A lockable safety shield assembly for a prefillable syringe is provided. The design of the lockable safety shield assembly enhances pharmaceutical manufacturers' ease of assembling the various components as part of its filling or processing of the prefillable syringes in normal practice, while at the same time minimizes difficulties in mating parts made from different materials. A tube is placed around the outside surface of the syringe barrel and affixed thereto. A collar is provided on the tube adjacent the distal end of the syringe barrel. A safety shield is axially slidable over the tube between a retracted position, wherein the distal end of the piercing element associated with the prefillable syringe is exposed, and an extended position, wherein the safety shield is locked to the collar to protectively cover the distal end of the piercing element. The safety shield includes locking structure configured so that the shield can be easily fitted over the tube. The locking structure includes at least one deflectable arm provided on the body of the shield. The deflectable arm includes a proximal end deflectable towards the interior of the shield. A stop member is provided on the interior of a shield in spaced relation to the proximal end of the deflectable arm. A ring is axially slidable over the shield to deflect the arm towards the interior of the shield to activate the locking structure. The safety shield is slid distally by an end user such that the collar is lockingly retained between the stop member and the proximal end of the deflectable arm. The collar, the stop member, and the deflectable arm may be configured to provide tactile as well as audible indication of locking to the end user.

As is known in the art, syringes are medical delivery devices utilizable to administer a medicament to a patient. Syringes are normally provided in prefillable form, wherein a set dosage of medicament can be filled into the syringe by a pharmaceutical manufacturer for distribution to the end user, or they are empty and intended to be filled by the end user from a vial or other source of medicament at the time administration of the medicament is desired.
Syringes typically include a barrel portion adapted to retain the medicament. The distal end of the barrel is normally configured to mate with a conventional piercing element, such as a pointed needle cannula made of steel or like material or a blunt ended cannula formed of plastic, to deliver the medicament contained in the barrel. A plunger rod is inserted through the open distal end of the syringe barrel and, through its engagement with an elastomeric or rubber-like stopper element fitted in a fluid-tight manner within the interior of the barrel, a user can apply manual force to the plunger to deliver the medicament through the piercing element.
More typically the case with pointed needle cannulae, accidental needle sticks that occur after the needle cannula has been used generally pose a greater health risk. To avoid such accidents, many prior art hypodermic syringes include a rigid cylindrical safety shield telescoped over the syringe barrel. The prior art safety shield can be slid from a proximal position where the needle cannula is exposed for use, to a distal position where the safety shield protectively surrounds the needle cannula.
Most prior art hypodermic syringes with cylindrical safety shields telescoped over the syringe barrel include structure for locking the safety shield in its distal position. Examples of such structures are found, for instance, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,342,309 and 5,385,555 to Hausser and U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,149 to Morigi.
While generally suitable for the tasks employed, further improvements are still being sought. For instance, where the syringe is prefillable by a pharmaceutical manufacturer, it would be beneficial to incorporate improvements into the locking structure employed with the safety shields to better facilitate a pharmaceutical manufacturer's processing of the various components associated with the syringe barrel and safety shield. These improvements should also facilitate the end user's normal use of the prefillable syringe and easy activation of the safety shield once safe disposal of the syringe is desired. Moreover, most of the prior art approaches focus their efforts on employing a plastic collar element on some distal portion of the syringe barrel, with the shield locking onto the collar. While a valid approach, because many of the prefilled syringes currently in use are made of glass, it can be difficult to assemble the plastic collar element onto the syringe barrel. Accordingly, it would be useful to design a structure whereby the collar were incorporated as part of the shield structure itself.

Lockable safety shield assembly for a prefillable syringe


The present invention relates to methods, systems and devices for integration of tire pressure monitoring sensors with a tire pressure monitoring system utilizing a telecommunication device. In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method of integrating a tire pressure monitoring sensor with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle. The method includes the step of establishing a communication link between a telecommunication device and a tire pressure monitoring sensor, the communication link including a low frequency transmission device. The method further includes transmitting a signal through the communication link to cause the tire pressure monitoring sensor to communicate with a tire pressure monitoring system of a vehicle.

Commercial and non-commercial vehicles now have tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) which include a central module, integrated or in communication with an electronic control unit of the vehicle, and tire pressure monitoring sensors (TPM sensors) for each vehicle wheel unit. In general, the TPM sensors monitor tire pressure within a respective tire and transmits a wireless signal to the central module which is indicative of tire pressure. Should the sensed pressure be outside of an acceptable range or a substantial change in tire pressure occur, an alarm is generated and transmitted to the user of the vehicle.
Over time, TPM sensors require replacement by service technicians due to damage, depleted battery or otherwise. This requires installation and integration of new TPM sensors with a TPMS of a vehicle. During this process, in one configuration, the technician places the vehicle in a learning mode requiring each TPM sensor to be triggered for identification purposes. The technician then sequentially triggers each sensor of a wheel unit, utilizing a TPMS tool, causing each sensor, new or existing, to transmit a wireless signal to a control module of the TPMS. These tools communicate with a sensor through low frequency signals which communicate with the TPMS through a higher frequency radio signal. The control module records the identification number of each signal so as to interpret the location of TPM sensor data during operation thereof.
More recently, certain manufacturers have offered TPM sensors that can be configured, through flash programming or program selection, by a service technician with suitable operating software for a particular make, model and year of a vehicle. Unfortunately, this requires the purchase and maintenance of expensive tools, such as the TECH400SD, sold by Bartec USA at www.bartecusa.com, or otherwise. The purchase and maintenance of TPM sensor configuration tools can be considerable as service stations should maintain one configuration tool for a certain amount of vehicles anticipated to be serviced. Accordingly, the greater number of anticipated clientele, the more configuration tools must be on hand and maintained. Furthermore, the substantial cost of configuration tools effectively eliminates individuals from servicing their own TPMS.
In another aspect, with the continual expansion of the TPMS market, due to increasing numbers of vehicles being sold with TPMS, TPM sensor tools must be continually updated to include not only new TPMS models introduced every year, but also improved software for existing TPM sensors. Accordingly, existing configuration tools must have new memory modules purchased and installed to include the new TPMS data. Alternatively, each configuration tool must be connected to a computer in order to download program software updates, via the internet, or otherwise. In either instance, time must be dedicated for the accessing and installation of updated program software for each sensor tool.

Methods, systems and devices for integration of tire pressure monitoring sensors with a tire pressure monitoring system


The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for configuring service mesh networking resources for dynamically discovered external entities. The methods and systems create custom resource objects for services provided by the external entities and dynamically create service mesh network resources for the custom resource objects. The methods and systems enable communications with the external entities using the service mesh network resources.

Service meshes require complex set of networking configuration resources to be deployed to enable traffic routing to external entities, such as, peer network functions (NFs) or external databases and servers. Previously, each different application had to implement many of the communication features and had to know, for example, how to encrypt traffic, decrypt traffic, and/or perform packet captures. Thus, when problems occurred in the communications, difficulties arose in troubleshooting the issues since different applications were implementing different procedures for the communications.

Configuring service mesh networking resources for dynamically discovered peers or network functions


A disposable chair cover having an open end and a sealed end. The open end is adapted to receive at least a portion of a chair to cover and protect the chair. The chair cover comprises a decorative member, such as a bow, that can be combined with a portion of a chair. In one embodiment, a plurality of chair covers are packaged so that the plurality of chair covers are combined together on a roll and separated by first perforations. The first perforations can be easily separated by cutting or tearing as the roll is unwound. In addition to the first perforations, the roll of chair covers comprises a plurality of second perforations that separate each chair cover from its respective decorative member so that the chair covers and decorative members are packaged together on the same roll.

This invention relates generally to removable and disposable chair covers.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of removable chair covers. These removable chair covers are generally used for functions and events (e.g., wedding receptions, conventions, holiday gatherings) where it is desirable to have chairs which look clean and uniform. The removable chair covers therefore are able to hide non-uniform or worn chairs from the view of patrons at the function or event. Another advantage of the removable chair cover is that the chair itself is protected from wear and tear.
There are several different types of existing removable chair covers. One type of existing cover is made of a woven fabric that is cut and stitched together so as to fit a standard type of chair. Generally, the cover, when fitted to a chair, is tied down using one of a variety of available tying methods. One problem with woven fabric chair covers is that they are becoming more expensive to manufacture as general costs of materials and manufacture increase. Accordingly, in order for the existing woven fabric removable chair covers to be a profitable item for a rental company or a meeting place such as a hotel ballroom, it is necessary for the removable chair cover to be reused. Reuse requires the added expense of washing (usually dry cleaning), repair, storage and other related costs (e.g., the cost of the post-function pick-up of the covers). Those manufacturing and reuse costs in a relatively competitive market have pushed down the profitability of these types of woven fabric chair covers. Another problem with woven fabric chair covers is that they are typically made to fit only one particular style of chair. This is especially a problem when a single venue has multiple styles or sizes of chairs that all require covering.
Another type of existing chair covers is made of non-woven paper. An example of this type of cover is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/786,724 (Ryan). One problem with this type of chair cover is that many restaurants and reception halls do not allow patrons to decorate with colored paper due to its potential for staining and its potential fire hazard. Another problem with this type of cover is that the paper material may not be waterproof, so spilled drinks may penetrate the cover and damage the chair.
Yet another problem with both types of chair covers described above is that their packaging is inefficient, which leads to a higher cost for the consumer. The cloth type covers described above are often individually packaged which leads to a higher packaging cost. If a consumer needs several hundred chair covers, the increased packaging cost related to purchasing each chair cover individually is extremely significant. The chair cover described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/786,724 is also inefficiently packaged because the decorative member (shown in FIG. 5f and FIG. 5g of that published application) is not packaged with the chair cover. The separate packaging of the decorative member is inefficient and increases the cost to the end consumer.
There is therefore a need for a chair cover that is inexpensive to manufacture, efficiently packaged, and easy to use.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Disposable chair cover and method of using


A liveload assembly including an stack guide, compressed belleville washers stacked inside the stack guide and a retainer to hold the compressed washers in the stack guide. A longitudinal slot in the wall of the stack guide permits visual checking of the compression provided by the liveload assembly on the gland follower of the valve or pump. The rotary or reciprocating shaft of a valve or pump is liveloaded by placing the liveload assembly over the bolt securing the gland follower to the stuffing box. A nut is threaded on the bolt until it contacts the washers and the retainer removed.

Fluid flow equipment including pipes, valves, and pumps are common in the utility, refinery, manufacturing, chemical and petrochemical industries. The mechanical workings of such valves and pumps are housed in casings through which rotary or reciprocating shafts extend. For example, the shaft of a rotary pump operatively connects a motor on the exterior of the casing to an impellor on the interior of the casing. The shafts rotate or reciprocate in response to a number of specific stimuli, including a knob turned by hand, a motor, or an impeller driven by fluid flowing in the equipment.
Thus, there are at least three openings in a pump or valve casing: (1) an opening for an inlet pipe by which fluid is delivered; (2) an opening for an outlet pipe by which fluid is discharged; and (3) an opening for the shaft. Various types of seals prevent leakage of fluid from the pump or valve casing. The two fluid openings for the inlet and the outlet pipes are sealed conventionally. The shaft projects through the casing in an area known as the "stuffing box" or the "packing box." The terms "stuffing box" and "packing box" are interchangeable, and derive from the method of preventing fluid leakage by stuffing or packing a material around the shaft to provide the seal. The packing material is often composed of woven or braided fibers formed into coils, spirals or rings. The packing material is stuffed around the shaft so that no fluid can escape the casing along the shaft. A lubricant is often impregnated in the packing material to facilitate installation and to reduce friction on the packing material.
Rotary and reciprocating shaft-equipped pumps, valves, compressors, agitators and the like, interact with a variety of fluids. Such fluids may be as harmless as cool water or as dangerous as a radioactive, superheated acid. Preventing leakage of any fluid from the opening for the shaft is important. The cost of any such leakage can range from the loss of fluid and operating time for repair of the leak, to significant environmental damage and loss of life.
For example, consider a pump in a nuclear fueled steam generating plant. In nuclear reactors, pumps are used to circulate a coolant (oftentimes water) across nuclear fuel elements. The coolant and nuclear fuel are placed together in a pressure vessel. Piping from the pressure vessel delivers the coolant, heated by contact with the nuclear fuel, to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger extracts the heat from the coolant. The piping thus forms a continuous loop between the pressure vessel and the heat exchanger so that the coolant is continuously recycled. As a result, radioactivity is safely contained within this closed system. Pumps are often provided between the pressure vessel and the heat exchanger to deliver the coolant. Any leakage from the pump destroys the closed system and permits radioactive coolant to escape. Failure of a seal in this example will not only result in the discharge of a toxic material into the environment, but could cause an explosion or fire.
In addition to actual damage caused by leaks, profits and the health and welfare of employees are affected. Many industrial processes require large amounts of time to regain normal operation. Frequent shutdowns of the process greatly affect production capability. Thus, having to shut down a plant for any period of time in order to replace worn or damaged packing in the stuffing box reduces operating time and, correspondingly, reduces profit. Moreover, workers are often at risk in replacing such worn packing. For example, the packing in a pump and valve becomes saturated with the fluid being sealed. The packing in a pump used to circulate coolant in a nuclear reactor will be exposed to radioactivity from the coolant. A worker who removes old and worn packing from such a pump is, for a time, exposed to the radiation contained in the fluid and saturated in the packing. Accordingly, frequent replacement of the packing material in the stuffing box is not desirable. Moreover, it is preferred that all steps be taken to minimize the risk of such radiation exposure.
Rotating and reciprocating shafts are difficult to seal. In operation, such shafts are capable of both radial and axial displacement. Radial displacement typically results from manufacturing inaccuracies. Axial displacement results from different thermal expansions produced through normal operation of the shaft. Furthermore, the stuffing box environment is less than ideal. Conditions are constantly changing. The packing may be required to withstand high temperatures and pressures one minute and low temperatures and pressures the next. Shaft speeds may also vary. The surfaces of the shaft in the stuffing box are often pitted and rough. Very slight defects in the arrangement or condition of a stuffing box can prevent proper pump operation.
Various types of packing for a stuffing box are known in the prior art. Each of these packings attempts to be responsive to the foregoing considerations. The packing must be somewhat plastic so that it can extrude enough to seal rough or uneven surfaces. The packing must be resilient in order to adapt to changing conditions without failing or damaging the shaft. However, in trying to provide flexibility, some packings sacrifice resiliency. Others, in trying to resist extrusion, sacrifice flexibility sufficient to conform to uneven or rough surfaces within the stuffing box. Still other packings are flexible, resilient and minimize friction, but do not provide a long-lasting seal so as to avoid frequent replacement.
Soft packing is a common shaft seal, and is generally made from asbestos, fabric, hemp or rubber fibers woven into strands and formed into a braided spiral. Soft packing is inexpensive and offers several desirable features. The softness of the packing allows it to absorb energy without damaging the rotating shaft. Soft packing is also very flexible and readily conforms to the area to be sealed.
Soft packing, however, has several disadvantages. One problem is short life. Soft packing is easily worn by friction and easily damaged, therefore requiring frequent replacement. Soft packing may be impregnated with graphite or lubricating oils to reduce friction between the shaft and the packing, but such lubricants quickly dissipate and are not very effective in overcoming the short life problem. Thus, soft packings are best suited for low shaft speed applications involving non-caustic and non-abrasive fluids. Yet another problem with soft packing is a lack of resiliency. After being compressed and extruded, soft packings are unable to re-expand to effectuate a seal. Resiliency, conventionally defined as the ability of packing to re-expand, is important to enable the packing material to adjust to changing conditions. Lack of such resiliency, as in the case of a soft packing, results in frequent adjustment or replacement for the packing.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,404,061 teaches a sealing material made from expanded graphite. One common use of such material is to wind a length of flexible tape made therefrom onto a mandrel to form a solid annulus of appropriate size to pack the stuffing box. Thus, the expanded graphite tape is formed as a seal. Packing made from expanded graphite is flexible and conforms to uneven surfaces. The graphite material makes the packing self-lubricating, thereby minimizing friction between the shaft and the packing. With such self-lubricating packings, the lubricant does not dissipate with time. Expanded graphite packing also absorbs energy without excessive damage to either the packing or the shaft.
The principal problem with expanded graphite packings is a lack of resiliency and excessive extrusion under high temperatures and pressures. Solid graphite packings are not able to withstand high pressures since they lack the internal strength to resist extrusion and are unable to re-expand after compression. In addition, expanded graphite packings require frequent adjustment under normal conditions due to the low resiliency of the graphite. The graphite packings are easily compressed, thereby contributing to the low resiliency problem. As a result, normal rotation or reciprocation of the shaft can compress the graphite and create leaks.
A further problem with soft packings (and expanded graphite packing in particular) is that they are difficult to extract from the stuffing box when replacement is necessary. Soft packing can extrude to such an extent that it melds to the walls of the stuffing box, making removal difficult. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the typical stuffing box provides an annular recess about the shaft, into which the packing is stuffed. The recess is capped by a gland follower. The gland follower is secured to the casing, known as the gland of the stuffing box, by one or more bolts. Thus, the more torque applied to the gland bolts, the greater the downward pressure applied to the packing by the gland follower. Tightening the gland bolts compresses the packing in the stuffing box to effect the seal.
Generally speaking, there are three conditions that result in leakage: packing consolidation; bolt creep; and improper loading.
Packing consolidation occurs naturally, and refers to the packing's tendency to settle, wear, and loosen over time. A number of factors contribute to this condition, including the constant rotation of the shaft, changes in temperature of fluids flowing through the equipment, and the age and material of the packing itself. Soft packing is particularly susceptible to consolidation.
Bolt creep is a condition wherein the gland bolts are moved upward due to the expansion and contraction of the gland follower and the casing. Such expansion and contraction often results from a change in operating temperatures and pressures. Valves and pumps in various industries often operate under conditions ranging from cyrogenic to superheated temperatures, and normal to extreme pressures and vacuums. Bolt creep reduces the pressure applied by the gland follower on the packing.
Improper loading is a condition wherein the compression exerted by the gland follower on the packing is insufficient to effect a seal. Packing consolidation and bolt creep are contributing elements of improper loading, because both reduce the compressive force applied by the gland follower on the packing. But inaccurate torquing of the gland bolts by workers also causes improper loading. Such inaccurate torquing may be the result of human errors. However, it is recognized that the torque wrenches used by workers are often inaccurate, resulting in improper loading. Leaks thus occur from the outset because the load on the packing is insufficient to achieve or maintain a seal.
Fluid leakage along the shaft of valves and pumps has long been recognized as a serious problem in power and industrial plants. In recognition of this problem, various attempts have been made to obtain leak-free performance and reduce maintenance requirements for a pump or a valve. For example, improved packing materials were developed for a larger range of temperatures, better chemical resistance, and improved coefficient of expansion characteristics. Torque values were established for the bolts connecting the gland follower to the stuffing box. (Installers follow such specifications to apply a proper load to the packing to achieve a seal, but as discussed above, may not attain a proper load because the torque wrenches are inaccurate.) Several companies have initiated routine maintenance programs that include re-torquing of gland follower bolts. Such retorquing is done frequently because of the significant risk posed by improperly loaded gland bolts and the resulting leakage of fluid from the apparatus. The costs of repairing damaged equipment and cleaning up spent fluids are also of concern. But generally, the majority of the equipment does not need such maintenance. Such maintenance programs include all equipment, however, in order to correct the torque on the relatively few pieces of equipment for which packing compression is lessened (as a result of bolt creep, packing consolidation or previous improper loading) to an extent that leaking has occurred or could occur.
Another attempt to obtain leak-free performance and reduce maintenance requirements involves liveloading of the gland follower. Liveloading refers to the mounting of compressed springs on the gland follower whereby a constant pressure is exerted on the gland follower to insure a constant compressive force is exerted on the packing. As the packing consolidates or the gland bolts loosen, the spring pressure moves the gland follower towards the stuffing box to maintain the integrity of the packing.
Belleville washers are one type of spring typically used to cushion heavy loads with short motion. Uncompressed belleville springs or washers typically take the form of a disk with an open center. In contrast, compressed belleville washers are flat. A significant amount of force is required to compress or flatten the uncompressed belleville washers. Belleville washers installed on the gland bolts of pump and valve stuffing boxes maintain the force exerted by the gland follower on the packing. As the packing consolidates or the gland bolts loosen, the belleville washers decompress and maintain the load on the packing. The gland follower essentially becomes self adjusting in response to the packing's condition to maintain a proper load on the packing and thereby maintain a seal.
Liveloading a gland follower is difficult in many situations. It is particularly difficult to retrofit valves for liveloading for a number of reasons. Replacement of bolt studs may be necessary because the studs are not long enough to accomodate a sufficient number of uncompressed belleville washers and the nut that conventionally maintains the gland follower. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that uncompressed belleville washers occupy more space than compressed washers. Accordingly, the gland bolts must often be extruded and replaced with longer bolts. This is particularly expensive in nuclear power plants, not only because expensive high grade steel material must be used to manufacture the extended bolts, but also because a significant amount of paperwork detailing the change must be prepared and filed with the various regulatory agencies and manufacturers involved with the equipment and nuclear power plants. Also, health and safety inspectors at nuclear plants track carefully the amount of radiation to which workers are exposed because there is a limit to the amount of radiation a worker may receive. Additional workers thus may be needed for simple, yet time-consuming projects.
Another reason that liveloading is difficult is because achieving the right load on the belleville washers is expensive and difficult. The retaining nut must be torqued on the bolt to a specific degree to achieve and maintain a seal. Proper torquing of the washers, even using torque wrenches, takes a long time. In a nuclear plant, any additional maintenance time increases the workers' exposure to radiation from the fluid. Torque wrenches are recognized as inherently inaccurate. Engineers at nuclear plants in particular are uncomfortable relying on such tools to achieve a proper torque.
Yet another reason that liveloading is difficult is because belleville washers are difficult to install about a gland bolt. Aside from being a time consuming operation, the component washers are small in size and difficult to manipulate. Workers in heavily radiated areas must wear several sets of gloves and a respirator. Gloves make such small objects difficult to handle and position over a bolt. The respirator makes it difficult to see. If a single belleville washer is dropped and lost, work may be delayed for hours.
A further reason that liveloading is difficult is that belleville washers, once placed on a gland bolt and even when properly torqued, may slip laterally and hang or catch on the bolt. This causes hysteresis, a retardation of the self-adjusting effect of the belleville washers on the gland follower.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for an apparatus for liveloading, and for a method of preparing an apparatus for liveloading, the gland follower that is free of the problems typically experienced when liveloading valves, pumps and the like in power and industrial plants.

Liveload assembly for rotary or reciprocating shaft packing


A hopping control device selects one hopping pattern out of hopping patterns P1 to PN, reads out a hopping frequency sequence arranged in the selected hopping pattern from a frequency hopping pattern memory, and sends the hopping frequency sequence to frequency synthesizers as a frequency designation signal by wire at a predetermined period. The frequency synthesizers generate local oscillation signals of a frequency specified by the frequency designation signal, respectively, and output the local oscillator signals to mixers, respectively, to thereby perform communication by a frequency hopping system between a first housing unit and a second housing unit.

A frequency hopping system is an example of a spread spectrum radio communication technique. By using a frequency hopping system, it is possible to secure a large number of independent communication channels in a limited frequency band by selecting an appropriate hopping pattern.
In a communication system of the frequency hopping system, a transmission side communication apparatus and a reception side communication apparatus hop a transmission frequency and a reception frequency in synchronization with each other in accordance with an identical hopping sequence (a hopping pattern). An example of a hopping sequence of the transmission and the reception frequencies used in this case a hopping sequence having a relatively short repetition period and a hopping sequence having a long repetition period in order to improve confidentiality. Whether the hopping sequence is short or long, an acquisition technique for specifying which frequency in the hopping sequence is a transmission frequency currently used by the transmission side communication apparatus and synchronizing hopping timing of a reception frequency with the transmission side communication apparatus is important in the reception side communication apparatus.
A frequency hopping spectrum communication system is divided into a low-speed frequency-hopping spread spectrum system and a high-speed frequency-hopping spread spectrum system according to a relation between a data rate and a frequency hopping rate.
The low-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system is a system in which the frequency hopping rate is lower than the data rate. The low-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system transmits a plurality of symbols at one frequency. As examples of such low-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication systems, JP-A-7-30516 discloses a system for determining switching timing for a frequency that synchronizes frequencies of a transmitter and a receiver by counting the number of bits of demodulated information; JP-A-5-191378 discloses a method of including frequency information to be used next in a packet, and synchronizing working frequencies of a transmitter and a receiver by using the frequency information included in the packet; and JP-A-11-8571 discloses a system for detecting a shift of a frequency by performing f-V conversion to set a frequency on a reception side.
On the other hand, the high-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system is a system in which the frequency hopping rate is higher than the data rate. The high-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system transmits one system at a plurality of frequencies. In this system, since one symbol is transmitted at a plurality of frequencies, it is possible to obtain a satisfactory characteristic with respect to a frequency selective fading such as a multi-path fading. As in example of such a high-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum communication system, JP-A-8-191260 discloses a high-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum receiver which can perform acquisition of a hopping sequence in a short time, and a correlator and a synchronizer used in the high-speed frequency-hopping spread-spectrum receiver.
However, in the methods disclosed in JP-A-7-30516 and JP-A-5-191378, a working frequency is determined from a signal, which has passed through a demodulator, on the receiver side. Consequently, an initial acquisition cannot be performed unless there is a signal that is demodulated by the demodulator correctly. There is, therefore, a problem in that, for the initial acquisition, a user has to wait until frequencies of the transmitter and the receiver coincide with each other and, moreover, has to take measures for outputting a preamble signal that is required only for synchronizing frequencies.
In the method disclosed in JP-A-11-8571, since a shift of a frequency is detected by the f-V conversion to set a frequency on the reception side, a user has to wait until a frequency generated from a receiving station is stabilized after the shift of a frequency is detected. When this system is used for a communication system having an extremely broad band, it is necessary to use a linear f-V converter over a broad band.
In the method disclosed in JP-A-8-191260, a method of reducing time required for conventional acquisition of high-speed hopping is described. However, there is a problem in that, even if the method is used, time for correlating signals is still required and, moreover, a plurality of circuits for correlating signals are required to complicate a circuit of the receiver.

Radio communication terminal and radio communication control method


A package includes a support structure having an electrically insulating material, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) component, a cover structure having an electrically insulating material and mounted on the support structure for at least partially covering the MEMS component, and an electronic component embedded in one of the support structure and the cover structure. At least one of the support structure and the cover structure has or provides an electrically conductive contact structure.

MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) were first created with conventional semiconductor tools. Specific requirements, such as dimensions, material sets, shapes led to the development of dedicated processes. This disconnect from the origins meant that the control integrated circuits (IC) could not be manufactured on the same substrates as the MEMS itself. Even though CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) compatible processes have been introduced enabling single-chip MEMS/IC, the wide majority of MEMS applications separates the sensor/actuator from the controller.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,089 discloses a silicon condenser microphone package which includes a transducer unit, a substrate, and a cover. The substrate includes an upper surface transducer unit attached to the upper surface of the substrate and overlapping at least a portion of a recess, wherein a back volume of the transducer unit is formed between the transducer unit and the substrate. A cover is placed over the transducer unit and either the cover or the substrate includes an aperture.
US 2012/0033846 discloses a method for fabricating flat loudspeakers comprising manufacturing a flat loudspeaker including at least one micro speaker array, having first and second main surfaces; and covering at least one of the main surfaces of the loudspeaker with a cover member including an airtight sound-pressure wave transparent thin polymer film.
With continuous demand for smaller form factors and improved performance at lower costs, there is still room for improved packaging solutions for heterogeneous integration.

AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft


A printed wiring board 50 is assembled to a molded ink manifold 52. A bonding board 50 has circuit contacts 54 aligned on a similar pitch as circuit contacts 56 on a die module 58. A fluid seal material 64 is applied onto the die mold 58 on an ink inlet surface. During the same dispensing step, a series of microdots of conventional isotropic conductive adhesive 62 are dispensed upon the circuit contacts 56 of the die module 58. The die module 58 is aligned brought into contact with the manifold 52/wiring board 50 assembly. The bonds made by the fluid sealant 64 and the isotropic conductive adhesive 62 are cured simultaneously in an oven.

The present invention relates to the image rendering arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with thermal ink jet printheads, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention is also amenable to other like applications.
Typically, the manufacturing of thermal ink jet printheads involves numerous complicated steps both inside and outside of a clean room. Among the process steps are a plurality of precise adhesive placements and position alignments are performed in the clean room. More specifically, constituent components of the printhead assembly have adhesives applied, are aligned and pressed together, and the adhesives cured in a heater. Typically, each separate component is bonded and cured in a separate step.
More specifically to the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,114 to Andrews, et al. describes the construction of a thermal ink jet printhead, and is herein incorporated by reference. First, in the clean room, a die bond epoxy is applied to the bottom side of a die module 1. The die module 1 is then precisely aligned and assembled to a substrate 2, in the case of Andrews, a heat sink. Next, the die bond is cured in an oven for approximately 45 minutes or longer. After the die bond is set, wire bonds 3 are applied between a printed wiring board 4 on said substrate 2 and an electrical contact portion of the die module 1. An adhesion promoter is applied to the top surface of die module 1. A tack fluid seal 5 is precisely located and applied to one surface of the ink manifold assembly 6. The die module 1 and substrate 2 assembly and the manifold 6 an fluid seal 5 assembly are then precisely located to each other and are merged together and a UV adhesive is applied and cured The tack fluid seal is cured in an oven for approximately 45 minutes or longer. An encapsulation adhesive is then injected into the assembly to protect the wire bonds 3 from oxidation. A faceplate 7 is adhered to the operative surface of the printhead.
Once assembled, the printhead is subjected to an additional final cure, along with a series of integrity tests.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,777 to Hawkins, et al. describes an alternate method for constructing a thermal ink jet printhead, and is herein incorporated by reference. With reference to FIGS. 2 through 5 of the present application, aspects of existing manufacturing processes are illustrated. In FIG. 2, a daughter board 10 carries a thermal ink jet printhead 12. A portion of daughter board electrodes 14 are carried entirely on the facing side of the daughter board 10, and another portion of the electrodes 14 are carried partially on the reverse side of the daughter board 10, switching sides at inversion points 15. As seen in FIG. 3, daughter board electrodes 14 are connected to individual printhead electrodes 16. The printhead electrodes 16 are carried upon a substrate 18, as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. Wire bonds 20 are used to connect between each daughter board electrode 14 and its corresponding printhead electrode 16 counterpart. The wire bonds are installed with a standard wire bonding process as is known in the art.
Each printhead electrode 16 is connected to a heating element 22 (FIG. 5). A plurality of heating elements 22 are situated side by side along a front edge 24 of the substrate 18. An etched manifold 26 is precision aligned with the substrate 18 such that etched grooves 28 in the manifold 26 align precisely with the heating elements 22, defining ink jet channels between the manifold 26 and the substrate 18. Internal pathways and capillaries within the manifold allow ink from a supply aperture 30 to flow into each of the ink jet channels.
The present invention is suited for applications wherein a heat sink substrate is not needed and thermal control of the printhead is accomplished through other means known in the art. The present invention contemplates a new and improved method and apparatus that replaces the wire bonds, and condenses other bonding steps with a single step or process, overcoming the above referenced problems, and others.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling an ink jet printhead is provided. A printed wiring board is attached to an ink jet manifold. A die module is simultaneously attached to the manifold and the printed wiring board. Adhesives used to bond the die module to the printed wiring board and the manifold are simultaneously cured.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing an ink jet cartridge is provided. A fluid seal is dispensed on a first portion of a die module. An isotropic conductive adhesive is dispensed on a second portion of the die module containing a series of bumped electrical contacts. A single component is aligned with the die module, the component including a first, ink jet manifold section and a second, printed wiring board section. The die module and single component are moved into engagement, whereby a fluid seal connection is made, and an electrical connection is made in a single processing step.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a thermal ink jet cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a manifold and a printed substrate attached to the manifold. A die module single component that includes the manifold and the substrate is attached to at least a printed daughter board, the die module being at least partially attached with a flip chip bumping process.
One advantage of the present invention resides in simplified construction of an ink jet printhead.
Another advantage of the present invention resides in a more robust electrical bond.
Another advantage resides in reduced manufacturing costs.
Still further advantages and benefits of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Low cost high performance thermal ink jet printhead


An apparatus and a method for preparing a multi-directional continuous fiber-reinforced composite material. The apparatus includes an electrostatic fiber-splitting device configured to controllably split a fiber bundle, a powder spreading device configured to spread a powder, and a pre-press molding device configured to cut the fiber and compact the powder. The electrostatic fiber-splitting device includes a rotatable fiber-splitting table. The pressing plate is controlled by an electromagnet, and the pressing plate is energized to generate a high-voltage electrostatic field to disperse the continuous fiber bundle into monofilament fibers.

Continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials are prepared from continuous fiber materials, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, etc., and a substrate material (such as ceramic powder) through winding, molding, or pultrusion. The continuous fibers are controllable in the distribution state and mode, and their mechanical properties are far superior to chopped fibers. However, it has still not been reported yet about the device for efficiently preparing multi-directional continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials and the method for controlling the distribution of fibers. Meanwhile, the existing manufacture devices of continuous fiber-reinforced composites cannot complete the automatic fiber cutting, real-time pre-pressing and rapid mold replacement, failing to achieve the precise and efficient preparation. In view of the above-mentioned defects in the prior art, the preparation and application of continuous fiber-reinforced composite materials with excellent mechanical properties are greatly limited.

Apparatus and method for efficiently preparing multi-directional continuous fiber-reinforced composite material

Shaanxi University of Science & Technology


A checker comprises a thin-walled checker body, a pull-ring and inwardly directed engagement portions. The pull-ring is formed on a widthwise center part of an outer peripheral portion of the checker body. The inwardly directed engagement portions are formed on widthwise opposite ends of the checker body. The checker is fitted and mounted on a connector housing so that the checker body seats in a fit-in slot defined by elongate ribs formed on a flat region of the connector housing and the inwardly directed engagement portions snap in and locking engage with engagement windows of the connector housing.

The present invention relates to a quick connector having a function to verify that a pipe is correctly connected to the quick connector in snap-engagement relation, for example, adapted in assembly in a fuel piping of an automobile.
In a fluid piping structure, for example, a gasoline fuel piping structure where a tube is joined to a pipe, a connector is used for joining the tube to the pipe. In such piping system, for example, the pipe includes an inserting end portion on one axial side thereof wherein an annular engagement projection is formed on and around an outer peripheral surface. Then, the inserting end portion of the pipe is inserted and fitted in the connector so that the annular engagement projection snap-engages in the connector to provide locking relation between the pipe and the connector. Thereby connection between the pipe and the connector is completed. A quick connector adapted in this manner comprises a tubular connector housing provided with a tube connecting portion on one axial side thereof and an annular or generally annular retainer. The connector housing has a retainer holding portion on an opposite axial side, wherein at least one engagement window is provided, for example, a pair of engagement windows are provided in diametrically opposed relation with one another. The retainer is configured so that the annular engagement projection of the pipe snap-engages therewith, and is fitted in the retainer holding portion to engage with the engagement window. That is, the pipe is inserted in the retainer so that the annular engagement projection of the inserting end portion snap-engages with the retainer. Thereby the pipe is fitted in and connected to the quick connector. However, if an operator does not take care sufficiently to complete connection between the pipe and the connector, the inserting end portion of the pipe might not be fully inserted into the retainer or the connector and the annular engagement projection of the pipe might not snap-engage with the retainer. Thus, the pipe might be in so-called half-fitting relation with respect to the connector. In case of a piping system subject to operation while the pipe is incompletely connected to the connector, as sealing property by a sealing member between the connector and the pipe is insufficient or becomes insufficient, an inner fluid usually leaks out.
Then, in order to easily verify complete connection of a pipe to a quick connector, a checker is adapted to provide the connector with a function of verifying complete connection. A checker for verifying complete connection usually has a checker body configured to have inner surface curving along or generally along an outer peripheral surface of a connector housing. The checker body is provided with a pull-out portion and at least one engagement portion. The engagement portion is integrally formed on the checker body, for example, on opposite ends or opposite end portions respectively of the checker body. The checker is fitted on the connector housing, for example, an outer peripheral surface between engagement windows wherein the engagement portion engages with, for example, snap-engages with the engagement window to restrain movement of the checker in a pull-out direction. The checker is configured to be allowable for being pulled out by the engagement portion or engagement portions deflecting and moving, for example, radially outwardly, being pressed by the annular engagement projection when the pipe is correctly fitted in the connector and the annular engagement projection of the inserting end portion snap-engages with the retainer. Accordingly, upon completion of connection work of the pipe and the quick connector, it can be verified that the pipe is completely connected in the quick connector by pulling the checker out of the connector housing with the pull-out portion in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the connector housing. If the checker cannot be removed out of the connector housing when the checker is pulled, mostly the pipe is not completely connected to the quick connector. In such case, connection work of the pipe and the quick connector should be again implemented so that the inserting end portion of the pipe is fully inserted in the quick connector.
Meanwhile, in thus configured quick connector, a locking portion of the engagement portion of the checker to be engaged in or with the engagement window is formed typically short or small sized, so that the checker can be surely pulled out when the pipe is engaged with retainer. Hence, if the checker is pulled obliquely, for example, obliquely toward an opposite axial side of the connector housing, as the checker is inclined, and an engagement portion of the checker is deformed, engagement between the locking portion and the engagement window is likely to be released. In that event, it may occur that the checker is pulled out in spite of incomplete connection between the pipe and the quick connector. In order to avoid such inconvenience, JP, A, 11-344182 discloses a structure for verifying complete connection wherein a checker body is provided with an inclining restraint portion extending in an axial direction of the connector housing. The checker is fitted on the connector housing so that the inclining restraint portion contacts an outer peripheral surface of the connector housing and embraces a large diameter retainer holding portion of the connector housing from axial opposite sides thereof.
If the structure for verifying complete connection disclosed in JP, A, 11-344182 is applied, thanks to restraint force of the inclining restraint portion there is little danger that the checker is inclined even if the checker is pulled obliquely. Then, the checker is effectively prevented from being pulled out of the connector housing under incomplete connection between the pipe and the quick connector. However, the structure for verifying complete connection is configured to be adapted to a quick connector which is provided with a large diameter retainer holding portion on an opposite axial side of the connector housing and with a sufficiently large step or stepped portion on one axial end of the retainer holding portion. So, it is impossible or difficult to adapt this structure for verifying complete connection to a quick connector wherein a tube connecting portion is formed integrally and directly on one axial end of the retainer holding portion and a tube is fitted over up to a position of an opposite axial end of the tube connecting portion to generally even out a step or stepped portion or to reduce a step or stepped portion in height. And, in case that the inclining restraint portion providing a structure not to embrace a retainer holding portion from both axial opposite sides and to fit thereon, restraint effectiveness of the inclining restraint portion is reduced by half.
Further, in order to deal with a problem that a checker is easily pulled out when inclined, known is a structure as cited as a prior art in the JP, A, 11-344182 and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,555. In this structure, slots are formed on one axial end positions of circumferential ends of engagement windows of a connector housing, and a checker is fitted on a connector housing so that portions near engagement portions of a checker body, i.e., leg portions are slip-fitted in the slots. However, the leg portions are fitted and mounted on the connector housing so as to embrace an outer peripheral surface thereof, and thereby are unlikely to move largely in an axial direction under external force. Hence, sometimes this structure for restraining the leg portions from moving axially may not be expected to provide a satisfactory function to effectively prevent inconvenience that the checker is pulled out accidentally or mistakenly.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a quick connector with function of verifying complete connection which enables to effectively prevent inconvenience that a checker is inclined due to axial movement of a checker body, even without adapting a step or step portion facing an axial direction of a retainer holding portion of a connector housing.
In order to achieve a foregoing object, there is provided a novel quick connector to be connected with a pipe which has an inserting end portion formed with an annular engagement projection, for example, on one axial side thereof, and having a function to verify complete connection with the pipe. The quick connector has a tubular connector housing. The tubular connector housing is provided with a tube connecting portion to be connected with a tube (including a hose or the like) on one axial side thereof or one side in a direction of an axis of the quick connector or the connector housing, and a retainer holding portion having at least one engagement window, for example, a pair of engagement windows in opposed relation with one another on an opposite axial side thereof or an opposite side in a direction of an axis of the quick connector or the connector housing. The quick connector also has an annular or generally annular retainer. The retainer is configured so that the annular engagement projection of the pipe snap-engages with the retainer when the inserting end portion of the pipe is inserted in the connector housing, and fitted to the retainer holding portion to engage with the engagement window (including a portion surrounding the engagement window). The quick connector further has a checker. The checker has a checker body configured so as to be along or generally along an outer peripheral surface of the connector housing or so as to include an inner surface being along or generally along an outer peripheral surface of the connector housing, for example, an outer peripheral surface between the engagement windows. The checker body is provided with a pull-out portion and integrally at least one engagement portion, for example, engagement portions formed on opposite ends or opposite end portions thereof respectively. The checker is fitted or mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the connector housing, for example, an outer peripheral surface between the engagement windows, being locked in a pull-out direction by engagement or snap-engagement between the engagement portion and the engagement window (including a portion surrounding the engagement window). The engagement portion of the checker body is pushed by the annular engagement projection, thereby deformed or deflected and moved, for example, radially outwardly, to allow the checker to be pulled out when snap-engagement between the annular engagement projection and the retainer brings about complete connection between the pipe and the quick connector. The connector housing or an outer peripheral surface of the connector housing, for example, an outer peripheral surface between the engagement windows is provided integrally with a pair of axial movement preventive means projecting radially outwardly in axially spaced relation with one another to restrain axial movement of the checker body. The axial movement preventive means respectively has one circumferential end portion and the other circumferential end portion circumferentially spaced a proper distance from the one circumferential end portion. The checker body of the checker is fitted in an axial space defined between a pair of the axial movement preventive means so as to be restrained to move toward one axial side and an opposite axial side of the connector housing. A portion of the checker body, for example, a portion around the pull-out portion which is likely to move largely in an axial direction under external force is locked against movement or displacement in an axial direction by contact or abutment with the axial movement preventive means. The engagement portion is designated to have a locking engagement function to lock in the engagement window, and a release function to unlock locking engagement by being pushed by the annular engagement projection of the pipe. Further, the engagement portion may also have a holding function in order that the checker is not released out of the connector housing quite easily, when locking engagement is unlocked. The engagement portion may be configured as inwardly directed engagement portion to seat in the engagement window.
Typically, the retainer is fitted in the retainer holding portion so that the pipe engagement portion to be engaged with the annular engagement projection of a pipe, for example, one axial end portion is shown in the engagement window. Also, typically the checker is fitted onto the connector housing so that an axial position of an engagement portion corresponds to an axial position of a pipe engagement portion of the retainer, for example, to an axial position of the annular engagement projection of the pipe in engagement with the retainer. If a pipe engagement portion of the retainer is formed as an engagement slit extending circumferentially on one axial end portion thereof, the retainer is fitted in the retainer holding portion so as to show the engagement slit in the engagement window, and the checker is fitted onto the retainer holding portion so that an axial position of the engagement portion corresponds to an axial position of the engagement slit, more specifically, so that a radially inner end of the engagement portion seats inside the retainer holding portion, further specifically in the engagement slit through the engagement window. The axial movement preventive means respectively is configured to lock the checker body against movement or displacement in an axial direction, in abutment or contact relation with the checker body of the checker fitted on the connector housing, for example, as stated above.
The axial movement preventive means respectively has one circumferential end portion and the other circumferential end portion circumferentially spaced a proper distance from the one circumferential end portion. That is, the axial movement preventive means respectively, for example, comprises an elongate rib formed integrally with one circumferential end portion, middle portion and the other circumferential end portion so as to extend circumferentially an appropriate length, or two raised portions (projecting portions or protrusions) properly spaced circumferentially with one another (one raised portion corresponds to one circumferential end portion and the other raised portion corresponds to the other circumferential end portion). So, when the checker is pulled obliquely, or an external force is exerted obliquely onto the checker and the checker body is pressed against the axial movement preventive means, the checker body is hardly deflected or kinked. Consequently, it is effectively prevented that the checker is pulled out accidentally. And, the axial movement preventive means may be formed so as to be across a certain circumferential distance on the connector housing. In this case, the axial movement preventive means are configured so that an entire of circumferential or widthwise length or a part of the checker body is fitted in an axial space defined therebetween. For example, a part of the checker body to be fitted in the axial space may be a circumferential or widthwise center portion of the checker body, or a portion around the pull-out portion of the checker body. If the axial movement preventive means are configured to fit only for a part of the checker body, it is easier to fit or mount the checker on the connector housing, compared to the case that the axial movement preventive means are configured to fit for an entire circumferential or widthwise length of the checker body. If an axial space between a pair of the axial movement preventive means is designed generally identical to thickness of the checker body, more specifically, thickness of a portion of the checker body to be fitted in the axial space defined therebetween, the checker is hardly inclined, for example, even if the checker is pulled obliquely in an axial direction. If the axial movement preventive means are formed as elongate rib, stability of the checker is enhanced. If the axial movement preventive means are formed as two raised portions, mounting property of the checker is further enhanced.
When pull force or the like is exerted on the checker body in a circumferential direction, the checker also might be pulled out depending on the configuration or the like of the engagement portion of the checker. Therefore, the checker body may be formed integrally with a pair of circumferential movement preventive means to prevent the checker body from movement toward one and the other circumferential directions in abutment or contact relation with one circumferential end and the other circumferential end of the axial movement preventive means. The circumferential movement preventive means on widthwise opposite sides of the checker body may be respectively configured as an axial projection integrally with the checker body. The checker body referred here is in state of being fitted on the connector housing, and the axial projection is extending axially of the connector housing.
When the pipe is correctly connected with the quick connector, locking engagement between the engagement portion of the checker and the engagement windows is released, and the released relation therebetween is maintained. In some cases, even if the checker is in released state, the checker is held in position, not to come off the connector housing very easily. However, usually, even in this state, if an operator touches carelessly the checker, it is fear that the checker comes off the quick connector, falls, for example, within a piping structure of an automobile, and is not accessible easily. Therefore, the checker body may be configured so that the axial projections are engaged with one circumferential end and the other circumferential end of the axial movement preventive means in a pull-out direction not to allow the checker body to come out easily between the axial movement preventive means when the checker body is fitted in an axial space between the axial movement preventive means.
A structure for verifying complete connection according to the present invention is suitable especially for a connector having a tube connecting portion integrally provided on one axial end of a retainer holding portion and being configured so that a tube is fitted over up to a position of an opposite axial end of the tube connecting portion.
A quick connector with function of verifying complete connection of present invention can effectively prevent that a checker is pulled out accidentally even if a connector housing has no specific stepped portion or stepped configuration on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and therefore has a function of verifying complete connection with a pipe accurately.
Now, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Quick connector with function of verifying complete connection


A cage (5) for separating rolling bodies (2) for a bearing (1), particularly for a timepiece bearing, the cage having first openings (50) for receiving rolling bodies and at least one first contact zone (56) intended to come into contact with a bearing ring and having at least one first hollow formation (52).

The invention relates to a cage for separating rolling bodies of a bearing or a cage for separating rolling bodies for a bearing. The invention also relates to a bearing, particularly a bearing comprising such a cage. The invention further relates to a timepiece mechanism comprising such a bearing or such a cage. The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising such a movement or such a bearing or such a cage. The invention further relates to a timepiece comprising such a movement or such a mechanism or such a bearing or such a cage. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a bearing or such a mechanism or such a movement or such a timepiece.
Bearings, in particular ball bearings, are currently used in the field of watchmaking, particularly for implementing the pivoting of movable elements such as oscillating weights of automatic winding movements. Indeed, the advantage of a bearing is that it allows rapid rotation of a movable element with minimum friction, while supporting significant axial and/or radial loads, whilst providing precise positioning of said movable element.
Patent application EP1520111 discloses a ball bearing with four contact points, the architecture of which is well known from the prior art. This bearing comprises a predetermined number of balls disposed in a cage, which is disposed between an outer ring and an inner ring formed by two washers that are fixed together. According to the teaching of this document, lubricating a timepiece bearing raises various problems with respect to, on the one hand, the difficulty of controlling the suitable quantity of lubricant and, on the other hand, possible drops in performance of said bearing. The document thus proposes implementing balls made of zirconium oxide ceramic, so as to propose a bearing that does not require lubrication.
Patent application CH709348 discloses a ball bearing architecture similar to that of the bearing of document EP1520111. The document describes a cage having a circular crown shape provided with cutaways in the vicinity of its outer periphery, which cutaways are provided to receive the balls. Like the single figure of the specification of patent EP1520111, document CH709348 describes a contact surface or a consequential potential contact surface between the cage and the inner ring of the bearing.
Patent application EP2787234 discloses a ball bearing architecture that slightly differs from that of the bearings of documents EP1520111 and CH709348, with a one-piece inner ring and an outer ring formed by two washers. In this case, the cage is in the form of a circular crown provided with cutaways in the vicinity of its inner periphery, which cutaways are provided to receive the balls. The document also describes a contact surface or a consequential potential contact surface between the cage and the outer ring of the bearing.
Patent application CH711020 relates to an alternative architecture of ball bearings. This implements one-piece inner and outer rings, between which a cage is disposed in the form of a hollow cylinder. This cage is provided with cutaways in the vicinity of one of the axial ends thereof, which cutaways are provided to receive the balls. During conventional operation of such a roller bearing, play remains between the cage and the rings, particularly the inner ring. However, an impact can cause contact between the cage and either of the two rings, particularly the inner ring. Like the preceding constructions, a consequential potential contact surface thus exists between the cage and the inner or outer ring of the bearing.
Furthermore, ball bearings exist that are devoid of a cage. By way of an example, the manufacturer MPS proposes a "full complement ball bearing" known commercially as "Myrox14". This bearing is formed by inner and outer rings made of zirconium oxide type ceramic and comprises balls also made of the same material.


A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer includes liquid crystal molecules having a negative dielectric anisotropy, a response speed of about 4.0 ms or less, and a rotational viscosity of about 47 mPa·S to about 75 mPa·S.

Field
Exemplary embodiments relate to a liquid crystal display device.
Discussion of the Background
In general, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate on which pixel electrodes are disposed, a second substrate on which a common electrode is disposed, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystal display device controls the transmittance of light through the liquid crystal layer, in accordance with an electric field formed between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode, thereby displaying a desired image. The liquid crystal display device includes pixels each including one pixel electrode.
In recent years, the liquid crystal display device has been developed to display not only a two-dimensional image but also a three-dimensional image. To this end, the pixels of the liquid crystal display device need a much faster response time.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute prior art.


A manifold is disclosed which includes a manifold body that defines a main lumen, a primary injection line and a port. A check valve system is also provided which permits flow from the primary injection line to the main lumen while selectively preventing back flow from the main lumen to the primary injection line and, simultaneously, permitting flow from the port to the primary injection line while preventing back flow from the primary injection line to the port.

During angiography and angioplasty procedures, fluid manifolds also known as "fluids administration sets" are employed which are connected to a catheter and which enable the physician to administer saline, contrast solution and other agents and fluids to the patient.
Typical manifolds include a distal end that is connected to the catheter and a proximal end that is connected to an injection syringe or pump. The injection syringe or pump, is typically used to inject saline or a contrast agent solution into the catheter. The manifold typically includes a plurality of ports connected to the manifold through a stop cock connection. The ports are used to inject contrast solutions and other medicaments into the catheter and may also provide a connection to a pressure transducer or other analytical equipment. Further, the opening and closing of these ports typically requires the physician to rotate a stop cock handle or other manually operated valve.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved manifold system for use with angiographic procedures which minimizes the need for manual operation of valves relating to the injection of saline and contrast fluid.


A clock generator system for producing a number of multiple frequency digital clock signals for distribution to a number of synchronous, clocked devices, include two separate, substantially identically structured clock generator units that operate in lock-step unison. The digital clock signal outputs of one of the generator units are distributed to the synchronous, clocked devices and to an error detection circuit, that also receives the digital clock signals from other clock generator unit for comparison with one another. In the event an error is detected, the error detection circuit will produce an error signal to halt operation of the system with which the clock generator system is used, and reset the clock generator.

The present invention relates generally to digital data processing systems, and more particularly to a clock generator system that produces a number of clock signals, some of a frequency different from the others.
Data processing systems constructed today often use a number of individual integrated circuit component mounted on printed circuit boards and electrically interconnected to one another. For synchronous operation of data processing systems there is often also provided source of a digital clock signal that is distributed to the integrated circuit devices mounted on that board. For lower frequency clock signals (e.g., clock signals on the order of 1 Mhz and less), clock skew may not be a significant problem. However, as systems are developed to use clock frequencies that are much higher (e.g., greater than 1 Mhz) clock skew (i.e., the difference between the occurrence of a transition of a clock signal as seen at points relative to that occurrence at another point) can become a significant problem.
One solution is to handle information transfers between integrated circuits asynchronously through intermediate registers or the like. Another approach is to use phase locked loops (PLLs), but these devices often require a reference signal in order to maintain a phase relation between the reference and the output clock signals. At times, there is jitter encountered between the clock signals of the comparison that create a jitter in the output signals. In addition, PLLs that are implemented in analog form tend to be susceptible to power supply noise. In addition, analog PLLs require additional components.

Multiple frequency output clock generator system


A carbon containing layer may be formed between a pair of chalcogenide containing layers of a phase change memory. When the lower chalcogenide layer allows current to pass, a filament may be formed therein. The filament then localizes the electrical heating of the carbon containing layer, converting a relatively localized region to a lower conductivity region. This region then causes the localization of heating and current flow through the upper phase change material layer. In some embodiments, less phase change material may be required to change phase to form a phase change memory, reducing the current requirements of the resulting phase change memory.

This invention relates generally to phase change memories.
Phase change memory devices use phase change materials, i.e., materials that may be electrically switched between a generally amorphous and a generally crystalline state, for electronic memory application. One type of memory element utilizes a phase change material that may be, in one application, electrically switched between a structural state of generally amorphous and generally crystalline local order or between different detectable states of local order across the entire spectrum between completely amorphous and completely crystalline states. The state of the phase change materials is also non-volatile in that, when set in either a crystalline, semi-crystalline, amorphous, or semi-amorphous state representing a resistance value, that value is retained until changed by another programming event, as that value represents a phase or physical state of the material (e.g., crystalline or amorphous). The state is unaffected by removing electrical power.
Conventionally, electrical energy is used to heat the phase change material and to cause the phase change material to transform between amorphous and crystalline phases. The phase change material may be fabricated within a pore filled with a chalcogenide material as one example. The volume of the pore defines the material that must change phase. The greater the volume of material that must change phase, the more electrical energy is required by the cell and the higher its power dissipation.
Thus, there is a need for better ways to convert phase change memories between phases.

Forming a carbon layer between phase change layers of a phase change memory


There is provided mechanisms for beam management in a cell. A method is performed by a network node. The method comprises performing a beam management procedure in a cell served by the network node. A mutually different number of antenna ports are used by the network node in each of at least two cell parts into which the cell is divided during the beam management procedure in the cell.

In communications networks, there may be a challenge to obtain good performance and capacity for a given communications protocol, its parameters and the physical environment in which the communications network is deployed.
For example, for future generations of mobile communications systems frequency bands at many different carrier frequencies could be needed. For example, low such frequency bands could be needed to achieve sufficient network coverage for terminal devices and higher frequency bands (e.g. at millimeter wavelengths (mmW), i.e. near and above 30 GHz) could be needed to reach required network capacity. In general terms, at high frequencies the propagation properties of the radio channel are more challenging and beamforming both at the network node at the network side and at the terminal devices at the user side might be required to reach a sufficient link budget.
In general terms, the use of beamforming could imply that the terminal devices will be not only operatively connected to the network node via a beam but also performs a handover between (narrow) beams instead of between network nodes of different cells, or between transmission and reception points (TRPs) of one and the same network node. At higher frequency bands high-gain beamforming with narrow beams could be used due to more challenging radio propagation properties than at lower frequency bands. Each beam will only be optimal within a small area and the link budget outside the optimal beam will deteriorate quickly. Hence, frequent and fast beam switching is needed to maintain high performance. This is hereinafter referred to as beam management. One purpose of so-called beam management is thus for the network node to keep track of its served terminal devices with narrow beams (as used at the TRP of the network node and/or at the terminal devices) in order to increase coverage and throughput.
It is expected that at least some terminal devices might be provided with two or more antenna arrays, or panels, preferably pointing in different directions, in order to improve the coverage, mitigate the risk of blockage, and increase the order of spatial multiplexing. The antenna elements of the antenna arrays can be either dual-polarized on single-polarized. For example, two one-dimensional antenna arrays might be located in different directions at a terminal device.
In case both the TRP and the terminal device have (at least) four baseband chains (for example, two dual-polarized antenna arrays each), up to four-layer transmission will be possible between them. However, it could be that the radio propagation channel between the TRP and the terminal device has a channel rank that supports less than four-layer transmission. It would therefore be unnecessary, or a waste of resources, to use four antenna ports transmission for the beam management in this case.
Hence, there is a need for mechanisms for efficient determination of how many layers to use for the transmission during beam management in the cell.