A battery pack coupling system for mechanically and/or electrically coupling a battery pack optionally to a harness device or to a manually operated electrical device includes a mechanical backpack coupling interface at the battery pack for the releasable mechanical coupling to a corresponding mechanical battery pack-backpack coupling interface at the harness device and/or an electrical coupling interface at the battery pack and an electrical connecting line with a connecting plug body at the end which can be releasably coupled to the electrical coupling interface. The battery pack coupling system has a mechanical device coupling interface at the battery pack, different from the mechanical backpack coupling interface, for the releasable mechanical coupling to a corresponding mechanical battery pack-device coupling interface at the electrical device and/or a plug fastening mechanism through which the connecting plug body can be fastened releasably to the harness device.

The invention relates to a battery pack coupling system for mechanically and/or electrically coupling a battery pack selectively to a harness device or to a manually operated electrical device, wherein the battery pack coupling system comprises a mechanical backpack coupling interface at the battery pack for the releasable mechanical coupling to a corresponding mechanical battery pack-backpack coupling interface at the harness device and/or an electrical coupling interface at the battery pack and an electrical connecting line with a connecting plug body at the end which can be releasably coupled to the electrical coupling interface.
The battery pack can in particular be one such as is used for the supply of electrical energy to manually operated electrical devices, in particular electrically driven garden and/or woodland cultivation devices. Manually operated electrical devices refer here primarily to electrical devices that are carried in the hand or along the ground, in particular such as are used for garden and/or woodland cultivation, such as powered saws, hedge cutters, leaf blowers, sweeping devices, lawnmowers and scarifiers, to mention only a few exemplary embodiments by way of example. The battery pack is suitable, by means of the battery pack coupling system, for being coupled mechanically and/or electrically optionally to the harness device or to the electrical device.
In the present case, except where otherwise stated, the positional orientation of the said components refers to the orientation of the harness device when it is located on the back of a user, or to the orientation of the battery pack in the holding position or the carrying position as is, for example, the case when the user carries the harness device with the battery pack on his back.
Laid-open publication EP 2 819 207 A1 discloses a battery pack coupling system of the type mentioned above. The system described there comprises a single mechanical interface at the battery pack in the form of latching projections arranged in the lower side region with which it is mechanically coupled through a respective latching/snap-on connection optionally to the harness device or the electrical device and can be held in an appropriate holding position, for which purpose respective corresponding mating latching projections are provided. The battery pack can be docked to a topside edge of a carrier base of the harness device functioning as a pivot axis while retaining a certain pivoting movability, whereby it can be pivoted from the docking position into the holding position at the carrier base. A handle is arranged at the underside of the battery pack, that is at the side that is at the bottom in the holding position, i.e. in a carrying position on the back of a user. The battery pack has a first electrical coupling interface for the supply of energy of the electrical device and a second electrical coupling interface, different therefrom, for electrically charging the battery pack. The harness device and the electrical device each have an electrical connection interface in a fixed position that can be coupled to the first electrical coupling interface of the battery pack, wherein the electrical contact is made automatically through bringing the battery pack into its respective holding position at the harness device or at the electrical device. A flexible connecting line for connecting an electrical device that is to be driven leads from the fixed-position electrical connection interface of the harness device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a battery pack coupling system of the type mentioned at the outset which offers advantages over the prior art mentioned above in terms of the mechanical and/or electrical coupling of the battery pack on the one hand and the harness device or electrical device on the other hand.
The invention achieves this and other objects by providing a battery pack coupling system having specific inventive features. Advantageous developments of the invention are mentioned in the dependent claims, the content of which is hereby incorporated into the description through reference.
According to one aspect of the invention, the battery pack coupling system comprises two different mechanical coupling interfaces at the battery pack, a backpack coupling interface for the releasable mechanical coupling of the battery pack to the harness device or, put more precisely, to a corresponding mechanical battery pack-backpack coupling interface at the harness device, and a device coupling interface for the releasable mechanical coupling of the battery pack to the electrical device or, put more precisely, to a corresponding mechanical battery pack-device coupling interface at the electrical device. This measure has the advantage that the two interfaces can each be designed specifically for the requirements of the mechanical coupling of the battery pack to the harness device or to the electrical device, without having to make compromises in this respect as would be the case with the use of just a single mechanical coupling interface at the battery pack for both possible couplings. These said requirements may very well differ greatly; for example, the coupling of the battery pack to the electrical device is often subject to relatively heavy vibrations such as typically occur inter alia with ground-travelling electrical devices such as a lawnmower. Vibrations of this sort normally do not occur in the case of the harness device carried on the back of a user. The coupling of the battery pack to the harness device therefore in the majority of application cases only needs to be designed for a mechanical stability that is lower in comparison with the coupling of the battery pack to the electrical device, with corresponding savings in manufacturing effort. The coupling of the battery pack to the electrical device can be designed, according to requirements, for a mechanical stability that is sufficiently higher.
In a development of the invention, the mechanical backpack coupling interface of the battery pack comprises a backpack docking element at the battery pack with which the battery pack can be docked in a pivoting manner at the harness device, and a backpack holding element at the battery pack for holding the battery pack at the harness device. The backpack docking element is arranged here at a lower rear region of the battery pack, and the backpack holding element is arranged at an upper rear region of the battery pack. This yields an advantageous handling and stability characteristic for the coupling of the battery pack to the harness device. The battery pack can for this purpose first be docked to the harness device with its lower rear region and then pivoted into its holding position, which is most often a standing, approximately vertical position of the battery pack, wherein the associated pivot axis accordingly advantageously lies in the lower rear region of the battery pack or in any event in the vicinity of its lower rear region. The user can as a result therefore usually perform the coupling of the battery pack to the harness device without difficulty with one hand, i.e. without having to make use of a second hand. The same applies to the removal of the battery pack. It is helpful here if a handle of the battery pack is provided at its topside region.
In one embodiment of the invention, the backpack docking element of the battery pack is arranged in particular at a lower rear corner region of the battery pack. This measure is advantageous for typical applications for achieving a favourable docking behaviour and a favourable position of the pivot axis for pivoting the battery pack from its docking position at the harness device into its holding position at the harness device.
In one embodiment of the invention, the backpack docking element of the battery pack comprises a backpack wire bracket element or a backpack bracket accepting element at the battery pack, and the battery pack coupling system contains the corresponding mechanical battery pack-backpack coupling interface at the harness device. The mechanical battery pack-backpack coupling interface of the harness device here comprises a backpack bracket accepting element that works together in a pivoting manner with the backpack wire bracket element of the battery pack, or a backpack wire bracket element that works together in a pivoting manner with the backpack bracket accepting element of the battery pack. This represents a realization of the means for docking the battery pack to the harness device that is advantageous from the points of view of stability, the ability to pivot, and low manufacturing effort.
In one embodiment of the invention, the backpack holding element of the battery pack contains a backpack latching element at the battery pack, and the battery pack coupling system comprises the corresponding battery pack-backpack coupling interface at the harness device, wherein the mechanical battery pack-backpack coupling interface of the harness device contains a backpack mating latching element that works together in a releasable latching manner with the backpack latching element of the battery pack. This realizes a releasable latching connection for holding the battery pack at the harness device in an advantageous manner.
In a development of the invention, the mechanical device coupling interface of the battery pack comprises a device docking element at the battery pack for the pivotable docking of the battery pack to the electrical device, and a device holding element at the battery pack for holding the battery pack at the electrical device. The device docking element is arranged here at an underside region of the battery pack, and the device holding element is arranged at a topside region of the battery pack. This yields an advantageous handling and stability characteristic for the coupling of the battery pack to the electrical device. The battery pack can for this purpose first be docked at the bottom to the electrical device, whereby a degree of weight relief can already result for the user, and then pivoted into the holding position at the electrical device, which is often an approximately horizontal orientation of the battery pack. Since the associated pivot axis is accordingly located in the underside region of the battery pack, or at any rate in its vicinity, the user can usually perform the pivoting from the docking position at the electrical device into the holding position with one hand, i.e. without having to make use of a second hand. The same applies to pivoting out of the holding position at the electrical device into the docking position. It is helpful here if a handle of the battery pack is provided at its topside region.
In one embodiment of the invention, the device docking element of the battery pack contains a device bracket accepting element or a device wire bracket element at the battery pack, and the battery pack coupling system comprises the corresponding mechanical battery pack-device coupling interface at the electrical device, wherein the mechanical battery pack-device coupling interface comprises a device wire bracket element that works together in a pivoting manner with the device bracket accepting element of the battery pack, or a device bracket accepting element that works together in a pivoting manner with the device wire bracket element of the battery pack. This represents a realization of the means for docking the battery pack to the electrical device that is advantageous from the points of view of handling, the ability to pivot, and low manufacturing effort.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the device bracket accepting element contains an accepting profile body with a bracket accepting region having U-shaped cross-section. This represents a realization for the device wire bracket accepting element at the battery pack or at the electrical device that is advantageous from the points of view of low manufacturing effort and secure, pivoting acceptance of the corresponding device wire bracket element.
In one embodiment of the invention, the device holding element of the battery pack contains a device latching element at the battery pack, and the battery pack coupling system comprises the corresponding mechanical battery pack-device coupling interface at the electrical device, wherein the mechanical battery pack-device coupling interface of the electrical device comprises a device mating latching element that works together in a releasable latching manner with the device latching element of the battery pack. This realizes a releasable latching connection for holding the battery pack at the electrical device in an advantageous manner.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the battery pack coupling system comprises a user-actuated unlatching operating element for releasing the latching connection of the device latching element of the battery pack to the mating latching element of the electrical device, wherein the user-actuated unlatching operating element is arranged within manual reach of a topside handle of the battery pack. This has the advantage that the user can usually actuate the unlatching operating element with the same hand with which he holds the battery pack at the handle. This consequently makes one-handed operation possible for the unlatching, and possibly also the pivoting out, of the battery pack from its holding position at the electrical device into the docking position at the electrical device and, if necessary, also for the complete removal of the battery pack from the electrical device out of the docking position.
In one embodiment of the invention, a distance of the device docking element of the battery pack from a battery pack longitudinal median plane is less than a distance of the device docking element from a battery pack rear side. This makes it possible for the battery pack to be docked to the electrical device relatively close to the longitudinal axis, which in turn can be advantageous, for example, for a space-saving insertion of the battery pack into a accepting space of the electrical device and/or for holding the battery pack at or in the electrical device.
In one embodiment of the invention, a distance of the device holding element of the battery pack from a battery pack longitudinal median plane is less than a distance of the device holding element from a battery pack rear side. This measure can similarly be favourable to the accepting of the battery pack in an accepting space of the electrical device and/or a secure holding of the battery pack at or in the electrical device.
According to a further aspect of the invention, which can be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the aspect of the invention mentioned above, the battery pack coupling system comprises an electrical coupling interface at the battery pack and an electrical connecting line with a connecting plug body at the end which can be releasably coupled to the electrical coupling interface of the battery pack. The battery pack coupling system additionally comprises a plug fastening mechanism through which the connecting plug body can be fastened releasably to the harness device.
This measure has the advantage that the electrical connecting line can be coupled via its connecting plug body to the electrical coupling interface of the battery pack independently of whether or not the battery pack is located at the harness device, and that the connecting plug body of the electrical connecting line can act as the electrical coupling interface of the harness device in that the connecting plug body when required is fastened releasably to the harness device by the plug fastening mechanism. It is therefore not necessary for the harness device to have a dedicated electrical coupling interface at a fixed position in order to connect the battery pack electrically to an electrical device when the battery pack is located at the harness device. In point of fact the same electrical connecting mechanism can be used to connect an electrical device electrically to the battery pack, both in the case in which the battery pack is held at the harness device as well as in the case in which the battery pack is used in a different position without the harness device to supply an electrical device with electrical energy through the connecting line.
Preferably, the electrical coupling interface of the battery pack is, moreover, further designed to be coupled directly to a corresponding electrical device interface of an electrical device in order to connect the electrical device electrically to the battery pack when the battery pack is mechanically coupled to the electrical device.
The electrical coupling interface of the battery pack can optionally also function as a charging interface in order to electrically recharge the battery pack. In that case a second, separate electrical coupling interface at the battery pack for this purpose can be omitted. The electrical connecting line with its connecting plug body can here preferably also act as the charging connection for the battery pack. Another conventional charging connecting line can alternatively be used for this purpose.
In a development of the invention, the battery pack can be coupled mechanically to the harness device through a docking movement and a subsequent pivoting movement from a backpack docking position into a backpack holding position, wherein the electrical coupling of the electrical coupling interface of the battery pack to the connecting plug body of the electrical connecting line takes place automatically through the pivoting of the battery pack that is docked at the harness device into the backpack holding position when the connecting plug body is fastened to the harness device.
In a development of the invention, the electrical device comprises an electrical device interface that can be coupled to the electrical coupling interface at the battery pack, and the battery pack can be coupled mechanically to the electrical device through a docking movement and a subsequent pivoting movement into a device holding position, wherein the coupling of the electrical coupling interface of the battery pack to the electrical device interface of the electrical device takes place automatically through the pivoting of the battery pack that is docked at the electrical device into the device holding position.
In these last-mentioned developments of the invention, it follows that a separate manipulation for electrically coupling the battery pack to the harness device or to the electrical device can be omitted; the electrical coupling takes place here automatically with the mechanical coupling of the battery back to the harness device or to the electrical device. It is advantageously provided here that a backpack pivoting angle through which the battery pack is pivoted between its backpack docking position and its backpack holding position at the harness device is at least 20° and/or a device pivoting angle through which the battery pack is pivoted between its device docking position and its device holding position at the electrical device is at least 20°. This relatively large pivoting angle is advantageous from the points of view of handling, stability and the exercise of force for the mechanical coupling of the battery pack to the harness device or to the electrical device.
In a development of the invention the plug fastening mechanism comprises a releasable latching connection of the connecting plug body at a carrier base of the harness device. The connecting plug body can thus be held latched releasably at the harness device in a simple manner.
In a development of the invention, the electrical coupling interface of the battery pack is arranged at an upper rear region of the battery pack. This represents an advantageous positioning of the electrical coupling interface at the battery pack, both for the coupling of the battery pack to the harness device as well as for its coupling to the electrical device, in particular in implementations in which the battery pack is docked in a lower region at the harness device or the electrical device.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. These and other advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below.


A clothing body of air-conditioned clothing includes a cloth part and a swell-controlling mechanism. The cloth part includes at least one opening hole to which a fan is attachable, and an air discharge part. The swell-controlling mechanism is provided on the cloth part at a position almost the same as the opening hole in a height direction of the cloth part. The swell-controlling mechanism controls swell of the cloth part around the opening hole and, when the clothing body is worn with the fan being attached to the opening hole, causes the fan to adhere to a wearer's body.

In recent years, air-conditioned clothing to cool a human body has been put to practical use, rapidly becoming common. Conventional air-conditioned clothing includes a clothing body formed with a material with low breathability, two fans attached to opening holes on the lower back side of the clothing body, a power unit to supply electric power to the two fans, and a power cable to electrically connect the power unit and the two fans.
When the fans are in operation, a large amount of air is taken inside the clothing body by the fans. Pressure of air taken in spontaneously forms air flow path between the clothing body and the body of the wearer, and air taken in flows upward along the surface of the body of the wearer or the underwear through the formed air flow path and is discharged outside through, for example, the openings at the collar or the sleeves.
Then, while air taken in flows through the air flow path between the clothing body and the body of the wearer or the underwear, it evaporates sweat drained from the human body, and the human body is cooled because of the heat of vaporization (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Clothing body for air-conditioned clothing and air-conditioned clothing


A washpipe assembly for use in a drilling operation, comprises a washpipe having upper and lower ends, an upper seal assembly in fluid communication with the washpipe upper end and including at least one seal in sealing engagement with the washpipe, a lower seal assembly in fluid communication with the washpipe lower end and including at least one seal in sealing engagement with the washpipe, at least one of the upper and lower seal assemblies being rotatable relative to the washpipe at a relative rotation rate, a pressure sensor for measuring a fluid pressure indicative of fluid pressure in the washpipe, a rotation sensor for measuring the relative rotation rate; and a microprocessor adapted to calculate a total pressure-distance value (TPDV) indicative of the amount of washpipe assembly lifespan expended, wherein the TPDV is a function of the relative rotation rate and the pressure.

During a drilling operation, fluids are circulated through the drill string from the surface to cool and lubricate the drill bit and flush out cuttings and other matter from the wellbore. The upper end of the rotating drill string is mechanically coupled to the rotating stem of a swivel or top drive. A washpipe assembly allows for a fluid seal between the stationary and nonrotating component of the swivel or top drive known as a gooseneck and the rotating upper end of the drill stem. Typically, the washpipe assembly includes lower and upper seal assemblies. The upper and lower seal assemblies typically have packing ring seals that contact the outer surface of the washpipe. The upper and lower seal assemblies are designed to prevent contact between the washpipe and spacing rings that center the washpipe in the upper and lower seal assemblies while fluidly sealing against the washpipe. However, as the packing ring seals are worn away, the washpipe may contact the spacing rings causing damage to the washpipe or one or more of the seal assemblies, requiring repair of the washpipe assembly. Additionally, traditional washpipe assembly designs require components of the washpipe assembly to be coupled by threaded connections, which may require the use of tools such as sledge hammers to assemble. As washpipe assemblies are often suspended over a drill floor, difficulty in transportation and use of the tools may increase risk of injury to drill rig personnel. Washpipe assembly operational lifespan, as used herein, refers to the amount a washpipe assembly may be used before failure is expected or a repair or refurbishment is to be undertaken. Refurbishment, as used herein, may include replacement of a seal, the washpipe, or any other component of the washpipe assembly.


A method for manufacturing a chromium-bearing pig iron comprises the steps of charging cold bond pellets, iron ore and coke lumps into a blast furnace from above and blowing a gas containing more than 50% oxygen therein and tuyere nose flame temperature control agent into the blast furnace through the tuyere, the cold bond pellets being comprised of powdered chromium ore and powdered coke as principal feed materials. The cold bond pellets are manufactured by performing a mixing, a pelletizing and a curing step. The tuyere nose flame temperature control agent is a top gas, steam, water or CO.sub.2, which is used to control the flame temperature to 2000.degree. to 2900.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for manufacturing chromium-bearing pig iron with the use of a blast furnace and, in particular, a method for manufacturing chromium-bearing pig iron, by using -cold bond pellets as a burden with a gas blast from a tuyere in the blast furnace.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Chromium-bearing pig iron is generally manufactured in an electric furnace. Several proposals have been made to manufacture chromium-bearing pig iron in a blast furnace, but are not reduced to actual practices, in spite of being tested in the blast furnace, due to the fact that chromium ore is difficult to reduce and high in its melting point.
Japanese Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 60-21218 discloses:
(1) the use of cold bond pellets contained carbon material; and PA1 (2) the use of a high flame temperature at a tuyere nose which is attained by blowing a hot stream of oxygen-enriched air from the tuyere, the air containing oxygen of 41% or less. PA1 introducing cold bond pellets prepared from powdered chrome ore and powdered coke, iron ore and coke lumps into a blast furnace; and PA1 blowing a gas containing more than 50% oxygen, into the blast furnace, through a tuyere therein.
This method has the drawbacks in that a quantity of gas passing through the bosh section is so great that a top gas temperature is high on the order of over 500.degree. C.; this gives a heavy load on the furnace top equipment and involves the low productivity.

Method for manufacturing chromium-bearing pig iron


A variable occlusion device includes a device housing having an occlusion track adapted to receive one or more loops of flexible tubing and having an arcuate reactive surface. The device also includes a rotor member mounted for rotation within the housing about a device axis. The rotor includes a number of carriage passageways or tracks, each passageway or track with an occluding member carriage and occluding member assembly movably mounted therein. The carriage and occluding member assemblies are each adapted to move between an extended position in which the occluding member bears against and collapses the tubing received in the occlusion track, and a retracted position in which the occlusion member is drawn away from and out of contact with the tubing in the occlusion track. The peristaltic device also includes a fluid distribution system for providing an operating fluid from a remote fluid supply under a desired pressure to the carriage passageways of the rotor. The operating fluid is used to control both the occluding force exerted by the occluding members upon the tubing and the position of the occluding members. In the preferred form of the invention, operating fluid containment bags are positioned within each carriage passageway or track for containing the operating fluid, which may be suitable gas, so that it may apply the desired occluding force but does not directly contact either the fluid passage walls or the carriage member. Also, the desired fluid pressure is preferably communicated to the carriage passageways or tracks through a rotary union with no rotating seals apart from a sealing bearing structure.

The invention relates to peristaltic devices, and particularly to a variable occlusion peristaltic device that provides a constant occluding pressure.
Peristaltic devices are commonly used as pumps for pumping a fluid while keeping the fluid isolated from potential contaminants. Such peristaltic pumps find application in medicine, food, and pharmaceutical processing, and in painting or coating systems. Peristaltic devices are also employed as meters for metering the volume of fluid flow through a conduit and as motors for turning a shaft.
Regardless of the particular application, peristaltic devices include generally a housing with an arcuate roller or occlusion track defined therein and a rotor mounted in the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the roller or occlusion track. A number of occluding members or rollers are mounted on the rotor and adapted to engage and compress a resilient and flexible tubing contained in the roller or occlusion track.
When used as a pump, for example, a motor is connected to drive the rotor about its rotational axis. As the rotor rotates, the rollers or other occluding members are repetitively brought to bear against the tubing extending through the housing, compressing or collapsing the tubing against the occlusion track, and urging the fluid or other material contained in the tubing forward in the direction of the occluding member motion relative to the tubing. The occluding members could be used to partially collapse the tubing or to completely collapse the tubing, in the latter case forming isolated slugs of fluid in the tubing between occluding members.
There were a number of problems associated with prior peristaltic devices, some problems being accentuated by the particular desired function of the device. First, the tubing upon which the peristaltic device operated had to be looped or loaded through the housing in order for the device to operate, and such loading was difficult where the occluding members remained in a fixed occluding position in the housing. Thus, there has been a need for means of varying the position of the occluding members quickly, particularly from a remote location. Also, prior peristaltic devices were not capable of maintaining a constant occluding force on the tubing during operation, regardless of the pressure of the fluid passing through the tubing. Finally, where the peristaltic device was to be used in a controlled clean environment, the preferred variable occluding force had to be applied without the use of potentially contaminating material such as hydraulic fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,249 to KREBS et al. is directed to a peristaltic pump with enhanced tube loading features. KREBS et al. show several different mechanisms for varying the position of the occluding members of a peristaltic pump from an extended occluding position to a retracted loading position. In the retracted position, all of the occluding members were withdrawn inwardly into a centrally positioned rotor away from the occlusion track so as to provide room for inserting or withdrawing the tubing. In one preferred form of the KREBS et al. device, a hydraulic system contained in the rotor was used to control the position of the occluding rollers.
Although KREBS et al. do disclose means for withdrawing occluding members for purposes of loading and unloading tubing, the position of the rollers could not be controlled remotely. Furthermore, the hydraulically operated variable occlusion system required hydraulic fluids which are undesirable for use in certain controlled environments. Also, the KREBS et al. variable occlusion system did not provide a constant occluding force on the tubing during operation. Once the KREBS et al. rollers were hydraulically set in the extended position, any change in the pressure of the fluid in the tubing changed the force applied between the occluding members and the tubing. Finally, the KREBS et al. device did not enable the occluding force to be increased or controlled while the pump was operating to ensure that the tubing remained completely collapsed.

Variable occlusion peristaltic apparatus and method


An integrated die-level camera system and method of making the camera system include a first die-level camera formed at least partially in a die. A second die level camera is also formed at least partially in the die. Baffling is formed to block stray light between the first and second die-level cameras.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosure relates to integrated die-level cameras and methods of making the same and, more particularly, to devices, systems and methods in which multiple cameras are integrated in the same die, which is cut or otherwise removed from a wafer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc., increasingly include more than one camera. In general, the multiple cameras have different configurations and performance characteristics. As devices have become increasingly sophisticated, the level of functional specialization of each camera has increased. For example, typical applications may require one main camera with higher resolution, image quality and dimensions and at least one additional camera with lesser requirements, e.g., lower resolution, cost, dimensions, image quality, etc. Some particular devices may include more than two cameras, each having specialized requirements. Some of these cameras may not be used for image capture, but are instead included to carry out such functions as, for example, determining whether a face is present in its field of view, detecting light level, recognizing gestures, etc.
In conventional systems having multiple cameras, multiple individual cameras are designed, developed and produced, each camera being customized for a specific function. This conventional approach has the disadvantage that multiple process steps are required for each camera, resulting in a higher-cost solution. Also, in some systems, the issue of preventing stray light from one imaging system from affecting the image quality of the other is not addressed. This issue can have a substantial negative effect on the performance of one or more of the cameras and the overall system.

Integrated die-level cameras and methods of manufacturing the same


A method for achieving zero, or near zero, latency timed pyrotechnic events by utilizing distributed processing is presented. A list of timed events may be used to synchronize a pyrotechnic firing sequence with music or other external events. This list is distributed over a series of embedded microprocessors. Each microprocessor is then synchronized to a master controller clock, and enabled such that each processor may then fire independently as required by the master list. This distributed process removes the split-second timing requirement from the main controller enabling the achievement of zero latency and providing significantly more timing events to be processed simultaneously while alleviating problems such as wireless radio interference delays. Each module is capable of forwarding information to other modules, which may be a position that prevents wireless communication directly with the master controller.

It can be appreciated that pyrotechnic controls have been in use for years. Typically, pyrotechnic controls are comprised of electrical firing systems that rely on switches or contact closure thrown by the operator or contact closures initiated by computer control, and systems which are either wired directly from the main controller to the pyrotechnic devices or connected via wireless link or wireless local area network from a main controller to a slave device which is, in turn, wired directly to the pyrotechnic devices.
A problem with existing pyrotechnic controls is that most pyrotechnic controllers operate in a master-slave architecture. Pyrotechnic devices are prepared with electric matches for ignition, and the electric match is wired through a series of field modules and cables to a master control switchboard. The exact nature of the wiring boxes, cables, and switchboard varies and is not significant. At a predetermined point of time, either the operator or a timing control device activates a switching circuit to allow current to flow through one or more electric matches or effectors.
Some current systems provide techniques for generating an event list that references an audio/video data structure. In such known techniques, once the event is associated, the audio stream structure provides the timing reference to initiate the event. Unfortunately, this only works in a master-slave environment or when all devices that must interpret events have access to the timing stream or signal. This same problem occurs when an explicit timing signal such as SMPTE timing track is used to initiate the events.
Two examples of current decentralized systems are next briefly described. The first example teaches an array of "intelligent" effectors linked by a 2- 3- or 4-wire communications bus, where the master controller does not have complete control over the effector's firing, but the effector may be equipped with sensors whose condition is checked before functioning is permitted to occur. The second example teaches an array of intelligent sensors with two interlinked processors, one for real-time processing and another for non-real time processing.
In known systems, activation control may be hardwired directly from the battery to the ignition device, or through a coded electrical signal. In either of these cases, the master firing panel initiates the communication burst or event that causes ignition. If more than one match or sets of matches (cues) must be fired simultaneously, there is often a delay as the master firing panel must initiate separate communication or electrical events. This results in delays and latency as each initiator is fired sequentially. In addition, if wireless communication is employed between the master controller and slave devices, which perform the switching function, radio interference can cause significant delays in each transmitted packet further delaying the timing of the operation. These delays seriously disrupt the critical synchronicity of the music and pyrotechnic effect reducing the enjoyment of the audience. In pyrotechnic displays, it is not unusual to try to simultaneously launch hundreds of devices at the same moment across a wide area facing the audience or "front". These delays seriously degrade this effect producing uneven firing patterns. In blasting operations, resonance effects require precise timing between initiator events, which would be critically destabilized by these delays and rendered ineffective. Similarly, in special effects work, the pyrotechnic event is often synchronized to sound or visual effects, and any delay in the firing would detract from the realism the operator is trying to achieve.
Another problem with conventional pyrotechnic controls is that existing controllers operate on a fixed voltage, current, and time specification. For example, a controller might apply to the electric match(es) when connected 12 volts at a maximum of 5 Amperes of current, for a period of 12.5 milliseconds. While this specification might be fine for most series wired electric matches, more time might be required if the matches are wired in parallel or inferior match production causes them to require more than 12.5 mS for ignition. In addition, if the operator wishes to control something other than a pyrotechnic device, a mechanical actuator for example, then a different voltage, current, and time pulse might be desired. Existing systems do not have the capability to automatically vary all of these parameters.
Yet another problem with the existing art is when wireless links are employed, a phenomenon known as shadowing occurs. When an object larger than the wavelength of the radio signal exists between the line-of-sight path of the transmitter and receiver, the signal may be seriously diminished or blocked completely. If the operator is holding the transmitter and changes position, different receivers may become shadowed, and other receivers may regain direct connections to the transmitter. Existing systems do not have the ability to maintain contact with a diverse array of receivers when the transmitter moves. Some current systems provide techniques for utilizing a local queue manager to deliver messages to diverse recipients; however, in the pyrotechnic field there is a need for the ability to instantly adapt to changing configurations.
While the foregoing devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are generally not as suitable for creating a firing system where zero latency, accurate timing, flexible output, and operator movement must be achieved.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pyrotechnic controls now present in the prior art, there is a need for a new method for zero latency distributed processing of timed pyrotechnic events.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

System and method for zero latency distributed processing of timed pyrotechnic events


In a gas valve including a valve body having an annular seal surface, of which an axis is disposed to extend in a vertical direction, and of which seal surface a diameter becomes larger toward a lower end of the seal surface, to prevent water drops on the seal surface made by condensation from freezing and to prevent the seal surface from being fixed to a seat because of the freezing, a liquid repellent film is provided on the seal surface of the valve body.

The present invention relates to a gas valve, and more particularly to a gas valve having an annular seal surface for opening and closing a flow passage of gas.
Conventionally, to use compressed natural gas (hereafter referred to as CNG) as fuel for an automobile engine, there is a CNG regulator having a constitution as shown in FIG. 4 that decompresses the CNG in a gas cylinder loaded on the automobile into a predetermined pressure, as disclosed in JP-A-2000-249000.
A summary of the CNG regulator shown in FIG. 4 will be described.
There is an intake 2 formed on a body 1. The CNG flows into a chamber 8 through a filter 3, a passage 4, a valve portion 6 of a cut-off valve 5, and a flow-in passage 7. A housing 9 is contained in the chamber 8, and a valve body 10 of a gas valve for pressure control is contained in the housing 9 being capable of rising and falling. Further, there is a port 11 formed in the housing 9.
The valve body 10 is opposed to a seat 12 disposed on an upper portion of the chamber 8 being capable of coming in and out of contact with each other. When the valve body 10 moves downward apart from the seat 12, the high-pressure CNG in the chamber 8 is supplied into a decompression chamber 14 through an annular clearance 13. When the valve body 10 moves upward to contact with the seat 12, the CNG in the chamber 8 is not supplied into the decompression chamber 14.
A cover 15 is fixed on an upper portion of the body 1, and a margin portion 16a of a diaphragm 16 lies between the body 1 and the cover 15. The margin portion 16a is held by the body 1 and the cover 15, and the diaphragm 16 serves as a partition between the decompression chamber 14 and an atmosphere chamber 17. A central portion of the diaphragm 16 is held by a diaphragm holder 18 and a shell 19. A lower portion of the diaphragm holder 18 is connected in a fitting state to an upper edge of the valve body 10. The rising of the diaphragm 16 moves the valve body 10 upward to block up the seat portion 12. The falling of the diaphragm 16 moves the valve body 10 downward to open the seat portion 12.
Between the shell 19 and a regulating screw 20 provided in the cover 15, a pressure control spring 21 is provided to force the diaphragm 16 downward. By a balance between the force of the pressure control spring 21 and the gas pressure of the CNG in the decompression chamber 14, the diaphragm 16 is made to rise and fall, i.e., the valve body 10 is made to open and close, thereby keeping the gas pressure of the CNG in the decompression chamber 14 at a predetermined pressure.
The decompressed CNG in the decompression chamber 14 is supplied from an outlet 22 formed in the body 1 to the automobile engine.
In the CNG regulator having such a constitution as mentioned above, a seal surface 10a of the valve body 10 is formed of a metal surface, which is made merely by processing a metal of which the valve body 10 is made.
In the valves that control the passing and cut-off of the gas containing a large amount of water vapor such as the CNG, if an ambient temperature drops below the dew point after a system such as the regulator or the like has stopped, dew condensation causes water drops to deposit on the seal surface 10a of the valve body 10 as well as on every part.
When there are such water drops depositing, if the seal surface 10a of the valve body 10 has the processed metal surface, the water drops depositing on the seal surface 10a remain on it. When the ambient temperature becomes 0xc2x0 C. or lower later, the depositing water drops freeze on the seal surface 10a, and the seal surface 10a is fixed to the seal 12. In this case, it might not be possible to start operating next time.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a gas valve for controlling the passing and cut-off of the gas that prevents the freezing and fixing on a seal surface and that prevents a system from being unable to operate.
To solve such problems, the present invention provides a gas valve including a valve body having an annular seal surface, of which seal surface an axis is disposed to extend in a vertical direction, and of which seal surface a diameter becomes larger toward a lower end thereof, wherein a liquid repellent film is provided on the seal surface of the valve body.
In the present invention, if there is gas that contains water vapor in a gas flow passage of an apparatus in which the valve is provided, when an ambient temperature drops below the dew point while the apparatus is stopped, the vapor is condensed to water drops on the seal surface of the valve body. However, the diameter of the seal surface of the valve body becomes larger downward and the seal surface has the liquid repellent film formed on it. Thus, the water drops on the seal surface made by the condensation flow downward by their own weight and do not remain on the seal surface. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature becomes 0xc2x0 C. or lower later, the water drops do not freeze on the seal surface, and the seal surface and the seat will not be firmly fixed to each other because of the freezing. In this way, it is possible to prevent the valve body from being fixed and from not being able to operate at the time when the apparatus starts operating.
Further, according to the present invention, the liquid repellent film may be formed by being coated with a liquid repellent including a fluoroalkylsilane as a main component.
According to the present invention, a fluoroalkylsilane may be used as the liquid repellent. As this has a very high liquid repellent characteristic, it is highly effective in preventing the water drops from remaining on the seal surface.
Still further, according to the present invention, an annular groove portion may be provided lower than the seal surface of said valve body, and be formed annularly around an entire circumference of the valve body.
With this constitution, the water drops that have flown down from the seal surface, as described above, remain and freeze in the groove portion. Therefore, the water drops freeze in a place where they do not cause trouble for the valve operation, thereby preventing the freezing on the seal surface.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, the groove portion may be provided with a water retention member.
With this structure, the water drops that have flown down from the seal surface are retained in the water retention member provided in the groove portion. Therefore, the water is prevented from flowing into a sliding portion of the valve body positioned under the groove portion and from freezing in the sliding portion. It is thereby possible to prevent the valve body from not being able to operate.


Thin film resonators are prepared by an improved process involving coating a patterned wafer with a sol-gel derived tantalum (V) oxide passivating film so that the circuitry can be protected from etching chemicals during the etching of vias through the back of the silicon wafer.

Sol-gel technology involves the preparation of ceramics and glasses by hydrolysis and condensation of metal oxide precursors (usually organometallic compounds) in solution. In general, this approach reduces the sintering temperature required to obtain the metal oxide ceramic. Furthermore, sol-gel technology is an economical method of fabricating thin films. However, the subsequent processing after application of the sol-gel thin film can involve failures, cracked films, pinholes, etc.
Vapor deposition methods, such as evaporation, sputtering, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), are methods commonly used in fabricating semiconductor devices, including thin film resonator devices such as resonators, filters, oscillators, etc. However, sol-gel techniques can lead to more conformal coverage of the substrate than can be obtained by vapor deposition methods.
According to a typical method for fabricating, for example, a semiconductor device, a thin film of aluminum is deposited onto a layer of silicon dioxide formed over a silicon wafer substrate. The aluminum film is masked by photoresist and then etched in a plasma to form an electrode or conductor pattern.
In the step in the fabrication of a semiconductor device involving formation of a conductor geometry by etching a thin layer of aluminum or aluminum alloy, the alloy covers an underlying layer of the semiconductor device. The underlying layer may be silicon dioxide. The conductor pattern to be etched from the aluminum is defined by a photoresist masking layer formed over the aluminum such that only regions unmasked by the photoresist will be etched. To achieve satisfactory results, it is required that the etching proceed only in the desired areas and that it not otherwise affect the integrity of the remaining portions of the layer.
Commonly, thin film resonator devices are produced by fabricating p.sup.+ membranes in the surface of the silicon wafer by means of boron diffusion into the wafer, followed by backside etching of vias through the bulk silicon wafer to the p.sup.+ membrane etch stop, and thereafter placing the desired circuitry over the membrane which is then removed. However, the use of .sup.+ membranes in thin film resonator technology fabrication has a detrimental effect on the silicon substrate resulting in poor reproducability and low product yield. Moreover, when a boron p.sup.+ etch stop is used by depositing the same over a silicon dioxide surface grown on top of a silicon wafer, this must be followed by a deglazing sequence, after the etching in order to remove the resulting boro-silicate glass (xB.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.ySiO.sub.2).
The commonly used etch material used to etch the backside of the wafer is ethylenediamine-pyrocathechol-water (EDPW).
Since solutions of EDPW etch silicon at a rate much faster than that of silicon dioxide, a second oxidation is necessary to grow a new layer of thermal silicon dioxide on both the front and back of the wafer in preparation for backside lithography. Once the back of the wafer is patterned, the thermal silicon dioxide layer acts as a mask so that the vias can be etched through the bulk of the silicon wafer with a hot EDPW solution, with the etch stopping at the boron p.sup.+ membrane. However, as earlier stated, the high boron concentrations in the silicon crystal lattice lead to misfit dislocations which can not only be detrimental to the production of the active devices, but are also known to contribute to low yield and poor reproducability of the process.
Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to first build the devices on the silicon wafer, to then employ a sol-gel derived tantalum oxide film as a layer over the device, and to etch without using a p.sup.+ membrane. The result is the building of thin film resonator devices quicker, cheaper, of higher integrity, and of greater yield without the use of p.sup.+ membranes, by a process which allows etching of the backside vias as the final processing step.
The method and manner of accomplishing each of these objectives will become apparent from the detailed description of the invention which follows hereinafter.

Use of sol-gel derived tantalum oxide as a protective coating for etching silicon

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.


A buffered memory module including a downstream buffer, a downstream receiver, an upstream driver, an upstream receiver. The downstream buffer and the downstream receiver are both adapted for connection to a downstream memory bus in a packetized cascaded interconnect memory subsystem. The upstream driver and the upstream receiver are both adapted for connection to an upstream memory bus in the memory subsystem. During a test of the memory module, the upstream driver is connected to the downstream receiver and the downstream driver is connected to the upstream receiver. The memory module also includes one or more storage registers, a microprocessor and a service interface port. The microprocessor includes instructions for executing the test of the memory module including storing results of the test in the storage registers. The service interface port receives service interface signals that initiate the execution of the test and accesses the storage registers to determine the results of the test.

The invention relates to a memory subsystem and in particular, to testing high speed interfaces on a memory module.
Computer memory subsystems have evolved over the years, but continue to retain many consistent attributes. Computer memory subsystems from the early 1980's, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,194 to LaVallee et al., of common assignment herewith, included a memory controller, a memory assembly (contemporarily called a basic storage module (BSM) by the inventors) with array devices, buffers, terminators and ancillary timing and control functions, as well as several point-to-point busses to permit each memory assembly to communicate with the memory controller via its own point-to-point address and data bus. FIG. 1 depicts an example of this early 1980 computer memory subsystem with two BSMs, a memory controller, a maintenance console, and point-to-point address and data busses connecting the BSMs and the memory controller.
FIG. 2, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,135 to Dell et al., of common assignment herewith, depicts an early synchronous memory module, which includes synchronous dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) 8, buffer devices 12, an optimized pinout, an interconnect and a capacitive decoupling method to facilitate operation. The patent also describes the use of clock re-drive on the module, using such devices as phase lock loops (PLLs).
FIG. 3, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,100 to Grundon et al., of common assignment herewith, depicts a simplified diagram and description of a memory system 10 that includes up to four registered dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) 40 on a traditional multi-drop stub bus channel. The subsystem includes a memory controller 20, an external clock buffer 30, registered DIMMs 40, an address bus 50, a control bus 60 and a data bus 70 with terminators 95 on the address bus 50 and data bus 70.
FIG. 4 depicts a 1990's memory subsystem which evolved from the stricture in FIG. 1 and includes a memory controller 402, one or more high speed point-to-point channels 404, each connected to a bus-to-bus converter chip 406, and each having a synchronous memory interface 408 that enables connection to one or more registered DIMMs 410. In this implementation, the high speed, point-to-point channel 404 operated at twice the DRAM data rate, allowing the bus-to-bus converter chip 406 to operate one or two registered DIMM memory channels at the full DRAM data rate. Each registered DIMM included a PLL, registers, DRAMs, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and terminators, in addition to other passive components.
As shown in FIG. 5, memory subsystems were often constricted with a memory controller connected either to a single memory module, or to two or more memory modules interconnected on a 'stub' bus. FIG. 5 is a simplified example of a multi-drop stub bus memory structure, similar to the one shown in FIG. 3. This structure offers a reasonable tradeoff between cost, performance, reliability and upgrade capability, but has inherent limits on the number of modules that may be attached to the stub bus. The limit on the number of modules that may be attached to the stub bus is directly related to the data rate of the information transferred over the bus. As data rates increase, the number and length of the stubs must be reduced to ensure robust memory operation. Increasing the speed of the bus generally results in a reduction in modules on the bus, with the optimal electrical interface being one in which a single module is directly connected to a single controller, or a point-to-point interface with few, if any, stubs that will result in reflections and impedance discontinuities. As most memory modules are sixty-four or seventy-two bits in data width, this stricture also requires a large number of pins to transfer address, command, and data. One hundred and twenty pins are identified in FIG. 5 as being a representative pincount.
FIG. 6, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,120 to Petty, of common assignment herewith, is related to the application of a daisy chain structure in a multipoint communication structure that would otherwise require multiple ports, each connected via point-to-point interfaces to separate devices. By adopting a daisy chain structure, the controlling station can be produced with fewer ports (or channels), and each device on the channel can utilize standard upstream and downstream protocols, independent of their location in the daisy chain structure.
FIG. 7 represents a daisy chained memory bus, implemented consistent with the teachings in U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,120. A memory controller 111 is connected to a memory bus 315, which further connects to a module 310a. The information on bus 315 is re-driven by the buffer on module 310a to the next module, 310b, which further re-drives the bus 315 to module positions denoted as 310n. Each module 310a includes a DRAM 311a and a buffer 320a. The bus 315 may be described as having a daisy chain structure, with each bus being point-to-point in nature.
With today's high speed digital links, adequate testing is required to determine that memory modules are shipped defect free and that they will meet the functional demands that are specified for the system application. Tests must be capable of identifying assembly defects, interconnect product defects, driver and receiver circuit defects, and defects which affect the functional protocol of the link. Defects that cause functional failure or erode performance to a state outside of the specified operating limits should be covered by the test. Historically, industry standard test equipment has been used to provide adequate test coverage. Such test equipment drives and receives signals, in accordance with the protocol of the memory product, at the specified timing and at the specified voltage amplitude. As the number of signals increases and as the speed of the memory products increases, a test system with enough signals to address the memory product under test and the speeds required to test may lead to a significant manufacturing cost. While a lower cost test system relying on direct current (DC) parameter measurement covers typical printed circuit board (PCB) and package assembly defects, it does not provide coverage for other kinds of possible defects. Defects manifesting as low value capacitive and resistive parasitic structures are not covered, nor is there an ability to generate or to evaluate the response of high speed switching signals.
An alternate method of testing high speed interfaces on memory modules is to use assembled or system boards to complete a full memory module test. This method is gaining favor, at least when associated with low cost systems, as normal production systems may be utilized as test platforms for module test. This solution is far from optimal due to several reasons, such as the lack of high insertion count module connectors, the lack of meaningful diagnostics (most modules are simply discarded if they fail), the short life expectancy of each test set up, and the need for unique test systems for each kind of memory module. For higher cost systems, this is not a workable solution for several reasons, such as the high initial investment, the space required, and the long boot-up times.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System, method and storage medium for testing a memory module

International Business Machines Corporation


An exhaust treatment system for a vehicle includes an intake conduit adapted to receive pressurized intake air provided from a turbocharger compressor and supply the pressurized intake air to an internal combustion engine. An uninterrupted bypass conduit bypasses the internal combustion engine and includes upstream and downstream ends. The upstream end branches from the intake conduit. An exhaust conduit includes an upstream end adapted to receive exhaust from the internal combustion engine. An upstream end of a mixing tube is fixed to and in fluid communication with a downstream end of the exhaust conduit and the downstream end of the bypass conduit at a tubular joint, wherein the exhaust and the pressurized intake air are mixed within the mixing tube. An exhaust treatment device is in fluid communication with a downstream end of the mixing tube.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Vehicles can include aftertreatment devices for treating exhaust produced by an internal combustion engine. For instance, many vehicles include a diesel particulate filter that collects materials (e.g., soot) from the exhaust stream before being emitted from the vehicle, and these vehicles often include a burner that ignites injected fuel in order to reduce the collected materials. Also, some vehicles include a hydrocarbon injector (e.g., flame reformer, urea injector) that injects hydrocarbons into the exhaust stream in order to reduce undesirable substances, such as NOx, before the exhaust stream is emitted from the vehicle.
These aftertreatment devices typically receive air from an air supply in order to function. For instance, burners receive air that is used to ignite fuel for reducing materials collected by an associated particulate filter. In most conventional systems, a pump is used to supply air to the aftertreatment device. This pump can be driven by the engine, or the pump can be independently driven.
These conventional aftertreatment air supply systems can be relatively complex and can include a substantial number of components. Furthermore, the components can take up a substantial amount of space and can, therefore, be difficult to integrate into the vehicle. Additionally, these conventional air supply systems can cause parasitic losses to the engine system, which can reduce the efficiency of the engine system.

Bypass fluid system for exhaust aftertreatment

Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.


The subject invention provides a heat sink for a liquid cooling system. The heat sink includes a spreader plate for contacting an electronic device and a body having a plurality of channels extending through the body and arranged in layers. Each layer includes a quantity of the channels decreasing in number with an increase in the distance from the electronic device, thus giving the heat sink a trapezoidal cross section perpendicular to the channels.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention provides a heat sink assembly for removing heat from an electronic device such as a microprocessor or a computer chip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
These electronic devices generate a high concentration of heat, typically a power density in the range of 5 to 35 W/cm2. Accordingly, research activities have focused on developing more efficient cooling assemblies capable of efficiently dissipating the heat generated from such electronic devices, while occupying a minimum of space.
A forced air cooling assembly typically includes a heat exchanger and a heat sink, and cools the electronic device by natural or forced convection cooling methods. The electronic device is attached to the heat sink and transfers heat thereto. The heat exchanger typically uses air to directly remove the heat from the heat sink. However, air has a relatively low heat capacity. Such forced air cooling assemblies are suitable for removing heat from relatively low power heat sources with a power density in the range of 5 to 15 W/cm2. However, the increased computing speeds have resulted in a corresponding increase in the power density of the electronic devices in the order of 20 to 35 W/cm2, thus requiring more effective cooling assemblies.
In response to the increased heat produced by the electronic devices, liquid-cooled cooling assemblies, commonly referred to as liquid cooled units ("LCUs") were developed. The LCUs employ a heat sink in conjunction with a high heat capacity cooling fluid, like water or water-glycol solutions, to remove heat from these types of higher power density heat sources. One type of LCU circulates the cooling fluid through the heat sink to remove the heat absorbed from the heat source affixed thereto. The cooling fluid is then transferred to a remote location where the heat is easily dissipated into a flowing air stream with the use of a liquid-to-air heat exchanger and an air moving device such as a fan or a blower. These types of LCUs are characterized as indirect cooling units since they remove heat from the heat source indirectly by a secondary working fluid. Generally, a single-phase liquid first removes heat from the heat sink and then dissipates it into the air stream flowing through the remotely located liquid-to-air heat exchanger. Such LCUs are satisfactory for a moderate heat flux less than 35 to 45 W/cm2.
The amount of heat transferred between the heat sink and the cooling fluid is dependent upon a heat transfer coefficient therebetween. The heat transfer coefficient is dependent upon a temperature gradient between the heat sink and the cooing fluid, with the higher heat transfer coefficient corresponding to higher temperature gradients, i.e., the higher the temperature gradient between the heat sink and the cooling fluid, the more heat the cooling fluid will remove. The amount of heat stored in the heat sink varies according to the distance from the heat source, with the highest concentration of heat occurring directly above the heat source in the base plate.
U.S. Patent Application 20050039885 to Vaidyanathan et. al. (the '885 application) discloses a heat sink for removing heat from an electronic device. The heat sink includes a body having a spreader plate for contacting the electronic device and a plurality of channels extending through the body for passing a cooling fluid therethrough. The body has a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the channels with the channels arranged in layers stacked vertically upon the spreader plate. Accordingly, the heat sink of the '885 application stores less heat in the area of the heat sink farthest from the heat source, resulting in a lower temperature gradient between the heat sink and the cooling fluid in that area and a lowered heat transfer coefficient therebetween. Because the heat stored in the heat sink decreases with an increase in the distance from the heat source, a heat flux, which is the heat transferred to the cooling fluid per unit area of the heat sink decreases with an increase in the distance from the heat source as well.


Apparatus to protect sealing surfaces of thief hatches are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first portion that is attachable to a tank, wherein the first portion includes a first opening, and a second portion that is pivotably coupled to the first portion. The example apparatus is structured to provide access to an aperture in the tank via the first opening when the second portion is in an open state and maintain a pressure of the tank within a specified range by selectively separating one or more seals from one or more corresponding sealing surfaces when the second portion is in a closed state, wherein the second portion includes the one or more seals and the one or more corresponding sealing surfaces.

Thief hatches are hatches mounted to tanks or other fluid containing vessels that often serve the dual purpose of (1) providing access to the contents of such tanks or vessels to thieve or extract samples, measure levels, and/or take other measurements of the contents of the tanks or vessels, and (2) regulating the pressure within such tanks or vessels. Such hatches provide access to the contents of a tank by a cover or lid that may be pivoted about a hinge to an open position, thereby uncovering an aperture in the tank. Some thief hatches regulate pressure in a tank by releasing pressure when the tank pressure exceeds a high pressure threshold and introducing pressure into the tank when the tank pressure drops below a vacuum pressure threshold (e.g., a negative pressure threshold relative to the ambient atmosphere). When the tank pressure is between the high pressure threshold and the vacuum pressure threshold, seals in the closed hatch reduce (e.g., prevent) leakage of fluid out of the tank. While suitable to any application, such pressure regulating hatches are often implemented on tanks in which volatile and/or vaporizable liquids are stored, transported, or otherwise handled.

Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies Tulsa, LLC


A multilevel power conversion device includes: N (N≥1) direct current voltage sources; a first flying capacitor; a second flying capacitor; and a phase module of a M phase (M≥2) being configured to output, from the output terminal, a potential of one of the input terminals, or a potential obtained by adding or subtracting the voltage of the capacitor to or from the potential of the one of the input terminals, by selectively controlling the respective switching elements in an ON/OFF manner.

FIG. 29 shows a circuit configuration diagram showing a multilevel power conversion device in a patent document 1. By setting a phase voltage reference point to a terminal 0, controlling direct current voltage sources DCC1 and DCC2 to 2E, and controlling flying capacitors FC1 and FC2 to E, it is possible to output a phase voltage of five levels of 2E, E, 0, −E, and −2E from output terminals U, V, and W.
Besides, in FIG. 29, maximum voltages applied to switching elements Su1 to Su8, Sv1 to Sv8, and Sw1 to Sw8, and diode elements Su9 to Su12, Sv9 to Sv12, and Sw9 to Sw12 in a steady state are E. For equalizing these maximum applying voltages of all the switching elements and the diode elements, Su6b and Su8 are connected in series to each other. This is also applied to the switching elements Su1 and Su5b, Sv6b and Sv8, Sv7 and Sv5b, Sw6b and Sw8, Sw7 and Sw5b, Su9 and Su10, Su11 and Su12, Sv9 and Sv10, Sv11 and Sv12, Sw9 and Sw10, and Sw11 and Sw12.
Moreover, there is proposed a multilevel power conversion device shown in FIG. 30. In the circuits shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, used direct current voltage sources DCC1 and DCC2, and flying capacitors FC1 and FC2 are common to the three phases. With this, the number of the capacitors are decreased, and the size of the device is decreased.

Multilevel power conversion device with flying capacitor


A metal oxide thin film substrate for an organic light-emitting device (OLED) which exhibits superior light extraction efficiency and can be easily fabricated at low cost and a method of fabricating the same and a method of fabricating the same. The metal oxide thin film substrate for an OLED includes a base substrate and a metal oxide thin film formed on the base substrate, the metal oxide thin film being made of a mixture of at least two metal oxides having different refractive indices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a metal oxide thin film substrate for an organic light-emitting device (OLED) and a method of fabricating the same, and more particularly, to a metal oxide thin film substrate for an OLED which has superior light extraction efficiency and can be easily fabricated at low cost and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, an organic light-emitting device (OLED) includes an anode, a light-emitting layer and a cathode. When a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, holes are injected from the anode into a hole injection layer and then migrate from the hole injection layer through a hole transport layer to the organic light-emitting layer, and electrons are injected from the cathode into an electron injection layer and then migrate from the electron injection layer through an electron transport layer to the light-emitting layer. Holes and electrons that are injected into the light-emitting layer recombine with each other in the light-emitting layer, thereby generating excitons. When such excitons transit from the excited state to the ground state, light is emitted.
Organic light-emitting displays including an OLED are divided into a passive matrix type and an active matrix type depending on a mechanism that drives an N*M number of pixels which are arranged in the shape of a matrix.
In an active matrix type, a pixel electrode which defines a light-emitting area and a unit pixel driving circuit which applies a current or voltage to the pixel electrode are positioned in a unit pixel area. The unit pixel driving circuit has at least two thin-film transistors (TFTs) and one capacitor. Due to this configuration, the unit pixel driving circuit can supply a constant current irrespective of the number of pixels, thereby realizing uniform luminance. The active matrix type organic light-emitting display consumes little power, and thus can be advantageously applied to high definition displays and large displays.
However, as shown in FIG. 7, only about 20% of light generated by an OLED is emitted to the outside and about 80% of the light is lost by a waveguide effect originating from the difference in the refractive index between a glass substrate 10 and an organic light-emitting layer 30 which includes an anode 20, a hole injection layer, a hole carrier layer, a light-emitting layer, an electro carrier layer and an electron injection layer and by a total internal reflection originating from the difference in the refractive index between the glass substrate 10 and the air. Specifically, the refractive index of the internal organic light-emitting layer 30 ranges from 1.7 to 1.8, whereas the refractive index of indium tin oxide (ITO) which is generally used for the anode 20 ranges from 1.9 to 2.0. Since the two layers have a very small thickness ranging from 100 to 400 nm and the refractive index of glass used for the glass substrate 10 is about 1.5, a planar waveguide is thereby formed inside the OLED. It is calculated that the ratio of the light that is lost in the internal waveguide mode due to the above-described reason is about 45%. In addition, since the refractive index of the glass substrate 10 is about 1.5 and the refractive index of the ambient air is 1.0, when the light is directed outward from the inside of the glass substrate 10, a ray of the light having an angle of incidence greater than a critical angle is totally reflected and is trapped inside the glass substrate 10. Since the ratio of the trapped light is up to about 35%, only about 20% of the generated light is emitted to the outside. Herein, reference numerals 31, 32 and 33 indicate components of the organic light-emitting layer 30. Specifically, 31 indicates the hole injection layer and the hole carrier layer, indicates the light-emitting layer, and 33 indicates the electron injection layer and the electron carrier layer.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, in order to overcome the foregoing problem, in the related art, a low index grid (LIP) 50 is formed on the ITO anode 20. The grid 50 converts the direction of the light that travels in the waveguide mode to the front surface, thereby increasing light extraction efficiency.
FIG. 9 shows a simulation result on the OLED shown in FIG. 8. The effect of enhancing the light extraction efficiency is increased when the refractive index of the grid 50 is lower. However, there are problems in that almost no materials have a refractive index of 1.2 or less and that the price of a material is more expensive when the refractive index is lower. In addition, when the grid 50 is formed on the ITO anode 20, as shown in FIG. 8, a stepped portion is formed. Consequently, leakage current may occur. In addition, the OLED shown in FIG. 8 has the problem of difficulty of processing. For example, in some cases, the surface of the anode 20 which adjoins the organic light-emitting layer 30 is metamorphosed in the process of forming the grid 50 on the ITO anode 20, thereby changing the work function. Furthermore, holes are not injected into the organic light-emitting layer 30 through the portion of the anode 20 on which the grid 50 is formed, and the size of the electric field applied thereto is different from the surroundings, thereby decreasing the uniformity of light generated.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, in the related art, a convex-concave structure 60 is disposed under the anode 20 (with respect to the paper surface), i.e. in the interface between the anode 20 and the glass substrate 10, in order to enhance light extraction efficiency.
As described above, the anode 20 and the organic light-emitting layer 30 generally act as one light waveguide between the cathode 40 and the glass substrate 10. Accordingly, in the state in which the anode 20 and the organic light-emitting layer 30 act in a waveguide mode, when the convex-concave structure 60 which causes light scattering is formed in the interface adjacent to the anode 20, the waveguide mode is disturbed, so that the quantity of light that is extracted to the outside is increased. However, when the convex-concave structure 60 is formed below the anode 20, the shape of the anode 20 resembles the shape of the convex-concave structure 60 below the anode 20, thereby increasing the possibility that a sharp portion may be localized. Since the OLED has a stacked structure of very thin films, when the anode 20 has a sharp protruding portion, current is concentrated in that portion, which acts as a reason for large leakage current or decreases power efficiency. Accordingly, in order to prevent such deterioration in the electrical characteristics, a flat film 70 is necessarily added when the convex-concave structure 60 is formed below the anode 20. The flat film 70 serves to make the convex and concave portions of the convex-concave structure 60 be flat. When the flat film 70 is not flat and has sharp protruding portions, the anode 20 also has protruding portions, which cause leakage current. Therefore, the flatness of the flat film 70 is very important and thus the maximum surface roughness Rpv is required to be about 30 nm or less.
In addition, the flat film 70 is required to be made of a material, the refractive index of which is similar to that of the anode 20. If the refractive index of the flat film 70 is low, most light is reflected at the interface between the anode 20 and the flat film 70 before being disturbed by the convex-concave structure 60. The light is then trapped between the anode 20 and the organic light-emitting layer 30, which is referred to as the waveguide mode. The flat film 70 is required to be as thin as possible. If the flat film 70 is too thick, more light may be unnecessarily absorbed, and the effect of scattering may be decreased since the distance between the convex-concave structure 60 and the organic light-emitting layer 30 is too large.
However, the process of completely flattening the convex-concave structure 60 using the thin flat film 70 having a thickness of several hundreds of nm is very difficult. In addition, the methods of covering and flattening the convex-concave structure 60 include deposition coating and solution coating. Since the deposition coating is characterized by forming a film following the shape of the convex-concave structure 60, the solution coating is better than the deposition coating when forming the flat film 70. However, at present, it is very difficult to obtain a solution coating material that has a high refractive index, i.e. a refractive index that is equal to or greater than the refractive index of the ITO anode 20, and that satisfies process conditions for polycrystalline thin-film transistors, such as complicated conditions required on the surface of the OLED substrate and high-temperature processing.
The information disclosed in the Background of the Invention section is provided only for better understanding of the background of the invention, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms a prior art that would already be known to a person skilled in the art.

Metal oxide thin film substrate for OLED and method of fabricating the same

Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd.


In one example, an integrated relay distributed antenna system includes a relay node communicatively coupled to a base station and a master unit communicatively coupled to the relay node. The relay node is configured to communicate with the base station via a backhaul interface. The master unit is configured to communicate with the relay via an access interface, and the master unit and the relay node are configured to communicate demodulated and decoded data and/or demodulated data with each other. The integrated relay distributed antenna system further includes one or more remote antenna units communicatively coupled to the master unit and located remote from the master unit, wherein the one or more remote antenna units are configured to provide radio frequency signals to a coverage zone via one or more antennas.

Radio frequency repeaters, which are also referred to as layer 1 (L1) relays or amplify-and-forward relays, are commonly used to extend the coverage range of radio communication systems. In the downlink, radio signals from a donor base station are received by the repeater, filtered, amplified, and retransmitted to user equipment (UE). Corresponding functions are performed in the uplink for radio signals from the UEs to the base station(s). Radio frequency repeaters are designed to maintain transparency of the modulation of the radio frequency signals because it is generally desired to retransmit radio frequency signals with modulation identical to the received signals and to minimize any noise or distortion introduced in the repeater. If the added noise and/or distortion of the repeated signal is too high, then the receiver of the repeated signal may not be able to decode the repeated signal properly.
It is also desired for a repeater to minimize delay of the repeated signal through the repeater because communication between the donor base station and mobile station may not be possible if the delay is too long. Often, the base station expects uplink signals from the mobile station to be received within a certain time window relative to the downlink signal, and additional delay introduced by a repeater can cause uplink signals to exceed the allowed time window. Typically, repeaters are not visible to the wireless service provider's radio access network (RAN) and core network as first-class nodes of the network. The wireless protocol entities in the RAN (for example, the L2 schedulers) typically do not know of the existence of any repeaters and do not take them into account directly. Instead, any impact a repeater has on the operation of the wireless protocols is indirect since a repeater will appear to be either a part of the antenna or a part of the radio frequency channel. Also, repeaters typically do not implement the security and other protocols necessary for decoding the control-plane and user-plane communications for the wireless interfaces; instead, to the extent that a repeater needs access to control-plane information (for example, TDD switching information), a repeater must either infer that information or be provided that information out-of-band (for example, via an out-of-band connection with a base station).
To overcome the limitations of an amplify-and-forward relay or repeater, a decode-and-forward relay, which can be realized as a layer 2 (L2) or layer 3 (L3) relay, can be used to extend the coverage range of a base station. A decode-and-forward relay receives, demodulates, and decodes the data that is modulated on the radio frequency signal from a base station (or mobile station in the uplink direction). A decode-and-forward relay also encodes, modulates, and transmits data to mobile stations (or base stations in the uplink direction). The data sent between the base station and mobile station can be modified by the relay in a manner that allows the connection between the base station and mobile station to be maintained.
One advantage of a decode-and-forward relay is that any noise in the received signal is removed from the retransmitted signal as long as the receive signal can be successfully decoded. Also, although the delay in a decode-and-forward relay is higher than an amplify-and-forward relay due to the decoding/encoding operations, the effect of additional propagation and processing delay can in large part be eliminated by designing the communication protocol to accommodate these delays. For instance, the 3GPP LTE standard has defined the operation of Type 1 Relay Nodes, which are a type of L3 relay.
In contrast to repeaters, a relay is considered a first-class node in the RAN and core network. The wireless protocol entities in the RAN (for example, the L2 schedulers) typically know of the existence of any relays and the relays are taken into account directly in carrying out protocol processing (for example, in making scheduling decisions). Also, relays typically implement the security and other protocols necessary for them to decode the control-plane and user-plane communications for the wireless interface; as a result, relays have direct access to any control-plane information it may need (such as TDD switching information and scheduling information indicating which resource blocks are assigned to a given UE for a given Transmission Time Interval (TTI)).
Single-point repeaters and relays are typically designed such that they are connected to a single donor antenna and a single coverage antenna, which are located nearby the repeater/relay (tens of meters). For instance, the antennas could be located at different heights on the same tower, or the donor antenna on the roof of a building and the coverage antenna inside a building. Alternatively, repeaters can be implemented as a "distributed antenna system" or multi-point repeater having multiple remote antenna units distributed throughout a building or coverage area, with each such remote antenna unit including or being coupled to a respective one or more coverage antennas. Also, a single-point repeater can be used with a DAS. In such an application, instead of being connected to a coverage antenna, the coverage port of the single-point repeater is connected to a donor port of a master unit of the distributed antenna system, where the downlink signal is distributed to a plurality of remote antenna units. In the uplink direction, the signals from all the remote antenna units are combined and sent to the single-point repeater. This is advantageous in situations where a single antenna does not provide sufficient coverage due to obstructions.

Integrated relay distributed antenna system


A highly efficient process is provided for producing an optically active compound having high optical purity by an asymmetric reaction using as a catalyst a transition metal complex having an optically active nitrogen-containing compound as an asymmetric ligand.

1. Technical Field to Which the Invention Pertains
The present invention relates to an efficient process for producing an optically active compound having high optical purity by using, as a catalyst in an asymmetric Michael reaction, a transition metal complex having an optically active nitrogen-containing compound as an asymmetric ligand.
2. Prior Art
Optically active compounds obtained by an asymmetric Michael reaction are useful as synthetic intermediates for pharmaceuticals, etc. For example, an optically active ketone obtained by an asymmetric Michael reaction of an enone can be used as a synthetic intermediate for a prostaglandin, etc. With regard to a process for synthesizing these optically active ketones, various processes have been developed, and known examples of asymmetric Michael reactions using an asymmetric catalyst are as follows. For example, there are asymmetric lanthanoid complex catalysts (ref. JP, A, 7-265709, JP, A, 8-291178, JP, A, 11-240865, JP, A, 2001-31682, or JP, A, 2002-69076), and asymmetric aluminum complex catalysts (ref. JP, A, 2001-31682 or JP, A, 8-319258). Furthermore, asymmetric rhodium complexes (ref. JP, A, 10-130286) and asymmetric hafnium, titanium, zirconium complex catalysts (ref. JP, A, 2001-252567) have been reported.
The asymmetric lanthanoid catalysts, which have a lanthanoid as a center metal, have a different metal such as lithium in the catalyst molecule, and it is thought that the lanthanoid and lithium activate a Michael donor and a Michael acceptor respectively. It is therefore necessary to have two different types of metal in the molecule, and it is thus necessary to design an asymmetric metal complex having a complicated structure.
These processes cannot therefore be always said to be highly practical since it might be difficult to prepare the catalyst, the catalyst might have a stability problem, it might be necessary to use a large amount of catalyst, or it might be necessary to carry out the reaction at low temperature or for a long time.
The present invention has been achieved under the above-mentioned circumstances, and it is an object thereof to provide an efficient process for producing a Michael addition product having high optical purity by an asymmetric Michael reaction using a catalytic amount of an asymmetric source under mild conditions.

Process for producing optically active compound


An integral concrete body for erosion control includes three separate sections of differing configuration. The sections include a lower tapered section that is in the form of an elongated tapered pile-like member. The upper section of the concrete body is generally rectangular. A transitional section that is also tapered forms a connection between the upper and lower portions of the concrete body. The plurality of the concrete bodies can be installed side by side with tongue and groove connections interlocking the bodies upon assembly. A plurality of the concrete bodies can be placed side by side to form a bulkhead or breakwater. In one embodiment, each concrete body can be comprised of separate connectable members. Anchors can be used to support the concrete bodies laterally, to prevent tilting or tipping when exposed to erosion, wind, or wave action.

Not applicable
Not applicable
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to erosion control and bulkhead systems designed to protect shorelines and to encourage the retention of accretions in order to help build new shorelines. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved erosion control system and breakwater apparatus that features individual precast concrete members having a lower elongated tapered section, a middle tapered section and a upper generally rectangularly section and wherein conduits that flow through the block from top to bottom can be used to transmit pressurized fluid to the lower and middle tapered sections for jetting away surrounding soil mass during installation of each individual block.
2. General Background of the Invention
The loss of shoreline is a chronic problem in many coastal areas. Wave action can destroy shorelines and adjacent homes or building especially during storm conditions.
One of the often suggested solutions to the problem of coastal erosion control has been the formation of a bulkhead or breakwater in the suspect area.
Bulkheads can take from of elongated networks of pilings, either round or sheet pile type construction. Various systems have been patented that relate generally to erosion control. The following list of patents are examples of systems that are used for bulkheading and/or erosion control at shorelines:
The present invention provides an improved breakwater apparatus for protecting and building a shoreline. The apparatus includes a concrete body or a plurality of bodies, each having upper and lower end portions. Each concrete body provides front and rear surfaces that are flat and generally parallel in the preferred embodiment. Side surfaces of the concrete body are provided that define a variable width. The concrete body includes three sections. The three sections include a lower pile-like section that can be cylindrical or square or rectangular in transverse cross section and can be tapered. A middle or transitional section is tapered to form an interface between the lower pile-like section and an upper generally rectangular section. The upper section is the widest section of the concrete body and is the portion that is exposed during use.
A flow channel extends between the upper and lower end portions of the body. the flow channel having inlet and outlet openings. The outlet openings define jetting openings for aiding in placement of the concrete bodies during use. The outlet communicates with the lower end portion of the concrete body to provide a jetting means for transmitting fluid under pressure to the lower end portion of the concrete body during installation of the concrete body into a marine sea bed or water bottom.
The apparatus includes preferably a plurality of concrete bodies that extend laterally along a shoreline to be protected. The concrete body includes at least one breakwater opening that extends through the concrete body in between the front and rear surfaces of the concrete body.
In the preferred embodiment, there are a plurality of flow channels that extend from the upper end portion to the lower end portion of the concrete body as an aid to jetting during installation.
The present invention provides a method of erosion control for controlling erosion at a shoreline next to a sea bed and for accumulating accretions that help build shoreline. The method includes the placing of a network of concrete bodies along a shoreline to be protected. Each concrete body provides an internal flow channel.
The method includes the jetting of each of the concrete bodies into a partially embedded position that places a lower end portion of each concrete body in the sea bed using pressurized fluid that flows through flow channels within the concrete body. A plurality of the concrete bodies are closely positioned one adjacent another to form a wall or breakwater.