This disclosure relates to new tetracyclic compounds that may be used to modulate a histamine receptor in an individual. The compounds in one embodiment are tetracyclic [4,3-b]indoles. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds are also provided, as are methods of using the compounds in a variety of therapeutic applications, including the treatment of a cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder, neurotransmitter-mediated disorder and/or a neuronal disorder.

Neurotransmitters such as histamine, serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine mediate a large number of processes in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as outside the CNS. Abnormal neurotransmitter levels are associated with a wide variety of diseases and conditions including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's Disease, autism, Guillain-Barre syndrome, mild cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, bipolar disorders, psychosis, depression and a variety of allergic diseases. Compounds that modulate these neurotransmitters may be useful therapeutics.
Histamine receptors belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled seven transmembrane proteins. G protein-coupled receptors constitute one of the major signal transduction systems in eukaryotic cells. Coding sequences for these receptors, in those regions believed to contribute to the agonist-antagonist binding site, are strongly conserved across mammalian species. Histamine receptors are found in most peripheral tissue and within the central nervous system. Compounds capable of modulating a histamine receptor may find use in therapy, e.g., histamine antagonists may find use as antihistamines.
Dimebon is a known anti-histamine drug that has also been characterized as a neuroprotective agent useful to treat, inter alia, neurodegenerative diseases. Dimebon has been shown to inhibit the death of brain cells (neurons) in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease, making it a novel potential treatment for these and other neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, dimebon has been shown to improve the mitochondrial function of cells in the setting of cellular stress with very high potency. For example, dimebon treatment improved mitochondrial function and increased the number of surviving cells after treatment with the cell toxin ionomycin in a dose dependent fashion. Dimebon has also been shown to promote neurite outgrowth and neurogenesis, processes important in the formation of new and/or enhanced neuronal cell connections, and evidence of dimebon's potential for use in additional diseases or conditions. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,187,785 and 7,071,206 and PCT Patent Application Nos. PCT/US2004/041081, PCT/US2007/020483, PCT/US2006/039077, PCT/US2008/077090, PCT/US2007/020516, PCT/US2007/022645, PCT/US2007/002117, PCT/US2008/006667, PCT/US2007/024626, PCT/US2008/009357, PCT/US2007/024623 and PCT/US2008/008121. All references disclosed herein and throughout, such as publications, patents, patent applications and published patent applications, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Although dimebon holds great promise as a drug for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and/or diseases in which neurite outgrowth and/or neurogenesis may be implicated in therapy, there remains a need for new and alternative therapies for the treatment of such diseases or conditions. In addition, there remains a need for new and alternative antihistamine drugs, preferably ones in which side-effects such as drowsiness are reduced or eliminated. Compounds that exhibit enhanced and/or more desirable properties than dimebon (e.g., superior safety and efficacy) may find particular use in the treatment of at least those indications for which dimebon is believed to be advantageous. Further, compounds that exhibit a different therapeutic profile than dimebon as determined, e.g. by in vitro and/or in vivo assays, may find use in additional diseases and conditions.


A data recording/reproduction method and apparatus uses an optical disk equipped with wobbling track guide grooves disposed in a track scanning direction and minutely wobbled. The apparatus uses a circuit for detecting and correcting displacement of an optical spot position from the wobbling track, and a system for allowing data to correspond to front and rear edges of recording pits as a recording system, and includes a circuit for independently handling reproduction pulses obtained from reproduction signals of the recording pits on the front and rear edge sides and for generating reproduction clocks. A circuit resynthesizes the two series of reproduction pulse trains by a specific pattern portion in the data. Another optical disk apparatus divides each track into zones, and switches a rate of revolution each zone to attain a substantially equal linear velocity. A servo signal reproduction clock generation circuit and a data signal recording/reproduction clock generation circuit are disposed separately. The latter changes a frequency division ratio in accordance with the zones so that a clock having a predetermined frequency can be generated even when the rate of revolution changes.

This invention relates to a data processing apparatus and more particularly, it relates to a data recording/reproduction apparatus for recording and reproducing data in a high density and for effecting stable tracking. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an optical disk apparatus of a so-called "sample servo system" which effects recording/reproduction of signals by detecting clock marks, etc., disposed intermittently on tracks of an optical disk and to a recording/reproduction method for such an apparatus, and more particularly to a format structure and a recording/reproduction method suitable for increasing a storage capacity.
Various techniques have been proposed to accurately track data during high density recording and reproduction of data in an optical data recording/reproduction apparatus.
JP-A-2-183471 (corresponding to U.S. Ser. No. 07/460,370 filed on Jan. 3, 1990 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,589) proposes an optical data processing apparatus for recording and reproducing data in such a manner that a specific code word, such as "1", corresponds to front and rear edges of a recording pit, as an example of high density recording. To correct the change of edge positions of the pit caused at the time of recording data, or in other words, the change of a recording length from a normal length due to fluctuation of recording power and a recording pulse width, fluctuation of sensitivity of the recording medium, fluctuation of an intensity distribution of an optical spot for recording/reproduction, and so forth, this technique generates reproduction clocks from the front edge and the rear edge independently of each other, obtains a series of reproduction pulses and a series of reproduction clocks from the front edges and another series of reproduction pulses and another series of reproduction clocks from the rear edges, stores them in a memory in such a manner that the interval between the front and rear edges becomes a normal pulse gap, and effects data reproduction by an identification clock.
On the other hand, JP-A-60-167129 describes a data processing unit as an example of the technique for accurately tracking data. The optical disk medium described in this reference has track guide grooves which are wobbled (displaced) in a track scanning direction. When such an optical disk medium is employed, a track offset distance can always be detected even at the time of tracking or tracing the tracks, and can be corrected.
Another example of high density recording is known which uses a rotary recording medium on which a large number of tracks are disposed either concentrically or spirally at a constant pitch, and data are recorded on these tracks. To reproduce, erase or record data on an optical disk which is an example of the rotary recording medium, so-called "sample servo" has been proposed as a method for focusing control for keeping a focus of an optical spot on a recording surface of the optical disk, tracking control for tracking the optical spot on the track, or access control for selecting a track to which data are to be recorded. In the sample servo system, servo areas for detecting the servo signals at every predetermined angle of the optical disk are disposed and data areas for recording the data are disposed between the servo areas in the case of B-type format described in the 5-inch format JIS (JIS-X6271). A clock mark for generating a clock signal is disposed in each servo area and the off-focus signal, the offtrack signal or the optical spot moving signal for access is detected on the basis of the clock signal obtained from the clock mark to effect focus control, tracking control or access control. The same clock is also used for recording and reproducing the data.
The offtrack signal is generated from the difference between the reflected light powers when the optical spot passes through two wobble marks so disposed as to oppose each other while sandwiching the track center between them. Therefore there is an advantage that a detection optical system can be simplified. Since the servo area and the data area are separated from each other and signal detection is carried out on a time division basis, detection of the servo signal and recording/reproduction of the data can be carried out by the use of a single clock synchronized with the clock mark without mutual interference.
A set of the servo area and the data area is referred to as a "segment". Several segments together form a sector. The address of the track is recorded at the leading part of the sector, and this part is referred to as a "header". The servo area, the data area or the segment comprised of them and the leading part of the sector are linearly aligned in the radial direction. Similarly, the clock marks in the servo areas are aligned linearly in the radial direction. Since the optical disk rotates at a constant angular velocity, the clock marks appear with an equal time interval. Since the disk rotates at a constant angular velocity, this is referred to as a "CAV (Constant Angular Velocity) system".
In contrast to this CAV system, a system referred to as a "CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) system" is known. This system changes the number of revolutions of the disk depending on a track position so that the linear velocity becomes always constant. This system is used, for example, in a DAD (Digital Audio Disk). According to the CLV system, data can be written continuously at the same pitch from the inner periphery, for example, and a storage capacity can be increased. Since the linear velocity is constant in this system, a burden to the recording/reproduction system can be reduced, and this system can be used for a medium having a small recording power margin.
Reference may be further made to U.S. Ser. No. 07/551,808 filed on Jul. 12, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,034, which discloses a magnetic disk apparatus of a constant recording type, having a plurality of disks. At least one of the disk surfaces is a servo face divided into a plurality of zones. Servo data areas and clock data areas are alternately arranged on the servo face in its circumferential direction and the number of magnetic transitions representative of clocks in the clock data areas is different from each of the divided zones.

Data recording/reproducing method and apparatus using a recording medium having clock marks recorded in a wobbled track for read/write synchronization


Apparatus includes a plurality of wireless communication modules for connecting apparatus to a server that manages the apparatus via a plurality of networks different from one another; storage that stores, for each of the networks, a characteristic regarding communication; acquirer that acquires communication information indicating, for each of communication modules, whether communication via the communication module is possible; identifier that identifies a specific communication module from among communication modules, the specific communication module being indicated by the communication information as being a communication module via which communication is possible, and being selected based on the characteristic; and controller that causes the specific communication module identified by identifier to connect to the server to enable communication.

In recent years, living home appliances (also referred to "apparatuses") may come in the form of operating under the control of a home-appliance control cloud (also referred to as a "control cloud") that is a cloud for controlling the apparatuses and to which the apparatuses are connected via networks (see PTL 1).

Apparatus, system, and communication method

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA


The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for providing secure network access in fixed mobile converged telecommunications systems. In one example, a method includes establishing, by a fixed access device, a connection with a mobile terminal over an air interface. The fixed access device may also establish a limited channel with a service provider network via a broadband interface. The limited channel is restricted to messages meeting one or more criterion. The mobile terminal may be authenticated with the service provider network via the limited channel using authentication information associated with the mobile terminal, and the service provider network has a preexisting relationship with the mobile terminal. A secure channel may be established between the fixed access device and the service provider network after the mobile terminal is authenticated. The secure channel may enable the mobile terminal to communicate with the service provider network using messages not meeting the criterion.

In some communication networks, a mobile terminal may be able to use services accessed through a fixed access device. For example, in a fixed mobile converged telecommunications network, a mobile terminal may switch from direct wireless connectivity to a service provider network to indirect connectivity through a fixed access device that is within the range of the mobile terminal. The fixed access device may be located in a residence or other building and may provide the mobile terminal with connectivity to a service provider network. An example of such a fixed access device is a residential gateway that has a broadband connection to the Internet and also provides a radio link to the mobile terminal.
An issue that should be addressed when using such a fixed access device is the need to provide secure network access between the mobile terminal and the service provider network. Generally, a secure channel is established directly between the fixed access device and the service provider network, which requires that the fixed access device be trusted by the network. This trust is typically achieved, for example, by means of authentication using secure credentials stored within the fixed access device. However, the storage of secure credentials in the fixed access device and the establishment of a trust relationship directly between the fixed access device and the service provider network may open the service provider network to possible security breaches if the fixed access device's credentials are abused. Furthermore, this approach may require the provisioning of credentials to the fixed access device and this may necessitate the intervention of customer service personnel. Thus, there is a need for innovative techniques to address these and similar issues.

System and method for providing secure network access in fixed mobile converged telecommunications networks


A storage rack with a multiplicity of rack units includes a stack of interspaced supporting mounts, arranged paired at opposing sidewalls of the rack units in forming a storage location for a tote. The tote is designed for storage and retrieval in/from storage locations by an automated transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus includes a first transfer assembly for travelling in a vertical direction and a second transfer assembly for travelling in a first horizontal direction supported by and relative to the first transfer assembly. To allow a simple adaptation of the storage rack to changes in the spatial situation, the first transport assembly includes a multiplicity of releasably interconnected modules, the number of which can be varied depending on the number of rack units.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage rack with a multiplicity of rack units comprising a stack of interspaced supporting mounts, arranged paired at opposing sidewalls of the rack units in forming a storage location for a tote, the tote being designed for storage and retrieval in/from storage locations by means of an automated transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus comprises at least one first transfer means for travelling in the vertical direction and a second transfer means for travelling in a first horizontal direction supported by and relative to the first transfer means.
2. Description of Related Art
Known from EP 0 722 894 B1 is a storage rack comprising two interspaced rack units, between which a transfer apparatus is provided, by which a tote can be travelled vertically. Each rack unit features sidewalls oriented parallel to each other, defined at interspaced vertical rack stanchions. Provided at the sidewalls is a multiplicity of stacked and interspaced supporting mounts to form storage locations for the totes. The supporting mounts are configured as supporting ledges integrated and moulded in the sidewalls. Provided at one end of a rack unit is a removal aperture through which the tote can be shifted into the region of the transfer apparatus. Once the tote is on the transfer apparatus it can be vertically travelled to the desired level. After having attained the target level the tote is transversed into its final storage location.
Prior art storage racks in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 are furthermore known in which a multiplicity of rack units are arranged juxtaposed and the totes can be travelled in all three spatial directions by means of a transfer apparatus comprising a first transfer means for vertical travel featuring a horizontal cross-supporting member. A second transfer means is supported by the first transfer means, relative to which it can be travelled in a first horizontal direction.

Storage rack with a multiplicity of rack units


A heat dissipation module for an electronic component is provided. The heat dissipation module includes a supporting structure and a heat pipe. The supporting structure is adjacent to the heat electronic component. The heat pipe is connected to the supporting structure by soldering, and the bottom surface of the heat pipe is directly in contact with the upper surface of the electronic component.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a heat dissipation module, and more particularly, to a heat dissipation module which directly contacts to an electronic element.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to enable portable electronic devices to rapidly process a variety electronic signals, a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphic processing unit (GPU) are often installed therein. When the CPU or GPU operates at a high speed in the electronic device, its temperature is greatly increased. Thus, it is desirable to dissipate heat by using a heat dissipation module to allow the CPU or GPU and other electronic components to function within their normal operating temperature ranges, thereby assuring the quality of data management, storage and transfer operations.
The conventional heat dissipation module includes a heat-receiving portion, a heat pipe, and a heat sink. The heat receiving portion, normally with an area larger than the electronic components, is disposed upon the electronic component, and a distance is formed therebetween. The heat pipe is accommodated in the heat-receiving portion, and the heat-receiving portion is connected to the heat sink via the heat pipe. Hence, the heat generated by the electronic components is received by the heat-receiving portion and further conducted to the heat sink via the heat pipe.
However, due to structural limitations, the heat generated by the electronic components cannot be received by the heat pipe directly, which results in the heat dissipation efficiency of the conventional heat dissipation module not meeting the increasing heat removal requirements of modern heat-generating electronic components. Furthermore, with the arrangement of the heat-receiving portion, the thickness of the conventional heat dissipation module is increased, which hinders the development of thin and light-weight electronic device.


A disk drive is disclosed having hybrid spindle speed control. The disk drive includes a disk having a plurality of servo wedges, and a spindle motor for rotating the disk at an operating speed. The spindle motor generates a back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage. In operation, the disk rotation is maintained at the operating speed during a track following operation by updating, in a wedge spindle speed control mode, the spindle control current in response to a wedge speed error. Before executing a high-speed seek, the disk drive is switched to a BEMF spindle speed control mode, and the disk rotation is maintained at the operating speed during the high speed seek by updating the spindle control current in response to a BEMF speed error signal generated based on the BEMF voltage. During a seek-settle time, the disk drive is switched back to the wedge spindle speed control mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rotating magnetic disk drives, and more particularly, to a disk drive having a hybrid spindle speed control system for maintaining disk rotation speed during a high-speed seek.
2. Description of the Prior Art and Related Information
In order to remain competitive, disk drive manufacturers must continually provide increased data storage capacity and access rate while rigidly controlling disk drive manufacturing cost. One key to increased access rate is increased disk rotation speed. The disk is rotated at a constant angular velocity by a spindle motor in response to a spindle control current. The spindle motor current may be generated based on a measured time between servo wedges on the disk. However, measuring the time between servo wedges may be problematic during a high-speed seek.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a technique for robustly maintaining a disk rotation rate during a high-speed seek.

Disk drive having hybrid spindle speed control and related method


Low-velocity axial impact thrust on a bonded telescoping middle joint of a strut is retarded and impact energy is converted and absorbed by the elastic strain of unfettered circumferentially bands. In a preferred embodiment an impacted strut regains structural integrity after impact displacement and fracture by re-bonding.

The invention is related to structural bonded joints that are frangible due to impact momentum that is moderated during displacement by elastic tension means and further related to structural members able to survive impact by energy absorption despite displacement to new secure telescoping structural bonded surfaces and are thus restabilized. And further related to structures of polymer matrix composites impacted by low-velocity, non-ballistic impacts communicated by structural, hydraulic or pneumatic means.
The invention is also directed to pipe sections constructed and their structural connections, and more particularly to couplings between bonded telescoping members providing static support where an impacted member thrusts a conical taper, flare, or bulge into a more static member to sequentially stretch a multitude of circumferential wound bands, fiber tows, hybrid tow, wire, braid, or polymer-impregnated high-modulus fiber strips to retard the momentum of the impacted member whereby structural stability is maintained after impact. They represent a class of devices that support structural load, yield to impact, and regain structural support and re-stabilization.
In the structural field, impacts on columns, frames, and trusses are generated by moving vehicles at velocities under 70 mph. A vehicle running over a brick lying on a bridge deck sends a jolt into the entire supporting truss structure. If the structure is constructed of composites it may only weigh a fraction of the equivalent weight of a reinforced concrete structure. This smaller mass drastically increases impact vulnerability. Composites members are also weaker in compression than tension.
Aerospace structures may experience low-velocity impact. Space station trusses are at risk during docking. Landers risk engine failure, or an unsuitable site. In space, structural deformity is acceptable if collapse is prevented.
Hydraulic or pneumatic shock absorbers are common, but not for long-term structural loads since their seals would fail. A device is needed to absorb applied fluidic impact by structural means exterior of reservoir integrity.
In the prior art it is common to find impact absorption that occurs orthogonal to the direction by bending. An automobile leaf spring is an example.
In the prior art it is common to find single-impact-use absorbers. Bumpers, crumple zones, and steering columns of an automobile are examples. Damage to these components is justified to prevent or moderate human injury.
In the prior art of fiber energy absorption, deformation and breakage predominates because ballistic damage has been a focus. For high-velocity impacts the affected fiber length is short being measured in multiples of fiber diameter. Low-velocity impacts have time to access a more substantial fiber length. The available length of a continuous fiber wound around a 7.6 inch pipe would be 24 inches. This 24 inch fiber would have about 1000 times the low-velocity energy absorption capacity compared to simple fiber breakage.


A portable computer having a hinge assembly which allows the cover and display screen to be tilted from the base of the portable computer and then swiveled about a vertical axis. One hinge is provided at the rear edge of the base of the portable computer about which the cover both tilts and swivels. The hinge assembly includes stops which limit the amount of tilt and swivel. The cover of the personal computer may be tilted backwards from a closed position to 115.degree. and swiveled 30.degree. from a straight-forward position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable computer display, and more specifically, to a portable computer display screen which can tilt and swivel about two orthogonal axes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Beginning in the mid-1980's, portable computers, alternately known as either laptops or notebook computers, have expanded in popularity and at an astonishing rate. Such computers are lightweight and have a display screen supported by a hinged cover that protects the keyboard when the computer is not being operated.
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are used in many personal computer screens. LCDs are desirable for personal computers in that they are lightweight and have an extremely low power consumption in contrast to cathode ray tube (CRT) displays of conventional desktop computers. In addition, an LCD generally retains a great clarity of display in the presence of bright light.
All of the recent technological advances in portable computer displays have been directed toward improving the visual clarity of the information for a single operator sitting directly in front of the keyboard. However, when the user of a portable computer wants to show the displayed information to other people, they must crowd behind the personal computer or physically turn the computer base to show the information. Given that the typical size of portable computers are smaller than a brief case, and the screen are concurrently small, it is awkward for more than one or two people to view the display of a laptop computer. Furthermore, a sudden movement of a computer while the disk is spinning may induce a head crash. Thus, there is a need for a personal computer which can easily display the information to more than one person without having to shift the base of the computer.
In addition, portable computers are often used on airplanes. It is inconvenient to place the portable computer on the drink tray in front of the user, and instead is preferable to place the computer on the tray next to the user. Without dangerously angling the computer off the end of the drink tray, the user must operate the keyboard and try to read the information on the display screen from approximately a 45.degree. angle. There is thus a need for a portable computer which can be operated from an adjacent airline seat and which displays the information directly to the operator.

Portable computer display tilt/swivel mechanism


A roller chain incorporating the roller bearings wherein a plurality of rollers are disposed between a roller that functions as an outer ring and a bush that functions as an inner ring comprises a substantially ring-shaped retainer disposed on both ends of the roller respectively. The retainer includes a plurality of pockets for guiding at least a part of each of the rollers on the inner side of the retainer.

The present invention relates to roller bearings and a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings.
Conventionally, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho. 62-4122 (Japanese Examined Patent Application, Second Publication No. Hei. 4-78523) discloses a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the roller chain disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. Sho. 62-4122. In the roller chain 1 shown in FIG. 22 a plurality of rollers 4 for bearing are disposed on an outer periphery of a bush 3 whose both ends were connected to a pair of inner link plates 2, a roller 5 is attached to the rollers 4 so as to surround the rollers 4, and a thrust bearings receiving plate 6 is intervened in a space between the roller 5 and the inner link plate 2. Further, a pair of outer link plates 7 is disposed outside the inner link plates 2 and the pair of outer link plates 7 is connected to each other by means of a pin 8 that penetrates the bush 3. On the both ends of the roller 5 are integrally formed inward collars 5a, which hold and guide the rollers 4. Further, the space between the roller 5 and the bush 3 is filled with a lubricant such as grease or the like. In the roller chain 1, the roller 5 functions as an outer ring of the roller bearings, the plurality of rollers 4 function as a rolling body of the roller bearings and the bush 3 functions as an inner ring of the roller bearings. Therefore, the roller 5, the rollers 4 and the bush 3 constitute the roller bearings.
As another conventional example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Publication No. Hei. 2-7219 (Japanese Examined Utility Model Application, Second Publication No. Hei. 7-12327) discloses a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the roller chain disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Publication No. Hei. 2-7219. In the roller chain 1xe2x80x2 shown in FIG. 23 a plurality of rollers 4xe2x80x2 are disposed on an outer periphery of a bush 3xe2x80x2 whose both ends were connected to a pair of inner link plates 2xe2x80x2, a roller 5xe2x80x2 is attached to the rollers 4xe2x80x2 so as to surround the rollers 4xe2x80x2, and a thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2 is intervened in a space between the roller 5xe2x80x2 and the inner link plate 2xe2x80x2. Further, a pair of outer link plates 7xe2x80x2 is disposed outside the inner link plates 2xe2x80x2 and the pair of outer link plates 7xe2x80x2 is connected to each other by means of a pin 8xe2x80x2 that penetrates the bush 3xe2x80x2. The roller 5xe2x80x2 has not inward collars 5a on the both ends of the roller 5xe2x80x2 but the inner and outer peripheries of the roller 5xe2x80x2 are straight. The rollers 4xe2x80x2 are held and guided between a pair of thrust bearings receiving plates 6xe2x80x2. Further, the space between the roller 5xe2x80x2 and the bush 3xe2x80x2 is filled with a lubricant such as grease or the like. In the roller chain 1xe2x80x2, the roller 5xe2x80x2 functions as an outer ring of the roller bearings, the plurality of rollers 4xe2x80x2 function as a rolling body of the roller bearings and the bush 3xe2x80x2 functions as an inner ring of the roller bearings. Therefore, the roller 5xe2x80x2, the rollers 4xe2x80x2 and the bush 3xe2x80x2 constitute the roller bearings.
Further, conventionally the general roller bearing offers a retainer incorporating type and a retainer-unused type. The retainer that holds and guides the rollers generally has a pocket that holds and guides the whole each roller.
However, the roller chain 1 shown in FIG. 22 has the following problems. That is,
(1) The rollers 4 are only accommodated between the roller (outer ring) 5 and the bush (inner ring) 3, freely, and contact is generated between the rollers 4. Accordingly, wear is generated whereby a smooth rotation of the roller 5 is suppressed.
(2) Collision noises are generated on the contact between the rollers 4, and repeated impacts can generate a fatigue fracture.
(3) When a thrust load is applied to the roller 5, a skew (the slanting of the rollers 4 with respect to the proper rotational axis) is generated, and the collar 5a rubs against the roller 4. Accordingly, the rollers 4 are locked at an early stage, resulting in suppressing a smooth rotation of the roller 5.
(4) By sliding of the inner side of the collar 5a in the both ends of the roller 5 on the end face of the roller 4 the collar 5a rubs against the roller 4, resulting in suppressing a smooth rotation of the roller 5.
(5) Since the inner side of the collar 5a is a difficult place to enhance the surface roughness and perform heat-treatment in its manufacturing, the productivity of the roller is low.
(6) Since the collars 5a, 5a are integrally formed on the both ends of the roller 5, respectively, it is necessary to provide a clearance 5c (shown in an enlarged portion of FIG. 22) on a corner of a recess portion 5b in the roller 5 for preventing the interference of the roller 4 or for cutting and grinding the roller 5. Accordingly, it takes much time to cut and grind the roller 5 and the productivity of the roller 5 is low.
(7) In the assembling of the rollers 4 and the roller 5, the rollers 4 are previously installed in the recess portion 5b of the roller 5 and then they must be assembled. Thus, there is no flexibility and falling away of the roller 4 may be generated, which decreases the assembling capability.
The roller chain 1xe2x80x2 shown in FIG. 23 has the following problems. That is,
(8) Since the roller (outer ring) 5xe2x80x2 has no an inward collar (5axe2x80x2) the contact area between the roller 5xe2x80x2 and the thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2 is small and a thrust load applied to the roller 5xe2x80x2 is locally received by the thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2. Thus, the wear of the thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2 tends to progress.
(9) Since the roller 5xe2x80x2 and the thrust bearings plate 6xe2x80x2 are completely independent of each other, the thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2 cannot limit a skew generated in the rollers 4xe2x80x2 and the skew are easily generated.
(10) A gap is produced between the roller 5xe2x80x2 and the thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2. Thus, a lubricant such as grease or the like easily leaks outside thereby to be exhausted so that the wear between the roller 5xe2x80x2 and the thrust bearings receiving plate 6xe2x80x2 rapidly progresses. Further, outside dust particles easily enters through the gap and the deterioration of lubricant and wear are promoted.
Further, in a general roller bearing in which the above-mentioned retainer was incorporated, the retainer has a pocket that holds and guides the whole each roller 4. Accordingly, the following problems occur. That is,
(11) Since each pocket embraces the whole each roller 4, the space between the rollers 4 is small, and since the retainer is complex the lubricant such as grease or the like cannot be uniformly held in the roller bearings and the lubricant holding amount is also small.
(12) The pocket that holds the whole each roller must be machined accurately and the production of the retainer is difficult and very expensive.
(13) Even each roller bearing using the same diameter, if the length of the roller is changed, needs a retainer having a pocket corresponding the changed length. Thus, a large number of types of the retainers must be kept and the parts management is no easy matter and costs a lot.
It is, accordingly, a general object of the present invention to provide roller bearings in which there is no contact between the rollers, a lubricant can be sufficiently held, a skew is not generated easily, and the roller bearings has a strong resistance to a thrust load and has sealing properties.
Another object of the present invention is to provide roller bearings that have excellent productivity and assembling capability.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings in which there is no contact between the rollers, a lubricant can be sufficiently held, a skew is not generated easily, and the roller bearings has a strong resistance to a thrust load and has sealing properties.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings that have excellent productivity and assembling capability.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided roller bearings wherein a plurality of rollers are disposed between an outer ring and an inner ring comprising substantially ring-shaped retainers disposed on both ends of said outer ring respectively, at least one of said retainers including a plurality of pockets for guiding at least a part of each of said rollers on the inner side of the retainer.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings wherein a plurality of rollers are disposed between a roller that functions as an outer ring and a bush that functions as an inner ring comprising a substantially ring-shaped retainer disposed on both ends of said roller respectively, said retainer including a plurality of pockets for guiding at least a part of each of said rollers on the inner side of the retainer.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a roller chain incorporating the roller bearings wherein a plurality of rollers are disposed between a roller that functions as an outer ring and a pin that functions as an inner ring comprising a substantially ring-shaped retainer disposed on both ends of said roller respectively, said retainer including a plurality of pockets for guiding at least a part of each of said rollers on the inner side of the retainer.
In the above-mentioned aspects of the present invention, said retainer is preferably made of metal having wear resistance such as copper alloy or oleo-sintered alloy or resin having lubricating properties. Further, the retainer may be subjected to processing such as heat treatment, changing surface roughness, and forming a number of pits with a shot or a WPC to improve wear resistance of the retainer.
It is preferable that the pockets are formed on the retainer for at least one side of said roller. If the number of the pockets is further increased, the effects of the pockets can be obtained. One or more roller can be guided by one pocket.
Further, in the above-mentioned aspect of the present invention, preferably, the shape of said pocket is semicircular, circular, oval, polygonal, or similar to the end face of the roller. The pockets formed on both ends of said retainers may be asymmetric. The size of the pocket is not particularly limited, but a pocket having the same diameter as the roller or more can smoothly be rotated. Further, even if the pocket does not cover the whole outer periphery of the roller, if a part of the pocket comes contact with the roller and can guide the roller, the pocket can be used. Further, the pocket may even independently be connected to the rollers and the shapes of the pockets are not necessarily the same.
Further, it is preferable that the space between said outer ring and said inner ring is filled with a lubricant such as grease. However, even in a case where a lubricant such as grease or the like cannot be used, sliding between rollers does not occur. Thus, the chain roller or chain of the present invention can be used without a lubricant. Further, if heat-resisting material is used as the retainer, the roller chain or chain of the present invention can be used at a high temperature.
According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided roller bearings-incorporated chain wherein a plurality of rollers are disposed between a bush that functions as an outer ring and a pin that functions as an inner ring comprising: engagement holes for the respective rollers formed along the respective central axes of said rollers; and a substantially ring-shaped retainer disposed on both ends of said roller respectively, said retainer including a guide portion for rotatably guiding said rollers while engaged in said engagement holes of said rollers. Further, the present invention can be applied to a rollers-incorporated cam follower and a roller follower.
According to the present invention, when the outer ring (roller) is rotated a roller that contacts with an inner periphery of the outer ring is automatically rotated and a rolling contact occurs. A retainer that guides the roller is rotated around an inner ring (a bush or a pin) by this automatic rotation of the roller. Then, since the roller is guided by the retainer, the contact and wear between the rollers are not generated and collision noises do not occur. Further, since there is a certain gap or space between the rollers, a lubricant such as grease or the like can be maintained in an appropriate amount and uniformly. Further, there is a space for a clearance (maintenance) against the intruders such as abrasive powder, dust particles and the like from outside, abrasive resistance is improved. The direction of rotation of the retainer is the same as that of the outer ring. Thus, a roller is regularly guided between the outer ring (roller) and the inner ring (bush or pin) and the outer ring is smoothly rotated.
Since the pocket that guides the roller does not grasp or fix the roller strongly, a slight slip between the roller and the retainer occurs according to the rotation of the roller. However, the roller and the retainer are hardly abraded. Further, although the radial load acts on the outer ring, the roller and the inner ring, it does not act on the retainer at all. Accordingly, the retainer is not abraded or broken by the radial load.
The number of rotation of the retainer is about half of the number of rotation of the outer ring irrespective of the diameter and the radius of revolution of the roller. Therefore, since the retainer is rotated with further largely decelerated than the rotation of the outer ring, when the outer roller receives a thrust load, sliding speeds of the retainer and the inner link plate are decreased. Thus, the wear of the retainer can be suppressed.

Roller bearings and chain incorporating the roller bearings


A method and device for locating each of the wheels of a pair of twinned wheels mounted on a vehicle. Each twinned wheel is equipped with an electromagnetic receiving antenna, and these two twinned wheels are provided with elements of relative blocking rotation-wise designed to make it possible to obtain an offset by a predetermined angle (α), such that (α) is different from 0° and 180°, between the receiving antennas with which the two twinned wheels are equipped. The vehicle is equipped with a fixed source of emission of an electromagnetic signal suitable for covering an area passed through by the receiving antennas, and the electromagnetic field received by each of the receiving antennas is measured, so as to deduce, from the analysis of the time offset between the variations of the two measured electromagnetic fields, the location of each of the twinned wheels.

More and more motor vehicles have, for safety purposes, monitoring systems comprising sensors mounted on each of the wheels of the vehicle, dedicated to measuring parameters, such as pressure or temperature, of the tires with which these wheels are equipped, and intended to inform the driver of any abnormal variation of the measured parameter.
These monitoring systems are conventionally provided, on the one hand, with electronic modules mounted on each of the wheels of the vehicle and incorporating, in addition to the abovementioned sensors, a microprocessor and a radiofrequency emitter, and on the other hand, with a central unit for receiving the signals emitted by the emitters, comprising a computer incorporating a radiofrequency receiver connected to an antenna.
One of the problems that such monitoring systems have to address lies in the requirement to have to associate with each signal received by the receiver of the central unit, an indication concerning the location of the electronic module and therefore of the wheel originating this signal, this requirement remaining throughout the life of the vehicle, that is to say, having to be complied with even after wheel changes or more simply reversals of the positions of these wheels. Currently, one conventional method of locating wheels on a vehicle with two axles and four wheels consists in using three low-frequency antennas each positioned close to one of the wheels of the vehicle, and in performing a locating procedure consisting in successively exciting each of these three antennas by the emission of a low-frequency magnetic field.
According to this procedure, the electronic module mounted on the wheel situated close to the excited antenna controls, in response to and addressed to the central unit, the emission of an identification signal comprising an identification code of said electronic module, such that the successive excitation of the three antennas leads to the location of the three electronic modules mounted on the wheels adjacent to these antennas, and, by deduction, to the location of the fourth electronic module.
The main benefit of such a method lies in the fact that the locating procedure is very fast and leads to almost instantaneous location after the vehicle has been started.
However, this locating method does not make it possible to discriminate the twinned wheels of vehicles equipped with axles with four wheels.
Thus, the document US 2004/0189457 implements a procedure for acquiring wheel identifying codes by placing five receiving antennas close to wheels or twinned wheel trains. However, with such antennas placed in front of a twinned wheel train (and not in front of each of the wheels) it is not possible to physically locate each of the twinned wheels, because each twinned wheel train is received by one and the same receiver which cannot discriminate the position of each of them, even if it does detect two different identifiers. Furthermore, this document requires the use of a plurality of receiving antennas, which is too costly.
Also known from the document DE 10 2006 026 527 is how to automatically acquire the identifiers of each of the wheels with which a truck trailer is equipped. However, in this document, the issue is not to locate each of the wheels, and even less to locate each of the wheels of a twinned wheel train.
Document EP 1 614 550 describes a system automatically locating the wheels of a vehicle (including twinned wheels), but this locating is performed using a separate tool (60) in which the positions of the different wheels and their identifiers are previously stored.
The present invention aims to overcome this drawback and its main objective is to provide a locating method making it possible, for a cost equivalent to the cost of implementing a method of locating wheels on axles with two wheels, to locate each of the wheels of pairs of twinned wheels with which axles with four wheels are equipped.

Method and device for locating each of the wheels of a pair of twin wheels mounted on a vehicle


A stairway climbing aid having a plurality of individual adjustable half-step members fixedly connected to a rigid elongated channel member at spaced locations along the length of the latter to comprise a rigid assembly. The channel member is connected to each of the half-step members adjacent the rear end of the latter and at an elevation and angle such that the channel member will extend upon or adjacent the outer edge of the tread of each step. The half-step members are longitudinally adjustable so that their length can equal the depth of the particular steps to which they are applied. Thus, any stairway can be readily modified to facilitate travel thereover by persons having difficulty in taking full steps, by applying such an assembly to the steps along one side of the stairway, after adjusting the individual half-steps to the depth of the treads.

A substantial portion of the modern population has serious difficulty in ascending and descending stairways. This is becoming ever more common as the elderly substantially increase in numbers, as has been the case in recent years. In addition to the elderly, the lame, crippled, convalescents, and others suffering from various infirmities find great difficulty in traversing such stairways. This problem has been with us for centuries and is ever-increasing, simply because the numbers of those needing assistance is ever-increasing. Various attempts have been made in the past with different degrees of success or lack of success. None, however, offer a completely satisfactory solution and the use of all of them require physical exertion which is found to be excessive for most elderly and infirm individuals.
Evidence of the above is found in the various patents which have been issued to individuals who have sought to overcome or diminish this problem over the past half century. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,796, issued on Feb. 26, 1957, demonstrates the use of a half-step which reduces the vertical step required by the user to one-half the vertical distance, although it doubles the number of steps required to be taken. A staff 14 is provided as a means for the user to steady himself and to facilitate lifting the half-step to the next step of the stairway, without the benefit of the steadying influence of the staff 14. Such movements are a source of real danger to one who is already unsteady and thus require sufficient effort so that repetition thereof, becomes excessively tiring.
A second U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,437, issued in 1974, upon a portable step stool, which suggests a step at a first level and a platform at a higher level. It also offers an intermediate or half-step, when the original step is too great for the user. Again, infirmity is recognized and only partly provided for by the provision of a vertical staff 24.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 287,283, issued on Dec. 16, 1986, shows a portable half-step stairway unit which has a slot in its side, apparently to facilitate grasping the unit manually and moving it vertically from step to step. It appears to have an anti-skid material over its weight-supporting surface to diminish the likelihood of serious falls by the user. Again, its use involves substantial effort in moving the device from step to step, which creates dangerous situations.
On Mar. 31, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,735, issued on a step assisting device, which again is comprised of a half-step member and walking stick combination. Again, however, the user is required to lift the walking stick and attached half-step member from step to step, if the user is to successfully climb the stairway.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,199, issued on Jul. 4, 1989, shows a stair climbing aid designed to assist a handicapped person in moving up and down a flight of stairs. The device consists of a pair of vertically spaced platforms, with an attached vertically extending handle, designed to assist in moving from one step of the stairway to an adjacent step, and thereafter requiring movement of the entire unit to that adjacent step.
A solution to the problems outlined above was being sought as late as Jul. 21, 1992, as evidenced by the issuance of U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,494, on an Effective Riser Reducer Step Device. It too shows a half-step device with an upstanding handle for lifting the same from step to step, successively, as the user progresses along the stairway.
All of the above devices have serious disadvantages. One is that substantial effort is needed on the part of the user to repeatedly move the half-step from step to step, as required. Another is that the user must rely upon an upstanding handle which is no more stable than the half-step member, which necessarily is moved from step to step. Still another is that the half step is movable and not anchored, Kith consequent instability and danger to the already unstable user from shifting of the half-step relative to the tread.


A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes: a capacitor body including a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of internal electrodes; with external electrodes disposed on the capacitor body and electrically connected to the internal electrodes, wherein the capacitor body includes an active region in which internal electrodes having different polarities from each other overlap each other to form capacitance, and a margin part defined as region except for the active region. A concentration of an additive element in the margin part is higher than the concentration of the additive element in the active region, and the margin part has a concentration gradient of the additive element from a surface of the capacitor body toward the active region.

Electronic components using a ceramic material, such as capacitors, inductors, piezoelectric devices, varistors, thermistors, and the like, commonly include a capacitor body formed of the ceramic material, internal electrodes formed in the capacitor body, and external electrodes disposed on surfaces of the capacitor body to be connected to the internal electrodes.
Many fields requiring high reliability have become more digitalized in recent years. Demand for highly reliable products used in those fields has accordingly increased, and high levels of reliability are required for components in those products, such as multilayer ceramic electronic components.
Moisture resistance, withstand voltage characteristics, and the like, are factors that affect the reliability of the multilayer ceramic electronic component. A high degree of reliability may be difficult to realize when pores are present in a margin part of a capacitor body of the multilayer ceramic electronic component. In addition, the degree of densification of the capacitor body may affect the reliability of the multilayer ceramic electronic component.

Multilayer ceramic electronic component and manufacturing method thereof


Methods for reducing calcium deposition along surfaces in contact with the water phase of a resolved water/oil emulsion are disclosed. High calcium crude oil and the like are contacted with a sequestrant to form a sequestered calcium containing complex that partitions to the water phase in the resolved emulsion. A specifically formulated polymeric deposit control agent is added to the water phase to inhibit calcium deposit formation therein and along surfaces in contact with the water phase.

All crude oil contains impurities which contribute to corrosion, heat exchanger fouling, furnace coking, catalyst deactivation, and product degradation in refinery and other processes. These contaminants are broadly classified as salts, bottom sediment, and water (BS+W), solids, and metals. The amounts of these impurities vary, depending upon the particular crude. Generally, crude oil salt content ranges between about 3-200 pounds per 1,000 barrels (ptb).
Brines present in crude include predominately sodium chloride with lesser amounts of magnesium chloride and calcium chloride being present. Chloride salts are predominantly the source of highly corrosive HCl, which is severely damaging to refinery tower trays and other equipment. Additionally, carbonate and sulfate salts may be present in the crude in sufficient quantities to promote crude preheat exchanger scaling.
Solids other than salts are equally harmful. For example, sand, clay, volcanic ash, drilling muds, rust, iron sulfide, metal, and scale may be present and can cause fouling, plugging, abrasion, erosion and residual product contamination. As a contributor to waste and pollution, sediment stabilizes emulsions in the form of oil-wetted solids and can carry significant quantities of oil into the waste recovery systems.
Metals in crude may be inorganic or organometallic compounds which consist of hydrocarbon combinations with arsenic, vanadium, nickel, copper, and iron. These materials promote fouling and can cause catalyst poisoning in subsequent refinery processes, such as catalytic cracking methods, and they may also contaminate finished products. The majority of the metals carry as bottoms in refinery processes. When the bottoms are fed, for example, to coker units, contamination of the end-product coke is most undesirable. For example, in the production of high grade electrodes from coke, iron contamination of the coke can lead to electrode degradation and failure in processes, such as those used in the chlor-alkali industry.
Desalting is, as the name implies, a process that is adapted to remove primarily inorganic salts from the crude prior to refining. The desalting step is provided by adding and mixing with the crude a few volume percentages of fresh water to contact the brine and salt. In crude oil desalting, a water in oil (W/O) emulsion is intentionally formed with the water admitted being on the order of about 4-10 volume % based on the crude oil. Water is added to the crude and mixed intimately to transfer impurities in the crude to the water phase. Separation of the phases occurs due to coalescence of the small water droplets into progressively larger droplets and eventual gravity separation of the oil and underlying water phase.
Demulsification agents are added, usually upstream from the desalter, to help in providing maximum mixing of the oil and water phases in the desalter, and gently increase the speed of water break. Known demulsifying agent include water soluble salts, sulfonated glycerides, sulfonated oils, alkoxylated phenol formaldehyde resins, polyols, copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, a variety of polyester materials, and many other commercially available compounds.
Desalters are also commonly provided with electrodes to impart an electrical field in the desalter. This serves to polarize the dispersed water molecules. The so-formed dipole molecules exert an attractive force between oppositely charged poles with the increased attractive force increasing the speed of water droplet coalescence by from ten to one hundred fold. The water droplets also move quickly in the electrical field, thus promoting random collisions that further enhance coalescence.
Upon separation of the phases from the W/O emulsions, the crude is commonly drawn off the top of the desalter and sent to the fractionator tower in crude units or other refinery processes. The water phase may be passed through heat exchanges or the like and ultimately is discharged as effluent.
Calcium removal has become an important concern over the last few years due to increasing use of crudes with very high levels of calcium (such as some from the African continent that contain over 200 ppm, and some nearly 400 ppm of calcium). Previously, the highest calcium content was only 50 ppm. Extraction of the calcium salts via the desalting process is stymied when the calcium is associated with naphthenic acids (high TAN (Total Acid Number) crudes). These calcium naphthenates are not water extracted and stay with the oil phase. Problems for the refiners associated with high calcium include exceeding metal specs for fuels oils that have resids blended in, poisoning catalysts for residual catalytic crackers, adversely affecting coke specs for metals, and contributing to crude unit fouling and delayed coker furnace fouling.
Several methods have been disclosed for the removal of calcium from crude oil, essentially using the desalter. All involve the use of organic carboxylic acids (supposedly to protonate the naphthenic acids and extract the calcium into the wash water). Reynolds (U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,589) teaches the use of hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as citric acid, added to the wash water to effect the calcium extraction in the desalter. Roling (U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,858) improved on this process by the addition of citric acid to the crude oil phase for enhanced extraction rates of metals. Both patents discuss the modification of the wash water pH for better extraction. Lindemuth (U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,717) describes the use of functionalized polymers of acrylic acid for cation removal. Nguyen (U.S. Published Patent Application 2004/0045875) describes the use of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid (particularly glycolic acid) for the removal of calcium and amines.
The method of Reynolds, while likely successful at the extraction of low levels of calcium (<30 ppm), has two significant drawbacks which make it impractical for use with the high calcium crudes. One is that since the extraction process is stoichiometric, at the high levels of citric acid needed in the wash water, its pH drops significantly (to below 3) and causes a corrosion issue in the wash water circuit. This can be alleviated by the use of corrosion inhibitors.
A second concern is that the concentration of the resultant calcium citrate has a solubility limitation of approximately 1000 ppm at room temperature, and pH of 6-8 with solubility inversely correlated with temperature. Thus, one can see that deposition of calcium citrate is an issue at typical desalter temperatures (250° F.-300° F.) and concentrations encountered when extracting higher levels of calcium with the typical 5% wash water rate. In fact, both of these concerns were verified through field experience with citric acid at a refinery processing significant levels of a high calcium crude. Deposition in the brine heat exchanger and transfer piping was one of the problems that was experienced.

Method for removing calcium from crude oil


A driving voltage generating circuit includes: a pulse voltage generating unit generating predetermined pulse voltages; a first voltage generating unit connected to the pulse voltage generating unit and generating a first voltage; a first diode unit and a second diode unit commonly connected to the pulse voltage generating unit and each comprising at least a diode; a second voltage generating unit connected to the first diode unit and generating a second voltage; and a third voltage generating unit connected to the second diode unit and generating a third voltage.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving voltage generating circuit and a display device including the same.
(b) Description of Related Art
In recent times, flat panel displays such as organic light emitting diode ("OLED") displays, plasma display panels ("PDPs"), and liquid crystal displays ("LCDs") have been widely developed to replace the heavy and large cathode ray tubes ("CRTs").
The PDPs are devices which display characters or images using plasma generated by a gas-discharge. The OLED displays are devices which display characters or images by applying an electric field to specific light-emitting organics or high molecule materials. The LCDs are devices which display images by applying an electric field to a liquid crystal layer disposed between two panels and regulating the strength of the electric field to adjust a transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer.
Among the flat panel displays, as examples, the LCD and the OLED display each includes a panel assembly provided with pixels including switching elements and display signal lines, a driving voltage generator generating driving voltages, a gate driver providing a gate signal for gate lines of the display signal lines to turn on/off the switching elements, a gray voltage generator generating a plurality of gray voltages, a data driver providing a data signal for data lines of the display signal lines to apply a data voltage to the pixel via the turned-on switching elements, and a signal controller controlling the above-described elements.
The above-described elements are applied with predetermined voltages to be converted into voltages required for driving the specific circuitry. For example, the gate driver is applied with a gate on voltage and a gate off voltage from the driving voltage generator for application to the gate lines as the gate signals, and the gray voltage generator is applied with a predetermined reference voltage from the driving voltage generator for dividing into a plurality of voltages via resistors and then providing the divided voltages for the data driver.
However, the gate-on voltage and the gate-off voltage are not generated independently of the reference voltage applied to the gray voltage generator, and thus accurate gate signals required for driving may not be supplied for the gate driver.

Driving voltage generating circuit and display device including the same


A structure comprising a plurality of plies of fiber-reinforced composite material, each ply having a ply orientation defined by a principal stiffness direction of the ply. The structure has a first region and a second region, each region comprising N1 primary plies, N4 cross plies with a ply orientation substantially perpendicular to the primary plies, N2 positive-angled bias plies with a ply orientation at a positive acute angle to the primary plies, and N3 negative-angled bias plies with a ply orientation substantially perpendicular to the positive-angled bias plies. The ply orientation of the primary plies in each region is more closely aligned with a primary axis of the structure than the cross plies or the bias plies. N1=N4 in the first region but not in the second N region, and N2=N3 in the second region but not in the first region. In each of the two regions, one ply set is balanced and the other ply set is un-balanced. This provides a compromise between the advantages of using un-balanced ply sets, for instance to provide bending torsion coupling, and the disadvantage that un-balanced ply sets can introduce thermally induced distortion during manufacture.

In composite structures of this type, each ply has a ply orientation defined by principal stiffness direction of the ply. For example the structure may have a lay-up with primary plies, cross plies with a ply orientation substantially perpendicular to the primary plies, positive-angled bias plies with a ply orientation at a positive acute angle to the primary plies, and negative-angled bias plies with a ply orientation substantially perpendicular to the positive-angled bias plies. Typically the ply orientation of the primary plies is more closely aligned with a principal bending axis of the structure than the cross plies or the bias plies. It is known to vary the lay-up in order to achieve desired physical characteristics. For instance the proportion of primary plies may be increased in order to increase the stiffness of the structure along its principal bending axis. In such a situation the primary plies and cross plies are said to be "un-balanced". Typically the number of positive-angled and negative-angled bias plies is equal in order to prevent undesired bending torsion coupling which can lead to distortion of the part after curing due to the mismatch in thermal expansion between the positive and negative-angle bias plies. In such a situation the bias plies are said to be "balanced".


A method for creating trust shares in a physical commodity, the trust shares being tradable over an electronic communications network, includes receiving a creation order comprising a request to create the trust shares, confirming delivery into a trust account of an amount of physical commodity associated with the trust shares being requested, and releasing the requested trust shares based upon the amount of physical commodity delivered into the account. A method for redeeming trust shares associated with a physical commodity, the trust shares being tradable over an electronic communications network, includes receiving a redemption order comprising a request to redeem an amount of trust shares associated with an amount of the physical commodity held in a trust account, receiving the amount of the trust shares, and releasing from the trust account the amount of the physical commodity associated with the amount of the trust shares received.

This disclosure relates to exchange-traded equity securities, and particularly to a method and system for securitizing a physical commodity.
There are many barriers to owning certain commodities that have prevented investors from investing in the commodities, which, in turn, can lead to an undervaluing of the commodities. Gold present a classic example of a commodity that has historically been undervalued because, in part, to the difficulty in storing and transporting physical gold. Currently, a common method for sophisticated investors, e.g., institutional investors and/or their clients, to invest in gold is through the shares of gold producers or in structured notes, e.g., gold linked derivatives, issued by money center financial institutions. For individual retail investors, however, the historical barriers have been even more daunting. For example, a common practice for the individual investor wishing to own gold is to buy gold coins or jewelry. The downside to this approach is that the investor must then find a way to store and secure the gold that they own, which can be costly. Moreover, such an investor will likely have to take out insurance in case the gold is stolen or lost, which adds further costs to owning gold for the individual investor.
Thus, liquidity in the gold market has been restricted, leading to under valuation, because of the difficulty and costs associated with transporting and storing the physical gold. While some may be willing to take on the burden and risk of owning the physical metal, many mainstream investors consider investment in physical gold to be prohibitive. Rather, many such investors prefer to invest in the shares of generic, highly liquid gold mining companies.
Although gold mining shares appeal to those seeking their considerable leverage to changes in the gold price, they incorporate business risks that clash with the fundamentally conservative and risk adverse reasoning that might attract a wider audience to gold. This is because the business of mining gold can be subject to various uncertainties, including geological, labor, regulatory and environmental, financial, and political risks. Conversely, ownership of the physical metal does not exhibit such risks. The same cannot be said for the gold linked structured notes, or derivatives, issued by financial institutions such as money center banks or investment houses. These instruments are backed not by gold but by the credit of the issuing institution. They are often easy to buy and next to impossible to sell.
Accordingly, there is no existing mechanism that facilitates trading in gold, or certain other commodities, in such a way as to overcome the historical barriers that have led to under valuation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for securitizing a commodity


In the process of producing a linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon in the presence of a palladium salt, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid, and a phosphine ligand, improved polymerization rates are obtained when employing a novel catalyst composition formed from a novel 1,3-bis(phosphino)-2-silapropane, which can be produced with high yield, wherein the 2-silapropane moiety is additionally substituted at the silicon atom with two hydrocarbyl substituents.

Polymers of carbon monoxide and ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbons have been known for some time. Brubaker, U.S. Pat. No. 2,495,286, produced such polymers of relatively low carbon monoxide content in the presence of free radical initiators, e.g., peroxy compounds. U.K. No. 1,081,304 discloses the production of similar polymers of higher carbon monoxide content in the presence of alkylphosphine complexes of palladium salts as catalyst. Nozaki extended this reaction to produce linear alternating polymers in the presence of arylphosphine complexes of palladium moieties and certain inert solvents. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,689,460 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,412.
More recently, the class of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbons has become of greater interest in part because of the greater availability of the polymers in quantity. Production of this class of polymers, also known as polyketones or polyketone polymers, is illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,835,250 and 4,818,810 and by copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 930,468 filed Nov. 14, 1986, now abandoned. These references illustrate the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbons in the presence of catalyst compositions formed from a compound of palladium, cobalt or nickel, the anion of a non-hydrohalogenic acid having a pKa less than about 6 and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.
In general, these polymerization catalyst compositions preferably are formed, inter alia, from a bidentate ligand of phosphorus, particularly a bis(phosphino)alkane, and best results are obtained when the catalyst composition is formed from a 1,3-bis(phosphino)propane. Phosphine ligands such as 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane and 1,3-bis[di(2-methoxyphenyl) phosphino]propane are illustrative of this class of bis(phosphino)propanes. While these catalyst compositions are efficient in catalyzing the production of the linear alternating polymers, it is desirable to provide even more active catalyst compositions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,861 discloses a more active catalyst composition wherein the phosphine ligand is a 1,3-bis (phosphino)propane having two additional hydrocarbyl substituents at the 2 position of the propane moiety, most preferably 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-bis [di(2-methoxyphenyl)phosphino]propane. However, these phosphino compounds are produced in very low yields by the usual reactions of a 1,3-dihalopropane, substituted on the 2 position, and a substituted phosphide having an alkali metal bonded to the phosphorus atom.


A catalyst and process for converting carbon dioxide into oxygenates. The catalyst comprises copper, zinc, aluminum, gallium, and a solid acid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygenates. In another aspect, the invention concerns a catalyst for converting a feed comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methanol and dimethyl ether.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Carbon dioxide for industrial use is typically recovered from synthesis gas production, substitute-natural gas production, cracking of hydrocarbons, and natural springs or wells. Although carbon dioxide can be used for numerous purposes such as, for example, refrigeration, carbonating beverages, and as an aerosol propellent, in certain situations it may be more desirable to convert carbon dioxide to other higher-value compounds such as oxygenates.
Oxygenates can be used for a variety of purposes such as, for example, enhancing of motor fuel octane and improving the emissions quality of motor fuel. Methanol and dimethyl ether are two oxygenates which can be of particularly high value. Methanol can be used for a variety of purposes including, for example, as an alternative motor fuel, as an intermediate in the production of high octane ethers (e.g., MTBE), and as a fuel for fuel cell driven vehicles. Dimethyl ether is also useful for a variety of purposes including, for example, as an alternative motor fuel, as a starting material towards the synthesis of various hydrocarbons, as a fuel additive to lower emissions, and as an aerosol propellent.
Although it is known that synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen can be converted into oxygenates using a copper-containing catalyst, there exists a need for a catalyst which is effective to convert carbon dioxide into oxygenates with increased carbon dioxide conversion as well as increased product selectivity towards methanol and dimethyl ether, particularly dimethyl ether.

Process for converting carbon dioxide to oxygenates


Methods and systems for specifying metal necking failure criteria in FEA are disclosed. FEA model contains many finite elements representing a structure, a loading condition and a metal necking failure criteria are received in a computer system. The loading condition includes a loading direction. The metal necking failure criteria includes critical strain and fracture strain values, the neck's width, and a profile of strain values between the critical strain value and the fracture strain value within the neck's width. At each solution cycle in the time-marching simulation of the structure, each finite element is check to determine whether it experiences a metal necking failure, which occurs when each finite element's strain obtained in that solution cycle is greater than an average strain value defined in a formula according to the critical strain and fracture strain values, the neck's width and the profile of the metal necking failure criteria.

Computer aided engineering (CAE) has been used for supporting engineers in many tasks. For example, in a structure or engineering product design procedure, CAE analysis, particularly finite element analysis (FEA), has often been employed to predict structural behavior (e.g., stresses, displacements, etc.) under various simulated loading conditions (e.g., static or dynamic).
FEA is a computerized method widely used in industry to numerically simulate (i.e., model and solve in a computer system) engineering problems relating to complex products or systems (e.g., cars, airplanes, consumer products, etc.) such as three-dimensional non-linear structural design and analysis. FEA derives its name from the manner in which the geometry of the object under consideration is specified. The geometry is defined by elements and nodal points. There are a number of types of elements, solid elements for volumes or continua, shell or plate elements for surfaces and beam or truss elements for one-dimensional structural objects. The geometry of each element is defined by nodal points, for example, a brick or hexahedral element comprising eight corner nodes.
An example of using FEA is sheet metal forming, which has been used in the industry for years for creating metal parts from a blank sheet metal, for example, automobile manufacturers and their suppliers produce many parts using sheet metal forming.
One of the most used sheet metal forming processes is deep drawing, which involves a hydraulic or mechanical press pushing a specially-shaped punch into a matching die with a piece of blank sheet metal in between. Exemplary products made from this process include, but are not limited to, car hood, fender, door, automotive fuel tank, kitchen sink, aluminum can, etc. In some areas of the die, the depth of a part or product being made is generally more than half its diameter. As a result, the blank is stretched and therefore thinned in various locations due to the geometry of the part or product. The part or product is only good when there is no structural defect such as material failure (e.g., cracking, tearing, wrinkling, necking, etc.). In order to produce a part free of these defects, it is critical to design an addendum section between the product design and the binder region.
In order to properly simulate metal necking failure in finite element analysis, a failure criteria is specified by users of FEA. Prior art approaches have been developed from physical metal specimen testing using average strain around the neck in metal necking failure, for example, data obtained basing on average strain measured with strain gauges. As a result, users need to specify a set of metal necking failure criteria that are finite element mesh (element dimension) dependent. These prior art approaches often cause confusions and difficulties for preparing input data and lead to incorrect simulation because users would need to prepare the failure criteria based on these artificial and ad hoc requirement. It would therefore be desirable to have methods and systems for specifying mesh size independent metal necking failure criteria in finite element analysis.

Methods and systems for specifying metal necking failure criteria in finite element analysis