A system that can be used to perform an ophthalmic procedure. The system may include a patient support that supports a patient and a light source which can direct a beam of light onto the patient's cornea. The system may also include an airflow module that directs a flow of air above the cornea. The flow of air reduces the amount of contaminants that may become attached to the cornea during the procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air flow system that can reduce the amount of contaminates at the site of an ophthalmic procedure.
2. Background Information
There have been developed various techniques for correcting the vision of a patient. For example, there is a medical procedure that varies the curvature of a cornea using a laser. This procedure is commonly referred to as Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).
In a LASIK procedure, a surgeon cuts the cornea to create a flap. The flap is peeled back to expose the stroma layer of the cornea. A laser beam is then directed into the stroma to ablate the cornea and vary the refractive characteristics of the eye. After the ablation step, the flap is placed back onto the cornea to complete the procedure. LASIK procedures are typically performed in a room that may have dust particles and other contaminants. The contaminants may become attached to the stroma and lead to a post-operative infection of the eye. The stroma tissue has a tendency to attract and retain contaminants. Additionally, the ablated stroma is sometimes aspirated so that the patient does not smell burning tissue. Unfortunately, aspirating the burned tissue pulls air and accompanying contaminants into the eye.
To reduce the amount of contaminants introduced to the cornea during a procedure the surgeon will frequently apply an irrigation fluid to the eye. The irrigation fluid may over-hydrate the cornea and possibly interfere with the ablation of the stroma by the laser beam. It would be desirable to provide a system that can reduce the amount of contaminants introduced to a cornea in an ophthalmic procedure.


The multi-functional vehicular ramp is an accessory that attaches to a trailer hitch of a pickup truck and which include foldable ramp members that fold down to enable ATVs or other wheeled objects to drive up onto a bed of a pickup truck for transport, and wherein the foldable ramp members can fold up to secure said wheeled object to said pickup truck bed. The multi-functional vehicular ramp can also adapt to attach wheels thereon for use as a trailer to be towed via one of a multitude of adaptors behind a truck or other motor-powered vehicle. The multi-functional vehicular ramp may also be adaptively used to suspend an object above the ground by extending the foldable ramp members upwardly and connection there between via a suspension member. The multi-functional vehicular ramp may also adapt for use as a workbench or as a picnic table.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of vehicular ramps, more specifically, a vehicular ramp that can be adaptively engaged for use as a trailer, a stand, a game supporting apparatus, or a picnic table.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As a preliminary note, it should be stated that there is an ample amount of prior art that deals with vehicular ramps. As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a vehicular ramp that is suited for use with a pickup truck, and which can enable an all-terrain vehicle to drive onto the rear of said pickup truck, but which can be adaptively used for other uses comprising a trailer, a stand, a picnic table, a game supporting apparatus.
The Vagedes et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,822) using the cargo bed expander. However, the ramp and cargo bed expander cannot modify for use as a trailer for different types of vehicles or a means of suspending an object such as killed game or as a picnic table.
The Schultz Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,819) discloses a self-powered elevationally-adjustable foldable ramp for draft vehicles. However, the foldable ramp does not include removable wheels and interchangeable trailer tongues so as to adapt for use as a trailer for different types of vehicles, or of which adapts for use as a picnic table or a means of suspending an object in the air, such as a killed game.
The Gordon et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,583) teaches a carrier apparatus and method that involves a ramp that attaches to the trailer hitch of a pickup truck. However, the apparatus utilizes different construction such that the ramp is supported about half of the length, no supporting posts fold down when in use, and a separate flat deck must be folded onto the tailgate when in use.
The Schilling Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,820) teaches a carrier lift apparatus for loading and unloading an all terrain vehicle onto a pickup truck bed, which involves a recessed platform that is mounted on the pickup truck bed. However, the carrier lift apparatus occupies the truck bed when the truck is not transporting an all terrain vehicle, as opposed to a device that attaches to the trailer hitch of a truck.
The New, Jr. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,284) teaches a kit for adapting a pickup truck for safely loading, transporting, and unloading two all terrain vehicles over the truck's bed while preserving cargo space in the bed area. However, the kit loads the all-terrain vehicles from the side of the pickup bed, and does not connect to the trailer hitch of a pickup truck.
The Savage et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,847) teaches a portable, folding ramp that extends down from the tailgate of a pickup truck. However, the folding ramp does not connect to the trailer hitch, and include a horizontal track that extends out far enough from the tailgate such that the tailgate can be opened and closed while the invention is attached.
The Hildebrandt Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,719) teaches a recreational vehicle carrier for use with a pickup truck. As with the New Patent, the all terrain vehicles are loaded from the side of the pickup bed, as opposed to the rear.
The Blaikie Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,123) teaches a vehicle loading and transport attachment that includes a ramp assembly. However, the ramp assembly does not extend from the trailer hitch of the truck, but is rather mounted to the loading deck that is atop the truck bed.
The Flamm Patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,613,920 and 3,704,794) teach a support deck that is selectively mountable with a pickup truck bed. Again, the ramp extends from a loading dock that is mounted to the truck bed, as opposed to an assemblage that extends from the trailer hitch of the pickup truck.
The Schrunk Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,393) teaches an all terrain vehicle carrier apparatus for a pickup truck. However, the all terrain vehicles are loaded via ramps that extend from the side of the pickup truck bed as opposed to the end of the pickup truck bed.
The Brown Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,762) teaches a vehicle carrier and ramp assembly for transporting an all terrain vehicle in a pickup truck bed. However, the ramp assembly is mounted to a deck that is mounted atop a truck bed.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a vehicular ramp that is suited for use with a pickup truck, and which can enable an all-terrain vehicle to drive onto the rear of said pickup truck, but which can be adaptively used for other uses comprising a trailer, a stand, a picnic table, a game supporting apparatus. In this regard, the multi-functional vehicular ramp departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.


A method includes implementing a single GUI for all the appliances which includes a set of input panels, an appliance selector panel and an output panel, communicating with the appliances with a multiplicity of agents, each implementing one appliance protocol of communication and converting between an internal format and the appliance protocol of communication; controlling activity of the agents, receiving a user command to a selected appliance issued from one of the input panels and generating at least one associated internal command in response to the user commands, providing the at least one associated internal command to the controlling for instruction to one of the agents associated with the selected appliance, storing information about each appliance to be controlled by the remote controller, and receiving notifications from the agents about the state of at least one of the appliances and providing the notifications to be displayed on the GUI.

Remote control devices are known and have been used for many years to control one appliance. In recent years, universal remote controllers have been developed which attempt to control multiple appliances with a single device. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/870,353, filed Sep. 30, 2015, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,842,491, issued Dec. 12, 2017, assigned to the common assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference, describes a universal remote controller implemented as an application (or "app") on a hand-held smart device, like a mobile phone, tablet, etc. The app has a unified interface for WiFi and IR remote-controlled appliances.
Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which generally illustrates the operation of such a universal remote controller 100 and to FIG. 2, which details the elements of the user interface of universal remote controller 100. Each end user 102 has the application downloaded on his/her own mobile device and uses it to control the appliances 110 in his/her space, such as a home, an office, etc. Appliances 110 may be WiFi appliances 110a, such as digital media, TV, etc., or infrared (IR) controlled devices 110b, such as set top boxes and air conditioning units.
In addition, each remote controller 100 communicates with an Internet-based server 110, which provides information to the multiple remote controllers 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, universal remote controller 100 may have multiple sections to its user interface. One section 102, on the top of the user interface, shows breadcrumbs of the multiple types of appliances available to be controlled and enables the user to add a new appliance to his/her personal list of appliances. A second section 104, on the side of the user interface, is a device selector and enables the user to change the appliance currently being controlled (chosen from among those associated with this mobile device).
A third section 106, in the lower middle of the display, is a device input panel with multiple control buttons. The input panel shown in FIG. 2 has the cursor, volume and play related buttons on it. The various types of control buttons are organized into a plurality of panels organized by topic, such as volume, channel, alphabetic, buttons needed for watching a show, a device input panel selector and are changeable using the device input panel selector 108 at the bottom of the display.
Finally, the user interface has a device output panel 109, used to provide any output from the device, if such is available.
To add a new appliance to its database of controlled appliances, a designer has to register each instruction of the appliance and associate it with a control instruction on one of the input panels of the universal remote controller. In addition, the universal remote controller has a separate state machine for each appliance, which the designer needs to build for any new appliance.

Architecture for remote control of IOT (internet of things) devices


The invention relates to equipment for the correction of astygmatism by modelling of the corneal surface by means of photo-ablation. A laser beam produced by an excimer laser is used, which is masked by a special mask (1) in such a way that, at each application, a pre-established surface of the cornea (3) is struck, from which cornea (3) a very thin uniform layer of tissue is removed.

The invention relates to equipment for the correction of astygmatism by remodelling the corneal surface by means of photo-ablation.
The prior art teaches laser apparatus, known as excimer lasers, able to generate beams of radiation to vaporize, very exactly and regularly, very thin, microscopic layers (measurable in micrometers) of the eye corneal tissue. Such apparatus is used to remodel the external part of the cornea with the aim of eliminating various refraction defects.
The prior art teaches the use of masks and/or diaphragms which, correctly applied, allow the laser beam to reach and ablate the corneal surface in pre-established areas. By means of the use of such masks or diaphragms, whose aperture can be controlled and co-ordinated together with programmed laser-beam application times, it is thus possible to realise step-like sculptures in the cornea through a succession of photo-ablation removal operations of single uniform layers, of different-sized areas of the cornea itself.

Equipment for the correction of astygmatism by remodelling the corneal surface by means of photo-ablation


An ink jet head according to an embodiment comprises a substrate including amounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface, the substrate having a first expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a vibration plate including a first surface fixed to the mounting surface of the substrate, a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, an opening portion open to the pressure chamber, a first portion having a second expansion coefficient different from the first expansion coefficient, and a second portion having a third expansion coefficient different from the second expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a piezoelectric element provided on the second surface of the vibration plate and configured to deform the vibration plate to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber.

On-demand type ink jet recording methods are known in which ink droplets are discharged from a nozzle according to an image signal to form an image on a recording paper. On-demand type ink jet recording methods include a heating element type ink jet recording method and a piezoelectric element type ink jet recording method.
In the heating element type ink jet recording method, air bubbles are generated in ink by heat provided by a heat source in an ink flow channel. The ink pressed by the air bubbles is discharged from a nozzle.
In the piezoelectric element type ink jet recording method, a pressure change occurs in an ink chamber, where ink is stored, due to the deformation of a piezoelectric element. Thus the ink is discharged from a nozzle.
A piezoelectric element is an electromechanical conversion element, and undergoes expansion or shear deformation when an electric field is applied thereto. Lead zirconate titanate is used as a representative piezoelectric element.
With respect to an ink jet head using a piezoelectric element, a configuration using a nozzle plate formed of a piezoelectric material is known. The nozzle plate of the ink jet head includes an actuator. The actuator includes, for example, a piezoelectric film having a nozzle for discharging ink, and a metal electrode film formed on both surfaces of the piezoelectric film surrounding the nozzle.
The ink jet head includes a pressure chamber that is connected to the nozzle. Ink enters the pressure chamber and the nozzle of the nozzle plate and forms a meniscus within the nozzle, and thus the ink is maintained within the nozzle. When a driving waveform (voltage) is applied to the two electrodes provided around the nozzle on either side of the piezoelectric film, an electric field in the same direction as a polarization direction is applied to the piezoelectric film through the electrodes. Thereby, the actuator expands and contracts in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the electric field. The nozzle plate deforms by virtue of the expansion and the contraction of the actuator. A pressure change occurs in the ink within the pressure chamber due to the deformation of the nozzle plate, and the ink within the nozzle is discharged.

Ink jet head and image forming apparatus


A semiconductor device has a cell part and a terminal part set in the device. The terminal part encloses the cell part. The semiconductor device includes a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer of a first conductive type, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductive type, and an insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed above the first electrode. The second semiconductor layer is provided in an upper portion of the first semiconductor layer, and has an impurity concentration profile along a vertical direction including a plurality of peaks. The insulating layer is provided on the second semiconductor layer.

A high breakdown voltage semiconductor device such as an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor), a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor-Field-Effect-Transistor), a FRD (Fast Recovery Diode (a high-speed rectifying element)), or the like are used in a power device that switches current supplied to an electric train or the like. In such a high breakdown voltage semiconductor device, a diffusion layer is formed in the semiconductor layer of the terminal part to suppress the concentration of the electric field of the terminal part in the OFF-state and to prevent breakdown of the terminal part.
However, when avalanche occurs in the terminal part, there are cases where breakdown occurs because the removal of the carriers is insufficient.

TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION


A computer program product includes program code for managing changes to one or more files via a link is associated with the changes that result in an updated version of the one or more files. A changed section determiner determines which sections associated with the one or more files have changed. The changed section operator further determines metadata regarding the nature of the changes to the sections. Based on the metadata a metrics generator generates a first weight associated with each of the changed sections. A mapping record generator generates a mapping record for each of the changed sections. A first mapping record comprises data associated with the first weight. The first mapping record is associated with a particular version of the one or more files and is linked to mapping records associated with other changed sections using the link.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to managing changes to one or more files. In particular, the present disclosure relates to managing changes to one or more files using a link associated with changes and creating an updated version of the one or more files based on the changes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Presently, it is difficult to identify parts of a file that need to be changed when an associated file is changed. For example, it is difficult to identify which parts of documentation for a product require updating when associated code for the product is changed, or vice versa. This can result in, for example, the documentation being out of date (e.g., because the documentation has not been updated to reflect changes in the code) or cause documentation associated with the code to be present in multiple locations and not be consistently updated in each of the locations.
At FIG. 1, there is depicted a block diagram of a prior art solution. As shown, the system comprises system 100 having client computer 105 operable to interact with server computer 107. The server computer 107 comprises coordinator 110 and version control system 115 having access to first data store 125 for storing one or more files. In the example herein, the files comprise code and associated documentation. The system further comprises linking system 120 having access to second data store 130 for storing one or more links.
At FIG. 2 there is provided a flow diagram of the process according to the prior art. At step 200, a user uses client computer 105 to make changes to code and to documentation and "commits" the changes to a change management system (e.g., server computer 107). Coordinator 110 receives the changes from client computer 105 and coordinates version control system 115 to access the files in first data store 125 and to update the relevant files (step 205). At step 210, Coordinator 110 coordinates linking system 120 to create a link. The links are created between one or more code files and one or more documentation files. Coordinator 110 coordinates linking system 120 to create a link between the code file(s) that was changed by the user and the documentation file(s) that was changed by the user. Linking system 120 links the files by use of a timestamp, wherein a code file and a documentation file are linked if they are committed at the same time. Alternatively, linking system 120 may link the files if changes associated with the file are committed under the same change item (which has an identifier) wherein a change item can be used to group changes associated with a logical unit of work. Linking system 120 stores the link in second data store 130.
The solution provided by the prior art, as described in FIGS. 1-2, is disadvantageous since this solution is coarse grained. For example, in the prior art links can only be created based on an exact timestamp or a change item. Further, it is not possible to easily identify which sections of the documentation relate to which sections of code.

Managing changes to one or more files via linked mapping records

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is a system and method for generating two dimensional renderings on a display device of acoustic volumetric data that provides depth perception to the user. The system includes an acoustic data acquisition circuit, which includes a sonic transducer and other components, that generates and stores an acoustic data set from medium such as a human body, etc. A scan converter generates a perspective volumetric data set of the medium based upon the acoustic data set, and a single dimensional interpolator that generates at least one interpolated data set from the perspective volumetric data set. The perspective volumetric and interpolated data sets are processed by a compositor that generates two dimensional renderings of the perspective volumetric data set and the interpolated data sets. The system includes a display device which displays the two dimensional renderings in a predetermined fashion to provide depth perception to the viewer.

Modern high performance ultrasound imaging systems are currently used for medical applications and other uses. Generally, such systems employ a sonic transducer to emit a sonic pulse through a medium such as the human body which generates echoes. These echoes are received by the transducer or other sensors captured in data that is stored and ultimately used to generate images on a display. Such images or renderings can be shown in real time to see movement within the medium, for example, the beating of a heart in a human body, or the renderings may be frozen in time, taking a snapshot of the medium at a given moment.
Attempts to achieve three dimensional renderings of various media have achieved limited success. In particular, such renderings are achieved in a time consuming, off-line process which is usually manually interactive. This fact limits the usefulness of such technology for use in medical or other related fields. In addition, for non-moving or frozen three dimensional renderings in particular, it is very difficult to appreciate the various features shown in such renderings due to a lack of depth perception. In particular, frozen three dimensional renderings do not have moving components which generally give a clue as to the depth of the component relative to other components as seen by the observer. Additionally, such renderings are characterized by a significant amount of gray speckle which makes it even more difficult to ascertain the features of the renderings obtained, even for those with significant experience viewing such renderings.

System and method for providing depth perception using single dimension interpolation


Disclosed herein is a superconducting wire which is used in, for example, superconducting magnet energy storage systems. The superconducting wire includes: a wire comprising a metal substrate, a superconducting layer and a buffer interposed between the metal substrate and the superconducting layer; and a stabilizer layer plated on the wire, wherein an epoxy resin insulating layer coats the entire surface of the stabilizer layer. The superconducting wire makes it possible to reduce damage to an insulating material when forming the insulating material during the production of the superconducting wire, and it has a uniform surface and can be produced in a simple manner.

In recent years, as our society has developed into a highly advanced information society, telecommunication equipment, computer systems, online service systems, automatic production line control systems and precision control systems have been increasingly distributed. In order to supply high-quality power to such sensitive and important systems, the research and development of superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems has been active. The superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems are diverse, including small-scale superconducting magnet energy storage systems for controlling power quality, and large-capacity superconducting magnet energy storage systems for load leveling. Recently, in order to control the power quality of sensitive loads, small-scale superconducting energy storage systems having a capacity on the order of a few MJ have been commercialized and effectively used for industrial and military purposes. The superconducting magnetic energy storage system has as its main component a superconducting magnet obtained by winding a thin tape-shaped superconducting wire. Because the superconducting wire contains a conducting material, it needs to be insulated before it is wound. In the prior art, a film made of insulating material was spirally wound around the outermost layer of the superconducting layer to form an insulating layer, but this film is easily torn, for example, by burs formed at the corners of the superconducting wire. Also, it makes the surface of the superconducting wire non-uniform, causes various problems, and also complicates the production process.
Meanwhile, to the central portion of the superconducting magnet obtained by winding the superconducting wire, a separate lead wire for detecting a quench or the like was connected in order to detect a voltage signal. However, the lead wire has a problem in that it forms a physical/electrical loop that generates a noise by induced electromotive force. In other words, the lead wire causes misjudgment or misoperation due to an electromagnetic noise, thus making quench detection impossible.

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute


The subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining a location fix of a mobile station based on identification information of a cellular base station included in a pilot signal.

1. Field
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to determining a location fix of a mobile station based on identification information of a cellular base station included in a pilot signal.
2. Information
A satellite positioning system (SPS), such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), typically comprises a system of earth orbiting satellite vehicles (SVs) enabling wireless devices such as cellular telephones, personal communication system (PCS) devices, and other mobile stations (MSs), to determine their location on the earth based, at least in part, on signals received from the SVs. Such wireless devices may be equipped with an SPS receiver and be capable of processing SV signals to determine location. However, a relatively large portion of existing wireless devices may lack an SPS receiver and a capability to determine their location based on receipt of SPS signals.


A handrail, used in particular for escalators or moving walkways, has a plurality of individual grip elements arranged in a series along the length of the handrail loop. Each grip element has an oval or elliptical outer shell, cover layer or casing that is at least partially transparent. An illumination unit is situated in the interior the shell, cover layer or casing.

An endless handrail with a lighting system is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,125 B2. In that case a plurality of charging stations is provided. The charging stations serve for charging a rechargeable battery, which supplies diodes or other light sources with energy. Charging of the rechargeable battery is then carried out by electromagnetic coupling or supply.
The handrail known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,125 B2 has the disadvantage that the design, particularly with respect to the charging stations operating by electromagnetic coupling or supply, is expensive and due to transmission losses and intermediate storage in the rechargeable battery there is low energy yield and light intensity. Moreover, the integration of the required components in the handrail is very complicated and costly.
It is the object of the invention to create handrail in which one or more lighting devices can be operated with (comparatively) low costs.
Specifically, it is an object of the invention to create a handrail with a lighting possibility which is produced economically and is usable as universally as possible.

Handrail for an escalator or a moving walkway


The present invention relates to method for fabricating a dual-orientation group-IV semiconductor substrate and comprises in addition to performing a masked amorphization on a DSB-like substrate only in first lateral regions of the surface layer, and a solid-phase epitaxial regrowth of the surface layer in only the first lateral regions so as to establish their (100)-orientation. Subsequently, a cover layer on the surface layer is fabricated, followed by fabricating isolation regions, which laterally separate (11θ)-oriented first lateral regions and (100)-oriented second lateral regions from each other. Then the cover layer is removed in a selective manner with respect to the isolation regions so as to uncover the surface layer in the first and second lateral regions and a refilling of the first and second lateral regions between the isolation regions is performed using epitaxy.

Conventional (100)-oriented silicon or silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates are commonly used in the field of microelectronics. In comparison with other known surface orientations of silicon substrates, the (100)-orientation provides the highest mobility for electrons. However, the (100)-orientation is not advantageous for the hole mobility. In fact, within the group of surface orientations of commercially available for silicon wafers it provides the poorest mobility. This is detrimental for the performance of pMOS (metal-oxide-p-semiconductor) devices on (100)-silicon.
It has been established that silicon substrates with a (110)-orientation provide the best mobility for holes. However, this orientation is detrimental for the electron mobility, i.e. for nMOS (metal-oxide-n-semiconductor) devices, cf. M. Yang et al., IEEE TED, Vol. 53, No. 5, May 2006, pp. 965-978.
As is well known, CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) devices incorporate both types, nMOS and pMOS devices, on a single substrate (chip). To achieve optimum mobility for majority charge carriers in both device types on a single chip, proposals have been made to provide dual-orientation substrates with first lateral surface regions having a (100)-orientation for nMOS devices, and with second lateral surface regions having a (110)-orientation for pMOS devices.
US 2006/0276011 A1 describes methods for fabricating such dual-orientation substrates, which are also called hybrid orientation substrates. Methods known from this document are based on direct-silicon-bonded (DSB) substrates, which have a (110)-oriented silicon surface layer bonded to a (100)-oriented silicon wafer. The fabrication of well-defined lateral regions with different crystal orientations is in some known methods performed by fabricating shallow trench isolations (STI) in a masked etching and filling process, followed by chemical mechanical polishing. Subsequently, a resist layer is deposited and patterned to protect those lateral regions from a subsequent amorphization step, which are to retain their (110)-orientation in the finished substrate. The amorphization is then performed by implanting suitable ions such as silicon or germanium. Subsequently, a so lid-phase-epitaxial regrowth is performed, using the (100)-oriented substrate as the template for recrystallization of the amorphized lateral surface layer regions. With removal of the resist layer, the fabrication of a dual-orientation substrate is completed.
However, as is described in US 2006/0276011 A1, defects are created in this process, which are detrimental for device performance. Specifically, crystallographic defects are generated at the STI edge during the solid-phase epitaxy step. STI-edge defects are a major source of junction leakages in a transistors with a wide active area since those defects are placed in junction depletion region. In case of a narrow active area, i.e., reduced STI-to-STI spacing, STI-edge defects are also a mobility degradation factor since the defects are placed in the transistor channel below the gate. Since those defects are a major source of junction leakages, some solutions have been proposed in US 2006/0276011 to reduce the defect density. In particular, a high-temperature annealing step for defect reduction and an integration scheme that uses the solid-phase epitaxy before the STI formation are proposed. The latter concept is explained in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
FIGS. 1 to 4 show schematic cross-sectional views of a dual-orientation silicon substrate during different stages of its fabrication.
Initially, a DSB silicon substrate 100 is provided. The DSB substrate has a (100)-oriented silicon substrate 102 and a (110)-oriented silicon surface layer 104 on top of the substrate 102. Note that, in the context of the present invention, numbers in round brackets indicate crystal orientations while numbers which are not bracketed are used as reference labels.
In a subsequent processing step, the result of which is shown in FIG. 2, a resist layer 106 is deposited on the surface layer 104 and lithographically patterned to provide openings in first lateral regions of the resist layer 106, which correspond to first lateral regions 108 of the surface layer, in which a (100)-oriented surface is desired. Then, an amorphizing ion implant 110 indicated by arrows pointing towards the substrate 100 is performed. Due to the resist pattern 106 provided in previous processing, the amorphization is performed only in the first lateral region 108, the ion implant 110 thus leads to an amorphized silicon layer 112. The amorphized silicon layer 112 extends slightly deeper into the substrate than the surface layer 104. Therefore, the amorphized layer 112 is arranged on top of a (100)-oriented substrate region of the substrate 102. The amorphized layer 112 is then recrystallized by a recrystallization anneal in order to establish a (100)-orientation of the substrate 100 in the first lateral region 108. As shown in FIG. 3, the resist layer 106 has also been removed at this processing stage, revealing second lateral regions 114 of the surface layer 106 with (110)-orientation.
As is shown in FIG. 3, a lateral defect region 116 is generated in the course of the amorphization and recrystallization process. The lateral extension 1 of the lateral defect region 116 roughly corresponds to the thickness d of the originally deposited surface layer 104.
In subsequent processing, STI regions 118 are fabricated in the lateral defect regions 116. In further processing steps, end-of-range defects (not shown) at the former interface between amorphized layer 112 and the substrate 102 are removed by a high-temperature defect-removal anneal.
The processing of US 2006/0276011 A1 has the disadvantage of not being applicable in future CMOS technology nodes with advanced scaling. Moreover, it is not fully compatible with the integration of thin-film devices. Also, the processing scheme is vulnerable to short-channel effects.
FIGS. 5 and 6 show schematic cross-sectional views of different CMOS semiconductor devices 500 and 600. The figures are used to illustrate main causes of junction leakages in semiconductor devices integrated on DSB substrates. In both devices, an nMOSFET 502 and 602, respectively, and a pMOSFET 504 and 604, respectively, are shown. The devices are provided on a dual-orientation substrate 506 and 606, respectively. The two devices 500 and 600 differ in the depth extension d of the (110)-oriented surface layer 508 and 608, respectively. The (110)-oriented surface layer 508 has a depth extension d that reaches deeper than source and drain regions 512 and 514 of the pMOS transistor 504. In the case of the semiconductor device 600, the (110)-oriented surface layer 608 has a smaller depth extension than the source and drain regions 612 and 614 of the pMOS transistor 604. The larger depth extension of the surface layer 508 avoids junction leakages in the pMOS transistor 504 of the semiconductor device 500. However, defect regions 516 and 518 are present in the nMOS transistor 502. The defect regions 516 and 518 extend along sidewalls of STI regions 520 and 522, which define the (100)-oriented, recrystallized first lateral surface region of the dual-orientation substrate 506. These defect regions 516 and 518 form a source of leakages as they extend into source and drain regions 524 and 526 of the nMOS transistor 502.
Therefore, defect problems are present in CMOS semiconductor devices on dual-orientation substrates, with different leakage problems being present in semiconductor devices with surface layers of different thickness.
Thus, one of the main challenges is to provide a dual-orientation substrate which avoids leakage problems in semiconductor devices such as transistors and which can be fabricated also at advanced scaling of the width of the isolation regions and the spacing between isolation regions on opposite lateral sides of an active area.

Method for fabricating a dual-orientation group-IV semiconductor substrate


The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, computer code and algorithm for determining the surface profile of an object. The invention involves capturing three or four images of the object at different planes of which some of the images can be taken outside the depth of field of the optical system and some inside the depth of the field of the optical system. The invention may have particular application in instances of surface analysis and security applications under ambient lighting conditions.

International patent application number PCT/AU99/00949, in respect of which the present assignee is a licensee, discloses a method and apparatus for imaging an article and in particular for determining the phase of a radiation wave field which passes through the article. This invention has particular application to providing internal structural details and thickness information relating to substantially transparent objects which cannot be easily inspected using normal intensity imaging of the object.
In order to provide the phase determination the above International application provides a solution to the transport of intensity equation.
In order to solve the above-mentioned equation images of an object are taken at different planes within the depth of field of the optics used to capture the images and that data is processed to provide the required phase information. Whilst the above International application provides extremely good results in terms of the imaging and thickness of the object it does not provide significant information relating to the surface profile of the object or, in other words, the manner in which the surface of the object changes with respect to a predetermined datum such as a plane passing through the object.

Method and apparatus for determining the surface profile of an object


The present invention relates to an ignition coil for ignition systems, in particular a rod ignition coil for internal-combustion engines, comprising at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding, a high voltage being induced in the secondary winding when current flows in the primary winding. A ferromagnetic core is surrounded in part by the primary winding and the secondary winding and one of the two windings is additionally surrounded at least in part by the other. To provide an improved ignition coil which ensures increased reliability in operation and energy efficiency and a reduced risk of overheating during operation, at least one of the windings comprises at least one portion having an elevated winding density relative to the remaining winding density, the diameter of the innermost turns in the at least one portion being smaller than the diameter of the innermost turns in the remaining winding portions.

Ignition coils of this type are conventionally configured to have an extremely minimized volume and weight, and they are predominantly used in internal-combustion engines in which each combustion cylinder is equipped with its own ignition coil and rests directly on the spark plug without expensive mounting elements. Ignition coils of this type are also known as single-spark ignition coils or rod ignition coils and have to be particularly vibration-resistant and able to withstand high temperatures, as they make direct contact with the heated engine block, which generates vibrations.
In addition to the primary and secondary induction coil, a single-spark ignition coil of this type comprises a specific magnetic circuit and may also include an electronic circuit element, for example an output stage which is connected to the induction coils to form a unit. Two plug connectors, one for connection of the high-voltage terminal to the spark plug and one plug connector that generally has four pins for the power supply from the wiring and the activation line complete an ignition coil of this type. The ignition systems are activated by the engine electronics, which determine the moment of ignition from a plurality of dynamic engine characteristics.
Single-spark ignition systems of this type have advantages over an ignition system that is powered by a single ignition coil and operates by the distributor principle. High-voltage lines, including the mechanical drive and distributor assembly, which is adversely affected by wear and contamination during operation and which influence the moment of ignition or impair the ignition power, may be dispensed with.
The physical operating principles of energy transmission, described hereinafter, apply to ignition coils of this type. An externally powered primary coil and the associated build-up of a magnetic field, which leads to an inductive transfer to the secondary winding when the primary current is interrupted, are used as a starting point.
The secondary current in the high-voltage portion is built up merely by the induction principle from the reduction in magnetic flux brought about by the disconnection of the primary current and the associated change in magnetic flux. However, this build-up of current and the incipient discharge do not take place continuously, but in four phases, according to the physical parameters that are predominant in each case. The build-up of current due to the capacitance of the secondary winding begins before the actual discharge via the spark plug electrodes directly after initiation of the reduction in primary current.
The first phase of the build-up of secondary current begins without delay when the reduction in the primary current commences. The charge is shifted according to the capacitance of the secondary winding with associated formation of corresponding electric fields on the spark plug electrodes, which then bring about the actual power breakdown. A considerable reduction in primary current, starting from the maximum value of the primary current, is required for generating the electric fields necessary for the secondary power breakdown. It is approximately 30% with a duration of action of 2 to 5 μsec and is determined by the ignition coil concept and the electronic switch, which influences the speed of disconnection of the primary current.
The equation
            U      indu        =                  N        ·                  ΔΦ                      Δ                                                                          t                                                              or                  U      indu        =          L      ·                                    Δ                                                                          l                                Δ                                                                          t                          .            applies to induction and self-induction processes with loss-free observation and for an open circuit.
The second phase of the secondary current is a sudden increase of a resistive nature associated with the power breakdown. It has substantially no inductive cause and results from the capacitive discharge of the secondary winding charge that has accumulated in the first phase.
Pure induction processes are predominant in the third phase of the secondary increase in current, the change in magnetic flux acting as a difference in the associated ampere turns (primary side decreases, secondary side increases) due to the further reduction in the primary current and the resultant increase in the secondary current, and the increase in the secondary current is consequently flatter, even though the reduction in the primary current remains uniform at this moment. It flattens only toward the end of the reduction in primary current, and the increase in the secondary current attains its maximum value in a soft run-out. The physical principle of the increase in the secondary current is manifested in that, in each phase of the increase, the maximum number of secondary ampere turns that can ever be adjusted is the same as the number of ampere turns that have previously been induced on the primary side, because only the magnetic field (originally produced by the primary winding) occurs as the energy parameter during induction and, according to the principle of energy conservation, cannot propagate itself, even with such a rapid reduction in primary current.
Therefore, the following relationship applies to the phase of increase in the secondary current, with a reduction in the primary current and loss-free observation:Nsecondary×dlsecondary≦Nprimary×dlprimary
This physical principle acts substantially independently of the speed of the primary switching operations, providing that sufficient voltage is induced to overcome the ohmic resistance. These procedures also take place independently of the presence of an iron circuit.
The fourth phase of the secondary current curve represents the magnetic free-run of the iron circuit, in particular of the magnetic coil core, the counter-induction of the secondary coil being predominate for the period of action of the magnetic free-run. The primary winding is already at zero current in this phase, and an influence on the secondary side, if significant on account of the smallness, would only be possible via capacitance.
All of the formerly known compact ignition coils, of the type shown, for example, in DE 199 62 279 A1, DE 199 27 820 C1, WO 99/36693, DE 199 50 566 A1, EP 1 111 630 A2 or EP 0 959 481 A2, run the risk of overheating during operation. This is due to the self-heating, predominantly by the considerable current load (15 amperes) of the primary winding, but also due to the power dissipation of the secondary winding. To this is added the exposure to heat due to the relatively high ambient temperature of the engine block (up to 125° C.). The lower thermal value of compact ignition coils further complicates the attainment of a state of equilibrium at a justifiably controlled temperature (maximum 160° C.), in particular during continuous operation with maximum ignition frequency.
European patent application EP 0 959 481 A2 discloses an embodiment of a compact rod ignition coil, in which the risk of overheating, in particular of the electronic output stage, is to be reduced, so that reliable operation is achieved even when it is exposed to high temperatures. Overheating is prevented passively by attempting to isolate the individual sources of heat by means of a separating gap. However, this solution has the drawback that the actual production of undesirable heat is not counteracted.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved ignition coil for ignition system, in particular a rod ignition coil for internal-combustion engines, which ensures increased reliability in operation and energy efficiency as well as a lower risk of overheating during operation.

Ignition coil having an improved power transmission


A pivoting bearing for mounting pull rods in motor vehicles, which includes a metallic housing (2) with a cylindrical inner jacket, a metallic inner part (1), and an elastomer body (3) arranged between the housing (2) and the inner part (1). The elastomer body (3) compensates axial, radial, and cardanic movements of the housing (2) in relation to the inner part (1) by molecular deformation. The elastomer body (3), which cooperates with the cylindrical inner jacket of the housing radially in the outward direction, is arranged adheringly on the inner part (1) and is pre-tensioned axially between plate rings (4, 5). The external diameter of the plate rings (4 and 5) is undersized compared with the internal diameter of the inner jacket of the housing. A sliding surface is obtained on the cylindrical outer jacket of the elastomer body under the axial pre-tensioning of this. This sliding surface permits rotary movement of the inner part (1) in the housing (2).

A similar pivoting bearing has been known from German Patent DE 21,44,507-C2. It permits radial, axial, and cardanic movements of the inner parts in relation to the housing due to molecular deformations of a rubber body. This rubber body is arranged between plate rings, to which it is connected by vulcanization. One of the plate rings is supported in an internally cylindrical housing on a shoulder, and the other plate ring is secured and held by a lock washer during the assembly of the bearing after axial pretensioning of the rubber body, so that frictionally engaged adhesion of the rubber body to the cylindrical jacket surface of the housing is achieved due to the forces resulting from the axial deformation of the rubber body. Such bearings are unsuitable for wide movements of the pull rod, which occur especially in triangular pull rods in vehicles with pneumatic spring action, because extreme deflections of the pull rod lead to excessive stretching of the rubber body.
The idea of combining such a joint with the effects of a molecular joint has been known from German Patent DE 34,19,967-A1.
FIGS. 3 and 4 of West German Utility Patent No. 66,06,534 and the corresponding part of the specification disclose a joint in which plate rings are arranged axially on both sides, and the actual rubber-metal ball joint is loosely introduced into a bore of the outer housing and is then axially deformed via the plate rings, so that the elastomer body is pressed against the inner jacket of the housing bore, but that the elastomer body can slip through when a defined torsional moment is exceeded. However, this can be considered to be only one type of protection against rupture.
GB 1,078,641 discloses a rotary slide bearing, in which a rubber body is attached to an inner part in a stress-free manner and is mounted rotatably in a cylindrical housing. However, such a bearing has only low axial load-bearing capacity.
FR 1,407,673 discloses a rotary slide bearing, in which the inner part is elliptical, so that the rubber body is slidingly movable on this elliptical part, and restoring forces are built up as the deflection of the inner part in relation to the housing, in which the rubber body is fixed, increases. Such a pivoting bearing also compensates only the radial movements of the inner part and of the housing relative to one another due to molecular deformation of the rubber body.
Finally, German Patent DE 37,15,360-C2 discloses a molecular joint of the class in which material recesses are provided in a middle zone on the inner surface of the internally cylindrical housing, and these recesses reduce the pre-tension of an elastomer body in this area in order to reach a progressively changing spring rate as the load increases.

Pivoting bearing for mounting pull rods in motor vehicles


To maintain required or desired ink transfer capability of an anilox roller (6) after wear and tear caused, for example, upon engagement of the surface of the roller against a doctor blade (7a, 7b) of a chambered inking unit (7), the ink receptor depressions or cells (14, 514) in the surface of the roller are formed with a depth which is substantially greater than that necessary for the volumetric dimension for required or desired retention of ink suitable for transfer upon printing with a predetermined print density. Before application of printing ink thereto, the cells are filled with a removable filler material (20), for example copper, plastics such as polyethylene, epoxy, wax or the like. After the surface of the strips or ridges or cell walls becomes worn, a portion of the filler material is removed, for example by vaporization, by a laser, etching or the like, to reconstitute the original volume for ink retention. The change in print density upon printing, as the surface wears, is abrupt (FIG. 4 : tB) and, when that change is determined, the volume-reconstituting step is carried out. If the surface of the roller itself is a layer which is readily machinable, for example made of copper, the initial depth of the cells (14, 514) may be for the initial requirement of ink retention. The layer thickness is then originally made thick enough so that, upon sensing of the abrupt change in print density, for example based on time or on printing results, the depth of the cells still present in the roller can be increased, e.g. by a laser, to obtain and reconstitute the volumetric dimension for desired ink retention.

Cellular ink transfer rollers, for example anilox rollers, usually have a base body, for example of steel, which may be supplied with shaft extensions for holding the roller in suitable bearings, coupling to drive wheels or gears, or the like. The steel body may have the cells or depressions engraved therein; it is customary, however, to apply a layer of engravable material on the steel body and to form the depressions therein, leaving ribs or ridges or webs projecting from the walls of the cells between the cells themselves, which may be of wear-resistant material. Ink is supplied to anilox rollers frequently from chambered ink supply units, supplied at an upper and a lower side of the chamber with doctor blades, which wipe and rub against the outer surface of the thus formed cellular roller. The referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,703, John, based on U.S. Ser. 07/762,582, filed Sep. 19, 1991 describes a roller in which hard ridges or ribs of chromium dioxide, aluminum oxide ceramic or the like, form the outer surface region of the anilox roller. The cells themselves are formed in a softer material between the ribs, for example copper.
The quantity of ink which can be accepted by the cells depends greatly on the depth of the cells, that is, the depth dimension from the outermost surface of the anilox roller. This dimension which is normally determined by the projection of the ribs or ridges above the lowermost point of the cells. A common concept is the ink transfer number. This ink transfer number is defined as the quantity of ink, in cubic centimeters, per square meter of surface of the anilox roller. Theoretically, the ink transfer number should correspond to the total volume of the cells, in cubic centimeters per square meter of the anilox roller. Actually, the ink transferred is somewhat less since somewhat less ink is removed from the cells during printing than theoretically possible.
It has been found that, in operation, the surface changes due to wear of the ribs and walls of the cells which, in turn, changes the volume of the cells. The volume will decrease as the ribs or ridges between the cells are worn away by the engagement with the doctor blades, during printing. Thus, the ink transfer number changes. This is undesirable in printing operations resulting in loss of ink density.

Method of controlling the quantity of printing ink and reconditioning used anilox rollers


Injectable baclofen formulations and methods that are bioequivalent in terms of plasma baclofen exposure to oral dosage forms but with reduced exposure ratios of baclofen to the M1 metabolite.

Baclofen is a widely used anti-spasticity drug and was originally discovered in 1960 by Ciba Geigy. After initial development as a potential antiepileptic agent, it was re-introduced in 1971 as a skeletal muscle relaxant. The original dosage form was an oral tablet and subsequently an intrathecal injection (not for other parenteral routes of administration) and an oral liquid formulation were approved.
Over the last decades, as bioanalytical techniques improved, regulatory agencies have required characterization of major metabolites (typically >10% exposure) of new drugs to better understand and control for metabolite-related pharmacology, toxicology, adverse effects, and drug-drug interactions. In the case of baclofen while the dominant (reported as 15%) metabolite has been identified (3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxybutyric acid, hereafter referred to as "metabolite 1," or "M1") and limited evaluation has suggested it is inactive, this does not address its potential full spectrum of potential specific and non-specific biological activity. Additionally, the contribution of the metabolite to the safety, toxicology, or drug-drug interactions remain unknown. Thus while 'generic' forms of baclofen (matching the dosage form and route of administration of already approved baclofen presentations) are assumed to have exactly matching metabolite pharmacokinetics and therefore similar biological effects, this may not be the case for new dosage forms or routes of administration.
The only literature report of M1 pharmacokinetics was a study comparing racemic baclofen tablets (the approved form of baclofen is a racemic 50:50 mix of R- and S-stereoisomers) and the pure R-stereoisomer only. Plasma concentrations of M1 were measured based on pooled 0-12 hour samples, but without no characterization of Cmax, AUC, or tmax. The study did however identify that M1 metabolite is a result of stereoselective metabolism of only the S-isomer component following racemic baclofen administration.
The only US approved injectable formulation of baclofen is specifically for intrathecal administration and should not be used for other injected routes of administration. There is no information on how different routes of administration affect the amount of metabolite produced.
Still further, there is practically no information about how higher concentrations (e.g., greater than about 2 mg/mL) of injectable baclofen formulations are distributed and processed within the body. In this regard, achieving stable high-concentrations of baclofen, which could be administered without exposing the subject to unacceptably high levels of baclofen degradation products, was not believed possible until relatively recently.
The present invention is based on discoveries made on administering high concentration baclofen formulations through intramuscular administration.

Compositions and methods of administering baclofen


A socket for a wrench has a body with a central hole defined in one end of the body and a connecting device formed on the second end of the body. Multiple first protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the central hole, and each first protrusion has a peak with a first angle. A second protrusion is formed on the inner surface of the central hole between each pair of adjacent first protrusions. Each second protrusion has a peak with a second angle and a recess to make the second angle smaller than the first angle of the peak of the first protrusions. With such a socket, the socket can securely hold the head of the fastener with the peaks on the protrusions even when the head has been worn away.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a socket, and more particularly to a socket for a wrench and that can securely hold a head of a fastener to rotate the fastener even when the head has been worn away.
2. Description of Related Art
A socket can be attached to a wrench to hold and to rotate a fastener, such as a bolt or a nut. A conventional socket has a body with a central hole defined in one end of the body. A square hole is defined in the other end of the body to engage with a cubic stub protruding from the wrench, such that the socket can rotate with the wrench by means of the engagement between the stub and the hole. The central hole is polygonal and generally has six identical surfaces forming the central hole. The polygonal central hole can engage with a polygonal head of the fastener to drive the fastener to rotate with the socket so as to tighten or loosen the fastener relative to an object.
However, the central hole of the conventional socket cannot securely hold a head of a fastener when the head has been worn away. The worn head cannot be driven to rotate with the conventional socket, and so the use of the conventional socket is limited and is not versatile.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a socket to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
An objective of the invention is to provide a socket for a wrench and that can drive a head of a fastener even when the head has been worn away. The socket has a body with a central hole defined in one end of the body and a connecting device formed on the second end of the body. Multiple first protrusions are formed on the inner surface of the central hole, and each first protrusion has a peak with a first angle. A second protrusion is formed on the inner surface of the central hole between each pair of adjacent first protrusions. Each second protrusion has a peak with a second angle and a recess defined in one side of the second protrusion to make the second angle smaller than the first angle of the peak of the first protrusions. In such an arrangement, the socket can securely hold the head of the fastener with the peaks on the protrusions.
Other objectives and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


Splittable multicomponent fibers, to split fibers made from such splittable fibers, to a processes for making such splittable and split fibers, and to nonwovens and other substrates made form the split fibers. The splittable multicomponent fibers can comprise one component comprising thermoplastic starch and another component comprising a non-starch thermoplastic polymer, wherein: (i) said second component is capable of being split or removed from said first component to provide at least one split fiber consisting essentially of said first component; and (ii) wherein the split fiber of said first component can have good elongation properties. The splittable multicomponent fibers can also provide split fibers of the thermoplastic starch component. The split fibers corresponding to the thermoplastic polymer component will have a greater elongation than directly spun thermoplastic fibers which have an equivalent mass through put as the thermoplastic polymer component of the multicomponent fiber and which have the same diameter as the split fiber.

The present invention relates to splittable multicomponent fibers comprising starch and polymers and split fibers obtained from such splittable fibers. The present invention also relates to a process for making split fibers. The split fibers can have high elongation and can be used to make nonwoven webs and disposable articles.
There is a need for nonwovens that can deliver softness and extensibility. Soft nonwovens are gentle to the skin and are particularly useful in disposable products. Generally, decreasing fiber diameters can improve softness of nonwovens and other substrates. Nonwovens that are capable of high extensibility at relatively low force are also desired. These can be used to provide sustained fit in products and facilitate the use of various mechanical post-treatments. Typically, it has been found that having both small fiber diameter and high extensibility is difficult to achieve. This is because when the fiber diameter is reduced, it is commonly because the spinning speed or draw ratio has been increased which decreases extensibility of the fiber. Other ways to increase fiber extensibility of fine fibers include using higher-cost materials and or special mixing requirements.
There exists today a need for extensible nonwovens made with fine fibers that can be made with convention thermoplastic polymers, as well as for fibers that can be used to make such nonwovens and other substrates. The present invention can provide small diameter, extensible fibers in the form of split fibers obtained from splittable fibers splittable fibers that are cost-effective and easily processable. The splittable fibers are made of natural starches and thermoplastic polymers. The present invention also provides nonwoven articles and other substrates made from such split fibers.
The present invention is directed to splittable multicomponent fibers, to split fibers made from such splittable fibers, to a processes for making such splittable and split fibers, and to nonwovens and other substrates made from the split fibers. The splittable multicomponent fibers can comprise at least one nonencompassed segment of one component comprising thermoplastic starch and at least one nonencompassed segment of another component comprising a non-starch thermoplastic polymer, wherein: (i) said second component is capable of being split or removed from said first component to provide at least one split fiber consisting essentially of said first component; and (ii) wherein the split fiber of said first component has an Elongation to Break Ratio of greater than 1.0. As used herein, xe2x80x9cnonencompassed segmentxe2x80x9d means that the segment of the multicomponent fiber has at least one region of its lateral surface that is not encompassed by another segment of the multicomponent fiber. The splittable multicomponent fiber will produce at least one split fiber comprising the thermoplastic polymer, and can also produce a plurality of split thermoplastic polymer fibers. The splittable multicomponent fibers can also produce split fibers comprising the thermoplastic starch component. The split fibers corresponding to the thermoplastic polymer component will have a greater elongation than directly spun thermoplastic fibers which have an equivalent mass through put as the thermoplastic polymer component of the multicomponent fiber and which have the same diameter as the split fiber. This allows small diameter fiber to be produced at low spinning speed, so as to provide improved elongation properties, compared to conventional methods whereby cost effective processes run at high spinning speeds tend to result in poorer elongation properties, or wherein formation of small diameter fibers with good elongation are typically made according to processes with low mass through-put, and consequently low cost effectiveness.
The configuration of the splittable multicomponent fibers may be side-by-side, segmented pie, hollow segmented pie, islands-in-the-sea, segmented ribbon, tipped multilobal, or any combination of configurations. In general, segments will split or be splittable from adjacent segments of the fiber wherein the adjacent segment or segments constitute a different component of the multicomponent fiber.
The split fibers can be obtained from the multicomponent fibers hereof via chemical, mechanical, thermal, or other processes. Split fibers can also be obtained immediately upon formation of the multicomponent fiber, upon exit from the spinneret capillaries. The splittable nature of the fibers hereof is due at least in part to differences in rheological, thermal, solubility, surface energy, extensibility and/or solidification differential behavior between the components of the multicomponent fiber.
Without intending to be limited to any particular theory, it is believed that the splittable multicomponent fibers provide improved extensibility in the split fibers because they can be spun under conditions such that the fibers have relatively low molecular orientation and relatively large diameters. This can occur by using relatively slow spinning speeds, not subjecting the fibers to large drawing forces, and/or by increasing the through put per hole in the spinneret. Typically, fibers are drawn to smaller fiber diameters to increase the fiber strength and for a softer feel when used in a nonwoven. The drawing process, however, increases molecular orientation which results in a decrease in elongation to break of the fibers. Therefore, the split fibers of the present invention will have a higher elongation to break compared to fibers of the same diameter produced by direct spinning at equivalent mass through-put. In addition, the split fibers of the present invention can also have improved softness when used in a nonwoven fabric as a result of the improved extensibility.
The present invention is also directed to nonwoven webs and disposable articles comprising the split fibers. The nonwoven webs may also contain other synthetic or natural fibers blended with the split fibers of the present invention.

High elongation splittable multicomponent fibers comprising starch and polymers


A coupling assembly has a second coupling member mounted for rotation and a first coupling member having a speed sensor to sense a speed of rotation of the second coupling member. The coupling assembly further has a forward and a reverse locking element movable between (i) a coupling position in which the locking elements engage the second coupling member to thereby prevent rotation of the second coupling member in opposite first and second directions and (ii) a non-coupling position. Upon the speed of rotation of the second coupling member decreasing to be lower than a hill-hold speed threshold, the reverse locking element is moved to the coupling position while the forward locking element is maintained in the non-coupling position. Irrespective of a Park command, the locking elements are maintained in the non-coupling position while the speed of rotation of the second coupling member is greater than a park speed threshold.

Coupling assemblies such as clutches are used in a variety of applications to selectively couple power from a first rotatable driving member, such as a driving disk or plate, to a second, independently rotatable driven member, such as a driven disk or plate. In one known variety of clutches, commonly referred to as "one-way" or "overrunning" clutches, the clutch engages to mechanically couple the driving member to the driven member only when the driving member rotates in a first direction relative to the driven member. The clutch otherwise permits the driving member to freely rotate in the second direction relative to the driven member.
One type of one-way clutch (i.e., OWC) includes coaxial driving and driven plates having planar clutch faces in closely spaced, juxtaposed relationship. Pockets are formed in the face of the driving plate at angularly spaced locations about an axis, and a strut or pawl is disposed in each pocket. Notches are formed in the face of the driven plate and are engageable with one or more of the struts when the driving plate is rotating in a first direction. When the driving plate is rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction, the struts disengage the notches, thereby allowing freewheeling motion of the driving plate with respect to the driven plate.
Controllable or selectable one-way clutches are a departure from traditional one-way clutch designs. Selectable OWCs add a second set of locking members in combination with a slide plate. The additional set of locking members plus the slide plate adds multiple functions to the OWC. Controllable OWCs are capable of producing a mechanical connection between rotating or stationary shafts in one or both directions. Also, controllable OWCs are capable of overrunning in one or both directions. A controllable OWC contains an externally controlled selection or control mechanism. Movement of this selection mechanism can be between two or more positions which correspond to different operating modes.
As used herein, the term "sensor" describes a circuit or assembly having a sensing element and other components. As used herein, the term "magnetic field sensor" describes a circuit or assembly having a magnetic field sensing element and electronics coupled to the magnetic field sensing element. Magnetic field sensors are used in a variety of applications, including an angle sensor that senses an angle of a direction of a magnetic field, a current sensor that senses a magnetic field generated by a current carried by a current-carrying conductor, a magnetic switch that senses the proximity of a ferromagnetic object, a rotation detector that senses passing ferromagnetic articles, for example, magnetic domains of a ring magnet, and a magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetic field density of a magnetic field. As used herein, the term "magnetic field sensing element" describes a variety of electronic elements that can sense a magnetic field. The magnetic field sensing elements can be, but not limited to, Hall effect elements, magnetoresistance elements, or magneto-transistors.
Coupling assemblies are used in vehicle transmissions such as to prevent an interruption of drive torque (i.e., power flow) during certain gear shifts and to allow engine braking during coasting. Hybrid powertrains combine a conventional engine and an electric motor to produce a more efficient vehicle. Torque from the engine and the electric motor is channeled to the vehicle's driven wheels via the transmission.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupling" should be interpreted to include clutches or brakes wherein one of the plates is drivably connected to a torque delivery element of a transmission and the other plate is drivably connected to another torque delivery element or is anchored and held stationary with respect to a transmission housing. The terms "coupling", "clutch", and "brake" may be used interchangeably.

Coupling and control assembly including controllable coupling assembly having speed sensor and methods of controlling the controllable coupling assembly using information from the speed sensor for park/hill-hold operations


A method for evaluating damage degree and a system for implementing the same. A polygonal line including a first break point, a second break point, and a maximum response point is determined from a performance curve of each layer of a building. A maximum interlayer deformation angle of each layer is calculated from a maximum interlayer displacement of each layer and its corresponding interlayer height. A safety margin of each layer is calculated from the maximum interlayer deformation angle and a safety limit deformation angle, safety margins are compared, and one polygonal line having the smallest safety margin is selected. A safety limit point is calculated using the polygonal line selected. Damage degree categories are defined using the first break point, the second break point, and the safety limit point. One damage degree category, to which the maximum response point corresponds, is decided out of the damage degree categories.

Known examples of a method for promptly and objectively measuring residual aseismic performance of a building after a big earthquake include the following (Patent documents 1 and 2). For example, the patent document 1 describes that measuring instruments, such as an accelerograph, are installed on all layers (floors) of a building, the representative displacement is calculated, the performance curve is drawn (plotted), the demand curve is drawn (plotted) using the building design drawings or the like, the both curves are compared, and it enables the building to be evaluated whether being safe or dangerous.
The Japan Building Disaster Prevention Association specifies six damage degree categories according to the damage degree of the building, the damage degree of which is classified in one of: (I) no damage; (II) minor damage; (II) slight damage; (IV) half damage; (V) heavy damage; or (VI) collapse. Additionally, the Association is committed to activities involved, for example, training emergency risk assessment engineers who actually evaluate the damage degree or introducing a certification system of registering the emergency risk assessment engineers.

Method and system for deciding damage degree category


Disclosed herein are an information code and an information code reader. In information code, a plurality of light-colored modules exhibiting the reflective characteristics of light color when light of a second wavelength band different from light of a first wavelength band is radiated and a plurality of dark-colored modules exhibiting the reflective characteristics of dark color when the light of a second wavelength band is radiated are arranged in a code region. The information code includes a masked portion disposed in a predetermined region of the code region in which light is intercepted and prevents the corresponding information code from being read, and configured to, when the light of a second wavelength band is radiated, allow light reflected from the modules of the corresponding code region to pass therethrough and thereby interrupt the light of a first wavelength band.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an information code and an information code reader.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, information codes, such as barcodes or QR Codes®, have been used for a variety of applications, and accordingly the uses thereof have diversified. In particular, since there is an increasing demand for the improved security of information codes currently, a technology is required that allows information codes to be read only when specific conditions are met. An example of a technology in which security functionality has been added to information codes is shown in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-115105.
In the technology of the patent application, a frame is added to the margins of the location determination marks (location detection regions) of a QR (Quick Response) code, which makes the determination of the region of the QR code impossible. In greater detail, the frame is printed on an adhesive seal that can be removed from a base member on which the QR code has been printed, and the adhesive seal including the frame is attached to the margins, so that the presence of an object similar to the QR code can be recognized from the outside and the reading of the QR code is rendered impossible. When the adhesive seal is removed from the information code, the QR code becomes legible.
However, if the technology of that patent application is adopted to add security functionality, the following problem occurs. That is, when the adhesive seal is removed from the information code, the information code becomes a common type of information code from which information can be easily read. For this reason, the technology is problematic in that reading of the code cannot be reliably restricted to only a specific user or users.

Information code and information code reader


An apparatus for the extraction of gases has a flexible duct with an interior therein, a polymeric support extending in the interior of the flexible duct, a first anchor that secures an end of the polymeric support, a second anchor that secures an end of the flexible duct, and a duct connector. The first anchor secures the end of the polymeric support to the duct connector. The second anchor secures the end of the flexible duct to the duct connector. The polymeric support is elongated. The polymeric support has a taper and a thickness suitable for holding the flexible duct in a fixed position. The polymeric support is formed of a polycarbonate material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the extraction of gases and gas particulates. More particularly, the present invention the relates to flexible ducts for removing or extracting gases from a given area. More particularly still, the present invention the relates to flexible ducts having supports for positioning the ducts. More particularly still, the present invention the relates to flexible ducts having internal supports.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Hoses, ducts, and conduits in various sizes and configurations are commonly utilized for conveying, routing, and directing various substances and objects. For example, many factories use machines and equipment in welding which create unhealthy gases, fumes, or vapors which must be immediately extracted from the building. Those in need of extracting harmful gases from a building usually use flexible ducts to do so. The flexible ducts are connected to some kind of suction source that removes the harmful gases from the area.
Ducts are made to be flexible so that the position of the duct opening can be changed so as to optimally extract harmful gases from the area. In the past, it has been quite a challenge to keep a flexible duct in a fixed position. Prior art has attempted to remedy the problem of fixedly positioning a flexible duct by adding support arms. Theses support arms are either located inside the duct or outside the duct.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,503,139, issued on Jan. 7, 2003 to Coral, describes an external duct support on a conduit that includes a rotary fitting, in two segments, elbow-connected to each other. Each of the segments has an articulate mechanism that includes a pair of U-section bars connected to each other in the form of an articulated parallelogram by means of two articulated elements. A spiral compression spring is housed between each pair of bars and is compressed between a disk that is integral with one of the bars and a flange that slides along a threaded rod. The flange is locked on the rod by means of a nut. The rod is connected to a lever member pivoting on one of the articulated elements so as to adjust the action of the spring as a function of the angular position of the relative segment with respect to the articulated element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,206, issued on Jul. 16, 1996 to Bodmer et al., describes an external duct support adapted for concentrated sources of fumes and particulate matter that includes an elongated duct connected at one end to a vacuum source and adapted to be supported by a wall bracket or a portable console and a fume collection hood at the opposite end of the duct. One or more flexible joints are interposed in the duct between the support bracket and the hood. Joint support mechanisms for each flexible joint include opposed pairs of pivotally connected arms which interconnect rigid sections of duct on each side of the flexible joint. The connections between the arms of each set include a friction clutch and a ratchet-and-pawl mechanism which permits free movement of the flexible joints in a direction which is opposite that which the hood would move under its own weight while providing for counterbalancing the weight of the apparatus distal of the support bracket and a positive force required to position the hood precisely in the other direction. The friction clutch and ratchet-and-pawl mechanism is interposed between the arms of each set of arms about a pivot connection formed by a bolt and nut assembly, which may be adjusted to change the friction force required to slip the clutches of each joint support mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,354,937, issued on Mar. 12, 2002 to Crook, describes a sleeve assembly for supporting flexible duct. The assembly includes a frame with first and second frame sections. The frame sections are secured together by fastener subassemblies. The sleeve assembly accommodates flexible duct in various angular and straight configurations. The frame can comprise various suitable materials and skeletal or solid-exterior construction. The sleeve assembly is adapted for various installations in air distribution systems of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,810,400, issued on Oct. 22, 1957 to Hewitt et al., describes the wrapping of a flexible wire around the exterior of the duct. The wire is wound around the exterior of the duct in a spiral fashion. Material strips join each of the wires in an overlapped arrangement.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,095, issued on Aug. 27, 1957 to Schauenburg, describes an air duct whereby the duct is supported between a pair of longitudinal rods. Clamps are provided over the exterior of the surface of ducts so as to join with the rods for supporting the ducts in a desired configuration.
While these external supports for ducts have served a certain function, they have created the problem of being bulky and cumbersome. The supporting parts of these external supports are exposed to dust and to particulate matter in the air which causes the parts to get dirty and malfunction.
As a way to avoid the shortcomings of external supports for duct, the prior art has attempted to place the supporting members inside the ducts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,817, issued on Jun. 25, 1974 to Nederman, describes an apparatus for removing noxious gases from a work area that has internal support areas. The apparatus comprises a suction fan, a flexible tubing connected to the suction part of the fan, a suction casing mounted at the tube end and provided within the tube, a lever system which consists of two lever arms of which one arm at one end is connected to the suction part of the fan and at the other end is connected to one end of the other arm, which is further connected to the suction casing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,505, issued on Jan. 9, 1986 to Hedlund, describes an arrangement for the extraction of harmful gases from workplaces that has an internal support for the duct. The arrangement has a carrier arm system that has at least two arms connected telescopically with each other so that the carrier arm system can be given different lengths, whereby the carrier arm system is swivelable around a horizontal spindle so that it can be swivelled in a vertical direction and placed in different positions between a downward-directed, preferably substantially vertical, end position and an outward-directed, preferably substantially horizontal, end position. In order to permit the necessary balancing of both the swivelling and positioning of the carrier arm system and the telescoping function of the arms of the carrier arm system when the carrier arm system is swivelled within a large sector, at least one first device is arranged to generate balancing forces in order to facilitate swivelling of the carrier arm system in the vertical direction between the end positions and/or to facilitate the retention of the carrier arm system in set positions between the end positions. At least one second device is arranged to generate balancing forces which allow the arms of the carrier arm system to remain in the positions relative to each other that they were given by the telescopic function, at least when the carrier arm system is directed substantially downwards.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,148, issued on Apr. 14, 1998 to Coral et al., describes a hose with external supports comprising two flexible portions connected respectively to the suction unit and to the fume-conveyor element or hood, and a rectilinear portion which is articulated to the suction unit and the hood. The rectilinear portion comprises two rigid tubes between which is disposed an extensible bellows-type tube. Rigid tubes are held co-axial by a pair of rectilinear guides fixed to one of the rigid tubes and slidably engaging on a pair of fixed slides on the other rigid tube. The two rigid tubes are, finally, connected by a tension spring the action of which is braked by two friction disks disposed between the guides and the slides.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,217, issued on Jun. 18, 1996 to Engstrom, describes an adjustable device for exhaustion and/or supply of gases and gas-supported particles that has internal supporting members for the duct. The device comprises at least one exhaustion and/or supply conduit which is pivotable in at least a vertical direction, whereby at least one force-producing balancing device is provided for balancing the exhaustion and/or supply conduit. In order to provide at such an adjustable device that the balancing device generates balancing forces which correspond with the correct balancing requirement, the force-producing balancing device cooperates with a compensating device which compensates for the differences between the balancing force that the force-producing balancing device exerts on the exhaustion and/or supply conduit and the force required for balancing the exhaustion and/or supply conduit in substantially all its positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,946, issued on Mar. 19, 1996 to Valkering, describes a device for exhausting gases or the like that has internal support members. The internal support members comprise a support and at least one exhaustion tube movably mounted to the support and having a frame which is connected to the support in a manner pivotable at least in vertical direction. The frame is provided with a balancing mechanism for the exhaustion tube. The balancing mechanism comprises a cable with a draw spring. The cable is guided between the support and the frame such that there are formed at least two cable portions to create two force components producing an opposite variable torque around the pivot point of the frame such that the balancing torques, counteracting the gravitational torque, are produced.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,549, issued on Aug. 12, 2003 to Gaughier et al., describes a device for fixing a tubular element in a cavity. This device is made up of hoops made of an elastically flexible material disposed in cross-sectional planes of the cavity. The device is characterized in that, along the longitudinal axis of the cavity, the hoops are secured together by a flexible longitudinal support and are interconnected by a flexible membrane.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,077, issued on Feb. 13, 1973 to Sherman et al., describes a flexible insulated air duct formed by wrapping blanket insulation about a helically wound wire-like elongate tubular skeleton wherein the opposite ends of the helical windings are closed wound and secured together to form rigid collars of different diameters to define male and female connections whereby sections of such duct may be axially connected on to another.
All of these prior art internal support ducts have a common problem, i.e., that the internal support members obstruct the flow of air and also collect dust over time, further obstructing the flow of air through the duct. This is especially true when the internal support mechanisms are cumbersome and bulky.
There is a need for a flexible duct support that is less cumbersome and bulky. Moreover, there is a need for a flexible duct support that is lightweight, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive. Furthermore, there is a need for an internal flexible duct support that minimizes the restriction of air flow.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that connects to air systems.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that maintains the flexible duct in its desired location in a manner that is convenient to the operator.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that is lightweight.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that minimizes the flow obstruction and turbulence of gases traveling through the interior of a flexible duct.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that serves to reduce the suction power required by the vacuum system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that accommodates the many types of hoses, ducts and conduits.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a support for a flexible duct that is formed so as to accommodate any size and diameter of flexible duct.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.


A front wheel direction adjustment device for a golf cart having a front wheel includes an axle, an adjustment shaft assembly, and a rotating shaft assembly. The axle is mounted on the front wheel. The adjustment shaft assembly is coupled to the first portion of the axle. The rotating shaft assembly is coupled to the second portion of the axle, wherein the adjustment shaft assembly comprises a first supporting tube, a first sleeve, a first adjustment member, and a locking bolt, wherein the first supporting tube has two elongated locking slots spacedly and longitudinally forming at two sides of a lower end of the supporting tube respectively, wherein the first supporting tube is partially and securely received in the first sleeve, wherein the rotating shaft assembly comprises a second supporting tube, a second sleeve, and a blocking member.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a golf cart, and more particularly to a front wheel direction adjustment device for a golf cart.
2. Description of Related Arts
A majority of conventional golf carts does not usually have any adjustment devices for adjusting the direction of the golf cart when it is moving. For those which are equipped with direction adjustment arrangements, the corresponding structures of which are usually very complicated and technically unreasonable. Moreover, conventional direction adjustment arrangements are very difficult or inconvenient to operate. All these factors lead to high manufacturing costs and complicated manufacturing procedures.

Golf cart front wheel direction adjustment device

Dongguan Sunforce Plastics & Electrical Appliances Co., Ltd.


One embodiment is directed to an adhesive composition that is clear, flexible, and is devoid of non-polar additives and comprises molecules that are polar and particles having a lipophilic surface. In one embodiment, the particles range from 7 nm to 3 xcexcm in diameter and the adhesive layer is between 0.1 and 5 xcexcm thick. The particles may be alkyl-converted fumed silica, porous polymer-coated surfaces, or styrene/divinyl benzene polymer. The particles absorb non-polar oils or lubricants that prevent adhesion between printable media and the adhesive layer of the film. The present disclosure is a general solution for oily or lubricated substrates or printed areas. Oily materials are used in inks, dry powder toners, liquid EP toners, and in printers and copiers. The present teachings allow the adhesive to bond well to print media surfaces.

The present invention is directed generally to printing with inks, and, more particularly, to enhancing a printed image on a print medium.
It is difficult to bond to a surface that contains oils or lubricants. The adhesive fails to bond because it has poor contact with the intended substrate.
Many types of printed media, including paper, have a lubricant or oil added to the surface of the media before or during the printing process. Types of printing that add oil or lubricant to the process include laser printers, oil-based ink press printing, and liquid electrophotographic (EP) toner printing. Examples of such materials include sizing agents applied to paper in the paper-making process and lubricants on EP fusers to prevent toner from adhering to paper.
A clear plastic film such at polyethylene terephthalate can be used to coat the print in order to protect it or to improve its image quality. A thin layer of adhesive is used to bond the film to the media. However, the oils or lubricant from the printing process prevent the film from adhering well to the media""s surface or image""s surface.
A prior solution using particles in an adhesive layer to improve adhesion between a clear film and a printable substrate was developed by Hewlett-Packard. Those particles were used for paper where excess water from Inkjet printing inhibited good adhesion. Hydrophilic silica was used to absorb some of the water. That was found to improve adhesion. However, that solution only addresses water in paper.
Accordingly, a need remains for adhering a thin transparent film to printed media that have oily or lubricated substrates.
One embodiment of the invention is directed to an adhesive composition that is clear, flexible, and is devoid of non-polar additives and comprises molecules that are polar and particles having a lipophilic surface. In one embodiment, the particles range from 7 nm to 3 xcexcm in diameter and the adhesive layer is between 0.1 and 5 xcexcm thick. The particles may be alkyl-converted fumed silica, porous polymer-coated surfaces, or styrene/divinyl benzene polymer. The preferred concentration of particles in the adhesive layer is between 1% and 70% by weight. The particles absorb non-polar oils or lubricants that prevent adhesion between printable media and the adhesive layer of the film.
The present disclosure is a general solution for oily or lubricated substrates or printed areas. Oily materials are used in inks, dry powder toners, liquid EP toners, and in printers and copiers. The present teachings allow the adhesive to bond well to print media surfaces.

Use of adsorbents to facilitate film adhesion

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.