To provide a toner containing an ethyl acetate-soluble polyester component and an ethyl acetate-insoluble polyester component, wherein the toner is granulated in an aqueous medium, the ethyl acetate-insoluble polyester component is obtained by elongating and/or cross-linking a modified polyester resin during granulating and/or after granulating, the modified polyester resin is produced by condensation polymerization of an acid component and at least one type of diol compound selected from aliphatic diol and alicyclic diol in the presence of a catalyst, and the mass average molecular weight of the modified polyester resin is 10,000 to 100,000.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner for developing static charge images in electrophotography, electrostatic recording and electrostatic printing, and a developer, a toner container, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method using the toner respectively.
2. Description of the Related Art
The image forming method for electrophotography, electrostatic recording and electrostatic printing, etc. includes development step in which a toner contained in a developer is attached once to an image bearing member such as photoconductor on which a static charge image is formed, transferring step in which the toner is transferred from the photoconductor to a transfer medium such as transfer paper and fixing step in which the toner is fixed on the paper.
In the fixing step, the surface of the roller has been formed of a material such as silicone rubber or fluorine resin having an excellent releasing property relative to the toner in order to prevent attachment of the toner onto the surface of the fixing roller and a thin film of liquid having a high releasing property such as silicone oil and fluorine oil is applied to the roller surface in order to prevent offset and fatigue of the roller surface.
This method is significantly effective in terms of preventing offset of the toner, however, since a feeding unit for offset preventing liquid is needed making the fixing apparatus more complicated, it is disadvantageous for energy conservation and moreover, separation between layers making up the fixing roller is induced by the oil application leading to facilitation of short life span of the fixing roller.
For this reason, oilless fixing apparatuses which do not employ feeding units for silicone oils have been proposed recently.
Because the toner used for this oilless fixing is needed to have releasing property relative to the surface of the fixing member to some extent, the viscoelasticity of the toner is increased by increasing polymerization degree of the resin, or instead of applying oil on the surface of the fixing roller, releasing agents such as low-molecular-weight polypropylene is added in the toner particles to feed the offset preventing liquid from the toner particles during heating and to provide peel property relative to the surface of fixing member.
For example, an oilless color toner in which releasing agent-including resin particles, which are granulated by mixing releasing agent emulsion in an emulsified polyester dispersion liquid and colored with dyes, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 7-56390. By having such composition, a toner which excels in color reproducibility, and exhibits excellent offset resistance, winding resistance and fixing property even in oilless fixing can be obtained.
At the same time, toners used in these thermal-roller type fixing apparatuses are desirably having a lower limit of fixing temperature lowered as much as possible while maintaining the hot offset resistance.
In particular, many oilless fixing apparatuses such as above are often equipped with cleaning rollers which are in contact with fixing rollers or pressure rollers for removal of the toner attached to the surface of the fixing roller. When such fixing apparatuses are used for prolonged periods, the toner accumulated on the fixing cleaning roller is melted by heat and causes inverted hot offset, a defect caused by the melted toner which is reversely transferred to the fixing rollers or pressure rollers.
For this reason, approaches have been made to prevent melting of the toner from the cleaning rollers by decreasing the working temperature of the fixing rollers and fixing cleaning rollers.
When the thermal-roller type fixing apparatuses are used with the decreased fixing roller temperature, more improvement on low-temperature fixing property of the toner is required.
However, decreasing the fixing temperature of the toner poses a problem of difficulty in securing fixing temperature regions (hot offset resistance) and maintaining heat-resistant storage property.
As a method to satisfy both demands, making the molecular weight distribution of toner binders a wide region including low molecular weight to high molecular weight, have been proposed in the past (Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-B) Nos. 60-20411 and 51-23354, for example).
However, when molecular weight of the toner binder is reduced in the low molecular weight regions or fixing temperature of the toner is lowered by increasing the ratio of low molecular weight components, storage stability in high-temperature regions is degraded and fusion during running becomes notable and also, troubles such as deterioration of image quality due to the change in charged amount may likely to occur.
Moreover, toners which excel in low-temperature fixing property, hot offset resistance and heat-resistant storage property, which are obtained from manufacturing methods including molecular-weight increasing step in which polyaddition reaction of isocyanate group-contained polyester prepolymer with amine in organic solvents and aqueous media is performed have been disclosed (JP-A Nos. 2002-287400 and 2002-351143, for example).
However, when the toner, which is produced by the above methods, is used with the decreased fixing roller temperature, fixing becomes insufficient and more improvement of low-temperature fixing property is required.
Furthermore, in the electrophotographic image forming in general, an electrical latent image is formed on a photoconductor, which is prepared by using photoconductive material, by means of various units. After the latent image is developed using a developer, the developed image is transferred to paper, etc. accordingly and then fixed by heat, pressure or solvent moisture.
The development methods of electrical latent images can be classified broadly into two categories: liquid developing method in which liquid developers prepared by finely dispersing various pigments or dyes in insulating organic liquids is employed, and dry developing method in which dry developers (hereinafter may be referred to as "toner") prepared by dispersing colorants such as carbon black in resins as in cascade development, magnetic brush development and powder cloud development. Of these, dry developing method is widely used in late years.
The heat roller is widely used in general for the fixing in the dry developing method because of its excellent energy efficiency. Furthermore, thermal energy provided for the toner during fixing is tend to be reduced in an attempt to enhance energy conservation by the decrease in fixing temperature of the toner in recent years. A technology procurement project for copiers of next generation exists in the DSM (demand-side management) program of International Energy Association (IEA) in 1999 and its requirement specifications have been officially announced. For the copiers of 30 cpm or more, achievement of dramatic energy conservation compared to traditional copiers such as within 10 seconds of waiting time and 10 watts to 30 watts or less (depending on copying speeds) of power consumption during waiting, is required. As one of the methods to fulfill the requirements, temperature-responsive property of the toner may be improved by decreasing the heat capacity of the fixing member such as heat rollers; however, it is not satisfactory.
In order to fulfill the above requirements and significantly shorten the waiting time, lowering the fixing temperature of the toner itself in order to lower the fixing temperature of the toner when usable is considered to be technically an essential fulfillment items.
In an attempt to meet such decrease in fixing temperatures, polyester resins having excellent low-temperature fixing properties and relatively favorable heat-resistant storage properties are being tried for use in place of frequently used styrene-acrylic resins (JP-A Nos. 60-90344, 64-15755 2-82267 JP 3-229264, 3-41470 and 11-305486). Moreover, an attempt to add specific non-olefin crystalline polymers in binders for the purpose of improving low-temperature fixing property (JP-A No. 62-63940) and an attempt to employ crystalline polyesters (Japanese Patent (JP-B) No. 2931899) have been proposed, however, molecular structure and molecular weight of the polyester resins are not optimized in these proposals.
Furthermore, it is impossible to fulfill the specifications of the DSM program even if these known conventional arts are applied, and the establishment of low-temperature fixing technology which is more advanced than conventional technologies is needed.
For further decrease in fixing temperatures, controlling heat properties of the resin itself becomes necessary, however, if the glass transition temperature (Tg) is lowered too much, heat-resistant storage property may be degraded and if the molecular weight is reduced and the F1/2 temperature of the resin is lowered too much, hot offset generation temperature may be lowered. Because of these issues, a toner having an excellent low-temperature property and high hot offset generation temperature have not yet been obtained by controlling heat properties of the resin itself.
Next, manufacturing method of the toner used for developing static charge images can be broadly classified into pulverization and polymerization.
In pulverization, colorants, charge controlling agents and offset preventing agents are fusion mixed and dispersed evenly in a thermoplastic resin and a toner is produced by pulverizing and classifying the obtained toner composition. It is possible to produce the toner which has excellent properties to some extent by pulverization; however, material selection is limited. In other words, the toner composition obtained from fusion mixing has to be capable of being pulverized and classified by means of an affordable apparatus. Because of this requirement, fusion mixed toner composition must be sufficiently brittle. When the toner composition is actually pulverized to become particles, the mass average particle diameter of the toner must be reduced, for example, in order to obtain copied images with which particle diameter distribution of broader region is likely to be formed with appropriate resolution and tone, and there is a disadvantage of having extremely low toner yield because fine powder of 4 μm or less particle diameter and coarse powder of 15 μm or more particle diameter must be removed by classification. Moreover, it is difficult to disperse colorants or charge controlling agents evenly in a thermoplastic resin in pulverization and uneven dispersion brings harmful effects on flowability, developing property, durability and image quality of the toner.
In late years, manufacturing methods of toner using polymerization have been proposed and operated in order to overcome these problems associated with pulverization. For example, toner particles are obtained by suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization condensation (JP-B No. 2537503).
However, it is difficult to produce the toner by using polyester resins which are advantageous in low-temperature fixing properties in these manufacturing methods of the toner.
To settle above issues, a toner of polyester resin which is spheronized in water using solvents (JP-A No. 9-34167) and a toner using isocyanate reaction (JP-A No. 11-149180) have been proposed, for example. However, low-temperature fixing properties and toner productivity were not sufficient in any of these proposals.
Therefore, the toner which is capable of pursuing excellent low-temperature fixing property and offset resistance simultaneously to form appropriate images of high resolution and related techniques thereof are not yet provided and their prompt provision is desired in the present situation.

Toner and developer, toner container, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method using the same


A locking system which includes landing nipples connectable in a well flow conduit and a lock mandrel to which well flow control devices are connectable. The landing nipples have an unrestricted full bore flow passage with profiled locking and locating recesses having no square shoulders in the flow passage The lock mandrel may be lowered through full bore landing nipples and operated to automatically locate in the full bore landing nipple in which the lock mandrel is to be operated to lock and expand a seal system to sealingly engage the landing nipple. The lock mandrel employs locking keys having no square shoulders. The automatic locator device has locating keys having no square shoulders, which position the lock mandrel in the landing nipple. After operating, the lock mandrel is releasably retained locked and sealed in the landing nipple. The automatic locator device may be operated to disengage the landing nipple and permit the lock mandrel to be unlocked and seal system contract for retrieval from the landing nipple.

(1) Field
This invention pertains to locking systems useful to position flow control devices in well flow conduits.
(2) Information
A number of locking systems have been developed which employ landing nipples spaced apart in well flow conduits and lock mandrels, with flow controls connected, which may be operated to locate, lock and seal in a selected one of the landing nipples. The landing nipples used in existing systems either contain a restriction or a "square shoulder" to enable selection and location of a particular landing nipple in a well conduit in which the lock mandrel is to be operated to lock and seal. A restriction in a landing nipple undesirably reduces the through flow passage area and creates a shoulder on which a lock mandrel may locate. A very limited number of restricted bore landing nipples can be utilized in a well flow conduit. If the landing nipple is "full bore" and not restricted, it usually has internal grooving known as profiled recesses and in the recesses is at least one "square shoulder" on which the lock mandrel may locate. A square shoulder is created by a surface perpendicular to and intersecting the longitudinal flow passage through a landing nipple. Lock mandrels and well tools moved downwardly or upwardly through landing nipples often hang on square shoulders and square shoulders create flow turbulence that possibly aids undesirable deposition of hard scale in recesses.


A suspended deck system using prefabricated deck block modules incorporates a prefabricated suspended platform. The platform comprises joist members within a frame, the joists being spaced in accordance with the size of the deck blocks, and having lateral cross braces suspended therebetween to complete the block support arrangement. Cross brace brackets are provided by means of which the cross braces are suspended from, and nailed to the platform joists, each bracket having an upstanding spacer member with an inturned toe, to serve as a corner locator for the respective deck block. The brackets may also incorporate upstanding prongs that penetrate and secure the deck blocks when located to the spacer members, and hammered down in impaled relation onto the prongs. The brackets also are provided with internal nailing guide chutes, for positioning and seating the securing nails when driven home, to anchor both bracket and cross brace to the flank of the joist.

The provision of a raised wooden outside deck is commonplace in a great many North American homes, frequently being combined with sliding patio doors that give access to the deck or patio.
Such decks are usually built of lumber, having a supporting frame and substructure, including joists and headers, to which a decking of solid board lumber is nailed. Many decks are subject to severe climatic conditions that cause shrinking and working of the boards, leading to cracking of the boards and partial drawing of the nails. This is both unsightly, and a safety hazard, while the nails can rust and cause discoloration.
Such decks are frequently painted, for cosmetic purposes, the presence of so many nails making a natural wood finish impractical.
In a painted deck of continuous, nailed-down boards the nature of the decking and the usually confined substructure virtually precludes ready painting of the under surfaces thereof. Thus the upward passage of moisture through the boards tends to lift the paint, with consequent short life term.
A form of wooden deck tread or "tile" has previously been developed, having a nail-less structure, in which a wooden surface of deck tread units is laid upon concrete sub-flooring, such as balconies and the like, in the manner of laying tiles.
The deck tread units comprise lateral tread bars, the ends of which are threaded upon a rope-like tying element such as a hollow plastic hose. Each end of the tread bars is drilled, laterally, to provide an aperture into which the tying element is inserted. This construction is time consuming and expensive to machine, particularly in the drilling of the end apertures, while the insertion of the flexible tying elements is laborious, time consuming and difficult. Such tread units are unsuited for use with a suspended deck system, due to the undue skewing flexibility, and difficulty in maintaining dimensional standardization.
Certain other somewhat less relevant aspects of modular decking or patio structures are to be found in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,300,936 January 1967, Travaglia PA1 4,028,858 June 1977, Rehbein PA1 4,628,645 December 1986, Tafelski PA1 4,999,964 March 1991, Taylor
Certain characteristics similar to the subject support bracket that forms a part of the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 666,918; 4,920,725; and 5,104,252.


A method for providing data paths between a sending computer and a receiving computer. The method is comprised of steps of periodically receiving broadcasted data through a first subnet data path and through a second subnet data path, and reception of the broadcasted data on either of the subnets indicates status of the respective subnet. The method continues on to change local data routing tables in the sending computer and the receiving computer based upon the status of at least one of the subnets, providing high reliability in a peer-to-peer environment.

In Accordance with 37 C.F.R sec. 1.77(6) and 37 C.F.R. sec 196(c) reference is made to a microfiche appendix. The appendix contains 1 microfiche containing 28 total frames.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to data communications and, more particularly, to computer networks.
2. Prior Art
Reference is now made to FIG. 1. In general, the movement of data from one computer application to a network is accomplished through a collection of data protocols typically depicted as layers or a stack 70. FIG. 1 illustrates data movement through the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols from an application to a network. As shown, data from the application layer 50 is first passed to a transport layer consisting of several protocols used for various purposes. The TCP portion 62 of the transport layer organizes data into packets and provides reliable packet delivery across a network through the IP layer 51. (TCP is said to be xe2x80x9cconnection orientedxe2x80x9d in that TCP checks to see if the data arrived at its destination and will re-send if it did not.) UDP 61 or User Datagram Protocol also moves data to the IP layer 51, but unlike TCP 62 does not guarantee reliable packet delivery. Lastly, the Internet Control Message Protocol or ICMP 66 is used to report network errors and if a computer is available on the network.
From the transport layer 60-62 the data is passed to the Internet Protocol (IP) Layer 51 responsible for delivering TCP 62 and UDP 61 packets across a network. IP 51 transfers the data packets to the data link and physical layer 52, i.e., network interface card (NIC). For an application to receive data the process is simply reversed.
Before a computer application can send data it must know the physical address of the computer it wants to send data to, i.e., what is the physical or hardware address corresponding to the IP address of the receiving computer? In general, the physical address is found by the computer in the computer""s Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) tables. The address information is automatically stored by the TCP/IP ARP utility. The ARP utility learns of the physical address of a receiving computer""s network interface card (NIC) by way of an ARP request. The request is generated when a computer application has requested that data be sent to a particular IP address but the IP address does not have a corresponding physical address in the ARP table. The ARP utility then sends a broadcast message on the data link requesting that a computer with a specific IP address return its physical address. The problem is if the computer is not available due to a failed data link, i.e., the computer is unavailable on the network, then the data is not transmitted and an error message would be generated.
In some instances a router may be used to route the data around a failed network depending on where the failure occurs. If the failure of the network is on the transmission side of the router then the router may be able to reroute the data if there are alternate networks available. However, a router falls short of a solution in that if the network failure occurs on the reception side of the router, i.e., the router never sees the data, then the router would not know that it has failed to receive data. Again, the data would not be transmitted and an error message would be generated. In general, a router is an independent agent, which acts as an intermediary through which data messages may pass.
If the computer is available it will return its physical address to the requesting computer. Once returned the address is loaded into the ARP table for current and future use. In addition, every other computer on the network will also see the address information and store the data on its own ARP table. This process of gathering physical addresses is well known and described in prior art.
It is a first object and advantage of this invention to provide improved network availability that embodies two parallel network interface cards per computer on a first subnet and a second subnet, where each subnet has the same subnet mask, and a method for rerouting data to the second subnet if the first subnet fails or otherwise becomes unavailable.
In accordance with one method of the present invention, a method for providing alternate data paths between a sending computer and a receiving computer is provided. The method comprises the steps of periodically receiving broadcasted data through a first subnet data link and through a second subnet data link. Reception of the broadcasted data on the subnets is used to indicate status of the respective subnets. A failure to receive the broadcasted data forces a change in the local routing tables in the sending computer and the receiving computer.
In accordance with another method of the present invention, a method is provided for providing alternate data links between computers. The method comprises the steps of sending data from a first computer on a first data link and on a second data link, and subsequently receiving the data at a second computer on the first data link and the second data link, or, in the alternative, detecting an inactive first data link or an inactive second data link. If an inactive data link is detected then the routing tables in the first computer and the second computer are reconfigured to redirect the data to the active link.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing data links between computers is provided. The system comprises a sending computer with a data routing table and two network interface cards (NICs). The system further includes a receiving computer also having a data routing table and two NICs. In addition, each of the NICs have the same network subnet mask and are connected to each other. For example, the first NIC in the sending computer is connected to the first NIC in the receiving computer thus comprising a first data link. A similar connection is made for the other two NICs comprising the second data link. Lastly, the system provides means for detecting a failure on the first data link and means for switching from the first data link to the second data link upon detection of the failure of the first data link and means for restoring the first data link when the failed link has been restored.
A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for providing alternate sending data paths between a first and second computer is provided. The first and second computer comprises a peer-to-peer environment and the alternate sending data paths have a first and second data path. The method comprises the steps of sending a first data package from the first computer on the first data path, sending a second data package from the first computer on the second data path, receiving the first data at the second computer on the first data path, and receiving the second data at the second computer on the second data path. The method continues to detect an inactive first data path or an inactive second data path and reconfigures routing tables in the first computer and the second computer when an inactive data path is detected.

Increased network availability for computers using redundancy


To provide a copolymer which can impart sufficient dynamic water repellency, after air-drying water repellency and friction durability to a surface of an article, and which has low impact on the environment, a method for producing the same, a water repellent composition and an article excellent in dynamic water repellency, after air-drying water repellency and friction durability. A copolymer which is characterized in that it has structural units based on the following monomer (a) and structural units based on the following monomer (b), wherein the content of structural units based on the monomer (a) is from 5 to 95 mass % in the total structural units (100 mass %), the content of structural units based on the monomer (b) is from 5 to 60 mass % in the total structural units (100 mass %) and the sum of the contents of structural units based on the monomer (a) and structural units based on the monomer (b) is at least 65 mass % in the total structural units (100 mass %), and a water repellent composition which comprises the copolymer: Monomer (a): a (meth)acrylate having no Rf group and having a C20-30 alkyl group; Monomer (b): a halogenated olefin.

A method of treating an article (e.g. a fiber product) with a water/oil repellent composition comprising an emulsion having a copolymer, which has structural units based on a monomer having a polyfluoroalkyl group (hereinafter referred to as a Rf group) having at least 8 carbon atoms, dispersed in a medium, has been known as a method for imparting water repellency to a surface of the article.
However, recently, EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) has pointed out that a compound having a perfluoroalkyl group (hereinafter referred to as a RF group) having at least 8 carbon atoms is decomposed in the environment or a living body, and its decomposition product is accumulated there, which means that such a compound has a major impact on the environment. Accordingly, a copolymer for a water/oil repellent composition, is required which has structural units based on a monomer having a Rf group having at most 6 carbon atoms and which has structural units based on a monomer having a RF group having at least 8 carbon atoms reduced as much as possible.
As a water/oil repellent composition containing such a copolymer, the following water/oil repellent composition has, for example, been proposed.
A water/oil repellent composition essentially containing a copolymer which substantially comprises structural units based on the following monomer (A) and structural units based on the following monomer (B) (Patent Document 1):
Monomer (A): e.g. a monomer which has a RF group having at most 6 carbon atoms;
Monomer (B): e.g. a (meth)acrylate which has an alkyl group having at least 15 carbon atoms.
However, an article treated with such a water/oil repellent composition is insufficient in water repellency to water (rainfall) fallen from a high altitude (hereinafter referred to as dynamic water repellency), water repellency after drying without compulsory heating after washing (hereinafter referred to as after air-drying water repellency) and water repellency after friction (hereinafter referred to as friction durability).    Patent Document 1: WO02/083809

Copolymer and method for producing the same


A semiconductor light receiving device includes a substrate having an incident surface receiving light incident on the semiconductor light receiving device and a principal surface opposite to the incident surface; a first semiconductor layer disposed on the principal surface of the substrate, the first semiconductor layer defining one of a cathode region and an anode region; a light absorbing region disposed on the first semiconductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer disposed on the light absorbing region, the second semiconductor layer defining the other of the cathode region and the anode region and forming a junction with the light absorbing region. The light absorbing region includes a semiconductor layer having a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the first semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer of the light absorbing region forms a p-n junction with the first semiconductor layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor light receiving devices and light receiving apparatuses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 01-259578) describes a semiconductor light receiving device. This semiconductor light receiving device includes an i-type InGaAs optical absorption layer. Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 03-038887) describes a planar semiconductor light receiving device. This semiconductor light receiving device includes an n-type InP buffer layer, an n-type InGaAs optical absorption layer and an InP cap layer disposed on an n+-InP substrate. The n-type optical absorption layer includes an n-region and an n+-region. The cap layer includes a Zn-doped InP layer. On the Zn-doped InP layer, a p-side electrode is disposed. On the backside of the n+-InP substrate, an n-side electrode having an opening is disposed.

Semiconductor light receiving device and light receiving apparatus

SUMITOMO ELECTRIC DEVICE INNOVATIONS, INC.


A metering device for a heating appliance has a pump arrangement for the delivery of liquid that is supplied via an inlet region to an outlet region and a valve arrangement by which the pump arrangement is connected with the inlet region to receive liquid or with the outlet device to deliver liquid. The valve arrangement has a valve member that is brought into a first actuating position in which the valve member permits a liquid flow from the inlet region to the pump arrangement and prevents a liquid delivery from the pump arrangement to the outlet region. In a second actuating position the valve member prevents a liquid supply from the inlet region to the pump arrangement and permits a liquid delivery from the pump arrangement to the outlet region.

Not applicable.
The present invention relates to a metering pump device, particularly for a heating appliance, comprising a pump arrangement for the delivery to an outlet region of liquid which can be supplied through an inlet region, and also a valve arrangement by means of which the pump arrangement can be selectively connected to the inlet region to receive liquid, or connected to the outlet region to deliver liquid.
From German Patent Document DE 198 60 573 A1 a metering pump device is known in which a pump piston acting as a pumping member and also two respective valve sliders forming valve elements are displaceable by a magnet coil against the force of respective prestressing springs. In order to attain the required synchronization of movement of the different components which can be displaced by the single magnet coil in order to carry out inlet or outlet working cycles, their inertial masses and the prestress forces of the respectively allocated prestressing springs have to be exactly matched to each other. This necessitates compromises in the design of different components, or requires a comparatively complicated structure, with the consequence that the exact matching of the different courses of motion to each other can become lost under the influence of external circumstances, such as e.g. the temperature of the overall system, and thus this metering pump device cannot operate in a satisfactory manner.
From European Patent Document EP 0 930 434 A2 a metering pump device is known in which both a pump piston and also a valve slider of a relief valve can be moved by a single magnet coil. Further valve sliders or valve elements are present which are displaceable between a shutoff position and a release position according to the liquid pressure, for changing over between receiving or delivery working cycles. Here also it is necessary for the different system components, or also the forces provided by prestressing springs, to correspond exactly to the existing liquid supply pressure in order to attain a correct manner of operation.
The present invention has as its object to provide a metering pump device that with a comparatively simple structure ensures reliable functioning.
According to the invention, this object is attained by a metering pump device, particularly for a heating appliance, comprising a pump arrangement for the delivery of liquid which can be supplied via an inlet region to an outlet region, and also a valve arrangement by means of which the pump arrangement can selectively be brought into connection with the inlet region to receive liquid, or be brought into connection with the outlet region for the delivery of liquid.
It is further provided that the valve arrangement comprises a valve member which can be brought into a first actuating position and into a second actuating position, where in the first actuating position the valve member permits a liquid supply from the inlet region to the pump arrangement and prevents a liquid delivery from the pump arrangement to the outlet region, and in the second actuating position the valve member prevents a liquid supply from the inlet region to the pump arrangement and permits a liquid delivery from the pump arrangement to the outlet region.
The metering pump device according to the invention is thus basically divided into two mutually independent system regions, namely first, the pump arrangement by means of which liquid can be received from an inlet region and delivered to an outlet region, and also the valve arrangement which selectively brings the pump arrangement into connection with the inlet region or the outlet region for liquid exchange. These two system regions can be operated independently of each other and of course are consistent with each other in their different displacement or actuating movements without however requiring a positive mechanical coupling. This simplifies the structure of the metering pump device according to the invention in comparison with the devices known from the prior art.
For example, according to the present invention it can be provided that the pump arrangement comprises a piston displaceable in a pump chamber, and that the pump chamber can be selectively brought by the valve arrangement into connection with the inlet region or the outlet region.
The valve member is displaceable between the first actuating position and the second actuating position and can, for example, be constituted such that for the production of fluid exchange connections it has a channel region by means of which the pump arrangement can be brought into liquid exchange connection with the inlet region and/or the outlet region. It can furthermore be provided that the valve member is displaceable between the first actuating position and the second actuating position.
In an embodiment which is simple to construct and which operates reliably, it can be provided that the valve member is translatable for displacement between the first actuating position and the second actuating position. Alternatively or additionally to this translational movement of the valve member, the changeover between different actuating positions can also be attained in that the valve member is rotatable for displacement between the first actuating position and the second actuating position.
According to an aspect, the metering pump device according to the invention is characterized by a first actuating force producing arrangement for the production of a valve actuating force for the valve member and also a second actuating force producing arrangement for the production of a pump actuating force for the pump arrangement substantially independently of the production of the valve actuating force. A positive motion coupling of the different system regions, pump arrangement and valve arrangement, is thus not provided, with the consequence that the different system regions can be controlled, even in conformity with different operating states, for example flow speeds, affected by viscosity, of the liquid to be delivered.
It can, for example, be provided that the first actuating force producing arrangement and/or the second actuating force producing arrangement are constituted for the production of a magnetic force interaction.
An embodiment that uses the available constructional space can be attained in that the pump piston is displaceable in a piston displacement direction in the pump chamber and that the valve member is arranged in the pump arrangement in the piston displacement direction.
In order to be able to attain a quasi-continuous liquid delivery from the metering pump device according to the invention, a liquid reservoir can be provided in the flow region between the pump arrangement and an outlet aperture of the outlet region. The outlet aperture of the outlet region can then be closed by the valve member, or by a closure member motion-coupled to it.
According to a further aspect, the present invention provides for a valve arrangement which can be used in an application in connection with a metering pump device according to the invention. In this valve arrangement, a valve member is provided which can be brought by rotary motion into plural actuating positions. The rotation of a valve member for changing over between different actuating positions leads to a comparatively small constructional size of a valve arrangement, since no constructional space has to be kept in readiness for an element which is to be displaced linearly.
For example, it can be provided that an armature element is securely coupled to rotate with the valve member, and that the armature element is arranged for magnetic force interaction with pole elements of a magnet coil arrangement. In order to keep the construction and also the drive cost as low as possible, it is proposed that the valve member is prestressed into one of the actuating positions by a prestressing arrangement, preferably a torsion spring.
It can furthermore be provided that a channel arrangement is provided in the valve member, a first channel end region of the channel arrangement being connected to a first valve opening, and a second channel end region of the channel arrangement being able to be brought selectively, by rotation of the valve member, into connection with a second valve opening or a third valve opening.

Metering pump with combined inlet/outlet valve element


A non-volatile memory cell includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode having a conductive material, a resistive layer interposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and side portions covering sides of the top electrode and the resistive layer. The side portions contain an oxide of the conductive material. The non-volatile memory cell further includes a contact wire disposed on the top electrode. A width of the contact wire is less than a width between lateral outer surfaces of the side portions.

Memory devices are included in many electronic devices, such as cell phones, computers, cars, display devices, etc. Memory devices have been utilized to store data for various purposes. Generally, memory devices include two types of memory depending on whether the data stored therein is retained or erased after power is cut off. In volatile memory devices, the data is wiped out every time the power to the volatile memory devices are turned off. Whereas data stored in a non-volatile memory device is retained even after the power is turned off.
A non-volatile memory device generally includes a memory array that has tens of thousands of memory cells. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional memory cell 100 for a non-volatile memory device. The memory cell 100 includes a bottom electrode 102, a top electrode 104, a dielectric layer 106 interposed between the bottom electrode 102 and the top electrode 104, and a metal line 108 connected to the top electrode 104. The bottom electrode 102 and the top electrode 104 generally include conductive materials, while the dielectric layer 106 generally contains an oxide. This conventional memory cell 100 has several drawbacks. For example, due to the structure, short circuits may be induced between the metal line 108 and the dielectric layer 106 or between the metal line 108 and the bottom electrode 102. The short circuits would damage or impede the memory cell 100 from its normal functions. Further, the oxygen of the dielectric layer 106 may escape to other portions of the memory cell 100, degrading its functions.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating another conventional memory cell 200 for a non-volatile memory device. The memory cell 200 includes a bottom electrode 202, a top electrode 204, a dielectric layer 206 interposed between the bottom electrode 202 and the top electrode 204, a top metal line 208 connected to the top electrode 204, a bottom metal line 210 connected to the bottom electrode 202, and an insulating layer 212 disposed between the bottom metal line 210 and the dielectric layer 206. The insulating layer 212 insulates the bottom electrode 202 and reduces the possibility of a short circuit between the top metal line 208 and the bottom electrode 202. However, it is still likely that the top metal line 208 may have a short circuit with the dielectric layer 206. Also, the oxygen of the dielectric layer 206 may escape to other portions of the memory cell 200, reducing the reliability of the memory cell 200.

Non-volatile memory cell, non-volatile memory cell array, and method of manufacturing the same


A metal arrowhead has a ferrule section for permanent attachment to the distal end of an arrow shaft and a point section selectively joined to the ferrule section. A spring catch assembly disposed in the ferrule section permits the point section to be quickly disconnected from the arrow shaft. Barbs on the point section captivate a fish and permit a tether line attached to the arrow to permit the fish to be landed. When the point section is removed from the shaft, the shaft may be pulled from the fish and the point section quickly re-attached.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hunting arrows and more particularly to a removable arrowhead and a removable nock for such arrows.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hunting and fishing with a bow is a widely enjoyed sport. When fishing with bow and arrow, an arrow is used having a line attached thereto such that the speared fish can be recovered. Arrowheads used for bow fishing arrows necessarily have barbs such that the arrow will penetrate the fish and will not be withdrawn from the fish's body when the arrow is recovered by reeling in the line. Prior art fishing arrows generally utilize a metal ferrule attached to the forward end of the arrow having a threaded portion and the arrowhead includes a mating threaded portion. To remove the fish from the arrow after a catch, the fisherman must unscrew the arrowhead from the ferrule; thereafter, withdrawing the headless arrow shaft from the fish. Before continuing bow fishing, the archer must thread the arrowhead back onto the shaft.
This procedure is relatively inconvenient, particularly in the cases where a fish is thrashing about and the archer's hand may be slippery. Thus, there is a need for an arrow design which will permit the arrow shaft to be very quickly removed from the fish and the arrow reassembled quickly to continue fishing. Various types of arrows having removable arrowheads have been described in the prior art, but none appear suitable to solve the above described problem. Chandler, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,289,284, discloses an arrow having a head attached by means of a tapered end of the arrow shaft fitting into a tapered ferrule socket on the head. The head is secured by a line to the rear portion of the arrow shaft. The purpose of the design is to permit the arrow shaft to be removed from the head before reeling in the fish by tugging on the line. The arrowhead must be pulled back through the fish after landing to remove the head from the line. U.S. Pat. No. 2,796,691 to Norris discloses an arrowhead held to the shaft by a magnet and having a line attached to the head and also to the shaft. The problem being solved by Norris is that of the fish thrashing to free itself prior to reeling in of the catch with the danger of damaging the arrow. The movement of the fish breaks the head loose from the magnet. Fishing gigs and the like having removable heads are shown in the following patents: Raithel, U.S. Pat. No. 1,581,321; Garrison, U.S. Pat. No. 2,236,427; Hertel, U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,405; Gay, U.S. Pat. No. 3,004,362; and Guidry, U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,472. None of these patents disclose structure suitable to solve the present problem.


A command and response messaging mechanism for use between nodes of a homogeneous data grid can allow a configuration state to be quickly provisioned to the nodes of a cluster at run time for an application running on the data grid. For example, a processing device of a node can receive a global configuration state from a peer node in the grid network. The processing device can apply common values for symmetrical attributes from the global configuration state to a local configuration. The processing device can also apply individual node values for asymmetrical attributes from the global configuration state to the local configuration. The processing device can then run the application on the local node using the local configuration.

A data grid includes multiple connected nodes. A node can be implemented by a server. A group of nodes used to run an application can be referred to as a cluster of nodes. In some distributed processing networks, an external entity such as an orchestrator, a master node, or a domain controller provisions all nodes as needed. However, a data grid is typically composed of multiple near-homogenous nodes without a central registry. In a data grid, it is important to ensure that the configuration of shared entities, such as clustered caches, is uniform across the cluster, while still allowing for individual overrides to be applied for node-specific (server-specific) attributes. A configuration provisioning system such as Ansible or Chef can be used to propagate configurations across nodes and ensure compatibility and uniformity across a cluster prior to using the grid. Such a tool is run independently each time node configurations need to be changed for an application.

Configuration sharing and validation for nodes in a grid network


Bipolar plates and a fuel cell stack having the bipolar plates. The fuel cell stack includes membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and first and second bipolar plates sequentially stacked between the MEAs. The bipolar plates include: flow channels formed on opposing surfaces thereof; four manifolds connected to the flow channels; and through holes to connect to the manifolds of the bipolar plates adjacent thereto.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and more particularly, to a PEMFC having an increased current density and an improved temperature distribution.
2. Description of the Related Art
A fuel cell is an electric generator that converts chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy, through a chemical reaction. A fuel cell can continuously generate electricity, as long as fuel is supplied.
A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) includes a fuel cell stack, in which unit cells are stacked in series. Each unit cell includes: a cathode and an anode, which are respectively formed on either side of an electrolyte membrane; and two plates having flow channels to supply an oxidant (oxygen in air) to the cathode, and a hydrogen fuel to the anode. The plate can be a bipolar plate, in which the flow channels are formed on both sides thereof, to respectively supply the air and fuel to the cathode and the anode, which contact the plate.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the structure of a conventional unit cell. Referring to FIG. 1, the unit cell includes a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising an electrolyte membrane 2 disposed between an anode 1 and a cathode 3. A pair of bipolar plates 10 are disposed on opposing sides of the MEA. Flow channels 11, through which a hydrogen fuel is supplied to the anode 1, are formed on one side of the bipolar plates 10, and flow channels 12, through which air is supplied to the cathode 2, are formed on an opposing side of the bipolar plates 10. The stacking of such unit cells forms a fuel cell stack.
Each bipolar plate 10 includes a fuel inlet 11a, a fuel outlet 11b, an inlet manifold 13a disposed between the fuel inlet 11a and the flow channel 11, and an outlet manifold 13b disposed between the flow channel 11 and the fuel outlet 11b. Each bipolar plate 10 also includes an oxidant inlet 12a, an oxidant outlet 12b, an inlet manifold 14a disposed between the oxidant inlet 12aand the flow channel 12, and an outlet manifold 14b disposed between the low channel 12 and the fuel outlet 12b.
A gasket 30 to seal the unit cell is interposed between the bipolar plates 10. The leakage of the fluids from the flow channels 11 and 12 is prevented, by placing the MEA 20 on a central portion of the bipolar plate 10, and then attaching the gasket 30 to edges of the bipolar plates 10.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the manifolds of the first and second bipolar plates 10. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gasket 30 is disposed between the manifold 13a and the manifold 14a. Since the gasket 30 is formed of an elastic material, the gasket 30 may block the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, for example, if the gasket 30 is bent towards the manifold 13a, the gasket 30 can block a portion of the manifold 13a and the flow channel 11.
Conventional bipolar plates have a thickness of approximately 1 cm, and are relatively deep. Thus, even if the gasket 30 is slightly bent, the gasket 30 cannot completely block the manifold 13a and the flow channel 11. However, if the thickness of the conventional bipolar plates is reduced to a few mm, the blocking of the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b can occur. In particular, if the electrolyte membrane 2 swells, by absorbing water during a fuel cell reaction, the gasket 30 cannot be rigidly supported, and thus, there is high possibility that the gasket 30 can be pushed into one of the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b, and then stuck on an inner wall of one of the manifolds. In this case, fluids cannot freely flow through the flow channels 11 and 12, resulting in abnormal operation of the fuel cell.
In order to address the problem described above, as depicted in FIG. 3, a metal bridge plate 40 is used to cover the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b. A step 15 is formed in each of the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b, and the metal bridge plate 40 is disposed on the step 15. Then, the gasket 30 is attached to the metal bridge plate 40. In this way, the air-tightness of the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b is maintained, and the blocking of the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b, due to the gasket 30, is prevented. However, the size of the manifolds 13a, 13b, 14a, and 14b is reduced by the metal bridge plate 40, resulting in flow restrictions. Also, the unit cells become more complicated, and the metal bridge plate 40 may corrode over time.
In a PEMFC having the conventional bipolar plate 10, if impurities are present in the hydrogen fuel and/or the oxidant, the concentration of hydrogen and oxidant is reduced along the flow paths, and as a result, the current density is reduced along the flow paths. Also, heat flux generated in the MEA is related to the current density, and thus, the temperature can decrease along the flow paths. In particular, a large amount of CO2 or CO can be mixed into the hydrogen fuel supplied to a PEMFC that is operated at a high temperature, and air can be used as the oxidant, and thus, the current density and thermal density can be non-uniform.

Bipolar plate and fuel cell stack including the same


Disclosed is an ESD protection circuit, which includes: an ESD protection element, coupled to a pad; a transmitting gate circuit; an N MOSFET, for providing a first biasing voltage to the transmitting gate circuit according to the second voltage level; a first P MOSFET, for providing a second biasing voltage to the transmitting gate circuit according to the first voltage level; a delay circuit for determining the turning on and turning off time of the transmitting gate circuit; a first inversing logic circuit, for generating a first control signal according to the output of the delay circuit; and a second inversing logic circuit, for generating a second control signal according to the output of the first inversing logic circuit, wherein the transmitting gate circuit turns on or turns off according to the first control signal and the second control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ESD protection circuit, and particularly relates to an ESD protection circuit, which can isolate a pad and internal circuit to prevent formation of a parasitic NPN channel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art ESD protection circuit 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the ESD protection circuit includes a first rectifying element 101, a second rectifying element 103, and a resistor 105. The first rectifying element 101 and the second rectifying element 103 can be a MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) FET or a diode. The ESD protection circuit 100 is coupled to a pad 107 and an internal circuit 109 to prevent an ESD pulse being transmitted from the pad 107 to the internal circuit 109. Normally, the ESD pulse will be transmitted out via the first rectifying element 101 or the second rectifying element 103. If the resistor 105 is too small, however, a current transmitting through the resistor 105 will enter the internal circuit 109, thereby damaging it. The internal circuit can be easier to protect if the resistor 105 is larger, but this may cause circuit delay, which is a disadvantage for high-speed operation.
FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art ESD circuit 200, which is used to prevent a current entering the internal circuit 217. As shown in FIG. 2, the ESD protection circuit 200 comprises a transmitting gate circuit 201 and a control circuit 203, a first rectifying element 219 and a second rectifying element 221. The control circuit 203 is used for controlling the operation of the transmitting gate circuit 201. The transmitting gate circuit 201 is turned on (conductive) when in a normal operation mode, and the transmitting gate circuit 201 turns off to prevent the ESD pulse from entering an inner circuit. The size of the transmitting gate circuit 201 can be adjusted to adjust the input resistance of the pad 205. The capacitor 207 and the resistor 209 of the control circuit 203 constitute a delay circuit to determine the turning on and turning off time of the transmitting gate circuit 201. The N MOSFETs 211 and 213 are used for providing a biasing voltage to the P-Well or body of the N MOSFET 215 and the N-Well of the P MOSFET 214 respectively. The first rectifying element 219 and the second rectifying element 221 can be a MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) FET or a diode.
However, since the P MOSFET 214 is directly coupled to the capacitor 207 and the resistor 209, the gate voltage of the P MOSFET 214 is generated via the ESD pulse coupling to the capacitor 207 when an ESD pulse enters, thus the P MOSFET 214 may not turn off completely. Besides, the N MOSFET 213 may have a parasitic NPN path due to improper layout, thus a destructive ESD pulse may transmit through the NPN path, damaging the parasitic NPN, if the ESD pulse transmits from pad 205 to the second voltage level VGND. Therefore, the ESD protection circuit 200 may lose its function of protection.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,826 also discloses an oscillating circuit utilized as an ESD protection circuit. Such a circuit does not provide perfect isolation to an RF circuit and pad, however. Furthermore, the circuit co-utilizes an LC oscillating circuit, it may have an increased area, and may have unnecessary oscillation when in a normal operation. Other related operations of the circuit are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,826, and therefore omitted here for brevity.
Therefore, a new invention is needed to solve these problems.

Electrostatic discharge protection circuit


The disclosure provides amino acid sequence variants of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins and methods of producing the same. Some aspects of this disclosure provide methods for generating Bt toxin variants by continuous directed evolution. Some aspects of this disclosure provide compositions and methods for pest control using the disclosed variant Bt toxins.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a gram-positive bacterium that produces crystalline inclusion bodies (Bt toxins) during sporulation, which exhibit potent insecticidal activity through disruption of the osmotic balance in the insect midgut as a consequence of membrane insertion and pore formation (FIG. 1). A limited number of Bt toxins have become widespread biological alternatives to chemical insecticides. Bt toxins can be delivered to insect pests via conventional application routes, and can also be produced in the plant at all times during the plant life cycle to protect the plant from infestation. Bt toxins are benign to other arthropods within the crop field as well as to humans, and are environmentally friendly. However, the development of resistance to this limited set of Bt toxins in some targeted pests represents a serious threat to the viability of these and related Bt toxins for use in pest control applications. Thus there is a need for the development of pesticidal toxin molecules that can be produced in or applied to plants and seeds, that can control targeted pests that have developed resistance to one or more toxin proteins.

President and Fellows of Harvard College


In a press fabric for a pulp machine having a multilayer structure, which fabric is woven using, as a warp, a monofilament as a warp and, as wefts, a yarn obtained by bundling raw yarns of a small diameter and forming a fine water sucking space therebetween and a monofilament, at least an upper surface side weft and a lower surface side weft are arranged vertically as the wefts; the yarns forming a fine water-sucking space and monofilament are used as wefts constituting the lower side layer; they are arranged at a ratio of 2:2 or 1:2; and two monofilaments are arranged adjacent to each other as the lower surface side wefts, whereby the press fabric can maintain its dewatering channel for discharging water to the back surface side from the initial stage to the final stage of use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a press fabric for a pulp machine which is used at the press portion of the pulp machine and excellent in water sucking property, dewatering property, washability and shower resistance.
2. Description of the Related Art
A pulp sheet is a sheet composed of fibers derived from wood and it is used as a raw material of paper. For facilitating the handling during transport or storage, fibers are formed into a sheet. A pulp manufacturing process is well known and it is the common practice to supply raw materials containing pulp fibers and the like to an endless fabric put on rolls and running therebetween and remove a certain amount of water from them by a dewatering machine or the like while transferring them.
The pulp sheet thus formed is then transferred to a press section and, if necessary, to a dryer section. At the press section, the pulp sheet is transferred by means of a felt for pressing and while passing through a series of press nips constituted by the combination of the felt and press rolls, it is dewatered. Dewatering is achieved, for example, by a double wire press capable of carrying out sheet formation and pressing simultaneously or a heavy duty press utilizing a high-pressure press. In the double wire press or heavy duty press, a method of placing a pulp sheet between two felts or fabrics and squeezing water from the sheet under a nip pressure is employed. At the dryer section, the pulp sheet is dried while being transferred by means of a canvas, whereby a pulp sheet which can be handled easily is formed.
Felts and woven fabrics have conventionally been used as a water sucking medium at the press section. A needle felt is formed by needling a batt of synthetic fibers on the front and back surfaces of a base cloth woven with monofilaments or multifilaments, thereby interlocking them. Since it has a structure filled, from the front surface to the back surface thereof, with a batt of fine synthetic fibers, it permits smooth passage of water without resistance and is therefore suited as a water sucking medium. Owing to the structure filled with a batt of fine synthetic fibers, however, dirt, fine fibers, chemicals and the like penetrated into the needle felt cannot be removed easily and moreover, a high-pressure shower for flushing them away has an impact on it and sometimes breaks and makes a hole in it. In addition to these problems, owing to poor cushioning property and nip resistance, the batt is gradually flattened and compressed, leading to deterioration in the water sucking property. The needle felt is a water sucking medium excellent in water sucking property, but has several serious problems in washability, rigidity, size stability, productivity and increase in electric load.
A fabric formed of monofilaments as warps and monofilaments and multifilaments as wefts and having the multifilaments protruded from the surface of the fabric is therefore developed and disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-105884 (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,873). This fabric efficiently transfers, to a press fabric, unnecessary water squeezed out of a pulp sheet under a nip pressure by pressing, allows yarns running from the front surface to the back surface of the press fabric and having fine water-sucking spaces to function as a continuous conduit, concentrates water to the running surface side of the press fabric by a capillary phenomenon or the like, and brings the yarns having a fine water-sucking space into contact with rolls to remove water thus collected on the running surface side. Compared with the felt which may have a hole in the batt as described above, the fabric press has improved water sucking property and size stability.
This press fabric has, on the lower side layer thereof, a structure in which multifilaments having a fine water-sucking space and monofilaments have been arranged alternately so that unnecessary water of the pulp sheet is transferred to the lower surface side of the press fabric efficiently by a capillary phenomenon and water collected on the running surface side is discharged by bringing the yarns having a fine water-sucking space, which are on the lower surface side, into contact with rolls.
By a press pressure during using, the yarns having a fine water-sucking space are flattened and widened to block the network serving as dewatering channels. Despite the initial usability, their water sucking property and dewatering property deteriorate gradually. Yarns having a fine water-sucking space are excellent in cushioning property so that they have excellent water sucking property, but gradual flattening by a press is an inevitable structural problem for them. There is therefore a demand for the development of a press fabric for a pulp machine which enables efficient dewatering of a pulp sheet for a long period of time.


A solid state imaging device 1 includes a photodetecting section 10, a signal readout section 20, a controlling section 30, dummy photodetecting sections 11 and 12 including dummy photodiodes, discharging arrangement for discharging junction capacitance portions of the dummy photodiodes, and a scintillator layer 50 provided so as to cover the photodetecting section 10. The dummy photodetecting section 11 is disposed so as to neighbor the first row (the upper side of the photodetecting section 10) of the photodetecting section 10 and has a length equivalent to the length of the photodetecting section 10 in the left-right direction. The dummy photodetecting section 12 is disposed so as to neighbor the M-th column of the photodetecting section 10 (the lower side of the photodetecting section 10) and has a length equivalent to the length of the photodetecting section 10 in the left-right direction.

A solid state imaging device is used for imaging radiation such as X-rays, and is also used for, for example, medical purposes such as dental purposes. Such a solid state imaging device includes a photodetecting section including M×N pixel portions P1,1 to PM,N two-dimensionally arrayed in M rows and N columns, each including a photodiode, a scintillator layer provided so as to cover the photodetecting section, a signal readout section which outputs voltage values corresponding to amounts of charges generated in the photodiodes included in the pixel portions of the photodetecting section, and a controlling section which controls operations of the photodetecting section and signal readout section, etc. In the solid state imaging device, the photodetecting section, the signal readout section, and the controlling section, etc., may be formed on a semiconductor substrate.
In this solid state imaging device, scintillation light is generated in response to incidence of radiation on the scintillator layer, and in response to incidence of the scintillation light on the photo diode included in any of the pixel portions of the photodetecting section, charges are generated in this photodiode. Then, voltage values corresponding to amounts of charges generated in photodiodes included in the respective pixel portions of the photodetecting section are output from the signal readout section. Thus, a radiation image is obtained.
In such a solid state imaging device, when radiation and scintillation light transmitted through the scintillator layer are made incident on a region (for example, regions of the signal readout section and controlling section, a field region for wire bonding, etc., hereinafter, these regions will be referred to as "peripheral regions") other than the photodetecting section, charges may be generated at this incidence position. Then, the charges generated in the peripheral region may move from the generation position and be accumulated in a junction capacitance portion of a photodiode included in any of the pixel portion of the photodetecting section. In this case, charges to be output from this pixel portion of the photodetecting section include not only charges generated in the photodiode in this pixel portion but also charges generated in the peripheral region as noise. Therefore, an accurate radiation image cannot be obtained.
An invention intended to solve this problem is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The solid state imaging device disclosed in this document includes a shielding member which blocks incidence of radiation on the peripheral region. This shielding member has an opening above the photodetecting section, and can allow radiation to be made incident on the scintillator layer provided on the photodetecting section.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2004-177217


A fastener for releasably securing a first substrate to an apertured second substrate includes a base member and a locking member mounted for rotation relative to the base member. The locking member is rotatable between an insertion position for insertion of the base member and locking member through the aperture formed in the second substrate and a locking position for releasably securing the first and second substrates together. A resilient member is provided to bias the locking member toward the base member when the resilient member is compressed. The locking member includes at least one protrusion and the base member includes at least one detent. The detent and protrusion are configured to releasably engage each other in the insertion position of the locking member and disengage from each other upon rotation of the locking member toward the locking position.

Medical examination tables are known to have a patient supporting surface comprising a seat section and an adjustable back section. The back section is movable between a horizontal position and an inclined position so that a patient is supported in an upright position during certain medical examination procedures.
Typically, the back and seat sections are cushioned and covered with upholstery to provide a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing support surface for the patient. To that end, medical examination tables are typically offered with upholstery of different colors and textures which are selected by the medical examination professional to match a decor of the examination area.
In the past, the seat and back sections have been assembled as an integral part of the medical examination table and were typically secured to the examination table substructure through multiple screws. This type of assembly method has required manufacturers of medical examination tables to inventory a wide range of assembled examination tables with different upholstery combinations in hopes of having the proper combination to satisfy a purchaser's particular upholstery request. This approach of securing the back and seat sections to the medical examination table increases the manufacturer's inventory costs and requires additional storage space at the manufacturing facility to store the wide variety of assembled examination tables.
Alternatively, the back and seat sections have been secured to the medical examination table through Velcro® straps or snaps provided on the back and seat sections. However, these types of fastening structures are oftentimes difficult to clean and are susceptible to damage over an extended period of use. When the Velcro® straps or snaps become damaged, the back and seat sections are not firmly secured to the medical examination table and the entire back or seat section must be removed and replaced.
Accordingly, there is a need for a fastener to removably secure a back or seat section of a medical examination table to a substructure of the examination table which overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention is generally directed to various methods and systems for dynamically controlling metrology work in progress. In one illustrative embodiment, the method comprises providing a metrology control unit that is adapted to control metrology work flow to at least one metrology tool, identifying a plurality of wafer lots that are in a metrology queue wherein the wafer lots are intended to be processed in at least one metrology tool, and wherein the metrology control unit selects at least one of the wafer lots for metrology processing in the at least one metrology tool and selects at least one other of the plurality of wafer lots to be removed from the metrology queue based upon the metrology processing of the selected at least one wafer lot in the at least one metrology tool.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an industrial process, and, more particularly, to various methods and systems for dynamically controlling metrology work in progress.
2. Description of the Related Art
After a complete reading of the present application, those skilled in the relevant art will understand that the present invention has broad application to a variety of industries involving the manufacture of a variety of different types of devices or workpieces. By way of example only, the background of the application will be discussed in the context of various problems encountered in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices. However, the present invention is not to be considered as limited to use only within the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
There is a constant drive within the semiconductor industry to increase the quality, reliability and throughput of integrated circuit devices, e.g., microprocessors, memory devices, and the like. This drive is fueled by consumer demands for higher quality computers and electronic devices that operate more quickly and more reliably. These demands have resulted in a continual improvement in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, e.g., transistors, as well as in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices incorporating such transistors. Additionally, reducing the defects in the manufacture of the components of a typical transistor also lowers the overall cost per transistor as well as the cost of integrated circuit devices incorporating such transistors.
Generally, a set of processing steps is performed on a lot of wafers using a variety of process tools, including photolithography steppers, etch tools, deposition tools, polishing tools, thermal anneal process tools, implantation tools, etc. The technologies underlying semiconductor process tools have attracted increased attention over the last several years, resulting in substantial refinements. However, despite the advances made in this area, many of the process tools that are currently commercially available suffer certain deficiencies. In particular, some of such tools often lack advanced process data monitoring capabilities, such as the ability to provide historical parametric data in a user-friendly format, as well as event logging, real-time graphical display of both current processing parameters and the processing parameters of the entire run, and remote, i.e., local site and worldwide, monitoring. These deficiencies can engender non-optimal control of critical processing parameters, such as throughput, accuracy, stability and repeatability, processing temperatures, mechanical tool parameters, and the like. This variability manifests itself as within-run disparities, run-to-run disparities and tool-to-tool disparities that can propagate into deviations in product quality and performance, whereas an ideal monitoring and diagnostics system for such tools would provide a means of monitoring this variability, as well as providing means for optimizing control of critical parameters.
One technique for improving the operation of a semiconductor processing line includes using a factory wide control system to automatically control the operation of the various process tools. The manufacturing tools communicate with a manufacturing frame-work or a network of processing modules. Each manufacturing tool is generally connected to an equipment interface. The equipment interface is connected to a machine interface that facilitates communications between the manufacturing tool and the manufacturing frame-work. The machine interface can generally be part of an advanced process control (APC) system. The APC system initiates a control script based upon a manufacturing model, which can be a software program that automatically retrieves the data needed to execute a manufacturing process. Often, semiconductor devices are staged through multiple manufacturing tools for multiple processes, generating data relating to the quality of the processed semiconductor devices.
During the fabrication process various events may take place that affect the performance of the devices being fabricated. That is, variations in the fabrication process steps may result in variations of the features that comprise the device as well as device performance variations. Factors, such as feature critical dimensions, doping levels, contact resistance, particle contamination, etc., all may potentially affect the end performance of the device. Various tools in the processing line are controlled in accordance with performance models to reduce processing variation. Commonly controlled tools include photolithography steppers, polishing tools, etching tools, and deposition tools. Pre-processing and/or post-processing metrology data is supplied to process controllers for the tools. Operating recipe parameters, such as processing time, are calculated by the process controllers based on the performance model and the metrology information to attempt to achieve post-processing results as close to a target value as possible. Reducing variation in this manner leads to increased throughput, reduced cost, higher device performance, etc., all of which equate with increased profitability.
Target values for the various processes performed are generally based on design values for the devices being fabricated. For example, a particular process layer may have a target thickness. Operating recipes for deposition tools and/or polishing tools may be automatically controlled to reduce variation about the target thickness. In another example, the critical dimensions of a transistor gate electrode may have an associated target value. The operating recipes of photolithography tools and/or etch tools may be automatically controlled to achieve the target critical dimensions.
Typically, a control model is used to generate control actions for changing the operating recipe settings for a process tool being controlled based on feedback or feedforward metrology data collected related to the processing by the process tool. To function effectively, a control model must be provided with metrology data in a timely manner and at a quantity sufficient to maintain its ability to predict the future operation of the process tool it controls.
Within many manufacturing industries great effort is made to insure that processing operations are performed accurately such that the resulting device meets target specifications. This is particularly true within the semiconductor manufacturing industry wherein many metrology tools and sensors are used to acquire a vast amount of metrology data to determine the effectiveness and accuracy of the processing operations performed in a process tool and/or the compliance of the resulting workpiece with product specifications. To that end, a typical semiconductor manufacturing facility may devote a great deal of resources to obtaining such metrology data. Typically, a modern semiconductor manufacturing facility will have many metrology tools or stations where a variety of metrology operations are performed. Illustrative metrology data may include the thickness of a process layer, a critical dimension of a feature formed above a substrate, a planarity of a surface, etc. Some metrology tools are dedicated to performing only one type of metrology operations, e.g., critical dimension measurements, whereas other metrology tools are capable of performing multiple metrology operations. Moreover, a typical semiconductor manufacturing facility may have multiple tools capable of performing the same metrology operation.
In semiconductor manufacturing environments, metrology sampling rates are established for various process operations. The sampling rates may vary depending upon a variety of factors, such as the criticality of the particular process, e.g., gate etch processes, and/or how stable the process operations are in terms of controllability. In semiconductor manufacturing environments, metrology sampling rates are typically set below a level where the aggregate of all of the products selected for sampling would completely utilize all available metrology capacity. This may generally be referred to as baseline sampling rates. The base-line sampling rates are set at less than maximum levels to allow the metrology tools to "catch-up" to accumulated work-in-progress (WIP) after one or more of the metrology tools have been taken out of service for a variety of reasons, e.g., routine maintenance, an unscheduled problem with one of the metrology tools, etc. For example, if one out of four available metrology tools is taken out of service, the work-in-progress (WIP) would slowly accumulate in the metrology queues until the out-of-service metrology tool is returned to service. At that time, all four of the available metrology tools would operate at higher than normal utilization rates until the work-in-progress (WIP) queues are reduced to normal.
Despite such efforts to control metrology operations, work in progress (WIP) can accumulate for metrology operations. That is, for a variety of reasons, work in progress queues for various metrology operations can exceed the available capacity of the metrology tools. A variety of actions may be taken to reduce the metrology work in progress or metrology queue. For example, metrology sampling rates may be reduced until such time as the metrology queue is reduced to acceptable levels. However, such a methodology results in the acquisition of less metrology data regarding the effectiveness of various process operations performed in the manufacturing facility. As a result, problems within the manufacturing facility may not be detected as quickly as would otherwise be desired. Accordingly, production yields and manufacturing efficiencies may be reduced using such a method of reducing metrology work in progress.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Method and system for dynamically selecting wafer lots for metrology processing


An apparatus for preparing a boned pork product includes a searing oven at a high temperature cooking station for braising and charring the boned pork product using radiant heat. The apparatus also includes a dual box, spiral steam cooker at a low temperature cooking station for cooking the boned pork product using steam to yield a fully-cooked, boned pork product. The apparatus further includes a freezer at a freezer station for freezing the fully-cooked, boned pork product. A first conveyor belt is disposed between the searing oven and the steam cooker and serves to mechanically transport the boned pork product from the high temperature cooking station to the low temperature cooking station. A second conveyor belt is disposed between the steam cooker and the freezer and serves to mechanically transport the fully-cooked, boned pork product from said low temperature cooking station to said freezer station.

The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for cooking food and more particularly to a method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products, wherein boned pork products refers to pork products having a bone therein, such as pork ribs and pork chops.
Boned pork products are often made by slow-cooking using low temperature heat to yield a fully cooked and tender product. As an example, boned pork products are often slow-cooked on a grill using a low flame. As another example, boned pork products are often slow-cooked in a smokehouse.
A smokehouse is a relatively small enclosed room having an interior climate which is exposed to a low temperature heat. To cook a boned pork product in a smokehouse, a laborer transports an uncooked, boned pork product into the smokehouse and typically hangs the product on a hook or lays the product on a rack. The product is then left in the room and the relatively low heat of the air within the smokehouse serves to slowly cook the product. The product is left in the smokehouse for a prolonged period of time, such as approximately five hours, until the product is fully cooked.
It should be noted that humidity is often introduced into the interior of the smokehouse to add moisture to the product. Furthermore, it should also be noted that smoke is often introduced into the interior of the smokehouse to add flavor to the product. Specifically, two types of smoke are often provided into the room in order to be absorbed into the product for flavoring, a natural smoke created by burning natural woods, such as hickory, maple or apple woods, or an artificial liquid smoke which is less expensive than natural smoke.
After the low temperature climate inside the smokehouse serves to fully cook the boned pork product, a laborer enters the smokehouse, removes the boned pork product from the rack or hook on which it is disposed and transports the cooked product to a final cooking station, such as a kitchen or grilling area. Preferably, the product is then seasoned, such as by coating the product with a marinate or a sauce, and grilled over an open flame to give the product a charred exterior, thereby providing the product with a grilled flavor and appearance, which is highly desirable.
As can be appreciated, cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse provides desirable advantages. For example, the slow-cooking technique achieved by a low temperature smokehouse or low-flamed grill serves to thoroughly cook the boned pork product with a high level of tenderness and taste, thereby yielding a top quality cooked product.
However, it has also been found that cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse introduces numerous disadvantages.
As a first disadvantage, it has been found that cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse significantly limits the volume of boned pork products that can be cooked during a particular period of time. Specifically, an open grill and a smokehouse is of a relatively small size and accordingly, has a limited capacity to cook boned pork products. As such, because an open grill and a smokehouse both require a long period of time to fully cook the product, only a relatively small volume of product can be cooked per day.
As a second disadvantage, it has been found that cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse requires a lengthy stop in production each time a laborer replaces the cooked product with an uncooked product, thereby creating a noncontinuous flow of product. This significantly limits the overall volume and productivity of such a system.
As a third disadvantage, it has been found that cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse is very labor intensive, thereby rendering such a system more time consuming and costly.
As a fourth disadvantage, it has been found that cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse requires a relatively large amount of labor interaction, thereby exposing the boned pork product to potential contaminants, such as bacteria, which could compromise the sanitariness of the product.
As a fifth disadvantage, it has been found that cooking boned pork products over a low-flamed grill or in a smokehouse requires a relatively large amount of labor interaction, thereby compromising the consistency of the product. Specifically, the high level of labor interaction can often cause the product to be undercooked or overcooked.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products as described above which cooks the product with a high level of tenderness and taste and with an appetizing appearance.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products as described above which prepares a relatively large volume of product.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products as described above which is continuous in production.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products as described above which is not labor intensive.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products as described above which has a limited number of parts, which is easy to use and which is inexpensive to manufacture.
Accordingly, as one feature of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for preparing a boned pork product, said apparatus comprising a high temperature cooking station for braising and charring the boned pork product using radiant heat, a low temperature cooking station for cooking the boned pork product using steam to yield a fully-cooked, boned pork product, and a freezer station for freezing the fully-cooked, boned pork product.
As another feature of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a boned pork product comprising the steps of applying radiant heat to the boned pork product at a high temperature cooking station, applying steam to the boned pork product at a low temperature cooking station to yield a fully-cooked, boned pork product, and freezing the fully-cooked, boned pork product at a freezing station.

Method and apparatus for preparing boned pork products


A hinge includes a shank, a rotation bracket adapted to securely connect to a display of a laptop computer, a fixed bracket adapted to securely connect to a base of the laptop computer and at least one friction bracket securely connected to the fixed bracket and having friction pads provided on opposite sides of the at least one friction bracket. Each of the friction pads has an aperture so defined that after the threaded portion of the shank extends through the apertures of the friction pads, the friction pads pivot together with the shank to generate holding force with the fixed bracket for holding the display in position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hinge, and more particularly to a hinge having enhanced friction ability so that the hinge is able to hold a display of heavy weight at a position as required.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As well known in the art, a hinge is provided between two objects so as to provide a pivotal relationship between the two objects. Examples can be seen everywhere in our daily lives. A common example is the display and the base of a laptop computer, wherein the display pivots about a central axis of the hinge so that various observation angles are provided to different operators. In order to protect the display from damage resulted from collision with the base due to insufficient holding force to the display, the hinge is provided with friction pads to provide the required holding force to the display. Because the dimension of the display is becoming larger than ever, the conventional design of a hinge can no longer provide the required holding force to hold the display at a specific position, which often causes the display to fall to the base after the hinge is used for a period of time.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved hinge to mitigate the aforementioned problems.

Friction enhanced hinge to provide positioning force to hold a display at a position as required


A distributed residential alarm system and method provides protection of occupants and property from loss due to theft or hazardous conditions in the residence such as fire or flooding. The alarm system includes multiple alert detectors coupled via a wireless connection to multiple control units each capable of providing master control functions. The control units and detectors communicate with the detectors and each other via a token-passing scheme, whereby unit pairs may be located within the distance limitations of each nodal connection, thus providing coverage over a longer distance than would be possible with communication to a central unit. The system also provides modularity and scalability in that sensors may be easily added to the system and the system is not dependent on any one of the control units in order to function. An apartment management system provides an alternative organization wherein apartment dwellers all can be notified of an alert condition in one of the premises, while preventing false alarm nuisance by initially limiting the alarm to the unit where the alarm condition exists. If after a predetermined time, the alarm in the originating unit has not been cancelled, the other units are notified.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to household systems, and more specifically, to a residential alarm system having a distributed control function.
2. Background of the Invention
Residential alarm systems provide security for occupants and protection of property from theft and extensive damage due to fire or flooding. A typical alarm system includes a main control unit and multiple sensors wired to the control unit for detecting smoke, heat, water, and unauthorized entry conditions such as door and window opening, glass breakage and motion inside a building. The alarm system typically connects to a telephone line and one or more audible alarms (speakers, buzzers, sirens, etc.). The telephone connection is generally susceptible to tampering, but may be improved by periodic xe2x80x9ccall-inxe2x80x9d polls by a security monitoring service, or by burying the telephone lines to limit accessibility.
Recently, wireless connections have been used to the main unit, to reduce the cost of installing wiring within a residence equipped with an alarm system and reduce the potential for disabling a sensor by tampering with the wiring. While the wireless connections provide improved operation and reduced installation cost, existing alarm systems are still dependent on a centralized control system that may fail or be bypassed through tampering. The central control unit also is limited in the number of loop connections for receiving sensor input, and therefore is generally not scalable, i.e., larger units must be purchased when upgrading past a predetermined capacity for a particular alarm system model.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a residential alarm system and method that is modular, scalable and is resistant to being disabled. It would further be desirable to provide a residential alarm system and method for notifying apartment dwellers of alarm conditions without disrupting an entire building with false alarms. It would further be desirable to provide a residential alarm system and method that are resistant to tampering with external connection such as telephone lines.
The above objective of providing a residential alarm system that is modular, scalable and is resistant to being disabled and that may be adapted to notify apartment dwellers of alarm conditions without disrupting an entire building, is achieved in a residential alarm system and method that include a distributed control function. The system comprises multiple alert condition detectors and multiple control units. Each of the control units capable of providing a master control function whereby the alarm system may be enabled or disabled and inputs from detectors converted to an audible or other alarm response.
The detectors and control units are connected via a wireless interface, and the system may communicate via a token passing mechanism that provides a fault-tolerant connection whereby the units may be located at greater distances than would be required for communication that is directed at one centralized location.
The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Distributed residental alarm system and method therefor