI bus to an SCSI DASD I/O card, which is plugged into a PCI slot on a PCI backplane of an AS/400 computer system. This type of DASD configuration will be referred to as a PCI-based DASD configuration or subsystem herein.
In mid-range to high-end computer systems, such as the AS/400, it is highly advantageous to be able to perform a number of maintenance operations on the system while the system is still running, and these operations are referred to as concurrent maintenance (CM) operations. In particular, failed or failing DASD's (and related circuits) should be replaceable in a concurrent maintenance operation, but to do so requires the SCSI bus to be quiesced while the DASD device is powered down and removed, and a replacement reinstalled and powered on, in order to prevent errors and voltage transients that may affect other devices.
However, there is a need for a new method for accomplishing DASD concurrent maintenance with the afore-mentioned PCI-based DASD configurations because the methods used with prior configurations are generally inapplicable, impractical and/or too expensive as will now be explained.
The presently methodology of DASD concurrent maintenance employed, for example, in some versions of the AS/400 computer system, uses a proprietary communication protocol and connection "IOPSCAN" between SPCN and each of several input-output adapters in a I/O subsystem structure. However, this prior method will not work effectively in PCI-based DASD subsystems for the following reasons. In the IOPSCAN method, for a typical 14-slot PCI backplane, where an SCSI DASD controller card can plug into any slot, one IOPSCAN signal line per slot, or 14 signal lines are required. However, this requirement for IOPSCAN lines raises a non-compliance issue with the industry standard PCI bus connector, where all the connector pins are already defined. Compliance with the industry standard is, of course, a desirable design goal affecting compatibility with third-party products, for example.
In another solution to the problem, the American National Standard for Information Systems SCSI standard for Enclosure Services (ANSI's SES) identifies the use and connection of an SES microprocessor to the SCSI bus. The ANSI-SES specifies that the SCSI bus must download inclosure information and services to an SES processor on the SCSI bus. One of the possible uses identified is to issue commands through the SCSI bus (using SCSI Diagnostic Mode Pages) to the SES processor, directing some 10 pins on the processor to turn on/off FET's or regulators on a DASD backplane to power on/off the DASD for concurrent maintenance (CM) activities.
There is also an ANSI standard called SCSI Power Management, which identifies various SCSI commands that can be used to control various aspects of power consumed by a DASD, and includes the concept of powering the DASD completely on and off.
However, the above-mentioned ANSI solutions have some drawbacks and limitations which make them significantly less than optimal solutions. For example, it is possible that the reason for needing a DASD maintenance action may be that the SCSI bus itself is inoperative. Since the above ANSI solutions make use of the SCSI bus for signaling and control, they may not be able to effectively and efficiently handle concurrent maintenance in the situation where the SCSI bus is causing the fault.
Additionally, one SES processor is required for each SCSI bus, so that costs disadvantageously increase substantially with each SCSI bus added.
Therefore, a need exists for a way to implement concurrent maintenance in a PCI-based DASD subsystem which avoids the above drawbacks and limitations. A need exists for a way to implement DASD concurrent maintenance operations using existing and future PCI bridge structures, intelligent I/O adapters, and provide generally, system enclosure service type processes.

Concurrent maintenance for PCI based DASD subsystem with concurrent maintenance message being communicated between SPCN (system power control network) and I/O adapter using PCI bridge


A magnet core (1) that is suitable for use in a fault current circuit breaker and that is made of a helically wound, magnetically soft band has a top (4) and a bottom (5), the top (4) and the bottom (5) being formed by side surfaces (16) of the magnetically soft band. The magnet core (1) is fixed in a protective housing (6), and there is a contact cement (11) between the bottom (5) of the magnet core (1) and an inside wall (10) of the housing for fixing the magnet core (1).

1. Field
Disclosed herein is a magnet core that is wound from a magnetically soft band. Also disclosed is to a method for producing such a magnet core and a fault current circuit breaker with a magnet core.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnet cores that are formed from a helically wound metal band, so-called ring band cores, are used in, for example, current transformers, power transformers, current-compensated radio interference suppression reactors, starting current limiters, storage reactors, single-conductor reactors, half-cycle transductors, and sum or difference current transformers for FI circuit breakers.
High demands are imposed on these cores with respect to magnetic properties: fault current transformers for AC-sensitive fault current circuit breakers, for example, must make available a secondary voltage that is at least enough to trigger the magnet system of the trigger relay that is responsible for shut-off. Since a design of a current transformer that saves as much space as possible is desired it is generally desirable that, a material for the magnet core high induction at the typical working frequency of 50 Hz, and also has a relative permeability μr that is as high as possible. The geometry of the magnet core and the material properties, in combination with the technological upgrading and processing of the material, for example by heat treatment, have a major influence on the relative permeability.
In the past, to achieve comparatively high relative permeabilities, it was necessary to achieve a saturation magnetostriction constant λs of |λs|<2 ppm, or even <0.3 ppm, and that was as small as possible. Moreover, bands that were as geometrically perfect as possible with as few defects of form as possible were an important prerequisite. However, it is only possible to easily achieve such a small saturation magnetostriction constant λs with only a few alloys. Moreover, for industrial production, it is almost impossible to achieve a sufficiently exact alloy composition without impurities.
It would, however, be possible to achieve high relative permeabilities with numerous other alloy compositions if the magnet core were free of mechanical stresses. Mechanical stresses are, for example, introduced into the magnet core when the core is wound from one or more bands or in its later handling or processing. The relationship between the absence of stresses in the magnet core and the high relative permeability is addressed in, for example, JP 63-115313. While stresses that have formed during winding can generally be greatly reduced in subsequent heat treatment, the delivery of mechanical stresses by external effects such as impacts or shaking must be avoided as much as possible.
For this purpose, for example, EP 0 509 936 B1 discloses connecting a magnet core made of a nickel iron alloy to a housing by means of a soft-elastic silicone cement by several bonding points. This process cannot, however, be transferred to a magnet core made of a magnetostrictive alloy since before complete crosslinking of silicone cement, it creeps as a result of capillary forces and the inherent weight of the magnet core between the band layers of the magnet core. Defects of form in amorphous and nano crystalline bands promote penetration of the cement. Upon curing, tensile stresses result on the crosslinked band layers, and thus the magnetic properties of the core are degraded. Since the intensity of penetration of the silicone cement between the band layers depends largely on randomly occurring defects of form, this effect can, moreover, only be predicted with difficulty and leads to serious variance of the permeability values.

Magnet core; method for its production and residual current device


The invention relates to a method for an at least partial erasure of the memory content of a mobile station in a mobile communication system. The starting of the erasure of the mobile station memory content is arranged to be responsive to the checking of a unique equipment identity of the mobile station performed in the mobile communication network on the basis of the unique equipment identities included in an equipment register. If a network element providing mobile communication services receives from an equipment register element the information, according to which the mobile station that has contacted the mobile communication network is defined as barred in the equipment register, a message to be sent from the mobile communication network to the mobile station is formed for erasing the memory content of the mobile station. This message is transmitted from the mobile communication network to the mobile station, and the mobile station detects a need for an at least partial erasure of the memory content in response to the reception of said message.

Many modern electronic devices include a diversity of data processing features and quite a large amount of memory for storing a user's files. It is also more and more common to store confidential information and documents in equipment used as mobile stations. It is important to develop solutions for hindering the misuse of information stored in mobile stations when, for instance, the mobile station is stolen or lost.
Most mobile communication systems apply replaceable smart cards, which comprise a subscriber's identification application and, e.g. in the GSM system, are often called SIM (subscriber identity module) cards. Solutions have been developed for preventing the use of stolen SIM cards; in U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,783, for instance, a command for making the SIM card inoperative may be sent on the basis of the SIM card identity. However, it is also needed for removal of information that is kept in the memory of mobile equipment. U.S. 2005/0228938 discloses a solution, in which a device server may send an erasure command via a mobile communication network to an electronic device, in response to which at least a part of the mobile station's memory is overwritten. A problem with the above arrangement is that it requires a separate device server and that the stolen mobile station is not necessarily connected to the mobile communication network at the moment the erasure command was sent, wherefore the command will not reach its target.

Management of mobile station memory content


A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an equalizer circuit configured to amplify a signal component in a particular frequency band of an input signal on a signal path after a coupling capacitor, a sampler circuit configured to convert a first signal outputted from the equalizer circuit to a digital signal, a detector circuit configured to output a second signal based on a frequency of appearance of two values included in the digital signal, and a compensator circuit configured to compensate for a shift of a DC voltage level on the signal path after the coupling capacitor based on the second signal outputted from the detector circuit.

The amount of data used with by electronic apparatuses such as smartphones and personal computers is increasing year after year. As a result, a demand is increasing for a circuit technology for transmitting a large amount of data at a high speed with a low power consumption. High-speed transmission circuits often transmit and receive differential signals for reducing noise. In some cases, coupling capacitors are inserted to signal paths for transmitting differential signals to cut off a DC voltage component during the signal transmission.
Insertion of the coupling capacitors on the signal paths through which the differential signals are transmitted may change the DC voltage level of the signal paths after the coupling capacitors. For example, the DC voltage level may differ among a case where the number of 0s and the number of 1s in the data of the differential signals are the same, a case where the number of 1s is greater than the number of 0s, and a case where the number of 0s is greater than the number of 1s.
Therefore, differential signals passing through coupling capacitors and inputted to an equalizer, for example, may not be normally processed by the equalizer due to fluctuations in the DC voltage level of the differential signals, and the operation of the equalizer may become unstable and the amplitude of the output signal of the equalizer may become higher or lower than a desired amplitude.

Semiconductor integrated circuit and receiver device


There is provided a method for requesting an electronic document based on XML in which the electronic document is created using a syntax defining a structure of a constructed electronic document. The electronic document request method can include creating a request document including an element name/attribute name based on a previously prescribed syntax without defining an additional syntax for requesting the electronic document, requesting a supply of the electronic document having an information on the element name/attribute name recorded in the request document, and receiving the electronic document including the information on the requested element name/attribute name.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic document request/supply method, and more particularly, to an XML-based electronic document request/supply method.
2. Background of the Related Art
In recent years, an extensible markup language (hereinafter, referred to as "XML") is widely used to create electronic documents. The utilization of XML increases rapidly throughout the world, and government and public offices as well as general enterprises are increasingly introducing the XML. These electronic documents are generally created on the basis of a syntax prescribed by each organization. Specific languages have been provided for searching XML documents.
However, related art methods for searching or requesting electronic documents have various disadvantages. In a related art method for requesting a supply of the electronic documents using these specific search languages, a user requesting the electronic document should learn an additional search language and designate a structure of the XML document to be supplied as the search result. Accordingly, the related art methods are ineffective to the user who wants to request and receive the electronic document created based on the previously designated syntax.
Further, in case of using the document requested and supplied in the related art methods, the entire contents provided initially should be transmitted because there is no method of subsequent or additional notifications of contents deleted because of a change of document contents or notifications of invalid contents. The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

Electronic document request/supply method based on XML