A hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device is disclosed. The hinge assembly has a support member 60 including a first contact surface 62a sloping down on the upper surface thereof and a second contact surface 62b sloping down thereon next to the first contact surface 62a and prevents the door 5 from coming off the upper surface of the body 6 of the kimchi storage device by maintaining the closed position of the door tightly and prevents cold air leakage by maintaining a sealed state. Also, in an embodiment of the present invention, a hinge housing 70 has a guard portion 71 formed at an upper end portion thereof, the guard portion 71 having an inwardly curved shape and being extended from the upper end of the hinge housing 70 toward inside of the turn member 20, thereby covering a gap formed in a conjunction area between the hinge housing 70 and the turn member 20.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) this application claims priority from Korean application no. 2001-28727, filed May 24, 2001 and Korean application no. 2001-45165, filed on Jul. 26, 2001.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device, and more particularly, to a hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device, which prevents the door from coming off the upper surface of the body by maintaining the closed position without fail upon closure of the door and which prevents cold air from leaking by maintaining a sealed state.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is generally known, kimchi storage devices exclusively used for kimchi, which mature and preserve kimchi optimally by using the principles of a refrigeration are now commonly used.
The kimchi storage device is constituted in such a manner that it can mature kimchi adequately according to seasonal variation and a user""s taste and then preserve the taste of the well-matured kimchi for a long time at a proper temperature.
While a general refrigerator is designed to have a door which opens and closes laterally, it is common that such a kimchi storage device is provided with an upper open/closed type door having a small overall size which is hingeably fixed to the upper surface of the body and is moved longitudinally into and out of the open position.
As illustrated therein, two separate kimchi storage chambers 3 are provided in the body 6 of the kimchi storage device which forms the appearance. Two doors 5 are hinged to the upper end of the rear surface of the body 6 in order to open and close these two kimchi storage chambers 3 by lifting them upwardly.
All operations of the kimchi storage device are performed with a control panel 7 provided on the front surface of the body 6.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, a hinge assembly 10, which is employed for a conventional kimchi storage device 1, comprises a turn member 20 fixed to a door 5 side, a hinge housing 30 forming a compartment in a case shape, a roller-shaped press roll 21 disposed at one end of the turn member 20, a hexahedral support member 40 and a pair of spring members 50, both being placed in the compartment of the hinge housing 30, a support plate 31, an adjust plate 32, and a cover plate 33 fixed to a body 6 of the kimchi storage device 1.
The turn member 20 and the hinge housing 30 are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft 25, and an open internal region of the hinge housing 30 is covered by the cover plate 33.
The support member 40 has a sloping contact surface 41 on the upper surface thereof to enable a sliding motion by rolling contact with the press roll 21 and two spring coupling recesses 42 on the lower surface thereof for receiving the pair of spring members 50, which are below the sloping contact surface 41.
At this time, it is preferable that a buffer member 34 made of sponge material be inserted between the springs members 50 and the cover plate 33 for preventing direct frictional contact.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a partial portion of a kimchi storage device employing a hinge assembly in the conventional art. The turn member 20 is fixed and mounted to the rear surface of the door 5 by a screw assembly. The hinge housing 30 is fixed and mounted on the upper end of the rear surface of the body 6 by a screw assembly through the cover plate 33 which covers an open surface of the hinge housing 30 with an engagement means such as fixing protrudes of the hinge housing 30 and fixing holes of the cover plate 33.
In this way, in the state that the turn member 20 and hinge housing 30 of the hinge assembly are assembled, the turn member 20 fixed to the door 5 is turned over backwardly and moved when opening the door 5. When the door 5 is fully open, the turn member 20 is turned over at an angle of up to 90 degrees with respect to the upper end of the body 6.
At this time, the turn member 20 is slidably moved while the press roll 21 is in rolling contact with the slopping contact surface 41 having a slopping shape formed at the top surface of the support member 40.
When the door 5 is brought to the fully open position, the press roll 21 is in contact with the low contact surface 43 of the sloping contact surface 41, and gradually slides onto the high contact surface 44 of the sloping contact surface 41 as the door 5 is closed. Due to the sloping shape of the sloping contact surface 41, the press roll 21 presses the support member 40 downwardly and thus the spring member 50 contacted with the support member 40 is compressed by pressing force from the door 5 through the press roll 21.
As the door 5 comes closer to the closed position, the pressing force applied to the spring member 50 through the support member 40 becomes larger and accordingly the springback force of the spring member 50 also becomes larger.
Therefore, as the door 5 is closed, the resistance force caused by the springback force of the spring member 50 becomes larger. By the time the door 5 comes into contact with the body 6, the closing speed of the door 5 is sharply decreased to thus reduce the closing impact of the door 5.
However, in a case of the hinge assembly 10 employed for the kimchi storage device in the conventional art, the sloping contact surface 41 formed at the top surface of the support member 40 is simply configured to have a predetermined slope angle in the same direction between the low contact surface 43 and the high contact surface 44. Thus, when the door 5 is completely closed, the resistance force caused by the springback force of the spring member 50 is maximized thereby causing the upward pushing force on the support member 40 to be maximized.
Hence, when the door 5 is in the fully closed position, the springback force of the spring member 50 pushes the support member 40 upwardly and thus the press roll 21 contacting the high contact surface 44 of the sloping contact surface 41 returns to the low contact surface 43, though slightly. This generates an inadequate gap as the door 5 comes off from the upper surface of the body 6 thereby allowing a cold air to leak out from the kimchi storage chamber 3 through the gap between the door 5 and the body 6.
Furthermore, when the door 5 of the kimchi storage device 1 is opened, the turn member 20 fixed to the door 5 is turned over backwardly on a hinge shaft 25 with respect to the fixed hinge housing 30. At this time, there may occur an incidental accident such as a pinching of a user""s fingers in the gap of a joint portion between the lower end portion of the turn member 20 and the upper end portion of the hinge housing 30, the magnitude of the gap varying according to the opening and closing angles of the door 5.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device which prevents the door from coming off the upper surface of the body by maintaining the closed position of the door tightly and which prevents cold air leaking from the kimchi storage chamber by maintaining a sealed state between the door and the body.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device which prevents a pinching of a user""s finger in the gap between a hinge housing and a turn member during opening and closing of the door and thusly enabling safe opening and closing operations.
To achieve the above object, there is provided a hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device according to the present invention, comprising: A hinge assembly for a door of a kimchi storage device, comprising: a turn member fixed to the door; a hinge housing having a compartment in a form of a case; a roller-shaped press roll disposed at one end of the turn member; a hexahedral support member and a pair of spring members, both being placed in the compartment of the hinge housing; and a cover plate fixed to a body of the kimchi storage device, wherein the support member includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface, both of which are formed on the upper surface thereof, the first contact surface sloping down toward a front side of the hinge housing and being in rolling contact with the press roll during an opening process and while the door is in an open position and, the second contact surface sloping down toward a back side of the hinge housing, being next to the first contact surface and being in rolling contact with the press roll during a closing process and while the door is in a closed position.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the hinge housing has a guard portion formed at an upper end portion thereof, the guard portion having an inwardly curved shape and being extended from the upper end of the hinge housing toward inside of the turn member, thereby covering a gap formed in a conjunction area between the hinge housing and the turn member.

Hinge assembly for a door of kimchi storage device


Disclosed herein is provided a spindle motor and a disk driver having the same. There is provided a spindle motor including: a sleeve rotatably supporting a shaft; a bush combined with the top portion of the shaft to be rotated together with the shaft; a rotor case including a cylindrical wall part combined with the outer peripheral surface of the bush; an air flow spreading part formed on the axial bottom part of the bush and spreading the air flow generated between the shaft and the sleeve to the radial outer side when the shaft is rotated; and a sealing part formed on the axial bottom portion of the bush and formed between the cylindrical wall part and the air flow spreading part to seal oil when the shaft is rotated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spindle motor and a disk driver having the same, and more particularly, to a spindle motor capable of preventing air flow turbulence, caused when a shaft is rotated, and oil leakage and securing the assembly and rotation stability of a spindle motor from external impact applied to the spindle motor or force applied when a disk is loaded and removed.
2. Description of the Related Art
An apparatus for driving an optical disk-type recording medium is configured to read and write signals by moving an optical pickup device while loading a recording medium and rotating it.
The optical disk driver is classified into a slim drive set (12.7 mm), an ultra slim drive set (9.5 mm), and a super ultra slim drive set (7.0 mm) according to the thickness thereof and is classified as a tray type or a slot-in type, according to a recording medium loading method.
As described above, the optical disk driver is slimmed and the size of the spindle motor loading and rotating the recording medium accordingly needs to be small. To this end, there is a need to reduce the axial length of components of the spindle motor.
However, since rotating members should be manufactured to be thin, the adhesion between components of the rotating members is degraded, which makes it difficult to assemble the rotating members, causes undesirable rotation characteristics such as vertical vibrations, bending vibrations, and the like, and degrades the assembly and rotation characteristics of the spindle motor due to an external impact applied to the spindle motor or a force applied when the disk is loaded onto and removed therefrom.
In addition, since an axial gap between the rotating members and the fixing members of the spindle motor is small, the air flow turbulence occurs between the rotating members and the fixing members when the rotating members are rotated, and the noise and vibration levels are increased accordingly.
The air flow turbulence causes the unstable behaviour of the spindle motor and the leakage of oil from the bearing member when the spindle motor is in rotation. In addition, the unstable operation of the spindle motor generates a large amount of heat from the fixing members and degrades the efficiency of the spindle motor to increase the power consumption thereof.

Spindle motor and disk driver having the same


An axially movable protective sleeve is provided for the axial assembly of a rotor-side commutator onto a stator-side brush holder. The protective sleeve both protects against moisture and provides an axial assembly that is simple in production. The axially movable protective sleeve encircles a commutator, and initially secures brushes in a retention position for assembly and then releases the brushes to rest on a brush contact surface of the commutator, when the commutator is in its operational end position.

The invention relates to a commutator motor with a retention device that retains a brush during assembly. Commutator motors of this type are provided, in particular, as drive motors for motor-driven pump units in automatic brake systems (ABS) in motor vehicles and must be protected from moisture.
In a motor-driven pump unit, especially for an ABS drive such as is known through EP 0 682 398 B1, for example, a vat-like motor housing is provided to seal the motor. The motor housing has an open side with an edge that rests axially against the pump housing. The vat-like motor housing is sealed on the apical side through a brush carrier plate in such a manner that the brushes, positioned on the brush carrier plate on the inner side of the motor, are not accessible upon assembly in the motor housing. During the assembly, the rotor and the commutator are mounted in the motor housing before the brush carrier plate is sealingly mounted.
A commutator motor with an axially flanged drive housing that is sealed against moisture is known from Laid Open German Application DE 42 35 962 C2. In this reference, a brush carrier plate with brushes that are displaceable against a commutator is disposed between the apical faces of a motor housing and a drive housing. The brush carrier plate simultaneously serves as a flat sealing element sealing against moisture between the apical faces of the motor housing and the drive housing.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5, 444, 320 teaches an assembly procedure for a commutator motor in which brushes are initially held fixed in a retention position for the assembly by a sleeve encircling the commutator. Following assembly of the rotor, the brushes are released into their operational end position by axial displacing the sleeve.

Commutator motor with a retention device for retaining a brush during assembly


There is disclosed an improved process for preparing a superconducting composition having the formula MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tn, Yb and Lu; x is from about 6.5 to about 7.0; said composition having a superconducting transition temperature of about 90.degree. K.; said process consisting essentially of preparing a precursor solution, drying the solution to obtain a solid material, and heating and cooling the solid material under specified conditions to obtain the desired product. In another embodiment, a shaped superconducting MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x article is prepared by impregnating an article of cellulose material with the precursor solution, drying the impregnated article, and heating and cooling the impregnated article under prescribed conditions to obtain the desired product.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved process for making rare earth-barium-copper oxide superconductors with transition temperatures above 90 K.
2. Description of Related Art
Bednorz and Muller, Z. Phys. B64, 189-193 (1986), disclose a superconducting phase in the La--Ba--Cu--O system with a superconducting transition temperature of about 35 K. Samples were prepared by a coprecipitation method from aqueous solutions of Ba--, La-- and Cu--nitrate in their appropriate ratios. An aqueous solution of oxalic acid was used as the precipitant.
Chu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 405-407 (1987), report detection of an apparent superconducting transition with an onset temperature above 40 K. under pressure in the La--Ba--Cu--O compound system synthesized directly from a solid-state reaction of La.sub.2 O.sub.3, CuO and BaCO.sub.3 followed by a decomposition of the mixture in a reduced atmosphere. Chu et al., Science 235, 567-569 (1987), disclose that a superconducting transition with an onset temperature of 52.5 K. has been observed under hydrostatic pressure in compounds with nominal compositions given by (La.sub.0.9 Ba.sub.0.1).sub.2 CuO.sub.4-y, where y is undetermined. They state that the K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 layer structure has been proposed to be responsible for the high-temperature superconductivity in the La--Ba--Cu--O system (LBCO). They further state that, however, the small diamagnetic signal, in contrast to the presence of up to 100% K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 phase in their samples, raises a question about the exact location of superconductivity in LBCO.
Cava et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 408-410 (1987), disclose bulk superconductivity at 36K. in La.sub.1.8 Sr.sub.0.2 CuO.sub.4 prepared from appropriate mixtures of high purity La(OH).sub.3, SrCO.sub.3 and CuO powders, heated for several days in air at 1000.degree. C. in quartz crucibles. Rao et al., Current Science 56, 47-49 (1987), discuss superconducting properties of compositions which include La.sub.1.8 Sr.sub.0.2 CuO.sub.4, La.sub.1.85 Ba.sub.0.15 CuO.sub.4, La.sub.1.8 Sr.sub.0.1 CuO-hd 4, (La.sub.1-x Pr.sub.x).sub.2-y Sr.sub.y CuO.sub.4, and (La.sub.1.75 Eu.sub.0.25)Sr.sub.0.2 CuO.sub.4. Bednorz et al., Europhys. Lett. 3, 379-384 (1987), report that susceptibility measurements support high-T.sub.c superconductivity in the Ba--La--Cu--O system. In general, in the La--Ba--Cu--O system, the superconducting phase has been identified as the composition La.sub.1-x (Ba,Sr,Ca).sub.x O.sub.4-y with the tetragonal K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 -type structure and with x typically about 0.15 and y indicating oxygen vacancies.
Wu et al., Phys. Rev Lett. 58, 908-910 (1987), disclose a superconducting phase in the Y--Ba--Cu--O system with a superconducting transition temperature between 80 and 93 K. The compounds investigated were prepared with nominal composition (Y.sub.1-x Ba.sub.x).sub.2 CuO.sub.4-y and x=0.4 by a solid-state reaction of appropriate amounts of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO in a manner similar to that described in Chu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 405-407 (1987). Said reaction method comprises more specifically heating the oxides in a reduced oxygen atmosphere of 2.times.10.sup.-5 bars (2 Pa) at 900.degree. C. for 6 hours. The reacted mixture was pulverized and the heating step was repeated. The thoroughly reacted mixture was then pressed into 3/16 inch (0.5 cm) diameter cylinders for final sintering at 925.degree. C. for 24 hours in the same reduced oxygen atmosphere. The material prepared showed the existence of multiple phases.
Hor et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 911-912 (1987), disclose that pressure has only a slight effect on the superconducting transition temperature of the Y--Ba--Cu--O superconductors described by Wu et al., supra.
Sun et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1574-1576 (1987), disclose the results of a study of Y--Ba--Cu--O samples exhibiting superconductivity with transition temperatures in the 90 K. range. The samples were prepared from mixtures of high-purity Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO powders. The powders were premixed in methanol or water and subsequently heated to 100.degree. C. to evaporate the solvent. Two thermal heat treatments were used. In the first, the samples were heated in Pt crucibles for 6 hours in air at 850.degree. C. and then for another 6 hours at 1000.degree. C. After the first firing, the samples were a dark-green powder, and after the second firing, they became a very porous, black solid. In the second method, the powders were heated for 8-10 hours at 1000.degree. C., ground and then cold pressed to form disks of about 1 cm diameter and 0.2 cm thickness. The superconducting properties of samples prepared in these two ways were similar. X-ray diffraction examination of the samples revealed the existence of multiple phases.
Cava et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1676-1679 (1987), have identified this superconducting Y--Ba--Cu13 O phase to be orthorhombic, distorted, oxygen-deficient perovskite YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.9-.delta. where .delta. is about 2.1, and have presented the X-ray diffraction powder pattern and lattice parameters for the phase. The single-phase YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.9-.delta. was prepared in the following manner. BaCO.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CuO were mixed, ground and then heated at 950.degree. C. in air for 1 day. The material was then pressed into pellets, sintered in flowing O.sub.2 for 16 hours and cooled to 200.degree. C. in O.sub.2 before removal from the furnace. Additional overnight treatment in O.sub.2 at 700.degree. C. was found to improve the observed properties.
Takita et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L506-L507 (1987), disclose the preparation of several Y--Ba--Cu compositions with superconducting transitions around 90 K. by a solid-state reaction method in which a mixture of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, CuO, and BaCO.sub.3 was heated in an oxygen atmosphere at 950.degree. C. for more than 3 hours. The reacted mixture was pressed into 10 mm diameter disks for final sintering at 950.degree. or 1000.degree. C. for about 3 hours in the same oxygen atmosphere.
Takabatake et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L502-L503 (1987), disclose the preparation of samples of Ba.sub.1-x Y.sub.x CuO.sub.3-z (x.times.0.1, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 0.9) from the appropriate mixtures of BaCO.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CuO. The mixture was pressed into a disc and sintered at 900.degree. C. for 15 hours in air. The sample with x.times.0.4 exhibited the sharpest superconducting transition with an onset near 96 K.
Syono et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L498-L501 (1987), disclose the preparation of samples of superconducting Y.sub.0.4 Ba.sub.0.6 CuO.sub.2.22 with T.sub.c higher than 88 K. by firing mixtures of 4N Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, 3N BaCO.sub.3 and 3N CuO in the desired proportions. The mixtures were prefired at 1000.degree. C. for 5 hours. They were ground, pelletized and sintered at 900.degree. C. for 15 hours in air and cooled to room temperature in the furnace. They also disclose that almost equivalent results were also obtained by starting from concentrated nitrate solution of 4N Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, GR grade Ba(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2.
Takayama-Muromachi et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L476-L478 (1987), disclose the preparation of a series of samples to try to identify the superconducting phase in the Y--Ba--Cu--O system. Appropriate amounts of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO were mixed in an agate mortar and then fired at 1173.+-.2 K. for 48-72 hours with intermediate grindings. X-ray diffraction powder patterns were obtained. The suggested composition of the superconducting compound is Y.sub.1-x Ba.sub.x CuO.sub.y where 0.6<.times.<0.7.
Hosoya et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L456-L457 (1987), disclose the preparation of various superconductor compositions in the L--Ba--Cu--O systems where L=Tm, Er, Ho, Dy, Eu and Lu. Mixtures of the proper amounts of the lanthanide oxide (99.9% pure), CuO and BaCO.sub.3 were heated in air. The obtained powder specimens were reground, pressed into pellets and heated again.
Hirabayashi et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L454-L455 (1987), disclose the preparation of superconductor samples of nominal composition Y.sub.1/3 Ba.sub.2/3 CuO.sub.3-x by coprecipitation from aqueous nitrate solution. Oxalic acid was used as the precipitant and insoluble Ba, Y and Cu compounds were formed at a constant pH of 6.8. The decomposition of the precipitate and the solid-state reaction were performed by firing in air at 900.degree. C. for 2 hours. The fired products were pulverized, cold-pressed into pellets and then sintered in air at 900.degree. C. for 5 hours. The authors found that the sample was of nearly single phase having the formula Y.sub.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7. The diffraction pattern was obtained and indexed as having tetragonal symmetry.
Ekino et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L452-L453 (1987), disclose the preparation of a superconductor sample with nominal composition Y.sub.1.1 Ba.sub.0.9 CuO.sub.4-y. A prescribed amount of powders of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO was mixed for about an hour, pressed under 6.4 ton/cm.sup.2 (14 MPa) into pellet shape and sintered at 1000.degree. C. in air for 3 hours.
Akimitsu et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L449-L451 (1987), disclose the preparation of samples with nominal compositions represented by (Y.sub.1-x Ba.sub.x).sub.2 CuO.sub.4-y. The specimens were prepared by mixing the appropriate amounts of powders of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO. The resulting mixture was pressed and heated in air at 1000.degree. C. for 3 hours. Some samples were annealed at appropriate temperatures in O.sub.2 or CO.sub.2 for several hours. The authors noted that there seemed to be a tendency that samples annealed in O.sub.2 showed a superconducting transition with a higher onset temperature but a broader transition than non-annealed samples.
Semba et al , Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L429-L431 (1987), disclose the preparation of samples of Y.sub.x Ba.sub.1-x CuO.sub.4-d where x=0.4 and x=0.5 by the solid state reaction of BaCO.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CuO. The mixtures are heated to 950.degree. C. for several hours, pulverized, and then pressed into disk shape. This is followed by the final heat treatment at 1100.degree. C. in one atmosphere O2 gas for 5 hours. The authors identified the phase that exhibited superconductivity above 90 K. as one that was black with the atomic ratio of Y:Ba:Cu of 1:2:3. The diffraction pattern was obtained and indexed as having tetragonal symmetry.
Hatano et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L374-L376 (1987), disclose the preparation of the superconductor compound Ba.sub.0.7 Y.sub.0.3 Cu.sub.1 O.sub.x from the appropriate mixture of BaCO.sub.3 (purity 99.9%), Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 (99.99%) and CuO (99.9%). The mixture was calcined in an alumina boat heated at 1000.degree. C. for 10 hours in a flowing oxygen atmosphere. The color of the resulting well-sintered block was black.
Hikami et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L347-L348 (1987), disclose the preparation of a Ho--Ba--Cu oxide, exhibiting the onset of superconductivity at 93 K. and the resistance vanishing below 76 K., by heating a mixture of powders Ho.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO with the composition Ho:Ba:Cu=0.246:0.336:1 at 850.degree. C. in air for two hours. The sample was then pressed into a rectangular shape and sintered at 800.degree. C. for one hour. The sample looked black, but a small part was green.
Matsushita et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L332-L333 (1987), disclose the preparation of Ba.sub.0.5 Y.sub.0.5 Cu.sub.1 O.sub.x by mixing appropriate amounts of BaCO.sub.3 (purity 99.9%), Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 (99.99%) and CuO (99.9%). The mixture was calcined at 1000.degree. C. for 11 hours in a flowing oxygen atmosphere. The resultant mixture was then pulverized and cold-pressed into disks. The disks were sintered at 900.degree. C. for 4 hours in the same oxygen atmosphere. The calcined powder and disks were black. A superconducting onset temperature of 100 K. was observed
Maeno et al., Jpn. J. Appl Phys. 26, L329-L331 (1987}, disclose the preparation of various Y--Ba--Cu oxides by mixing powders of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO, all 99.99% pure, with a pestle and mortar. The powders were pressed at 100 kgf/cm.sup.2 (98.times.10.sub.4 Pa) for 10-15 minutes to form pellets with a diameter of 12 mm. The pellets were black. The heat treatment was performed in two steps in air. First, the pellets were heated in a horizontal, tubular furnace at 800.degree. C. for 12 hours before the heater was turned off to cool the pellets in the furnace. The pellets were taken out of the furnace at about 200.degree. C. About half the samples around the center of the furnace turned green in color, while others away from the center remained black. The strong correlation with location suggested to the authors that this reaction occurs critically at about 800.degree. C. The pellets were then heated at 1200.degree. C. for 3 hours and then allowed to cool. Pellets which turned light green during the first heat treatment became very hard solids whereas pellets which remained black in the first heat treatment slightly melted or melted down. Three of the samples exhibited an onset of superconductivity above 90 K.
Iguchi et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L327-L328 (1987), disclose the preparation of superconducting Y.sub.0.8 Ba.sub.1.2 CuO.sub.y by sintering a stoichiometrical mixture of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO at 900.degree. C. and at 1000.degree. C. in air.
Hosoya et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L325-L326 (1987), disclose the preparation of various superconducting specimens of the L--M--Cu--O systems where L=Yb, Lu, Y, La, Ho and Dy and M=Ba and a mixture of Ba and Sr by heating the mixtures of appropriate amounts of the oxides of the rare earth elements (99.9% pure), CuO, SrCO.sub.3 and/or BaCO.sub.3 in air at about 900.degree. C. Green powder was obtained. The powder samples were pressed to form pellets which were heated in air until the color became black.
Takagi et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L320-L321 (1987), disclose the preparation of various Y--Ba--Cu oxides by reacting mixtures containing the prescribed amounts of powders of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO at 1000.degree. C., remixing and heat-treating at 1100.degree. C. for a few to several hours. An onset temperature of superconductivity at 95 K. or higher was observed for a specimen with the nominal composition of (Y.sub.0.9 Ba.sub.0.1)CuO.sub.y.
Hikami et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 26, L314-L315 (1987), disclose the preparation of compositions in the Y--Ba--Cu--O system by heating the powders of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO to 800.degree. C. or 900.degree. C. in air for 2-4 hours, pressing into pellets at 4 kbars (4.times.10.sub.5 Pa) and reheating to 800.degree. C. in air for 2 hours for sintering. The samples show an onset of superconductivity at 85 K. and a vanishing resistance at 45 K.
Bourne et al., Phys Letters A 120, 494-496 (1987), disclose the preparation of Y--Ba--Cu--O samples of Y.sub.2-x Ba.sub.x CuO.sub.4 by pressing finely ground powders of Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO into pellets and sintering the pellets in an oxygen atmosphere at 1082.degree. C. Superconductivity for samples having x equal to about 0.8 was reported.
Moodenbaugh et al., Phys. Rev. Lett 58, 1885-1887 (1987), disclose superconductivity near 90 K. in multiphase samples with nominal composition Lu.sub.1.8 Ba.sub.0.2 CuO.sub.4 prepared from dried Lu.sub.2 O.sub.3, high-purity BaCP.sub.3 (BaCO.sub.3 presumably), and fully oxidized CuO. These powders were ground together in an agate mortar and then fired overnight in air at 1000.degree. C. in Pt crucibles. This material was ground again, pelletized, and then fired at 1100.degree. C. in air for 4-12 hours in Pt crucibles. Additional samples fired solely at 1000.degree. C. and those fired at 1200.degree. C. show no signs of superconductivity.
Hor et al., Phys Rev. Lett. 58, 1891-1894 (1987), disclose superconductivity in the 90 K. range in ABa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.6+x with A=La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Er, and Lu in addition to Y. The samples were synthesized by the solid-state reaction of appropriate amounts of sesquioxides of La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Er, and Lu, BaCO.sub.3 and CuO in a manner similar to that described in Chu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 405 (1987) and Chu et al., Science 235, 567 (1987).
Fibers and tapes of the recently discovered Y--Ba--Cu--oxide high-temperature superconductor would be quite useful in forming wires and other shapes. B. H. Hamling, U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,915, discloses a process for producing metal oxide fibers, textiles and shapes comprising the steps of (1) impregnating a preformed organic polymeric material with one or more compounds (preferably salts or hydrolysis products of salts) of metals selected from a group of 33 elements and (2) heating the impregnated organic material under controlled conditions (which prevent ignition of the material) and at least in part in the presence of an oxidizing gas (a) to convert the organic material to predominantly carbon and thereafter remove the carbon as a carbon-containing gas, and (b) oxidize the metal compounds to their respective metal oxides. Suitable organic polymeric materials include cellulosic materials. When the metal that will appear in the oxide has salts which are highly soluble in water, the impregnation step can be carried out by immersing the organic material in a concentrated solution of such salt. The metal oxides in the fibers, textiles and shapes are substantially amorphous.
B. H. Hamling, U.S. Pat. NO. 3,663,182, discloses metal oxide fabrics made by the process of U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,915. The metal compounds used in the impregnating solution are preferably salts or hydrolysis products of salts.
B. H. Hamling, U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,529, discloses zirconia fibers and textiles that are stabilized in the tetragonal form by small, carefully controlled amounts of oxides of Group IIIB of the Periodic Table. The stabilized tetragonal zirconia fibers and textiles are produced by the process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,385,915. Suitable precursor fibers or textiles include cellulosic materials. Suitable zirconium and Group IIIB metal compounds include the acetates.
Morton et al., U S. Pat. No. 3,992,498, disclose a process for preparing a refractory fiber, said process comprising fibrizing a composition having a viscosity greater than 1 poise, said composition comprising a solvent, a metal compound soluble in said solvent and an organic polymer soluble in said solvent and removing at least part of the solvent from the fiber so formed. Fibrizing may be carried out, for example, by centrifugal spinning, drawing, blowing or extrusion through a spinneret.
Frankel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,395, discloses a process for making mineral fibers which are much smaller in diameter than the organic fibers which are impregnated with the mineral compound by reducing the concentration of the impregnating solution. The process includes the following steps:
(a) washing and drying precursor organic fibers to drive moisture from them, PA1 (b) immersing the dried fibers in the impregnating solution and depositing the desired mineral compound in the fibers, PA1 (c) drying the fibers, PA1 (d) heating the fibers gradually to about 400.degree. C. and maintaining that temperature for about 4 hours, and PA1 (e) further heating the mineral fibers to about 800.degree. C. to complete calcination and then to about 1400.degree. C. to sinter the mineral fibers. PA1 (1) the solvent is evaporated and the resulting solid material formed is heated to about 350.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C., preferably to about 400.degree. C., to form a precursor powder which can be subsequently heated to a temperature from about 850.degree. C. to about 925.degree. C. to form MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x upon cooling as prescribed herein, and PA1 (2) a cellulose article can be impregnated with the solution, and then the resulting impregnated article is heated a temperature from about 850.degree. C. to about 925.degree. C. to form MBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x upon cooling as prescribed herein.

Process for making 90.degree. K. superconductors by impregnating cellulosic article with precursor solution


An automatic loading disc player comprising a detection system for preventing mistaken insertion of a compact disc which is smaller than the conventional disc. The disc player comprises conveying rollers for conveying the disc to a disc playing position and returning the disc to a disc insertion position. The disc player further comprises a first detection means provided near the conveying rollers for detecting the presence or absence of a data recording disc, a second means for detecting when a data recording disc is loaded at the disc playing position, and a control means for controlling the driving of the conveying rollers in the forward or reverse direction, the control means operating to stop the driving of the conveying rollers in the forward direction when, in loading a data recording disc, the detection of the presence of the disc by the first detecting means is interrupted before the second detecting means detects the completion of loading of the disc.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to automatic loading disc players, and more particularly to an automatic loading disc player of slide-in type in which a data recording disc (hereinafter referred to as "a disc") is loaded therein and unloaded therefrom by means of conveying rollers.
2. Background Art
In an automatic loading disc player of this type, a pair of conveying rollers vertically disposed near the disc insertion opening are rotated in a forward direction to move a disc to the disc-playing position, and rotated in a reverse direction to return the disc to the disc insertion opening. In general, only discs having a predetermined diameter can be played. A conventional digital audio disc player is so designed as to play 12-cm compact discs (hereinafter referred to as CDs). However, with the recent advent of the 8-cm CD, 8-cm CD's have been mistakenly inserted into the above-described automatic loading disc player and have been unable to be ejected therefrom due to its relatively small sized as compared to the conventional 12-cm CD.


The present invention provides methods of making and using self-assembled arrays of single polynucleotide molecules for carrying out a variety of large-scale genetic measurements, such as gene expression analysis, gene copy number assessment, and the like. Random arrays used in the invention are “self-assembled” in the sense that they are formed by deposition of polynucleotide molecules onto a surface where they become fixed at random locations. The polynucleotide molecules fixed on the surface are then identified by direct sequence determination of component nucleic acids, such as incorporated probe sequences, or by other decoding schemes. Such identification converts a random array of determinable polynucleotides, and their respective probes into an addressable array of probe sequences.

Living systems, particularly higher animals, such as mammals, comprise many complex networks of interacting genes and gene products. In order to understand the functions of such networks in both health and disease, several large-scale analytical technologies have been developed for making genome-wide measurements, including measurements of genetic variation, gene expression, gene copy number variation, and like phenomena, e.g. Lochhart et al, Nature Biotechnology, 14: 1675-1680 (1996); DeRisi et al, Science, 278: 680-686 (1997); Golub et al, Science, 286: 531-537 (1999); Kennedy et al (2003), Nature Biotechnology, 21: 1233-1237; Gunderson et al (2005), Nature Genetics, 37: 549-554; Pinkel and Albertson (2005), Nature Genetics Supplement, 37: S11-S17; Cobb et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 102: 4801-4806 (2005). Such technologies commonly provide highly parallel readouts by the use of large arrays of hybridization probes whose positions are known or determinable; thus, signals at each particular probe site can be related to a genetic measurement, and the collection of array signals can be related to genome-wide response or state. Miniaturization has proved to be extremely important for increasing the scale and reducing the costs of such approaches. However, further increases in scale and reductions in cost would be highly desirable, particularly for measurements of genetic phenomena in complex organisms, such as humans.
In view of the above, it would be advantageous for the medical, life science, and other applied biological fields if there were available molecular arrays and arraying techniques that permitted efficient and convenient analysis of large numbers of target molecules, such as substantially all expressed genes in a mammalian-sized genome, in parallel in a single analytical operation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Self-assembled single molecule arrays and uses thereof


A receiver is provided. The receiver includes a differential amplifier amplifying differential input signals input to input terminals and outputting differential output signals through output terminals and an oscillator connected to the output terminals of the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier and the oscillator operate alternatively in response to an enable signal.

Embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to a receiver, and more particularly, to a RF receiver including an LC tank filter insensitive to PVT variation.
In a radio frequency (RF) receiver, a filter may be sensitive to changes in process (P), voltage (V), or temperature (T), and undesired changes from the required frequency properties or characteristics may occur. Accordingly, a need exists for a receiver including a filter that is less sensitive to changes of process, voltage or temperature.

Receiver including an LCD tank filter and method thereof


A scalable voice signature authentication capability is provided herein. The scalable voice signature authentication capability enables authentication of varied services such as speaker identification (e.g. private banking and access to healthcare account records), voice signature as a password (e.g. secure access for remote services and document retrieval) and the Internet and its various services (e.g., online shopping), and the like.

Many different types of authentication systems exist today, such as fraud detection systems used in internet commerce and voice authentication used to process enrollment, verification and voice sign transactions and image recognition systems. However, while variations of voice authentication are available, the solutions do not leverage the core communication content available to communication providers nor do they leverage a meta voice signature that includes both voice biometric information and identity tracking intelligence information.

Method and apparatus for voice signature authentication


A method of manufacturing a hub includes the following steps: rotary swaging a workpiece to form a semi-product, the workpiece is simultaneously struck by three or more dies from the outer peripheral side so that the semi-product is formed smoothly and homogeneously, and two bearing cup seats are simultaneously formed on both ends of the semi-product; and squeezing both ends of the semi-product by a right mold and a left mold so as to form a hub. The hub is produced in a fast speed so that the productivity is greatly increased.

The present invention relates to a method, and more particularly to a method of manufacturing a hub of a cycle or other wheel.
Various types of hubs for cycle and other wheels are developed. Four of these are disclosed in G.B. Patent No. 17,142 to Dawes; French Patent No. 475,722 to d'Armes; French Patent No. 452,387 to Trinks; and Italy Patent No. 716,342 to Edourdo. In Dawes' and Edourdo's patents, liners or reinforcements should be inserted into the integral spoke flanges, it takes at least 30 minutes to insert the reinforcements into positions, therefore, it takes at least 40 minutes to make one hub, the productivity thereof is very poor. In addition, both ends of the hub of Dawes' patent are expanded, and then, both ends are squeezed. In order to expand both ends of the hub, a mandrel should be inserted into the tube from which a hub is to be formed. After expansion, it is difficult to take the mandrel out of the tube. This method is impractical. In d'Armes' and Trinks' patents, the hubs thereof are generally manufactured by rolling process, a roller rotates or rolls around a tube from which a hub is formed. The outer peripheral surface of the tube is forced or compressed gradually or helically by the rollers so that a compression of the tube is not homogeneous. The tube may be deformed. In addition, a hub formed by this method requires at least 30 minutes, which is time consuming. The productivity thereof is also poor. A hub producing process was proposed and filed by the inventor in his prior U.S. patent application No. 06/828,595, filed Feb. 11, 1986, now abandoned. It takes about 3 minutes to produce one hub. But, the tube is not compressed homogeneously.
The present invention has arisen to improve the manufacturing of the hub so that the hub can be produced in a fast speed.


A solar energy water heater system composed of a method of retrofitting an existing conventional gas or electric water heater. In particular, this invention relates to adding a solar energy water heater system comprised of: a solar collector, a solar thermal circulating loop, an over-heat protection loop, and a computer controller with temperature sensors. The solar thermal circulating loop and over-heat protection loop are installed on the existing water storage tank, and the method and system is disclosed herein.

A conventional water heater used in homes and commercial properties provides hot water by heating water using gas or electricity energy. A conventional water heater is comprised of: a tank, a dip tube, a heating mechanism, a thermostat, a heat out pipe, a drain valve, a shut off valve, and a temperature and pressure relief valve. The tank is a container storing a volume of hot water. Water enters through the dip tube at the top of the tank and travels to the bottom where it is heated by a heating mechanism. The heating mechanism is either made up of heating elements in an electric water heater or a burner in a gas water heater. The heating mechanism heats the water, and the hot water rises to the top of the tank. An exhaust fume channel has to be installed with a gas water heater for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission. Hot water exits through the heat out pipe located at the top of the tank. The thermostat controls the heating mechanism inside the tank. The drain valve is used to empty the tank. The shut-off valve stops water from entering the tank. The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety component used to keep the temperature and pressure within the tank consistent and within safe measures.
These conventional gas or electric domestic water heaters are widely used and are inherently inefficient. They consume large amounts of traditional energy and discharge large quantities of carbon emissions. Solar energy is clean and reduces the amount of traditional energy needed while reducing carbon emissions. To completely re-install solar heated water heaters into every home and commercial business is cost prohibitive. Therefore, there is a need to retrofit pre-existing water heaters into a solar water heater.

Solar water heater retrofitted from conventional water heater, system and method


The present invention provides a high-speed memory device that can be easily tested using the existing low-speed Automatic Test Equipment (ATE). In an embodiment of the invention, a memory device includes two channels. During normal communications with a host, one channel is used for bi-directional communications with a host. But during a test mode, a first channel is used to communicate with the ATE in one direction, and a second channel is used to communicate with the ATE in the opposite direction. The present invention also provides a memory module and a method for controlling the high-speed memory device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high-speed memory device configured to perform bidirectional communication, and more particularly but without limitation, to a high-speed memory device configured to perform bidirectional communication that can be easily tested using the existing low-speed automatic test equipment (ATE) and an input/output pin control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent high-speed semiconductor memory devices have used a bidirectional pulse width modulation (PWM) communication method to control internal registers. A bidirectional communication method is generally referred to as an OOB (Out Of Band) communication method.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bidirectional PWM communication system, according to the prior art. FIG. 2A is a waveform diagram illustrating data protocol when data is written to a memory device from a host using the bidirectional PWM communication method, according to the prior art. FIG. 2B is a waveform diagram illustrating data protocol when data is read from the memory device to the host using the bidirectional PWM communication method, according to the prior art.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, a memory device 200 is coupled to a host 100. The host 100 may be or include, for example, a memory controller. When data "0" is written to the memory device 200, a PMOS pull-up transistor P11 included in the host 100 is turned on for a relatively short period of time to make an OOB bus 12 connected to an OOB pin 11 of the host 100 have a logic high level. Subsequently, an NMOS pull-down transistor N11 included in the host 100 is turned on for a relatively long period of time to make the OOB bus 12 have a logic low level.
When data "1" is written to the memory device 200 from the host 100, the PMOS pull-up transistor P11 of the host 100 is turned on for a relatively long period of time to make the OOB bus 12 become logic high, and then the NMOS pull-down transistor N11 of the host 100 is turned on for a relatively short period of time to make the OOB bus 12 become logic low. When data is written to the memory device 200 from the host 100, a PMOS pull-up transistor P21 included in the memory device 200 is continuously maintained in turned off state.
When data "0" is read from the memory device 200 to the host 100, the PMOS pull-up transistor P11 of the host 100 is turned on for a relatively short period of time such that an OOB bus 12 becomes logic high, and then the NMOS pull-down transistor N11 included in the host 100 is turned on for a relatively long period of time such that the OOB bus 12 becomes logic low. At this time, the PMOS pull-up transistor P21 of the memory device 200 maintains the turned off state.
When data "1" is read from the memory device 200 to the host 100, the PMOS pull-up transistor P11 of the host 100 is turned on for a relatively short period of time such that an OOB bus 12 becomes logic high, and then the NMOS pull-down transistor N11 of the host 100 and the PMOS pull-up transistor P21 of the memory device 200 are turned on for a relatively long period of time. In this case, pull-down strength (current driving capability) of the PMOS pull-up transistor P21 of the memory device 200 is stronger than that of the NMOS pull-down transistor N11 of the host 100, and thus the OOB bus 12 becomes logic high.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a memory device 200 configured to perform bidirectional PWM communication coupled to Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) 300, according to the prior art. To test the memory device 200, an OOB pin 21 of the memory device 200 is connected to an OOB pin 31 of the ATE 300 through an OOB bus 32. A PMOS pull-up transistor P31, an NMOS pull-down transistor N31 and an input buffer I31 of the ATE 300 respectively correspond to the PMOS pull-up transistor P11, the NMOS pull-down transistor N11 and an input buffer I11 of the host 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.
In the ATE 300, the pull-down strength of the NMOS pull-down transistor N31 is very strong. Accordingly, when data "1" is read from the memory device 200 to the ATE 300, charges of the OOB bus 32 are discharged through the NMOS pull-down transistor N31 of the ATE 300 even when the PMOS pull-up transistor P21 of the memory device 200 is turned on, and thus it is difficult to maintain the OOB bus 32 at logic high.
Furthermore, it is difficult to test the high-speed memory device 200 using the existing low-speed ATE 300.

High-speed memory device easily testable by low-speed automatic test equipment and input/output pin control method thereof


An exercise guidance system and method display either a workout option or different exercise options based on a person's exercise objectives. In one embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon a metabolic equivalent. In another embodiment, the displayed option or options is additionally based at least partially upon the time current available time for the workout.

Individuals often seek to attain fitness goals. However, maintaining disciplined work out regimens is often difficult due to sickness, work interruptions and various other changes in circumstance. In addition, exercise plans or routes for meeting fitness goals are often inflexible, limiting the individual to use of a designated form of exercise on a particular exercise machine. Such plans do not provide an individual with choices, leading the plan becoming stale and the individual losing interest. As a result, the fitness goals of an individual are often difficult to reach.


The invention is to provide an electronic device battery pack removal and emplacement lock structure consisting of a compartment recessed in the case of an electronic device for the installing a battery pack, a minimum of one hook block proximal to its end at one side between the said battery pack and the said compartment, a minimum of one tapered polyhedron proximal to its other end, and a release structure internally disposed in the said compartment. As such, when the said battery pack is placed into the said compartment, the said tapered polyhedron pushes the said release structure until the said battery pack is completely ensconced within the said compartment, following which the said release structure automatically returns to its original position to restrain the said tapered polyhedron and render it immovable.

1) Field of the Invention
The invention herein relates to battery containment mechanisms in electronic devices, specifically an electronic device battery pack removal and emplacement lock structure.
2) Description of the Prior Art
The rechargeable battery packs of conventional notebook computers, referring to FIG. 1, consists of the said battery pack 1 installed in a recessed compartment 20 of the said notebook computer 2, the said battery pack 1 having a minimum of one opening 10 disposed at an appropriate position and the said compartment 20 having an internally situated hook latch 22 such that when the said battery pack 1 is installed into the said compartment 20, the said battery pack 1 is thereby secured within the said compartment 20. To remove the said battery pack 1, the said hook latch 22 is retracted from the said opening 10 using two hands. However, when the said battery pack 1 is installed into the said compartment 20, since its surface is flush with the surface of the said notebook computer 2, the said battery pack 1 is difficult to extricate and creates numerous user inconveniences and problems.
In view of the said shortcomings, specifically that the said battery pack must be removed in an operation requiring the use of both hands and the said battery pack is difficult to extricate from the said compartment, the inventor of the invention herein conducted extensive research and experimentation that culminated in the successful development of the electronic device battery pack removal and emplacement lock structure of the invention herein which consists of a compartment recessed in the case of an electronic device that provides for the installation of a battery pack, a minimum of one hook block proximal to its end at one side between the said battery pack and the said compartment, a minimum of one tapered polyhedron proximal to its other end, and a release structure internally disposed in the said compartment As such, when the said battery pack is placed into the said compartment, the said tapered polyhedron pushes the said release structure until the said battery pack is completely ensconced within the said compartment, following which the said release structure automatically returns to its original position to restrain the said tapered polyhedron and render it immovable. When the said release structure is toggled, the said release structure pushes the said hook block, enabling the extrication of the said battery pack from the said compartment and, furthermore, its stationing at the said release position.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

Electronic device battery pack removal and emplacement lock structure


Aspects of the invention provide for a method of delay defect testing in integrated circuits. In one embodiment, the method includes: generating at least one test pattern based on a transition fault model type; evaluating a dynamic voltage drop for the at least one pattern during a capture cycle and generating a voltage drop value for the at least one test pattern; performing a static timing analysis, using the voltage drop value for the at least one test pattern; evaluating a plurality of paths in the at least one pattern; and masking each path that fails to meet a timing requirement.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to the design of integrated circuits. More specifically, the disclosure provided herein relates to testing of integrated circuit designs.
Shrinking technology, along with increasing design density and frequency, has posed serious design and test challenges. One important issue of structural testing of integrated circuits in today's high-speed designs is the increasing number of types of timing-related defects and also dynamic and static voltage drops.
Among existing delay test models, the transition fault model is widely practiced in the industry to test delay-induced defects in integrated circuits. There are enhancements to these testing models which improve the quality of transition delay patterns; these enhancements are considered a cost-effective alternative to functional pattern generation. However, the at-speed launch and capture, and large number of switching events in the circuit during this transition delay testing may cause excessive peak power and large voltage drops.
The effect of these voltage drops have become increasingly more significant in recent years, as the effects during automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) pose design, test, and reliability challenges for chip manufacturers. This situation has grown more and more complicated with reductions in supply voltage and limitations on the further reduction of threshold voltages. As a result, the voltage drop may reduce cell noise immunity and may also lead to functional failures, in some cases.

Delay defect testing of power drop effects in integrated circuits

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for determining a password strength is provided. The method may include receiving a user-entered password. The method may also include identifying a keyboard layout type associated with a keyboard utilized to enter the received user-entered password. The method may further include mapping each character within a plurality of characters in the received user-entered password to a corresponding location on a grid associated with the identified keyboard layout type. The method may also include determining a coordinate sequence associated with the received user-entered password based on the mapped plurality of characters. The method may further include applying a pattern recognition algorithm to the determined coordinate sequence. The method may also include determining a password strength based on the applied pattern recognition algorithm.

The present invention relates, generally, to the field of computing, and more particularly to password checkers.
Many programs and devices utilized in everyday life require an individualized account in order for a user to gain access to the services provided by the particular program or device. A unique username and a user-generated password may be associated with a user account. In order to ensure high password strength to avoid unauthorized access to user accounts, some programs and devices may incorporate parameters surrounding a user-generated password, such as password lengths or required characters. Password checkers may be utilized to determine password strength by analyzing the generated password using statistical algorithms, such as Hough transforms and Markov chains.

Cognitive password pattern checker to enforce stronger, unrepeatable passwords


A prepolymer composition for producing polyurethane insulating foams with fire-retardant properties from pressure tanks which consists of a prepolymer component with at least one PU prepolymer with a content of NCO groups of 4 to 20 wt % and usual additives, as well as a propellant component, wherein the prepolymer component is substantially halogenfree and has 5 to 40 wt %, based on the prepolymer component, of softening phosphates and/or phosphonates with the formulae Oxe2x95x90P(OR3 and Oxe2x95x90P(OR)2R.

This invention relates to a prepolymer composition for producing polyurethane insulating foams with fire-retardant properties from pressure tanks which consists of a prepolymer component with at least one PU prepolymer with a content of NCO groups of 4 to 20 wt % and usual additives as well as a propellant component. The invention furthermore relates to the use of softening phosphates and phosphonates as a firetardant additive to prepolymer compositions for producing pressure-can polyurethane insulating foams, as well as to pressure cans with such a prepolymer composition for producing polyurethane insulating foams.
The inventive prepolymer composition is used for producing polyurethane insulating foams which are used particularly for insulating purposes by foaming in cavities. The main areas of application are the construction industry, but also technical products in which cavities must be filled to avoid condensation nests. When one-component polyurethane foams are spoken of, these are applied by discharging the prepolymer composition from pressure tanks, for example aerosol cans, on the spot with the help of propellants with a bulk density of 10 to 50 g/l, and processed. One component foams are moisture-hardening, i.e. they can be cured solely with the help of the moisture contained in the air.
Two component polyurethane foams require a second hydroxy component for curing the prepolymer composition, generally as a polyol which must be added directly before foam formation. Curing can be accelerated by catalysts. Bulk densities in two component foams are characteristically 10 to 100 g/l.
Transitional forms between one component (1C) and two component (2C) hereinafter (1C) and (2C)) foams are possible. In this case a quantity of a hydroxyl component insufficient for reacting the isocyanate groups is added to the prepolymer before discharge. Such xe2x80x9ctransitional foams (hereinafter referred to as 1.5C foams or 1.5C)xe2x80x9d are also covered by the invention.
Conventional prepolymer compositions for 1C and 2C polyurethane insulating foams contain a prepolymer component having a minimum content of reactive NCO groups. The prepolymer itself is a polymer of suitable viscosity with terminal NCO groups. Suitable isocyanates are for example isophorone diisocyanate, referred to as IPDI, tolylene diisocyanate, also referred to as TDI, diisocyanatotoluene, 1,5-diisocyanatonaphthalene, referred to as NDI, triisocyanatotrimethylmethane, 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, referred to as HDI, or 4,4diisocyanatodiphenylmethane in a raw and pure form or as a mixture. An especially common one is 4,4-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, also referred to as MDI, which is used both in a raw form (raw MDI) and in the form of pure 2,4- and 4,4-isomers or mixtures thereof. One can likewise use the two common TDI isomers alone or in a mixture. For producing the prepolymer component one reacts such isocyanates with hydroxy polyethers, polyesters or polyvalent alcohols, making sure the prepolymer acquires a viscosity suitable for the composition.
Insulating foams to be wed in the construction industry, so-called B2 foams, must be set to be fire-retardant according to the national specifications. This is usually done by adding fire-retardant substances to the foaming materials, in particular chlorine- and bromine-containing organic compounds. Particularly well-known ones are chlorine and bromine derivatives from diphenyl ether and biphenyl, for example pentabromobiphenyl ether and polychlorinated biphenyls. Despite their excellent fire-retardant properties these substances have fallen into dispute for toxicological reasons. If their approval has not yet lapsed, there are phasing-out deadlines. In addition, packings containing foamer residues polluted with such fire-retardant substances are subject to cost-intensive restrictions on disposal. The same applies to the finished foams when they are no longer needed and must be removed.
The problem of the invention is therefore to provide a PU prepolymer which can be set to be fire-retardant without using conventional chlorine- and bromine-containing organic materials and is thus halogen-free in the prepolymer component.
This goal is achieved with a prepolymer composition of the abovementioned type wherein the prepolymer component is substantially halogen-free and has a content of 5 to 40 wt %, based on the prepolymer component, of softening phosphates and/or phosphonates.
The inventively applied phosphates and phosphonates have the general formulae Oxe2x95x90P(OR)3 and Oxe2x95x90P(OR)2R, wherein R can have different meanings in one and the same molecule and means alkyl, aryl, alkyl aryl or aralkyl with up to 10 C atoms.
The inventive prepolymer compositions generally contain a PU prepolymer based on known aliphatic and aromatic polyisocyanates and polyester polyols. It has turned out that particularly polyester polyols make a considerable contribution to the fire-retardant standardization of the inventive prepolymer compositions.
For producing the inventively applied prepolymer composition one uses conventional aliphatic and aromatic polyisocyanates. In particular one uses polyfunctional isocyanates with a mean of 2 to 4 isocyanate groups, both in monomeric and in oligomeric form. As stated at the outset, these pre-polymer compositions are themselves reaction products from monomers or oligomers containing isocyanate groups, and components reactive therewith, in particular hydroxyfunctional compounds. Suitable initial polyisocyanates are the ones mentioned at the outset and those stated for example in DE-A-42 15 647.
Especially suitable isocyanate prepolymers for these prepolymer compositions are ones based on HDI, MDI, TDI, NDI, 4,4-dicyclohexylmethanediisocyanate and PDI. The isocyanate prepolymers can be set to be low-monomer or substantially monomer-free. The NCO content in the applied prepolymer component is between 4 and 20 wt %, preferably between 6 and 18 wt % and in particular between 7 and 13 wt %.
When producing the isocyanate prepolymers one uses usual hydroxy components, for example polyether, polyester or modified vegetable oils with a sufficient hydroxyl number, approximately in the range of 100 to 300. Castor oil with a hydroxyl number of about 160 is suitable, as are usual glycols, in particular polyethylene glycols.
It is particularly suitable for inventive purposes to use polyesterols and native polyhydroxy compounds, which develop a synergistic effect with the inventively added softening phosphates and phosphonates. Polyester polyols that can be used are ones based on ethylene glycol or glycerine and aromatic or aliphatic, preferably native, polycarboxylic acids. These polyester polyols can be wholly or partly phosphorus-modified. Suitable polyester polyols have proved to be ones based on phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and adipic acid with molecular weights of 1000 to 2000, the polyol component being generally provided by glycols, glycerine and butanediols in a monomeric or oligomeric form. It is also suitable to use polyhydroxy compounds based on aliphatic fatty acids and suitable triglyceride derivatives, as are commercially available. The polyhydroxy compound applied in forming the prepolymer should have a hydroxy functionality in the range of 2 to 4.
The addition of a low quantity of polybutadiene makes it possible to improve the serviceability of the produced foams and obtain a fully foamable, dimensionally stable insulating material. Polybutadiene can be used in combination with PU prepolymers from all usual isocyanates, but is especially advantageous in combination with PU prepolymers based on HDI and MDI.
Suitable polybutadienes to be used are particularly liquid products as are offered by Hxc3xclls A G with a viscosity of at least 500 mPa.s at 20xc2x0 C. Viscosity is preferably at least 2000 mPa.s at 20xc2x0 C. and in particular about 3000 mPa.s at 20xc2x0 C. An especially suitable liquid polybutadiene is sold under the designation Polyol 130 with about 75% 1,4-cis double bonds, about 24% 1,4-trans double bonds and about 1% vinyl double bonds and a molecular weight (vapor-pressure osmotic) of about 3000. The content of liquid polybutadiene according to the invention is 0.01 to 2 wt % and preferably 0.05 to 1 wt %, based on the prepolymer component to which it is added.
Suitable polybutadienes are furthermore those products of higher molecular weight which can be added to the prepolymer composition in a dissolved form or be dissolved therein. Also one can use higher-molecular polymeric hydrocarbons containing double bonds.
The molecular weight of suitable stabilizing additives is expediently 1000 to 9000, in particular up to 5000.
Along with pure (liquid) polybutadiene one can also use copolymers of 1,3-butadiene with other 1.3-dienes, for example isoprene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene and piperylene, and with vinylaromatic compounds such as styrene, (xcex1-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene and divinylbenzene. The content of comonomers in the copolymers should not exceed 50 mol %. Such copolymers are regarded as falling within the designation xe2x80x9c(liquid) polybutadienexe2x80x9d if they are liquid or soluble.
It is assumed that the dimensionally stabilizing effect of polybutadiene is based on its ability to crosslink in the presence of oxygen.
If a monomer-reduced prepolymer is used it is obtainable for example by removing the monomer in a thin-layer evaporator. Alternatively or additionally one can react (residual) isocyanate monomer with a hydroxy polyether and/or polyester and/or modified vegetable oil. Suitable vegetable oils are ones with a hydroxyl number of 100 to 300, for example castor oil with a hydroxyl number of about 160. According to the invention it isreadily possible to obtain stable foams with such monomer-reduced prepolymer components, provided the polybutadiene is added. A prepolymer composition is termed low-monomer if it has less than 10% monomer, in particular less than 5% monomer; and substantially monomer-free if it has less than 2, preferably less than 1 and in particular less than 0.5 wt % monomer, always based on the prepolymer component, i.e. the reactive isocyanate-containing component present in the composition.
The prepolymer can contain usual additives, for example polysiloxanes for cell regulation, further usual flameproofing agents, softeners, catalysts, viscosity regulators, dyes, rheology-controlling additives and the like. The prepolymer composition, i.e. the PU prepolymer including all additives without propellants, expediently has an initial service viscosity at 20xc2x0 C. of 5000 to 20000 mPa.s and preferably of 8000 to 15000 mPa.s. According to the invention the content of NCO groups in the PU prepolymer is 4 to 20 wt %, preferably 6 to 18 wt % and in particular 7 to 13 wt %, based on the prepolymer component.
To increase the fire-retardant effect of the insulating foams produced with the inventive prepolymer composition it may be expedient to add further flame-retardant additives which should also be free from chlorine and bromine in this case. It has proved particularly suitable to use melamine and melamine derivatives, for example melamine phosphate, dimelamine phosphate and melamine cyanurate, as well as cyanodiamide, dicyanodiamide, aluminum trihydrate, ammonium polyphosphate, in particular in a finely encapsulated form, and also red phosphorus. These agents are added in a finely divided form or as an emulsion. A wetting agent is generally likewise necessary for stabilizing the prepolymer composition. Conventional wetting agents can be used.
The inventive prepolymer composition contains in particular propane, butane and/or dimethylether as a propellant component. Further propellants that can be used in the component are fluorocarbons which are liquefiable under the pressure conditions prevailing in a pressure tank, for example R 125, R 134a, R 143 and R 152a. To minimize the content of combustible and halogen-containing propellants one can add further gases which are not condensable under the pressure conditions prevailing in the pressure can, for example CO2, N2O or N2xe2x80x94CO2 is particularly preferred since it can partly dissolve in the prepolymer component and thereby contribute to foam formation, while also acting as a good propellant. If fluorine-containing propellants are dispensed with, the entire prepolymer composition can be set to be halogen-free.
The propellant component of this prepolymer composition expediently constitutes 5 to 40 wt %. The propellant content is 5 to 40 wt % of the prepolymer composition. The CO2 content in the propellant can be for example about 5 wt %, based on the total propellant component. The content of gases not condensable under the prevailing pressure conditions should be such that the volume based on the empty space in the pressure tank yields a pressure of about 8 to 10 bars, depending on the relevant national specification for pressure tanks (aerosol cans). The empty space in the pressure tank is the space assumed by the uncondensed components of the prepolymer composition.
The liquid butadiene is optionally added to the prepolymer composition in solution along with an emulsifier for example in a weight ratio of 80/20-, preferably in solution with a hydroxy vegetable oil suitable for controlling the isocyanate content of the PU prepolymer. The liquid polybutadiene has a content of 0.01 to 2 wt % of the prepolymer composition. It has proven especially suitable to use castor oil with a hydroxyl number of 160, but any other hydroxy vegetable oils and hydroxy polyethers and polyesters can also be used. These are hydroxy components as are conventionally used for modifying viscosity in the formulation of prepolymer compositions.
The inventive prepolymer compositions can be used as 1C, 1.5C and 2C polyurethane foams. With 2C foams the polyol component required for curing the foam, and optionally a further component, are kept separate from the prepolymer composition in known fashion and added only directly before or during discharge. The corresponding methods are widely described and known to the expert, as are suitable two-component pressure cans with a separate tank for the second component.
The second component can be in particular usual polyols, in particular glycol, glycerine and butanediol. To accelerate the curing reaction it may be expedient to add to this second component a usual catalyst, for example tin dioctoate, cobalt naphthenate and octoate, dibutyl tin dilaurate, metallic, in particular ferrous, acetonylacetate, DABCO crystalline and N-methyl-2-azanorbornane. Further catalysts are triethylenediamine, trimethylamino ethyl-piperazine, pentamethyldiethylenetri amine, tetramethyliminobis-propylamine, bis(dimethylaminopropyl)-N-isopropanolamine. It is also suitable to use heteroaromatic amines, as stated for example in DE-A-42 15 647.
The invention relates finally to the use of softening phosphates and phosphonates, as defined above, for setting polyurethane insulating foams to be fire-retardant. The invention also relates to pressure cans for discharging polyurethane insulating foams which are filled with a prepolymer composition and optionally a separate polyol component, as described above.
The inventive prepolymer compositions have the advantage that they can be produced substantially free from chlorine and bromine and can still be set to be fire-retardant without a need to add the usual halogen-containing flameproofing agents. This means that the addition of flameproofing agents for B2 foams according to DIN 4102 can be largely or fully dispensed with. If necessary, the prepolymer compositions can also be set to be substantially halogen-free, i.e. one can dispense not only with halogen-containing flameproofing agents but also with fluorocarbons as propellants. In this case it is sufficient for the propellant component to contain propane, butane, dimethylether and/or CO2.
It has turned out that these flame-retardant properties are due in particular to the trialkyl and triaryl phosphates and phosphonates. One can mention diphenylcresyl phosphate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, dimethylmethane phosphonate, diethylethane phosphonate and the like. One can further mention 2-ethylhexyldiphenylphosphate and phosphoric acid-1,3-phenylenetetraphenylester, which are commercially available under the designations Posflex 362 and Fyroflex RDP. Such phosphates and phosphonates are present in the prepolymer composition in a quantity of 5 to 40 wt %, based on the prepolymer. They have the advantage that they do not disturb the balance of prepolymer, propellant and thinners in the prepolymer composition but rather stabilize it, while conventional halogen-containing flameproofing agents interfere with this balance and can only be present with about 12 to 14 wt %. At the same time they have a softening function.
The inventive prepolymer composition is produced in the fashion known in the art, whereby if low-monomer prepolymer is used it is put in the pressure tank as such or arises therein. One then optionally adds to the prepolymer the liquid polybutadiene, e.g. mixed with a surface-active agent and emulsified in a hydroxy oil, for example castor oil. The hydroxy oil or castor oil simultaneously serves to finely adjust the NCO content of the prepolymer and lower the monomer content. Then the additives, such as flameproofing agents, stabilizers, softeners, catalysts, etc., are added, whereupon the pressure tank (aerosol can) is scaled and the propellant impressed.

Prepolymer compostion for insulating foams


An optical photographing lens system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with negative refractive power has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element has refractive power. The fourth lens element has refractive power, wherein at least one surface of the fourth lens element is aspheric. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has a convex image-side surface and both of the surfaces are aspheric. The sixth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface changing from concave at a paraxial region to convex at a peripheral region, and both of the surfaces are aspheric.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an optical photographing lens system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a compact optical photographing lens system applicable to the electronic products.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, with the popularity of mobile products with camera functionalities, the demand of miniaturized optical lens systems is increasing. The sensor of a conventional photographing camera is typically a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensor. As the advanced semiconductor manufacturing technologies have allowed the pixel size of sensors to be reduced and compact optical lens systems have gradually evolved toward the field of higher megapixels, there is an increasing demand for compact optical lens systems featuring better image quality.
Imaging lenses used in vehicle cameras, security surveillance cameras or electronic game devices typically require a larger field of view to capture an image of a larger area at one time. Generally, a conventional imaging lens assembly with a large angle of view, such as the five-element lens assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,713, is a negative-positive structure, thereby forming an inverse telephoto structure to achieve a wide field of view. While such arrangement facilitates the enlargement of the field of view, the image resolving power is insufficient and the total track of length is not easy to be reduced.
Although other conventional imaging lens assembly with six-element lens structure is favorable for improving the image resolving power, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2012/0188654. However, the two lens elements of the imaging lens assembly closest to the object side are not configured as the traditional one with negative refractive power and the other with greater positive refractive power, so that the back focal length of imaging lens assembly cannot be reduced. As a result, although it is favorable for reducing the total track of length, it is not favorable for enlarging the field of view to capture an image of a larger area at one time.