A fuel supply system of an outboard motor includes: a vapor separator which separates a fuel sent from a fuel tank by a low-pressure fuel pump into gas and liquid to release fuel vapor to an atmosphere; a fuel cooler which is disposed under the vapor separator to cool the fuel by cooling water passing through a cooling water pipe; a drain pipe connected to a side surface of the fuel cooler which faces downward while the outboard motor is tilted up; and an in-line high-pressure fuel pump connected in a middle of a fuel pipe connected to a side surface of the fuel cooler different from the side surface to which the drain pipe is connected. It is possible to easily and surely draw off the fuel in the fuel pipe while the outboard motor is tilted up.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel supply system of an outboard motor for supplying a fuel stored in a fuel tank to an intake port of an engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
An outboard motor often used in a small craft is generally provided with a fuel supply system for supplying an intake port of an engine of the outboard motor with a fuel stored in a fuel tank provided on a hull side.
In this fuel supply system, a vapor separator for separating the fuel such as gasoline sucked up from the fuel tank by a low-pressure fuel pump into gas and liquid to release fuel vapor into the atmosphere, a fuel cooler for cooling the fuel having passed through the vapor separator by cooling water (seawater), a high-pressure fuel pump for pumping the fuel having passed through the fuel cooler, a pressure regulator for adjusting pressure of the fuel, an injector for injecting the fuel whose pressure has been adjusted by the pressure regulator to the intake port of the engine, and so on are generally provided.
As a conventional fuel supply system of this type, for example, one in which a high-pressure fuel pump and a pressure regulator are integrally provided in a case of a vapor separator and a water jacket (fuel cooler) for cooling the fuel is also provided in the case of the vapor separator, whereby the piping of a fuel system is simplified (for example, refer to Patent Document 1), and the like are publicly known.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 10-218089
However, in the above-described conventional fuel supply system, since the vapor separator and the high-pressure fuel pump are integrally provided, the size of the vapor separator becomes large for an outboard motor, which has a problem of difficulty in making the outboard motor compact.
Therefore, to solve this problem, there has also been proposed a fuel supply system using what is called an in-line high-pressure fuel pump connected in the middle of a fuel pipe. However, the fuel supply system of this type has a problem that it is difficult to completely draw off a fuel in the fuel pipe or the like between a vapor separator and the high-pressure fuel pump at the time of tilt-up and this work takes a lot of trouble.


The present invention is an assembly layer for a flexible device. The assembly layer is derived from precursors that include about 0 to about 50 wt % C1-C9 alkyl(meth)acrylate, about 40 to about 99 wt % C10-C24 (meth)acrylate, about 0 to about 30 wt % hydroxyl(meth)acrylate, about 0 to about 10 wt % of a non-hydroxy functional polar monomer, and about 0 to about 5 wt % crosslinker.

A common application of pressure-sensitive adhesives in the industry today is in the manufacturing of various displays, such as computer monitors, TVs, cell phones and small displays (in cars, appliances, wearables, electronic equipment, etc.). Flexible electronic displays, where the display can be bent freely without cracking or breaking, is a rapidly emerging technology area for making electronic devices using, for example, flexible plastic substrates. This technology allows integration of electronic functionality into non-planar objects, conformity to desired design, and flexibility during use that can give rise to a multitude of new applications.
With the emergence of flexible electronic displays, there is an increasing demand for adhesives, and particularly for optically clear adhesives (OCA), to serve as an assembly layer or gap filling layer between an outer cover lens or sheet (based on glass, PET, PC, PMMA, polyimide, PEN, cyclic olefin copolymer, etc.) and an underlying display module of electronic display assemblies. The presence of the OCA improves the performance of the display by increasing brightness and contrast, while also providing structural support to the assembly. In a flexible assembly, the OCA will also serve at the assembly layer, which in addition to the typical OCA functions, may also absorb most of the folding induced stress to prevent damage to the fragile components of the display panel and protect the electronic components from breaking under the stress of folding. The OCA layer may also be used to position and retain the neutral bending axis at, or at least near, the fragile components of the display, such as for example the barrier layers, the driving electrodes, or the thin film transistors of an organic light emitting display (OLED).
If used outside of the viewing area of a display or photo-active area of a photovoltaic assembly, it is not necessary that the flexible assembly layer is optically clear. Indeed, such material may still be useful for example as an adhesive for the backside assembly of the display or as a sealant at the periphery of the assembly to allow movement of the substrates while maintaining sufficient adhesion to seal the device.
Typical OCAs are visco-elastic in nature and are meant to provide durability under a range of environmental exposure conditions and high frequency loading. In such cases, a high level of adhesion and some balance of visco-elastic property is maintained to achieve good pressure-sensitive behavior and incorporate damping properties in the OCA. However, these properties are not fully sufficient to enable foldable or durable displays.
Touch sensitivity is an important factor for touch enabled displays. The projective capacitive (PCAP) senses touch by a change in the capacitance at a particular point of the display. The use of OCAs can help improve PCAP touch sensitivity through careful consideration of the dielectric constant.
To determine optimal operation of the touch sensor, the impact of the dielectric constant or permittivity on the capacitance of a finger or stylus in contact with the display (Cfinger) is a significant factor. Cfinger is defined by:
      C    finger    =                              ɛ          0                                  ɛ          R                        A            t        =                            ɛ          0                        A                    T        v
Where εR is the dielectric constant of the material between the finger and the touch electrode (e.g. touch sensor), ε0 is the vacuum permittivity, A is the touch area, t is the thickness between the electrodes and the finger and Tv is the equivalent vacuum thickness, defined by the thickness between the electrodes and the finger divided by the dielectric constant between the finger and the electrode. In one embodiment, the εR can be additive (e.g. glass+OCA+film touch sensor is on if the touch sensor is on the backside of a film bonded with OCA to a coverglass).
To determine an optimal adhesive for between the touch sensor and the display (behind the sensing circuitry), the parasitic capacitance (CP) should be minimized. The goal is to provide an insulator behind the touch sensor to isolate/minimize noise created by the display and the electronics located behind the display. With a dielectric constant of 1, an air gap can be an ideal insulator in this case. However, to improve optical performance and enable thinner devices, OCAs are often used to bond the touch sensor directly to the display. In this case, an OCA should be chosen to maximize the equivalent vacuum thickness, Tv. This can be done through a lower dielectric constant or a thicker adhesive layer. For foldable OLED device constructions, thinner adhesive layers may be preferred, so it would be ideal to have a lower dielectric constant OCA.
Another crucial factor for touch sensitivity is prevention of corrosion on the touch sensor traces. Many touch sensor manufacturers address this issue by passivation of the touch sensor traces with an organic layer that prevents corrosion. To simplify the process and reduce cost, an OCA may be used as the organic layer and be positioned in direct contact with the corrosion sensitive portions of the touch sensor. However, environmental exposure to this organic layer, as well as to the metal flex connections to these traces, can lead to damage to the touch circuitry and a loss in touch sensitivity. To prevent this, an OCA should be chosen that is acid-free and that does not cause oxidation and/or reduction of the materials that it comes in contact with.
Yet another need in the industry is for the OCA to have a relatively stable dielectric constant independent of the environment it is in. For example, large variations in the dielectric constant due to change in environmental humidity may significantly impact the sensitivity of the touch sensor.
Due to the significantly different mechanical requirements for flexible display assemblies, there is a need to develop novel adhesives for application in this new technology area. Along with conventional performance attributes, such as optical clarity, adhesion, and durability, these OCAs need to meet a new challenging set of requirements such as bendability and recoverability without defects and delamination.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low dielectric optically clear adhesives for flexible electronic display


There is provided with a portable communication device which can perform proximity contactless communication without reducing a distance capable of performing the proximity contactless communication thereby to improve convenience and prevent degradation of the characteristics of the proximity contactless communication.

Recently, there has been increasing demands for developing a communication system which can copy electric data containing personal information such as data of a telephone book and store into a mobile phone, or which makes it possible to read and write electric medical sheets at a hospital or a pharmacy, or which makes it possible to read or request electronic resident register data such as certificates of residence and family registers, or which can transfer, copy and store data relating to personal hobby (various kinds of data such as music and images) to and in an own mobile phone, etc., or which can read and store amount of money data for a prepaid of an automatic vending machine, etc. in a desired electronic device, or which can be used as a pass, etc. for passing through a wicket at an amusement park or a station, etc. In other words, there has been increasing demands for developing the communication system (hereinafter called as a proximity contactless communication system) which is made in contact to or brought close so as to be contactable to a communication partner thereby to perform a communication (to be concretely, by using the action of electric field or magnetic field).
To this end, there has been investigated as to the developments of various kinds of portable communication devices each having a proximity contactless communication function (hereinafter called as "a portable communication device with a proximity contactless communication function"), each of which can perform the proximity contactless communication with a proximity contactless communication device disposed outside (hereinafter called as "an external proximity contactless communication device") or a proximity contactless communication card disposed outside (hereinafter called as "an external proximity contactless communication card") which serves a partner side at the time of performing the proximity contactless communication (see patent document 1, for example).
As one of the portable communication devices accorded to such the proximity contactless communication system, there is proposed a mobile phone 100 with the proximity contactless communication function as shown in FIG. 16, for example.
As shown in the figure, the mobile phone 100 with the proximity contactless communication function is configured in a manner that a casing 101 is formed in a straight shape (of course, a fordable shape may be used) and contains therein not only an antenna 102 for the mobile phone for transmitting and receiving a signal to and from a base station disposed outside of the figure but also an antenna 103 for the proximity contactless communication for performing the proximity contactless communication with an external proximity contactless communication device 200, etc.
On the other hand, the external proximity contactless communication device 200 includes an antenna 201 for the proximity contactless communication for performing the proximity contactless communication.
Incidentally, in the figure, a symbol 106 depicts a battery chamber which houses a battery unit 105 for feeding therein and is closed by a battery lid 104.
The mobile phone 100 with the proximity contactless communication function is configured so as to perform communication or data communication with a base station via the antenna 102 for the mobile phone. The mobile phone 100 is also configured so as to perform the proximity contactless communication between the antenna 103 for the proximity contactless communication within the casing 101 of the mobile phone 100 and the antenna 201 for the proximity contactless communication within the casing of the external proximity contactless communication device 200 when the antenna 103 for the proximity contactless communication provided near the one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 16) within the casing 101 of the mobile phone 100 is made in contact to or brought close to and placed over the external proximity contactless communication device 200.
However, in the mobile phone 100 with the proximity contactless communication function, as described above, the antenna 103 for the proximity contactless communication is disposed at the one surface of the casing 101 of the mobile phone 100. Thus, in the case of performing the proximity contactless communication, when the surface other than the one surface of the casing 101 is made in contact to or brought close to and placed over the device, it is often the case that proximity contactless communication error arises due to the directivity of the antenna 103 for the proximity contactless communication. As a result, there is a problem that the convenience is not good in a point that the particular surface of the casing 101 is required to be placed over the device.
Therefore, as described in a patent document 2, for example, there is proposed such a structure that two antennas for proximity contactless communication are provided in parallel to each other so that the proximity contactless communication can be performed without being limited to the one surface. However, according to such a configuration, since the antennas are provided in parallel to each other, the total inductance value of the antennas decreases. In this case, in order to resonate the antenna at a desired frequency, it is necessary to increase the inductance component of the antenna or to increase the constant value of a resonance capacitor.
In general, in order to increase the inductance component of the antenna, it is necessary to increase the area of the antenna and increase the number of turns of a conductor constituting the antenna. However, it is difficult to increase the areas of the plural antennas in a small-sized communication device such as the portable communication device. Further, when the constant value of the resonance capacitor is made large, there arises a problem that the gain of the antenna for proximity contactless communication reduces and so a distance capable of performing the proximity contactless communication reduces.
Thus, as shown in a patent document 3 and a patent document 4, for example, when the antenna for proximity contactless communication is configured in an L-shape, the proximity contactless communication can be performed as to two surfaces or more without being limited to one surface without reducing the inductance value of the antenna.
However, according to such a configuration, with respect to only one surface, in the case of performing the proximity contactless communication by placing this surface in parallel to the antennal of the external proximity contactless communication device, since there is no antenna at the corner portion of the L-shape, the magnetic flux density at the one surface is reduced as compared with the case where the antenna loop is configured by only one surface. As a result, there arises a problem that a distance capable of performing the proximity contactless communication reduces.
Thus, as described in a patent document 5, for example, when an antenna for proximity contactless communication is formed in a loop shape at each of six surfaces, the proximity contactless communication can be performed at not only one surface but also the respective surfaces. Simultaneously, when considering each one of the respective surfaces, since the each surface forms the loop, the reduction of the magnetic flux density can be prevented and the distance capable of performing the proximity contactless communication can be maintained effectively.
However, according to this configuration, when the antennas at the plural surfaces are influenced by the magnetic fluxes, the currents generated at the respective antennas flow in opposite directions and so there arise a problem that the proximity contactless communication error occurs.    Patent document 1: JP-A-2002-236901 (page 2, right column, [0002])    Patent document 2: JP-A-2001-28037    Patent document 3: JP-A-08-44833    Patent document 4: JP-A-11-316806    Patent document 5: JP-A-2001-319206

Abstract: In a mobile communication device 1 with a proximity contactless communication function, antennas 14A to 14C for performing the proximity contactless communication with an external proximity contactless communication device 2 are provided on the plural surfaces of the casing 10 of the mobile communication device 1. Each of the antennas 14A to 14C has one or more loops and the antennas 14A to 14C are coupled in series.


A vacuum processing equipment is disclosed, which comprises a vacuum chamber and main and fore vacuum pumping mechanism for pumping down the vacuum chamber. The fore vacuum pumping mechanism includes a cooling means and a residual gas trapping means coupled to the cooling means. The cooling means is provided outside the vacuum chamber. The residual gas trapping means is provided in a zone of the vacuum chamber free from interference with the vacuum processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Vacuum Processing Equipment and a vacuum processing method for improved vacuum pumping performance.
2. Detailed Description of Related Art
A structure of a prior art vacuum processing equipment is illustrated schematically by referring to the typical sputtering equipment shown in FIG. 1. The equipment has a vacuum chamber (or sputtering chamber) 10, in which is provided a cathode 12 capable of including a target, a shutter 14 capable of being opened and closed, a holder 16 for holding a wafer, heaters 18 and 20 for baking and cooling down 22 and 24. The chamber 10 is also provided with a wafer conveying system 26 for in-line processing and a gas supplying system 28. The chamber 10 is further provided with a main pumping mechanism for vacuum pumping it. The main pumping mechanism is a complicated mechanism including a rough vacuum pump 30 and a main pump 32, for example, a cryogenic and the like.
Reference number 34 is a wafer. The chamber 10 is usually kept in a vacuum. In this state the wafer can be put on the holder 16 in the chamber 10 and also taken out of the same by the wafer conveying system 26. Reference number 36 is a rough pumping valve 36. At reference number 38 is a main valve. The above various constituent elements may have well-known specific structures, thus the matter of detail are not described.
The chamber 10 is pumped down with the main vacuum pumping mechanism of the sputtering equipment as follows.
First of all, the chamber 10 is preliminarily evacuated with the rough vacuum pump 30. After completing the rough evacuation, the rough vacuum pump 30 is switched over to the main pump 32 to pump down the chamber 10 to as high a vacuum as about 10.sup.-7 Torr. Usually during evacuating, the chamber 10 is baked by operating the heaters 20 and 18 in suitable timings.
However, as described above, the chamber 10 accommodates various constitute elements, and therefore its actual inner surface area is very large. Besides, since it extensively uses elastomer gaskets (mainly Byton O-ring), sufficient baking can not be obtained. Therefore the attainable ultimate vacuum is as low as about 10.sup.-7 Torr. A high vacuum in the order of 10.sup.-8 is obtainable by performing long time baking and target cleaning. Heretofore, however, a couple of days were necessary to reach 7.times.10.sup.-8 Torr. This fact is applicable not only to the sputtering apparatus but also the other apparatuses such as dry etching apparatus as well.
It is well known in the prior art that the vacuum degree is still low, and it takes long time to reach the desired pressure. Thus, there arises a problem in that it is impossible to improve the throughput.
The inventors of this application, accordingly, have conducted research and investigations for a purpose of improving the pumping performance (i.e., attainable ultimate vacuum degree and pumping time).
They have reached the conclusion that the evacuation of residual atmospheric main gases in the chamber, excluding the introduced gas under the ultimate pressure, are H.sub.2, H.sub.2 O, N.sub.2 +CO, CO.sub.2, etc., as shown in FIG. 3. The predominant gases among them is H.sub.2 O (water component). Therefore, in the equipment of the prior art, water (H.sub.2 O) is present as a main component of the residual gas due to the equipment having complicated construction and a lack of baking. This water component determines a limit on the pumping performance such as attainable ultimate pressure and pumping time. As a result, the pumping performance can be improved by trapping at least the water component among the residual gas components.


A method and apparatus for settling a product in a partially formed package. In one aspect, the invention comprises the steps: providing a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with a product; and settling the product in the partially formed package. The settling step comprises rotating a paddle wheel comprising at least one paddle against the partially formed package. In a second aspect, the invention comprises an improved product settler for settling product in a partially formed package. The improved product settler comprises a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel comprises at least one paddle that is positioned to cause an impact against the partially formed package. The impact agitates the partially formed package and thereby settles the product.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for settling products in a package.
Background
Many foodstuffs, such as potato chips, are packaged in pillow pouch packages that are made using a form, fill and seal ("FFS") machine. Typically, a form, fill and seal machine forms the film into a tube, seals the bottom of the tube, fills the partially sealed tube with product, and then seals the top of the tube to form a packaged product. Often, a form, fill and seal machine is oriented so that film travels in a direction that is generally vertical as the film is formed into a tube, filled with product and sealed. Such a machine is an example of a vertical form, fill and seal ("VFFS") machine.
When the product being packaged is an irregularly shaped product such as potato chips, there can be large void spaces between each piece. The void space takes up volume in the package and requires the package to be larger than required for the product alone. This requires more resources, which is less environmentally friendly. It is also more expensive for producers and ultimately consumers.
To avoid these and other problems posed by void space, some form, fill and seal machines are fitted with product settlers. These settlers typically shake the product to make it settle into a more compact configuration and thereby reduce void space.
In addition to reducing void space in a product, it is desirable to package product more quickly. One way to increase the speed with which product is packaged is to increase the speed with which film is fed to the form, fill and seal machines. Other things being equal, continuously feeding film to a machine is faster than intermittently feeding film.
To take advantage of this principle, some machines, called continuous motion machines, are capable of running in a continuous mode in which film is continuously being advanced, as opposed to being paused intermittently. However, running a machine in continuous mode is incompatible with conventional settlers that grab or pinch the film. This is because grabbing or pinching will damage the film unless the film is paused.
Examples of conventional settlers that require a film to be paused include settlers with beater bars that grab and shake the film. Another conventional settler that requires film to be paused uses two swinging panels. The two panels are positioned below the product conduit and can rotate together like doors. When the panels come together, they pinch and seal off the film below the product conduit. After product falls on the closed panels, seal jaws come together to form an end seal on the film. This forms the bottom of a partially formed package. Then, the panels rotate open, which releases the film and allows the product to fall to the bottom of the partially formed package. This process of repeatedly dropping and catching the product causes the product to be settled. However, it can also damage the product by causing breakage, for example, of chips.
As these examples illustrate, when using conventional settlers, form, fill and seal machines must run in an intermittent mode in which the film is stopped when the settlers grab the film, and the film advances when the settlers release the film. As a result, many continuous motion machines do not even come with a settler. Other machines come with a settler that can be installed by a user, but the machine must then be run in an intermittent mode. Running machines in intermittent mode is inefficient and results in additional wear and tear on the machines and film. Thus, using a conventional settler with a continuous motion form, fill and seal machine can be undesirable.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a settler that is compatible with a form, fill and seal machine running in continuous mode. For example, it is desirable to have a settler that does not grab film and can be used with a machine that continuously conveys the film. Such a settler would not require the film to be paused during production of packages. This could, in turn, avoid wear and tear on the machine and film caused by large transient forces that occur when starting and stopping the machine.
It would also be advantageous if an inventive settler could be used to produce product-filled packages more quickly than conventional settlers that require packaging film to be paused intermittently.
In addition, it would be desirable if the inventive settler reduced the volume that product occupies in a package. For example, it would be desirable if the settler reduced the volume occupied by a product at least as much as a conventional settler.
Furthermore, it would be desirable if an inventive settler could increase the head space in a package of a given size. For example, increased head space can help prevent product inside the package from being too close to, or caught in, the end seal of the package. This helps to ensure that the package is properly sealed. Increased head space can also help prevent other manufacturing defects, for example, unintended pleats and unintended tucks. It would be even more desirable if the inventive settler could increase head space and/or reduce manufacturing defects when compared to conventional settlers.
Likewise, it would be beneficial if the inventive settler did not break a substantial amount of product by impacting the product. For example, it would be beneficial if the settler were positioned so that it did not impact a substantial amount of the product through the packaging film. It would also be advantageous if the inventive settler could optionally be mounted somewhere besides the seal jaw carriage of a form, fill and seal machine. As another example, it would be beneficial if the inventive settler could operate intermittently or continuously. For example, it would be beneficial if the inventive settler could stop settling while the product is in a position to be damaged by the settler. However, after the product is no longer in such a position, the inventive settler would begin settling again.
Similarly, it would be desirable if the inventive settler decreased the amount of film required to package a given amount of product. This could help reduce waste, increase the environmental friendliness of a process, reduce manufacturing costs, and further increase the speed of a manufacturing process. For example, using a settler that can be used with a continuous motion form, fill and seal machine can increase the speed of a manufacturing process. Also, if the inventive settler could decrease the amount of film necessary to package a product, less film would need to be conveyed for a unit of product. This could further reduce the amount of time required to produce each unit.
In addition, it would be advantageous if the inventive settler did not interfere with the continuous motion of a package film when the inventive settler stopped. For example, it would be advantageous if the inventive settler had a low torque motor so that if the settler stopped running or even failed while the settler was in contact with a package film, the film could push the settler out of the path of the film, and the film could continue to be advanced. It would also be advantageous if the inventive settler could be stopped in a position where it does not impede the continuous conveyance of packaging film.
It would be another benefit if the inventive settler were simple compared to conventional settlers. For example, it would be beneficial if the inventive settler had fewer moving parts than conventional settlers, had a less complicated operating mechanism, and were easier to maintain, repair and/or replace. It would also be beneficial if the inventive settler required minimal training of or input from maintenance personnel.
Furthermore, it would be useful if the inventive settler were small compared to conventional settlers. For example, conventional settlers can have components that take up a large amount of space and it would be advantageous to avoid these components.
Additionally, it would be desirable if the inventive settler could be easily installed on existing form, fill and seal machines. For example, it would be desirable if the inventive settler were modular and could be easily added to existing continuous motion vertical form, fill and seal machines. It would also be useful if a modular form of the inventive settler were easier to maintain, repair, and/or replace than conventional settlers. For example, it would be desirable if an inventive settler needing maintenance could be easily removed from a continuous motion form, fill and seal machine and replaced with a recently serviced settler. It would also be desirable if the inventive settler were designed so that the form, fill and seal machine could run without needing to be substantially reconfigured if the inventive settler were removed and were not replaced. For example, the machine could be instructed to create bigger packages due to a lack of settling, but the machine would not require other reconfiguration. This could increase the versatility of a product manufacturing line and increase its resilience in the face of maintenance issues.
Similarly, it would be advantageous if a form, fill and seal machine were easier to maintain and repair when the inventive settler is used with the machine instead of a conventional settler. It would also be advantageous if the small size and location of the inventive settler made it easier to access and service the machine compared to conventional settlers. For example, the size and location of conventional settlers can block or substantially impede access to the seal jaw carriage of a form, fill and seal machine. In contrast, it would be advantageous if the inventive settler could be installed on one side of a machine making it easy to access the seal jaw carriage even when the inventive settler is installed. It would also be advantageous if the inventive settler could easily be removed in comparison to a conventional settler, for example, if the inventive settler were modular, as this would also increase the ease of servicing of form, fill and seal machine.

Method and apparatus for a product settler


A carbon fiber-reinforced cementitious composite having high strength, which comprises continuous carbon fibers and a cured cement composition, comprising cement particles having an average particle size up to about the average diameter of the carbon fibers, the cured cement composition being substantially interposed between the individual carbon fibers; and a method for producing it.

Molded products obtained from carbon fibers, a cement, and water have been developed in an attempt to reinforce composites comprising a cured cement composition as a matrix, such as mortar and concrete, by taking advantage of the tensile strength and elasticity of carbon fibres. These molded products have been conventionally obtained by mixing short carbon fibers with a cement and water, and an additional aggregate and/or various admixtures for cement, if desired, and curing the resulting composition.
Since carbon fibers are readily broken during kneading due to their high modulus of elasticity and poor flexing characteristics, improvements have been proposed to prevent breakage by using aggregates of a spherical shape, incorporating air or polymers to the system, and the like. However, the amount of carbon fibers which can be incorporated according to these proposals is only about 5% by volume at the most. Several improvements on these techniques have been reported. For example, the use of cement having a maximum particle size of 45 .mu.m or smaller produces good results, or addition of ultrafine silica having latent hydraulic properties and having an average particle size of about 0.1 .mu.m to common portland cement produces good results. However, sufficient attention has not been paid to the fact that carbon fibers have poor resistance to flexing, so that the straightness of carbon fibers and uniform dispersion of the carbon fibers in the cured cement matrix have not been assured, and the reinforcing effect of carbon fibers has been insufficient. Further, the addition of ultrafine powders of silica is intended to fill spaces among cement particles or between fibers and cement particles, thereby to ensure adhesion between the fibers and the matrix. However, the reaction of the ultrafine silica is a Pozzolanic reaction and the adhesive force produced thereby is limited and insufficient.
Methods of impregnating a cement composition into continuous fibers include the techniques known for molding glass fiber-reinforced plastics, such as hand lay-up, filament winding, pull-pressing, etc. According to these techniques, common portland cement or portland cement having a slightly smaller particle size (e.g., an average particle diameter of 20 .mu.m) is used without special attention to the particle size, As a result, the amount of carbon fibers which can be incorporated is about 10% by volume at the highest. Besides, although the carbon fibers incorporated by these methods are unidirectionally oriented, microscopic straightness of the carbon fibers and dispersibility of individual fibers are not assured so that the reinforcing effect of the carbon fibers is incomplete. In addition, the cement particles are not sufficiently embedded in gaps between carbon fibers because they have a large average particle size as described above, thus resulting in insufficient binding between the carbon fibers and the cement.
Another proposal suggests using carbon fibers in the form of a mat or cloth and molding with a cement and various additives for cement. This technique involves similar problems to those described above and, also, the amount of the carbon fibers to be incorporated thereby does not exceed 5% by volume. Therefore, the strength of the resulting composite material is limited.

Carbon fiber-reinforced cementitious composite and method for producing the composite


A foot-operated door opener includes an elongate housing having openings at the upper and lower ends thereof. The housing is mounted to and hangs from a rotatable doorknob or door handle. An elongate actuator extends through the housing. An upper end of the actuator is grippably engaged with the door handle or doorknob and the lower end of the actuator carries a foot pedal. The lower end of the housing carries a hook that engages the lower edge of the door. The foot pedal is depressed to pull the actuator downwardly through the housing. This rotates the doorknob or door handle to open the door. The pedal is then pulled rearwardly or pushed forwardly by the users foot, as required, so that the housing and hook pivot the door open. The user may then exit the door without touching the handle.

A doorknob or door handle tends to collect all sorts of germs, which may be transmitted to persons who subsequently open the door. This problem is particularly acute in connection with knobs and handles employed by doors in public restrooms and other facilities used by the public. Once the knob or handle is contaminated, each person thereafter opening or closing the door encounters the risk of being infected and contracting a cold, flu or other disease. Contamination is best avoided by careful hand washing; however, many people using public facilities exhibit less than exemplary hygiene and either inadequately wash their hands or fail to wash them altogether. As a result, unsanitary and contaminated door handles and doorknobs remain an ongoing and serious health concern.


A computer chassis frame includes a support structure on a load-bearing surface of the frame to support a computer chassis cover installed over the frame. The support structure may comprise a plurality of rounded portions on the load-bearing surface of the computer chassis frame, which provide multiple load points to distribute the cover's load on the frame. In addition, a computer chassis may include a removable structure for computer devices, where the removable structure includes an interface configured to mate with the support structures of the computer chassis frame.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computer chassis, and specifically to structural supports on computer chassis frames.
2. Background of the Invention
Computer chassis covers prevent electromagnetic emissions generated by the electronic components within a computer from leaking into the external environment. In the assembly of a computer, mounting the chassis cover onto a chassis frame is typically the last step of putting together the computer, after the motherboard, drives, and other components have been secured to the chassis frame. Chassis frames thus must serve at least two purposes: they must allow for access to the confines of the computer chassis during installation, and they must also provide a support structure for the chassis cover. Thus, frames are often lightweight and open on several faces. At the same time, they must also withstand the weight of the chassis cover and other foreseeable loads. Multiple small open semi-circular tabs often border frame rails, providing a discontinuous surface for contact with the chassis frame cover. While this helps makes the frame more lightweight, the presence of point contacts between the chassis cover and chassis frame can cause the chassis cover to deform, particularly when heavy objects are placed on it.
Thus there is a need for a chassis frame structure with an improved interface between the chassis frame and the chassis cover.


A self-adjusting non-contact seal for sealing the circumferential gap between a first machine component and a second machine component includes structure which undergoes wear in the event of inadvertent contact with one of the machine components in such a way as to allow a reset of its radial distance from such machine component, compared to initial installation tolerances, while minimizing leakage.

Turbomachinery, such as gas turbine engines employed in aircraft, currently is dependent on either labyrinth (see FIGS. 1A-1E), brush (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) or carbon seals for critical applications. Labyrinth seals provide adequate sealing but they are extremely dependent on maintaining radial tolerances at all points of engine operation. The radial clearance must take into account factors such as thermal expansion, shaft motion, tolerance stack-ups, rub tolerance, etc. Minimization of seal clearance is necessary to achieve maximum labyrinth seal effectiveness. In addition to increased leakage if clearances are not maintained, such as during a high-G maneuver, there is the potential for increases in engine vibration. Straight-thru labyrinth seals (FIG. 1A) are the most sensitive to clearance changes, with large clearances resulting in a carryover effect. Stepped labyrinth seals (FIGS. 1B and 1C) are very dependent on axial clearances, as well as radial clearances, which limits the number of teeth possible on each land. Pregrooved labyrinth seals (FIG. 1D) are dependent on both axial and radial clearances and must have an axial clearance less than twice the radial clearance to provide better leakage performance than stepped seals.
Other problems associated with labyrinth seals arise from heat generation due to knife edge to seal land rub, debris from hardcoated knife edges or seal lands being carried through engine passages, and excessive engine vibration. When seal teeth rub against seal lands, it is possible to generate large amounts of heat. This heat may result in reduced material strength and may even cause destruction of the seal if heat conducted to the rotor causes further interference. It is possible to reduce heat generation using abradable seal lands, but they must not be used in situations where rub debris will be carried by leakage air directly into critical areas such as bearing compartments or carbon seal rubbing contacts. This also holds true for hardcoats applied to knife edges to increase rub capability. Other difficulties with hardcoated knife edges include low cycle fatigue life debits, rub induced tooth-edge cracking, and the possibility of handling damage. Engine vibration is another factor to be considered when implementing labyrinth seals. As mentioned previously, this vibration can be caused by improper maintenance of radial clearances. However, it can also be affected by the spacing of labyrinth seal teeth, which can produce harmonics and result in high vibratory stresses.
In comparison to labyrinth seals, brush seals can offer very low leakage rates. For example, flow past a single stage brush seal is approximately equal to a four knife edge labyrinth seal at the same clearance. Brush seals are also not as dependent on radial clearances as labyrinth seals. Leakage equivalent to approximately a 2 to 3 mil gap is relatively constant over a large range of wire-rotor interferences. However, with current technology, all brush seals will eventually wear to line on line contact at the point of greatest initial interference. Great care must be taken to insure that the brush seal backing plate does not contact the rotor under any circumstances. It is possible for severing of the rotor to occur from this type of contact. In addition, undue wire wear may result in flow increases up to 800% and factors such as changes in extreme interference, temperature and pressure loads, and rubbing speeds must be taken into account when determining seal life.
The design for common brush seals, as seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, is usually an assembly of densely packed flexible wires sandwiched between a front plate and a back plate. The free ends of the wires protrude beyond the plates and contact a land or runner, with a small radial interference to form the seal. The wires are angled so that the free ends point in the same direction as the movement of the runner. Brush seals are sized to maintain a tight diametral fit throughout their useful life and to accommodate the greatest combination of axial movement of the brush relative to the rotor.
Brush seals may be used in a wide variety of applications. Although brush seal leakage generally decreases with exposure to repeated pressure loading, incorporating brush seals where extreme pressure loading occurs may cause a "blow over" condition resulting in permanent deformation of the seal wires. Brush seals have been used in sealing bearing compartments, however coke on the wires may result in accelerated wear and their leakage rate is higher than that of carbon seals.
One additional limitation of brush seals is that they are essentially uni-directional in operation, i.e., due to the angulation of the individual wires, such seals must be oriented in the direction of rotation of the moving element. Rotation of the moving element or rotor in the opposite direction, against the angulation of the wires, can result in permanent damage and/or failure of the seal. In the particular application of the seals required in the engine of a V-22 Osprey aircraft, for example, it is noted that during the blade fold wing stow operation, the engine rotates in reverse at very low rpm's. This is required to align rotor blades when stowing wings. This procedure is performed for creating a smaller aircraft footprint onboard an aircraft carrier. Reverse rotation of the engine would damage or create failure of brush seals such as those depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
Carbon seals are generally used to provide sealing of oil compartments and to protect oil systems from hot air and contamination. Their low leakage rates in comparison to labyrinth or brush seals are well-suited to this application but they are very sensitive to pressure balances and tolerance stack-ups. Pressure gradients at all operating conditions and especially at low power and idle conditions must be taken into account when considering the use of carbon seals. Carbon seals must be designed to have a sufficiently thick seal plate and the axial stack load path must pass through the plate as straight as possible to prevent coning of the seal. Another consideration with carbon seals is the potential for seepage, weepage or trapped oil. Provisions must be made to eliminate these conditions which may result in oil fire, rotor vibration, and severe corrosion.
According to the Advanced Subsonic Technology Initiative as presented at the NASA Lewis Research Center Seals Workshop, development of advanced sealing techniques to replace the current seal technologies described above will provide high returns on technology investments. These returns include reducing direct operating costs by up to 5%, reducing engine fuel burn up to 10%, reducing engine oxides of emission by over 50%, and reducing noise by 7 dB. For example, spending only a fraction of the costs needed to redesign and re-qualify complete compressor or turbine components on advanced seal development can achieve comparable performance improvements. In fact, engine studies have shown that by applying advanced seals techniques to just a few locations can result in reduction of 2.5% in SFC.


Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for network slicers. Network slicers can receive creation request messages and select network slices based on policies. A network slicer can indicate to next hop routers that it has lower routing costs in order to receive messages, and inspect the received messages to identify creation request messages. A network slicer can indicate to a DNS server that it has a higher priority than other network elements, and receive creation request messages based on the higher priority. New creation request messages can be sent to the selected network slices based on received creation request messages. The network can also create and send appropriate response messages to the creation request to establish future communications with the selected network slice.

Some wireless operators have deployed applications known as GTP Proxy functions. A GTP Proxy typically functions as an intermediary node between different mobile network operators (MNO) and is used to aid in interoperability. As an example, a GTP Proxy can be considered an entry point for an operator's users that are roaming in other networks. A roaming network will send all the GTP related traffic, signaling and user plane, to the home GTP Proxy; from the roaming network the GTP Proxy is treated as the selected GGSN or PGW. The GTP Proxy terminates this roaming traffic and subsequently proxy the traffic to the real GGSN or PGW. In this mode of operation, the GTP Proxy hides the topology of the real GGSN/PGW(s), as well it can perform other functions of modifying and enforcement of the GTP related traffic. As the name describes the GTP Proxy always remains as an intermediary for the lifetime of a UE session; e.g. all the UE session traffic flows through the GTP Proxy.


A remote-controlled electric golf bag cart has a remote control, a support frame, an antenna set and a control module. The remote control transmits a distance measurement signal. The support frame has a wheel assembly, a golf bag stand and a motor assembly mounted thereon. The antenna set and the control module are mounted on the support frame. The antenna set receives the distance measurement signal. The control module determines an orientation and a distance of the remote control according to the distance measurement signal received by the antenna set, and drives the motor assembly to move the support frame forward toward the remote control, making the support follow a user having the remote control and preventing other in-field persons and obstacles from affecting the support frame to follow the remote control.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf bag cart and more particularly to a remote-controlled electric golf bag cart.
2. Description of the Related Art
Golf bag carts primarily serve to carry golf equipment so that golf players do not need to carry heavy golf equipment when walking in the golf fields and golf skill practice will not be affected for sake of the additional physical strength consumption.
Nowadays, lots of electric golf bag carts have been available in the market. Disclosed by Taiwanese utility model patent publication no. 304440, a hand-controlled electric golf bag cart has a motor for driving a wheel assembly, and a control button mounted on a handle of the cart to control the motor. After pressing the control button to control the motor so as to drive the wheel assembly, users do not need to manually keep the golf bag cart moving by themselves. Due to rapid technological progress recent years, an automatic searching and tracking electric golf bag cart came on the market and has an ultrasonic radar and a master controller mounted thereon. The master controller is connected to the ultrasonic radar for the ultrasonic radar to transmit an ultrasonic signal toward a forward direction of the electric golf bag cart. Because of the concept that ultrasonic waves reflect from an object, the master controller can determine a distance and an orientation between the electric golf bag cart and an object in front of the cart according to an ultrasonic signal and its reflected signal, and drives a motor to rotate according to the measured distance so that the electric golf bag cart follows the object ahead and keeps a preset distance from the object (for example 4 to 6 meters). Hence, when a golf player is walking ahead of the electric golf bag cart, the electric golf bag cart then automatically follows the golf player, and such electric golf bag cart is relatively convenient than those conventional electric golf bag carts.
However, as the foregoing electric golf bag cart measures the distance between itself and an object ahead with ultrasonic waves, to some extent, its operation may be affected by objects other than the golf player. If other persons or balls pass between the electric golf bag cart and the person ahead of the cart, such event will result in malfunctions of the electric golf bag cart, for example, the electric golf bag cart stops following or follows a wrong person, and thus make such electric golf bag cart unsatisfactory in operation.

Remote-controlled electric golf bag cart


The present invention relates to a plum tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, medium vigorous, hardy, productive, and regular bearing tree, which requires a pollinator. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the latter part of June, with first picking on June 19, 1989, and is uniformly large in size, clingstone in type, very dark purplish red in skin color, smooth in surface appearance, attractive in shape, sweet in flavor, and exceptionally firm in texture, resulting in excellent quality for keeping and shipping. The variety was developed as a hybridized seedling from the selected seed parent, Red Beaut (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), and an unnamed seedling as the selected pollen parent.

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we, the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of nectarine, peach, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plum tree, which has been denominated varietally as "Purple Majesty". The present variety was hybridized by us in 1982, and the resulting seedling was planted in a cultivated area of our experimental orchard at Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). Specifically, the hybridized seedling was originated by using Red Beaut (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) as the selected seed parent and an unnamed seedling as the selected pollen parent. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of plum tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects.
The present variety produces fruit that matures at nearly the same time as Santa Rosa, unpatented, but is distinguished from that variety by being self-sterile instead of self-fertile and by producing fruit that is larger in size, firmer in texture, axially compressed in shape, and darker in skin color at shipping ripeness.
The present variety is similar to its selected seed parent, Red Beaut (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539), by being self-sterile and by producing fruit that is smooth in surface appearance and very firm in texture, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that ripens twenty-one days later, that is very dark reddish purple in skin color instead of red, that is much larger in size, and that is much sweeter in flavor.


A communication apparatus includes a communication unit. When receiving a request to start communication from a second communication apparatus during communication with a first communication apparatus, the communication unit transmits to the second communication apparatus a communication disabled notification with a retransmission time period indicating a time until the request to start communication again. In addition, when receiving a request to start communication from a third communication apparatus after completing the communication with the first communication apparatus and before receiving the request to start communication sent again from the second communication apparatus based on the retransmission time period, the communication unit does not start data reception from the third communication apparatus so as to give priority to data communication with the second communication apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a communication apparatus performing data communication such as facsimile communication.
2. Description of the Related Art
For instance, in a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, image data transmission and reception is performed. First, a transmission side transmits a request to start communication. Then, a reception side receives the request to start communication. Exchange of predetermined signals is performed and a communication path is established. After that, data transmission and reception is performed. Further, after receiving the request to start communication, when the data communication cannot be started because of being communicating with other communication apparatus or other reason, the reception side communication apparatus sends back a communication disabled notification to the transmission side communication apparatus. When receiving the communication disabled notification, the transmission side communication apparatus may wait to transmit the request to start communication again to the reception side communication apparatus (redial or retry). When the communication disabled notification is returned again after the retransmission, the transmission side communication apparatus will transmit the request to start communication repeatedly.
In order to avoid repetition of the redial (recall), there is known a facsimile apparatus, which is connected to an Integrated Services Digital Network, predicts a time period until a busy state is released when a calling is received during the busy state, and sets the predicted time period in a release completion message to be sent to a calling side facsimile apparatus.
Here, a communication line is used for retransmission of the request to start communication and reply of the communication disabled notification in response to the request to start communication. Repetition of the redial (resending of the request to start communication) is not preferred for efficient communication. In addition, when the data communication cannot be completed even if the redial is repeated the upper limit number of times, a communication error process is performed. When the communication error process is performed, the data remains to be unreached. Therefore, it is preferred to set the number of redial times to be as small as possible.
Here, in the known technique described above, the predicted time period is sent to the calling side facsimile apparatus. However, when there is an interrupt of an incoming call from other facsimile apparatus before calling based on the predicted time period, communication may start between the interrupting facsimile apparatus and the facsimile apparatus that has transmitted the predicted time period. Then, even if the redial is performed based on the predicted time period, data communication cannot be started because the communication is being performed. Then, the redial is required to be performed again. Therefore, the known technique also has the problem that repetition of the redial (recall) may occur.
In this way, the known technique is not sufficient to prevent the retransmission (redial) of the request to start communication, and has the problem that the redial is repeated so that communication efficiency may be largely decreased.

Communication apparatus, image forming apparatus, and control method for communication apparatus


An instant tube heater for heating flowing liquid is disclosed that includes at least a hollow heating tube, an inlet connector, an outlet connector, and a temperature sensor. Also disclosed is a beverage preparation machine that includes the instant tube heater.

Instant tube heaters are known in the field of beverage dispensers such as water dispensers or coffee capsule machine and the like. The advantage consists in heating quickly, repeatedly and economically liquid on demand, for example, for brewing a beverage from a single dose of beverage ingredients contained in a capsule or pod. The heater tube is economical since it essentially heats only the volume of liquid required as it traverses the heating tube. The tube heater has a low mass of inertia and does not need any significant pre-heating time. Therefore, the preparation of a hot beverage is speedier and requires less energy compared to a boiler or a thermo-block.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,559 relates to a device for heating and aerating water in a coffee machine. The water circuit has water circulation channels and air retaining pockets disposed at intervals along the water circulation channels above the normal water levels of the channels. The air retaining pockets provide turbulence in circulating water and cause the air retained in the pockets to be dissolved in the water.
US2006027103A1 relates to a device for heating liquid in a beverage machine. The device comprises a tube heater with a water inlet, a water outlet and an insert inside the tube comprising helical grooves. The water is forced through a small gap in helical manner. One problem is that water temperature is difficult to control and can be over-heated. This requires a complex set of resistors which are electrically linked. Furthermore, the inside insert provides an elevated pressure loss in the fluid circuit that needs to be overcome.
In particular, an instant tube heater can comprise a glass tube coated with an electro-thermal film. For example, Chinese utility model CN202636656 (U) provides a heating body assembly for instant water dispensers and water boilers. The heating body assembly comprises a water inlet end and a water outlet end, wherein a heating tube is arranged between the water inlet end and the water outlet end. The heating body assembly is characterized in that the heating tube is a single tube having an outer diameter of 20-25 mm, a length of 180-230 mm and a power of 1800-2800 W.
Generally, the temperature regulation is obtained by the control unit of the beverage machine sensing the temperature with a NTC sensor directly at the water flow outlet and powering the heating tube on and off accordingly.
It has been found that the temperature in the heating tube is not homogeneous but forms a gradient from the centerline of the tube towards its periphery. Generally, since the liquid flow is laminar, the liquid flowing in the centre of the tube is cooler than the liquid flowing adjacent the tubular wall of the tube. Since the NTC sensor preferentially measures the temperature coming from the centre of the tube, the temperature regulation is poor since the measured temperature is systematically too low. Moving the NTC sensor relative to the tube (towards the hotter region of the temperature gradient) does not provide a better regulation.
In addition, since the sensed temperature is lower than the real average temperature of liquid, the tube tends to be over-heated which thus creates a cushion of steam between the heating tube and the liquid inside. This small insulation area reduces drastically the heat efficiency of the tube heater.

Instant tube heater with homogenous temperature control


Phase and amplitude modifications in repeatable RF pulses at the output of a high power pulsed microwave amplifier are made utilizing a digital feed-forward correction system. A controlled amount of the output power is coupled to a correction system for processing of phase and amplitude information. The correction system comprises circuitry to compare the detected phase and amplitude with the desired phase and amplitude, respectively, and a digitally programmable phase shifter and attenuator and digital logic circuitry to control the phase shifter and attenuator. The Phase and amplitude of subsequent are modified by output signals from the correction system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to high power pulsed microwave amplifiers and, in particular, to a correction system utilizing a digitally programmable phase shifter and attenuator and associated control circuitry to minimize unwanted phase and amplitude variations in the output pulses generated by the pulsed microwave amplifier.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Devices for producing repeatable pulses of microwave energy at very high peak power levels typically include a pulsed microwave amplifier which amplifies a signal produced by a low power microwave generator. The energy required for signal amplification may be derived from a high energy electron beam that is directed into the amplifier. Klystrons, relativistic klystrons, free electron lasers and cyclotron auto-resonant masers are examples of pulsed microwave amplifiers of this kind.
Amplitude and phase stability at the output of pulsed microwave amplifiers of this kind is strongly dependent on the stability of the driving electron beam. Variations in electron beam energy can cause the phase of the microwave output energy to vary during the course of a pulse. Variations in beam current may produce amplitude fluctuations in the high power microwave output during an output pulse.
The variations are tolerable in some applications that require a very high power source of microwave energy such as in nuclear fusion plasma heating installations. Greater stability is needed in other usages of such apparatus as in certain types of charged particle accelerators.
Recently developed pulsed microwave amplifiers typically operate with pulse durations as short as a few tens of nanoseconds. Conventional feedback correction techniques cannot be used to stabilize the phase and/or amplitude of the output of high power pulsed microwave sources during each pulse in instances where the duration of each pulse is less than about 100 nanoseconds. These devices frequently have physical sizes and resulting long signal paths that make it impractical, if not impossible, to correct phase and amplitude variations within a pulse using conventional feedback techniques and systems.
A prior art system that seeks to provide a solution to the above problem provides a method for stabilizing the output of an electron beam driven pulsed microwave amplifier of the type having an input for receiving a low power microwave signal that is to be amplified and an output for delivering periodic output pulses of amplified microwave energy to a load. The phase and amplitude characteristics of the microwave energy that is to be stabilized is sensed at several time points of the output pulses of the high power amplifier to produce a sequence of output signals. The output signals are compared with predetermined reference signals to produce a sequence of error signals that are indicative of variations of the characteristics at the amplifier output during individual ones of the output pulses. The error signals obtained during each of the sequence of output pulses are used to produce and store correction signals. The correction signals which were stored during prior output pulses are used to modify the low power microwave input signal during subsequent output pulses to suppress the variations during the subsequent output pulses. This method, in essence, utilizes a feed-forward correction technique.
The apparatus includes means for comparing the output signals with the reference signals to produce a sequence of error signals that are indicative of variations of both the amplitude and phase characteristics at the amplifier output during individual ones of the output pulses. Additional means store correction signals that include the error signals during each amplifier output pulse and use the correction signals that were stored during prior output pulses to modify the characteristics in the low power microwave input signal during subsequent output pulses to suppress the variations in the subsequent output pulses. In this prior art system, a voltage controlled phase shifter is coupled into the low power microwave signal path. A phase difference detector has a first input coupled to the reference signal and a second input coupled to the amplifier output. The output of the phase difference detector exhibit a voltage difference that is a function of the magnitude of phase error at the amplifier output. A phase correction signal storage means is coupled to the phase difference detector and has means for storing a plurality of momentary values during the course of each pulsed amplifier output pulse. The momentary values are indicative of the value of the voltage difference at successive different times in the course of the output pulse combined with the momentary value that was stored at the corresponding time during a preceding output pulse. Further components include means for sequentially reading out the previously stored momentary values during each output pulse in the form of a series of voltage levels which jointly provide the control voltage for the voltage controlled variable phase shifter. The system also provides apparatus for suppressing amplitude variations at the output of the pulsed microwave amplifier during individual output pulses. A voltage controlled amplitude modulator, such as an attenuator or other device displaying a voltage controlled amplitude characteristic, is coupled into the input signal path. An amplitude difference detector has a first input coupled to the reference signal and a second input coupled to the output of the amplifier and has an output which exhibits a voltage difference that is a function of the magnitude of amplitude error at the amplifier output relative to the input signal. An amplitude correction signal storage means is coupled to the amplitude difference detector and has means for storing a plurality of momentary values during the course of each amplifier output pulse. The momentary values are indicative of the value of the voltage difference at successive different times in the course of the output pulse combined with the momentary value that was stored at the corresponding time during a preceding pulse. Means are provided to sequentially read out the previously stored momentary values during each output pulse in the form of a series of successive voltage levels which jointly provide the control voltage for a voltage controlled variable signal amplitude modulator.
Although this prior art feed-forward correction system purports to provide advantages over conventional feedback correction systems, it has a number of drawbacks. In particular, the system uses analog type components, such as the voltage controlled phase shifter and amplitude modulator described hereinabove which substantially reduces the response time of the correction system. Analog output switches or multiplexers are also very slow. These analog circuit characteristics reduce the effectiveness of correcting the variations in the narrow pulse, high frequency amplifier output.
What is thus desired is to provide a method and apparatus to correct unwanted variations in the phase and amplitude of a radio frequency (RF) pulse generated by a beam driven high power RF source in a manner which is faster and more accurate and reliable than previously proposed correction systems.

Feed-forward digital phase and amplitude correction system


A portable storage case may include a case body, a lid, a lighting assembly, and a nonmechanical field switch. The case body may define a storage chamber. The lid may be rotatably mounted to the case body to move between an open position and a closed position. The open position may permit access to the storage chamber. The closed position may restrict access to the storage chamber. The lighting assembly may be attached to one of the lid and the case body. The nonmechanical field switch may be in electrical communication with the lighting assembly to restrict activation of the lighting assembly in the closed position.

Portable storage cases, as their name implies, are generally provided for enclosing and facilitating the transport of one or more articles therein. Typical examples of portable storage cases may be adapted for one or more particular articles, such as a musical instrument or personal firearm. Generally, such cases include one or more solid (e.g., nonpermeable) walls that define an enclosed volume or chamber in which one or more articles may be stored. The walls may serve to protect the articles within the enclosed volume (e.g., from fluids, air, dirt, impact, etc.) as the portable case is moved or transported.
Although conventional portable storage cases offer number of advantages, certain long-standing drawbacks often remain an issue. For instance, it can often be difficult to see the contents of a portable storage case, even when the case is open. The sidewalls of the portable case may block light such that the enclosed volume of the portable storage case is less well-lit in the surrounding environment. Additionally or alternatively, a user may wish to open and view the contents of a portable storage case in a dim or poorly lit environment. As an example, a musician or instrument technician may wish to examine a specific instrument within a portable instrument case in a dimly lit backstage environment at a concert or performance (e.g., to ensure proper tuning of the instrument). As another example, an individual may wish to examine personal firearm at night without turning on the lights or fixtures of a given room (e.g., in order to covertly retrieve the firearm for self-defense).
In order to overcome these drawbacks, users have typically been forced to provide a flashlight or other light source that is independent storage case. However, this approach is generally cumbersome and can still fail to adequately illuminate an internal region of the portable storage case. In some cases, light fixtures have been secured to a portion of a portable storage case. Nonetheless, a user is generally still required to find and activate a switch for the light fixture, which can be inconvenient and require additional time.
As a result, it would be advantageous to provide a portable storage case or lighting assembly addressing one or more of the above identified issues.

Portable storage case and lighting assembly


A quick connector coupling assembly to connect a rigid tube to a hollow body component. A retainer releasably retains the tube within a bore in the body. A resilient seal member surrounds the tube and creates a fluid tight seal against the tube and the body defining the bore. A sleeve extends between the seal member and the retainer and transfers axial load on the seal due to pressure to the retainer. In one embodiment a Teflon spacer is interposed between the seal member and the sleeve. A stuffer pin preassembles the sealing and retention elements for insertion into the connector body.

This application relates to quick connector coupling assemblies for fluid systems, and more particularly to a quick connector for high pressure applications that releasably connects a male member formed at the end of a hollow tube to a hollow connector body. It also relates to an assembly tool.
In the automotive and other fields, a quick connector coupling assembly is often utilized to provide a fluid connection between two components or conduits which generally include a male member, or tube, received and retained in a female connector body. Use of a quick connector is advantageous in that a sealed and secure fluid line may be established with minimum amount of time and expense.
A retainer is often used to secure the male member within the connector body. One such type of retainer includes a plurality of locking members which extend between a radially enlarged upset formed on the male member and an annular face defined in the connector body. The abutment of the retainer with the upset of the male member at one end and the annular face of the connector body at the other end prevents the withdrawal of the male member from the connector body. This type of retainer is prevalent in the art and has proven effective in many fluid line applications.
A seal member, usually in the form of an O-ring seal, is used with a quick connector coupling to create a fluid tight seal between the male member and the connector body. In such a configuration, the O-ring is located axially inwardly of the retainer and separated by an annular spacer slidably mounted on the male member. It is often held against axial load imparted by fluid pressure by a spacer that is press fit, or in a snap fit relation to the bore in which it is received. Since the retainer is somewhat flexible, and the O-ring is slidably linked with the retainer, the O-ring is able to slide slightly relative to the male member. Also, such quick connector assemblies are often used in applications where the components are subject to high temperature or pressure, as well as vibration and cyclic application of pressure. These conditions increase the difficulty of maintaining a fluid tight joint. In high pressure applications such as automotive brake systems, it is necessary to ensure that the axial force imparted to the components be reliably accommodated.
The present invention incorporates a sleeve arrangement to transfer axial load imparted to the seal ring by fluid pressure to the retainer. In one embodiment, an additional spacer made of Teflon polymer located between the seal member and the sleeve is used to minimize the effects of vibration and cyclic load.

Quick connector for high pressure applications, assembly tool and method


A gas turbine engine combustion chamber is disclosed having multiple sets of fuel injectors. A set of first fuel injectors are arranged in two radially inner and outer generally circular first arrays such that the fuel injectors of one array are located circumferentially between the fuel injectors of the other array. The combustion chamber also includes a set of second fuel injectors which are also arranged in two generally circular, radially inner and outer arrays such that, in each array, the second fuel injectors are located circumferentially between the first fuel injectors. In a circumferential direction, the positions of the first and second fuel injectors vary between the radially outward array and the radially inward array. One set of fuel injectors may operate under idle and low power operating conditions, while the other set of fuel injectors inject fuel into the combustion chamber during full power take off or cruise operations. Since the radial positions of adjacent fuel injectors in each set vary in a radial direction around the circumference of the combustion chamber, the radial temperature variations are eliminated.

The present invention relates to a gas turbine combustion chamber, more particularly such a combustion chamber having multiple arrays of fuel injectors.
It is known to provide gas turbine engine combustion chambers with two sets of fuel injectors whereby one set, known as the pilot injectors, inject fuel into the combustion chamber during idling and low power engine operation, while the injectors of the other set, known as the take off or main injectors, inject fuel into the combustion chamber during full power, take off, or cruising mode of operation of the engine.
Typically, such sets of fuel injectors are arranged such that all of the injectors of one set, in an annular combustion chamber, are located either radially outwardly, or radially inwardly of all of the injectors of the other set. This arrangement of the sets of fuel injectors causes many drawbacks, one of which is the radial temperature variation of the exhaust gases emanating from the combustion chamber. Often, the pilot fuel injectors are located radially outwardly of the main injectors and, if the pilot injectors alone are operating, the exit temperatures of the combustion gases at the exit of the combustion chamber may vary between 900.degree. -1,800.degree. K. between the radially inner and the radially outer portions of the combustion chamber exhaust. Such temperature variations also cause radial temperature differential between the root and the tip of a gas turbine blade typically located at the exit of the combustion chamber. This radial temperature variation causes a reduction in efficiency of the gas turbine.

Gas turbine combustion chamber with multiple fuel injector arrays

Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)


This invention relates to methods for administering an effective amount of a dietary or nutritional supplement composition that effectively changes the quality of the meibum lipid composition of inflamed or dysfunctional meibomian glands so as to improve or increase tear break up time, reduce tear osmolarity, and elevate the omega-3 index, while reducing or eliminating the symptoms associated with dry eye or meibomianitis. The dietary or nutritional supplement composition administered to the patient suffering from inflamed or dysfunctional meibomian glands comprises an effective amount of omega-3 fatty acids.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods for improving and enhancing the lipid layer of the tear and increasing tear breakup time and elevating the omega-3 index in patients suffering from symptoms of posterior blepharitis and, more specifically, to methods for administering a supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids to normalize the oil production of the meibomian glands, thus normalizing the lipid layer of the tear.
2. The Background Art
Along the margin of the eyelids are a series of small sebaceous glands called meibomian glands. The meibomian glands create and distribute a supply of meibum, an oily substance, that makes up the lipid layer that helps keep the eye moist and protects the tear film from evaporation. There are approximately twenty-five meibomian glands on the upper eyelids and twenty-five glands on the lower eyelids. Upon blinking of the eye, the upper eyelid comes down, presses on the oily substance produced by the meibomian glands, and pulls a sheet of this oily substance upwards, thereby coating the tear layer beneath to keep it from evaporating. This oily substance or meibum (wherein lipids are a major component) created by the meibomian glands is therefore critical for healthy eyes and good vision.
Meibomianitis refers to inflammation or dysfunction of the meibomian glands. Inflammation of the meibomian glands may occur because of the production of meibum which is pro-inflammatory in nature due to an increased composition of omega-6 essential fatty acids. Secondarily, bacteria have been found to invade the meibomian glands and colonize there. Once inflamed, the meibomian glands generally will not produce the quantity and quality of oils that are necessary to properly lubricate the eye.
The volume of oil produced from inflamed meibomian glands tends to decrease and the oils that are produced become thicker, like toothpaste. These oils also become abnormal in their characteristics. Instead of spreading evenly across the aqueous layer, the oil coalesces leaving areas in which the aqueous can evaporate and other areas in which the oil now adheres to the cornea surface itself. This creates a dry spot on the cornea which the aqueous cannot penetrate. Such condition generally produces a foreign body sensation and if it persists may result in injury to the epithelium which is seen as corneal staining on examination. A reduction in oil production therefore inherently results in a quantitative decrease in the quality and quantity of the oily layer, thus causing tears to evaporate more rapidly. Because the thickened oil does not coat the eye properly, a person with inflamed meibomian glands may experience discomfort or problems with their eyes that may include, for example, but not by way of limitation: (1) dryness; (2) burning; (3) itching; (4) irritation and redness; (5) blurred vision; and/or (6) foreign body sensations.
This inflammatory process can also spread throughout the lid margin and spill over to involve the ocular surface resulting in significant ocular discomfort. Inflammation of the meibomian glands in the upper and lower lids can further lead to vascularization and fibrosis, causing stenosis and then closure of the meibomian gland orifices. Deprived of the meibum or lipids that inhibit evaporation, tear film evaporation will generally increase. Similarly, a deficiency in tear film generally results in irritation of the eye, but can also cause damage to the surface of the eye. As appreciated, an irregular oil pattern disrupts tears and allows for increased exposure of the aqueous layer to the atmosphere and the increased evaporation of the aqueous. Unfortunately, this inflamed condition of the meibomian glands has often been found to be chronic.
Some of the treatments for meibomianitis that have been contemplated by those skilled in the art include: (1) the application of artificial tears; (2) cleaning the affected eyelid margins with a gentle baby shampoo; and (3) applying warm and moist compresses 5-10 minutes two to three times per day in an effort to promote normal eyelid glandular function. A physician may also prescribe a topical and/or oral antibiotic such as, for example, tetracycline, erythromycin, or doxycycline, to help eradicate the bacteria found in the glands and to facilitate a breakdown in the thickened lipid secretions from the meibomian glands. These various treatments, however, can often take months before a treated patient notices any significant improvement.
Although the elimination of bacteria or anti-inflammatory effects of the antibiotics resulted in a temporary change, none of the known treatment methodologies have brought long-lasting relief to patients. Hoping to provide a form of sustainable relief to the ongoing symptoms associated with dry eye, with or without meibomian gland dysfunction, that are suffered by patients, a study was conducted by those skilled in the art to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of a combination of flaxseed and fish oils on the tear film and the ocular surface. At the baseline, all patients in the study had a history of dry eye or symptoms of dry eyes. At the end of the study, the results did not achieve statistical significance, wherein the lipid composition of the samples collected from the omega-3 supplemented group was found to be very similar to that from the placebo group. Thus, the study concluded that dietary supplementation of flaxseed oil and omega-3 fatty acids for treating dry eye or meibomianitis showed no significant effect in meibum lipid composition or aqueous tear evaporation rate.
Consistent with the foregoing, in order to control or resolve the long term effects of dry eye or meibomianitis, the characteristics or nature of the oil that is produced by the meibomian glands must be normalized. Thus, what is needed are nutritional or dietary supplement compositions and treatment methodologies that effectively change the quality of the meibum lipid, thereby resulting in a meibum composition having a direct correlation to enhancing and improving the function and/or composition of the lipid layer of the tear.

Compositions for improving the quality of the meibum composition of inflamed or dysfunctional meibomian glands

Physicians Recommended Nutriceuticals, LLC


A multi-channel light source generator has a pumping laser source for generating a pumping laser having a predetermined wavelength, a multi-channel light source generating device for generating multi-channel light sources using the pumping laser, a light separating device for separating the pumping laser and the multi-channel light sources, a demultiplexing device for separating the multi-channel light sources into a plurality of individual light sources, an intensity adjusting device for adjusting an intensity of the individual light sources, and a multiplexing device for combining the individual light sources outputted from the intensity adjusting device.

The invention relates generally to a WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) optical communication system, more particularly, to a multi-channel light source generator in a WDM optical communication system using a single multiplexer/demultiplexer.
In order to increase the transmit capacity in the field of optical communications, study on a WDM scheme using a multi-channel light source has recently been actively made. At this time, the multi-channel light source in the WDM system employs a scheme by which an optical signal to be transmitted is applied to its assigned wavelength. A light source now widely used is a DFB-LD (Distributed Feedback Laser Diode). However, the laser diode is expensive and also requires its wavelength to be precisely controlled, since it must control the temperature to adjust its output wavelength.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of a conventional multi-channel light source generator. A plurality of multi-channel optical fiber lasers 12 which are serially connected, are connected to a pumping laser 11. A first WDM coupler 13 directs the pump light through the multi-channel optical fiber lasers 12 from the pumping laser 11, some of which are transmitted to an optical fiber 15 and some of which are inputted to an erbium-doped optical fiber 16 through an optical isolator 14 so that they can be amplified. Both the lights transmitted through the optical fiber 15 and the erbium-doped optical fiber 16 are combined at a second WDM coupler 17 and is then transmitted to optical isolator 18, which produces multi-channel output light 19.
At this time, as many as the multi-channel optical fiber lasers are connected, the internal loss of the optical fiber laser is increased. Also, as the light approaches the wavelength of the pump laser, the intensity of the multi-channel output light is reduced. However, this has a drawback that the quality of the transmittance is reduced since optical signal versus noise ratio is increased in a WDM optical transmit system using a WDM light source.
The present invention is contrived to solve the problems described above and the purpose of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention to provide a multi-channel light source generator in a WDM optical communication system, capable of outputting its pump light having the same intensity, reducing its intensity of noise and easily controlling the intensity of lights depending on respective wavelengths.
In order to accomplish the foregoing, a multi-channel light source generator in a WDM optical communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided to include a pumping laser source for generating a pumping laser having a predetermined wavelength, a multi-channel light source generating means for generating multi-channel light sources using the pumping laser, a light separating means for separating the pumping laser and the multi-channel light sources, a demultiplexing means for separating the multi-channel light sources into a plurality of individual light sources, an intensity adjusting means for adjusting an intensity of the individual light sources, and a multiplexing mean for combining the individual light sources outputted from the intensity adjusting means.
Preferably, the demultiplexing means and the multiplexing means are comprised of a single multiplexing/demultiplexing means.
More preferably, the generator further comprises a reflecting means for redirecting the pumping laser separated by said light separating means to the multi-channel light source generating means.
Also, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a multi-channel light source generator in a WDM optical communication system is provided to include a multi-channel light source generating means for generating multi-channel light sources using a pumping laser and erbium-doped optical fiber Bragg gratings, a light separating means for separating the signal from the multi-channel optical fiber Bragg gratings into the multi-channel light source and a pumping light, a reflecting means for redirecting the pumping light separated by the light separating means to the optical fiber Bragg gratings, a demultiplexing means for separating the multi-channel light sources into individual light sources, a light attenuation means for individually attenuating the light signals separated by the individual light sources so that the intensity of the light can be made constant, and a multiplexing means for combining the individual light sources outputted from the light attenuation means.
Preferably, the de-multiplexing means and the multiplexing means are comprised of a single multiplexing/demultiplexing means.
More preferably, the reflecting means is a pumping light reflecting coating element.

Multi-channel light source generator in a WDM optical communication system

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute