A tunable mid-infrared laser operated in a pulsed mode is coupled off-axis into a high-finesse optical cavity to produce a long-path spectrometer. The cavity receives a gas sample. Laser pulses may be wavelength-scanned by stepping an external grating, allowing the grating to mechanically settle, then measuring the ring-down with a set of laser pulses, before moving on the next wavelength. A detector receiving infrared light exiting the cavity supplies a cavity ring-down trace representative of sample absorption of the infrared pulses. A processor determines an absolute absorption spectrum of the gas sample from the ring-down trace and analyzes sample gas composition and trace concentration from that spectrum. The absorption baseline is highly reproducible and stable, improving the accuracy of multivariate fits, and the spectral resolution can be better than 0.001 cm−1 (contingent upon the laser source), allowing for high-resolution measurements of sharp absorption features.

Mid-infrared spectroscopy is used for a wide array of applications including environmental sensing, trace detection of hazardous materials, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical diagnostics. The most common mid-infrared spectroscopy is Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In FTIR spectroscopy, mid-infrared light from a broadband source (lamp, glow bar, etc.) is passed through a sample and onto an interferometer. The interferometer is adjusted and the Fourier transform of the transmitted light signal is used to determine the absorption spectrum. For example, the sample may contain some quantity of one or more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that need to be detected, identified and/or measured. For trace detection applications, the sample path length is sometimes extended (e.g. long open path measurements) to provide larger absorption signals. However, the optical path length is typically limited in FTIR spectroscopy to 10-100 meters. Additionally, the absorption baseline is usually neither stable nor smooth (thereby limiting the accuracy with which you can determine small optical absorptions), and the spectral resolution if often limited to approximately 1.0 cm−1.
It is known that a high-finesse optical cavity can be used to provide a very long effective optical path length (1-10 km, typical). See, for example: A. O'Keefe and D. A. G. Deacon, "Cavity ring-down optical spectrometer for absorption measurements using pulsed laser sources", Review of Scientific Instruments 59 (1988) 2544; A. O'Keefe, "Integrated cavity output analysis of ultra-weak absorption", Chemical Physics Letters 293 (1998) 331; D. S. Baer, J. B. Paul, M. Gupta, A. O'Keefe, "Sensitive absorption measurements in the near-infrared region using off-axis integrated-cavity-output spectroscopy", Applied Physics B 75 (2002) 261; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,795,190, "Absorption spectroscopy instrument with off-axis light insertion into cavity".
Recent developments in quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology, optical parametric oscillators (OPOs), and difference-frequency generation (DFG) sources have resulted in widely-tunable lasers in the mid-infrared with central wavelengths spanning from 3-11 microns. Quantum cascade lasers are generally made for operation in continuous mode. Additionally, while they are tunable they are also external cavity devices with an external grating that needs to mechanically settle after tuning to a specified wavelength before stable use at that new wavelength becomes possible, particularly if accurate measurements are to be made.


A partitionable computing system includes main storage units on respective sides of the complex which can be fully controlled and accessible from either side. The system includes a dual port main storage unit design, and a system controller design capable of driving plural main storage unit interfaces. With this configuration, one system controller and the processors attached to that system controller can be taken offline and partitioned off to perform maintenance while all of the physical main storage units remain accessible to the processors on the surviving side of the complex. The operating system sees no loss available memory and the time to perform the maintenance activity is significantly reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to large scale data processing systems which include multiple CPUs and main storage units, and more particularly to the problem of preserving the availability and contents of the main storage units when the system is partitioned for maintenance activities.
2. Description of Related Art
Current computing complexes which can be partitioned are built with a plurality of "sides", each side physically containing a set of computing resources, such as CPUs, I/O processors, main storage units, cache memory systems, and other facilities interconnected through a system controller for the side. When joined, the system controllers on the plural sides communicate with each other to allow access to all of the physical main storage units as a single logical storage array from any processor in the complex. The connection between the system controllers can be broken and the systems partitioned into two independent systems to allow maintenance activity to be performed on one side of the complex, while the other side continues to operate. In current art, the main storage units of the system are also involved in the partitioning, such that the memory on the side of the complex affected by maintenance activity is unavailable to the surviving side.
The partitioning of the main storage units has two detrimental effects. First, the main storage units which will be partitioned away from the system must be taken offline to the operating system. Depending on what applications are running, this can be a very time consuming process. Second, the loss of memory creates an additional performance loss to the surviving system on top of the loss of processor power.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system in which all of the memory can be kept available to the operating system, even after the system has been partitioned into two physical systems in order to isolate units of the system for maintenance.

Partitionable data processing system maintaining access to all main storage units after being partitioned


The invention relates to a catalyst that is very suitable for the conversion of a benzoic acid into the corresponding benzaldehyde. The catalyst can be obtained via coprecipitation of a manganese salt, a salt from which an acid support is formed, a zinc salt and optionally a copper salt at a pH between 4 and 10, calcination, after precipitation, of the coprecipitate at a temperature of between 300 and 700.degree. C. and then, optionally, reduction of the calcined coprecipitate with the aid of a hydrogen-containing gas mixture. Using such a catalyst the hydrogenation of a benzoic acid can be carried out at lower temperature resulting in energy-savings and, hence, cost-savings.

A hydrogenation process conducted in the presence of a catalyst containing manganese on an acid support is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,265. This catalyst is prepared via (a) coprecipitation, at a pH between 7 and 10, of a manganese salt and a salt from which an acid carrier is formed, (b) subsequent calcination at a temperature between 300.degree. C. and 700.degree. C., and (c) reduction with a hydrogen containing gas mixture. A hydrogenation according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,265 enables the production of a very high yield of benzaldehyde in the gas phase.
It has long been desired to develop means for converting benzoic acids to their corresponding benzaldehydes in the gas phase at relatively low temperatures, i.e below about 400-450.degree. C. Significant increases in conversion and selectivity rates at such lower temperatures have also been a long sought objective. Heretofore, however, the prior processes have suffered from several drawbacks, including reduced conversion and selectivity when such hydrogenations are conducted in the gas phase below about 400.degree. C. Indeed, at such lower temperatures, prior art processes can typically produce significant, and highly undesired, yields of such by-products as toluene, benzene, and benzyl alcohol.

Hydrogenation of benzoic acid and catalyst suitable therefor


An apparatus includes an elevated structure extending along and above a receptacle, a trolley for travel along the elevated structure, a trolley bucket supported by the trolley for receiving and discharging unconsolidated material, and a high-lift structure including a rotatable dumper lift for lifting unconsolidated material from a first elevation to a second elevation greater than the first elevation, and discharging unconsolidated material into the trolley bucket. The high-lift structure is operably coupled with the elevated structure. The rotatable dumper lift can receive a first volume of unconsolidated material at the first elevation, lift the first volume from the first elevation to the second elevation, and discharge the first volume into the trolley bucket. The trolley bucket can discharge the first volume of unconsolidated material into the receptacle while the rotatable dumper lift receives a second volume of unconsolidated material at the first elevation.

Semi-trailers may be used to haul waste material, such as food by-products used for animal feed. Examples of food by-products can include unsold bakery products, unutilized dough, improperly proportioned ingredients, "day-old" products, mislabeled products, and any other products that are unsuitable for retail sale and consumption.
Ideally, such waste material is transported in an optimally uniform, dense condition. Readily compactable waste material may be placed in portions at the rear of a semi-trailer, with each portion compacted horizontally against the semi-trailer front end wall until the semi-trailer is filled. However, not all waste material can be readily prepared in this manner.
Elasticity or cohesion of the waste material may impede its longitudinal movement along the semi-trailer. This can leave voids in the material, or portions having a relatively low degree of consolidation, thereby reducing the payload significantly and/or preparing a load having varying density and/or weight. A relatively high weight over the rear semi-trailer wheels may violate local regulations leading to substantial penalties levied for such "back end weight," even if the total load weight is in compliance with posted maximums.
Waste material may also be deposited into an open-top semi-trailer using an operator-controlled loading apparatus, such as a front-end loader. This process can be slow and expensive. Valuable material can also be inadvertently dropped outside the semi-trailer, requiring clean-up and disposal.
Waste material can be introduced into the top of a ramp or inclined channel emptying into a semi-trailer. To propel waste material to a selected zone in the semi-trailer, the ramp will ideally be at a predetermined inclination. Consequently, the elevation of the top of the ramp above the adjoining ground surface may be unacceptable from a safety standpoint. For example, the ramp structure may be subject to overturning wind forces, the potential for which could be minimized by locating the ramp inside a specially constructed building. Inside or outside a building, it will be necessary to lift the waste material by the loading apparatus to the top of the ramp, subjecting the loading apparatus and its operator to a risk of overturning or droppage. Furthermore, as the height of the ramp increases, cleaning and repair of the ramp structure may be more difficult. To reduce these safety issues, the ramp height can be reduced, thereby shortening the ramp length, e.g. extending only to the semi-trailer mid-section.
Waste material traveling down the ramp will be discharged into the trailer in a pile having a forward slope and a rearward slope. Each deposit of waste material will result in a pile of increasing height and decreasing slope. To load the waste material uniformly in the semi-trailer, the semi-trailer can be repositioned beneath the ramp discharge point, thereby enabling additional waste material to be loaded in remaining empty portions of the trailer. Nevertheless, it may not be practicable to position every portion of the semi-trailer beneath the ramp discharge point, thereby leading to uneven distribution of the load. In such cases, it will likely be difficult, and more costly, to move waste material to empty portions of the semi-trailer in order to provide a uniform distribution throughout the trailer.


The present invention relates to a universal fitment, method of assembling the universal fitment, and method of dispensing liquids using such universal fitment. The universal fitment of the present invention has features to engage a quick-connect-disconnect dispensing connector or a screw-on connector dispensing connector for the dispensing of liquids and semi-liquids from a collapsible bag.

Many systems are used for dispensing beverage syrup from a disposable package consisting of a flexible collapsible bag in a corrugated box commonly referred to as a bag-in-box dispensing package.
Generally these systems include a bag that is provided with a fitment in the form of a spout through which filling and dispensing occurs. It is generally desirable to provide a quick-disconnect coupling between the spout and the service line of the pump or other type of beverage mixing and dispensing system. Such a coupling may be carried on the spout fitment of the bag and will work in conjunction with the service line connector or "probe", and is commonly called in the art a single-service valve and coupling since it is discarded with the bag when it is emptied. This type of valve opens automatically as the line connector is connected to the spout and closes as it is disconnected therefrom to prevent syrup from draining from the bag.
Quick-connect valve systems and slider fitments for fluid dispensing are known. Certain fitments having valves having more than one moveable component are also known.
Some systems are dedicated to only one type of currently known service line connection; while others are adapted to be used with various types of service line connectors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,551 (Bond, et al.) teaches a cylindrical tubular valve member having a closed lower end positioned within a spout. Gripping lugs on the valve member are adapted to grip the dispensing connector. For dispensing, the dispensing connector pushes the valve member inwardly so that outlets on the side thereof are open to fluid flow. A seal is produced between the O-ring on the dispensing connector and the valve body. In Bond et al., a connector is disclosed that slides into a slidable valve contained within a spout. The slidable valve has fingers that fit into the connector, so that sliding the connector into the spout causes the slidable valve to grip the connector and slide into a position in the spout where the slidable valve is opened. The alignment of the connector with the slider valve is crucial to the operation of this invention, and somewhat problematic with this configuration.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,146 (Bond and Ulm) teaches a dispensing valve assembly for coupling to a service line connector. The valve member has gripping members that cooperate with the dispensing connector to move the valve between a closed and open position. The dispensing connector also has a collar for gripping the spout. An O-ring on the dispensing connector provides a seal with the valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,785 (Copp, et al.) discloses a universal quick-disconnect coupling and valve. The fitment includes a generally cylindrical spout for attachment to a container that is capable of mating with a dispensing connector. A slider moves axially within the spout and has a valve within it that moves from a closed position to an open position upon insertion of a dispensing connector into the slider. An external support member and clamp about the dispensing connector has teeth to engage the flange of an external adapter ring of the spout. The dispensing connector is sealed within the slider by an O-ring which cooperates with an internal adapter sleeve that fits within the slider.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,662 (Roethel #1), U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,556 (Roethel #2) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,070 (Labinski, et al.) teach a dispensing fitment having a first body secured to a liquid container and forming a first flow passage and a valve assembly connected to this secured body, which has a seal retaining body defining a second flow passage that communicates with an inlet of the first flow passage. A resilient seal member located in the second flow passage is resiliently urged into sealing engagement with the inlet to block fluid flow from the second flow passage into the first flow passage. The assembly further includes a spout that is slideable within the first body to an inward position where the seal member is moved resiliently away from the inlet to allow fluid flow between the passages. The seal retaining body is a resilient tubular member transverse to the first flow passage and is made of a resilient (i.e. rubber) material. A dispensing connector collar has grooves for engaging flanges on the first body. The dispensing connector includes O-rings for sealingly engaging the valve assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,964 (Zielinksi, et al.) teaches a dispensing apparatus for coupling between a dispensing connector and the spout of a container so as to permit coupling of a valve sub-assembly housed in the dispensing connector with a single slider valve assembly housed in the spout. The apparatus includes a collar about the dispensing connector and includes sleeves having at least two resilient fingers members. Each finger member has a surface engageable with a flange portion on the outer surface of the spout. A collar is releasably slid over an outer surface of the sleeve for constricting the resilient finger members toward a lower end of the sleeve. The fingers act to lock the collar relative to the spout. The system provides a single-handed coupling operation for the collar and spout. An O-ring on the probe forms the seal with the valve assembly and an inner O-ring connects with the valve sub-assembly. The collar does not engage the valve assembly housed in the spout. Zielinksi discloses a valve subassembly for connecting to a line and a mating spout that contains a mechanism for actuating the valve subassembly. In that patent, the valve subassembly is described for use in conjunction with an axially engaged connector and was designed for compatibility with existing bag-in-box connectors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,962 (Lloyd-Davies, et al.) teaches a fluid dispensing device comprising a valve member slideable in the spout of a container. The single valve member is tubular and has an open outer end for receiving a dispensing connector and a closed inner end. The valve member has openings through its sidewalls. In the closed position of the valve member, opposed shoulders of the valve member and of the spout resist axial movement of the valve member in either direction and interengaged sealing surfaces block fluid flow to the openings. The outer end portion of the valve member is laterally outwardly deflectable and includes protrusions adapted to enter the recess of a dispensing connector and engage the dispensing connector whereby the valve member can be moved between the open and closed position. In the dispense position, an O-ring provides a seal between the outside of the dispensing connector and the inner wall of the valve member. Lloyd-Davies discloses a connector valve that has a nut rotatably connected to it, the mating and valve actuating occurring when the spout and nut threads are engaged. The incorporation of threaded spouts presents a problem in achieving compatibility between different bag-in-box connector systems. The use of a complete thread form also can require multiple turns for making a connection and involves using longer spout. These are disadvantages for systems located in small spaces since more room is required to operate the spout and it may also be difficult to load or remove the boxes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,410 (Rutter et al. #1) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,761 (Rutter, et al. #2) teach a spout fitment for a liquid container. The fitment includes a dispensing valve member slideable within the spout of the container. A valve element within the slideable dispensing valve member is resiliently biased to close a fluid flow opening therein. The valve element sits on the inside of a wall extending across the slideable dispensing valve member and a resilient member is required to push the valve element against the inner surface of this wall. Given this arrangement, a snap fit of parts is not possible. In the dispensing position, an O-ring on the dispensing connector forms a seal with the slideable dispensing valve member. The member may also include a ridge for engaging the O-ring and snapping into an associated groove on the dispensing connector. In some embodiments, a ridge on a dispensing connector shown can apparently press down on the top edge of the slideable dispensing valve member.
The ITW New Zealand Corporation produces a screw on connector comprising a line connector and spout assembly (part number 390-0267) that incorporates partial threads on the spout for connecting with a threaded line connector. The ITW connector incorporates two rigid partial threads on the spout for mating with a threaded line connector, thus allowing for some amount of compatibility. The ITW connector further has a self-locking feature that incorporates a notch on the spout and a mating piece on the line connector that fits into the notch to form a detent. As with the Lloyd-Davies connector, placing a rigid thread on the spout provides compatibility with other connectors difficult.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,970 (Smith and Tschanen) teach a self-closing dispensing valve comprising a valve housing having a fluid conduit with a valve orifice therethrough and a flow control member within the valve body. The flow control member is displaceable between a closed and open position. A plurality of resilient flexible fingers are fixed to either the valve housing or the valve member and are deflected when the valve member is displaced to its open position. The fingers are deflected by a conical camming surface on the valve member when displaced toward the open position.
International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2004/085283 (Johnson) teaches a double slider valve fitment for attachment to a container for fluid. The fitment includes a spout having an external surface capable of mating with a collar of a dispensing connector. An external slider is movable axially within the spout and an internal slider is movable axially within the external slider. The internal slider is movable between a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the fitment and an open position that allows for the flow of fluid through the fitment. The internal slider is adapted to be moved between the closed and open positions by insertion of the dispensing connector into the external slider. The internal slider is biased toward the closed position when the dispensing connector is released as a result of temporary deformation of portions of the external slider by the internal slider pressed inwardly by the dispensing connector. The internal slider cooperates with the dispensing connector by means of locking lugs on a top edge thereof. A dispensing connector collar is disclosed, which may be threaded for threaded engagement with an external surface of the spout. In the dispensing position, O-rings on the dispensing connector sealingly engage with the external and internal slider.
Johnson represents a significant improvement in the art. In particular, due to the arrangement of parts, a component that has a significant inherent resilience (i.e. rubber or a spring) is not required; rather the entire fitment is preferably formed of plastic. Further, the relatively simple arrangement of parts facilitates both manufacture of the individual valve components and the assembly of the fitment. There nevertheless remains room in the art for improvement. For example, in the dispensing position, sealing engagement between the dispensing connector and fitment is provided by the O-ring on the dispensing connector.
Known fitments generally seal as a result of rubber O-rings positioned on the probe. This arrangement of parts, even where another sealing position is used, can suffer from leakage and failure.
Where a collar is used, the fitments of the prior art generally engage with a dispensing connector via a gripping collar on the outside of the spout. Typically, the dispensing connector could comprise a collar adapted for threadable engagement with a flanged or threaded outside surface of the spout. The collar is typically adapted to work with certain spouts.
Known fitments further have a tendency for the collar and probe to become inadvertently disengaged, which is very inconvenient to the user.
The present invention provides a fitment that is functionally compatible with the quick connect-disconnect connector or the screw-on connector. This eliminates the need to have different dispensing connectors for different packaging fitments.

Spout-connector assembly for fluid dispensing from flexible bags


The first stage nozzles have airfoil profiles substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth Table 1. The X and Y values are in inches and the Z value is non-dimensional along the nozzle-stacking axis coincident with a turbine radius and convertible to a Z distance in inches from the turbine axis by multiplying the Z value by the height of the airfoil and adding the root radius to the result. The X and Y distances may be scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down airfoil section for the nozzle. The nominal airfoil given by the X, Y and Z distances lies within an envelope of xc2x10.160 inches.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine and particularly relates to a first stage turbine nozzle airfoil profile.
2. Background of the Invention
In recent years, advanced gas turbines have trended toward increasing firing temperatures and efforts to improve cooling of the various turbine components. In a particular gas turbine design of the assignee, a high output turbine that uses air cooling is undergoing development. It will be appreciated that the design and construction of the turbine buckets and nozzles require optimized aerodynamic efficiency, as well as aerodynamic and mechanical loading.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a unique airfoil profile for the nozzles of a turbine stage, preferably the first stage of a gas turbine. The nozzle airfoil profile is defined by a unique loci of points to achieve the necessary efficiency whereby improved turbine performance is obtained. These unique loci of points define the nominal airfoil profile and are identified by the X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinates of Table 1 which follows. The 1200 points for the coordinate values shown in Table 1 are for a cold, i.e., room temperature, profile at various planar cross sections of the nozzle airfoil along its length. The X and Y coordinates are given in distance dimensions, e.g., units of inches, and are joined smoothly at each Z location to form a smooth continuous airfoil cross section. The Z coordinates are given in nondimensionalized form from 0 to 1 along a nozzle stacking axis coincident with a radius from the axis of turbine rotation. By multiplying the airfoil height dimension, e.g., in inches, by the nondimensional Z value of Table 1 and adding that value to the root radius of the nozzle, the actual Z distance from the rotational axis, e.g., in inches, is obtained. Each defined cross section is then joined smoothly with adjacent cross sections to form the complete airfoil shape.
It will be appreciated that as each nozzle airfoil heats up in use, the profile will change as a result of stress and temperature. Thus, the cold or room temperature profile is given by the X, Y and Z coordinates for manufacturing purposes. Because the manufactured nozzle airfoil profile may be different from the nominal airfoil profile given by the following table, a distance of plus or minus 0.160 inches from the nominal profile in a direction normal to any surface location along the nominal profile defines the profile envelope for this nozzle airfoil. The envelope includes any possible airfoil surface coating process. The design is robust to this variation without impairment of the mechanical and aerodynamic functions.
It also will be appreciated that the airfoil can be scaled up or scaled down geometrically for introduction into similar turbine designs. Consequently, the X and Y coordinates in inches and the Z coordinates, when converted to inches, of the nominal airfoil profile given below are a function of the same constant or number. That is, the X and Y and optionally the Z coordinate values in inches may be multiplied or divided by the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down version of the nozzle airfoil profile while retaining the airfoil section shape.
In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine nozzle having an airfoil shape in an envelope within xc2x10.160 inches in a direction normal to any airfoil surface location wherein the airfoil has a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1. Z is a nondimensional value along a nozzle stacking axis coincident with a radius from a turbine axis of rotation convertible to a Z distance in inches from said turbine axis by multiplying the Z value by a height of the airfoil and adding that product to a root radius of the nozzle. X and Y are distances in inches defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z, the profiles at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine nozzle having an uncoated nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1. Z is a nondimensional value along a nozzle stacking axis coincident with a radius from a turbine axis of rotation convertible to a Z distance in inches from said turbine axis by multiplying the Z value by a height of the airfoil and adding that product to a root radius of the nozzle and wherein X and Y are distances in inches defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z, the profiles at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape, the X and Y distances being scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down nozzle airfoil.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine including a turbine nozzle arrangement having a number of nozzles, each of the nozzles having an airfoil shape in an envelope within xc2x10.160 inches in a direction normal to any airfoil surface location wherein the airfoil has a nominal profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1, wherein Z is a nondimensional value along a nozzle centerline coincident with a radius from a turbine axis of rotation convertible to a Z distance in inches from said turbine axis by multiplying the Z value by a height of the airfoil and adding that product to a root radius of the nozzle, and wherein X and Y are distances in inches defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z, the profiles at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention, there is provided a turbine including a turbine nozzle arrangement having a number of nozzles, each of the nozzles having an uncoated nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 1, wherein Z is a nondimensional value along a nozzle centerline coincident with a radius from a turbine axis of rotation convertible to a Z distance in inches from said turbine axis of rotation by miultiplying the Z value by a height of the airfoil and adding that product to a root radius of the nozzle and wherein X and Y are distances in inches defining the airfoil profile at each distance Z, the profiles at the Z distances being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The X and Y distances being scalable as a function of the same constant or number to provide a scaled up or scaled down nozzle airfoil.


Provided is an unintentional hand movement canceling device including: a zoom detection means detecting a value corresponding to a zoom magnification; a swing detection means detecting a swing of an image; and a correction quantity generating means generating a correction quantity to correct the swing of an image based on a swing quantity detected by the swing detection means and a value corresponding to a zoom magnification detected by the zoom detection means, the correction quantity having a variable characteristic of a non-corrected residue percent at a frequency of the swing, wherein the correction quantity generating means varies a characteristic of the non-corrected residue percent at the frequency of the swing depending on a value corresponding to a zoom magnification detected by the zoom detection means.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an unintentional hand movement canceling device installed in, for example a video camera and a digital camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since a video camera is in many cases used in hand-held shooting, an unintentional hand movement has been easy to occur in the shooting, therefore, generally, a video camera is equipped with an unintentional hand movement canceling device.
On the other hand, in the shooting, the video camera is, in many cases, subjected to a panning operation (a camera is moved in a direction, left or right) and a tilting operation (a camera is moved in a direction, upward or downward). If cancellation of unintentional hand movement is conducted by the unintentional hand movement canceling device during a panning operation or tilt operation, a phenomenon that a screen image does not move in an intentional direction occurs (hereinafter referred to as a sticking phenomenon).
Hence, in order to reduce a sticking phenomenon to occur during a panning operation or a tilting operation, a proposal has been offered on an unintentional hand movement canceling device performing a correcting control specially designed for the panning operation and tilting operation when the panning operation or tilting operation is detected.
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-331430, a construction is proposed in which a correction quantity is attenuated and a frequency characteristic of the correction quantity is varied according to a detection state of a panning operation or a tilting operation to thereby decrease the sticking phenomenon.
Since it is difficult to exactly discriminate a panning operation or a tilting operation from an unintentional hand movement, the sticking phenomenon occurs despite the measure to be taken. Especially, in an optical wide end with a low zoom magnification, a motion of screen image is comparatively small in both of the panning operation or tilt operation; therefore, a cancellation of unintentional hand movement is easily applied and a sticking phenomenon is conspicuously revealed. In addition, at an optical wide end, since a motion of a screen image is comparatively small even in a panning operation or a tilting operation, a change in a screen image becomes large when a state where an unintentional hand movement is canceled is transitioned to a state where an unintentional hand movement is not canceled if the unintentional hand movement is canceled at an initial stage of a panning operation or a tilting operation; therefore, there has occurred a problem that a strange feeling conspicuously appears at the optical wide end in a panning operation or a tilting operation.

Unintentional hand movement canceling device


A system and method for iteration scheduling in joint equalization and turbo decoding are provided. A method for processing received information includes cancelling interference in a received signal bearing received information, decoding the interference cancelled received signal to produce information, and processing the received information. The cancelling comprises an iterative processing of the received signal based on soft information produced by a decoding the received signal.

Turbo codes and low density parity-check (LDPC) codes have been introduced into a number of recent digital communications standards, including the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) technical standards, which may be relevant for a fourth-generation long-term evolution roadmap. Specifically, the 3GPP LTE technical standards specify a rate R=⅓ turbo code using two eight-state constituent component codes.
Following the success of turbo codes, iterative information processing has subsequently been applied to interference cancellation, multiple access joint decoding, and so forth. Usually, in such communications systems, soft information produced by an error control decoder may be used to partially cancel interference created by multiple access and permit a new decoding step with improved performance. Under certain conditions, the iterative exchange of soft information between the error cancellation device and the soft-output error control decoder leads to convergence where the interference may be completely removed.
Generally, it is observed that powerful error control codes that perform well on their own in additive Gaussian channels do not work well in an iterative interference cancellation environment, while weaker error control codes may operate successfully at much higher levels of interference. However, the weaker codes are often unable to achieve the low error rates required by system specifications. The inability to achieve desired low error rates has hindered the widespread application of iterative cancellation methods.

System and method for iteration scheduling in joint equalization and turbo decoding


In a vehicle air conditioner with a heat pump refrigerant cycle, an interior heat exchanger of the refrigerant cycle is disposed in an air conditioning case to heat air in a heating operation and to cool air in a cooling operation. Further, a cooling heat exchanger for cooling air by evaporating the refrigerant is disposed so that a part of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant cycle flows into the cooling heat exchanger at least in the heating operation. In addition, a decompression unit for decompressing refrigerant flowing to the cooling heat exchanger is disposed, and the decompression unit is opened even in the cooling operation. Accordingly, dehumidifying capacity of the air conditioner can be improved while the refrigerant cycle has a simple structure.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-100324 filed on Apr. 2, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air conditioner with a heat pump refrigerant cycle. The air conditioner is suitably used for a vehicle.
2. Related Art
Generally, a heat pump refrigerant cycle is divided into a full heat pump system and a reversible heat pump system. In the full heat pump system, during a heating operation, air is firstly cooled in a cooling heat exchanger to a dew point so that moisture in the air is removed, and is heated by a heating heat exchanger disposed at a downstream air side of the cooling heat exchanger. On the other hand, in the reversible heat pump system, an interior heat exchanger and an exterior heat exchanger are provided, and a refrigerant flow in the interior heat exchanger and the exterior heat exchanger is reversed in the heating operation and a cooling operation. Specifically, by reversely changing the refrigerant flow, the interior heat exchanger cools air in the cooling operation, and heats air in the heating operation. However, in the reversible heat pump system, during the heating operation, air is not dehumidified in the interior heat exchanger, and a windshield of a vehicle is readily fogged.
Further, in a vehicle having a water-cooled engine, a heater core system using cooling water from the engine as a heating source is provided. In the heater core system, when temperature of cooling water of the engine is low, the interior heat exchanger of the heat pump system heats air to be blown into a passenger compartment. Thereafter, when the temperature of cooling water from the engine is sufficiently increased, the heat pump system is stopped, and air to be blown into the passenger compartment is heated by the heater core system using the cooling water as a heating source.
The heater core system may be simply combined with the full heat pump system. However, in this case, it is necessary to increase the sizes of the cooling heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger of the full heat pump system, in order to obtain a sufficient air-conditioning capacity (cooling capacity or heating capacity). Further, in this system, refrigerant pipe structure becomes complex, and mounting performance of the air conditioner on the vehicle is deteriorated. On the other hand, the heater core system may be simply combined with the reversible heat pump system. However, in this case, when the temperature of the engine-cooling water is low in the heating operation, because the interior heat exchanger is used for heating air, air is not dehumidified.
In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner with a new system structure.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an air conditioner that has a simple system structure while improving dehumidifying capacity of air.
According to the present invention, in an air conditioner for a compartment, a refrigerant cycle system includes a compressor for compressing and discharging refrigerant, an exterior heat exchanger for performing heat exchange with outside air outside the compartment, an interior heat exchanger for cooling and heating air to be blown into the compartment, a cooling heat exchanger in which the refrigerant flows for cooling air to be blown into the compartment, and a decompression device for decompressing the refrigerant flowing to the cooling heat exchanger. Further, the interior heat exchanger is disposed such that the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows to the interior heat exchanger after passing through the exterior heat exchanger in a cooling operation for cooling the compartment, and the refrigerant discharged from the compressor flows to the exterior heat exchanger after passing through the interior heat exchanger in a heating operation for heating the compartment. Accordingly, in the heating operation, the interior heat exchanger heats air flowing through the air passage by radiating heat from the refrigerant, and the cooling heat exchanger cools air flowing through the air passage by evaporating the refrigerant. On the other hand, in the cooling operation, at least the interior heat exchanger cools air flowing through the air passage by evaporating the refrigerant. Accordingly, the air conditioner has an improved system structure of the refrigerant cycle.
In addition, in the air conditioner, the decompression device is opened even in the cooling operation. Therefore, in the cooling operation, both the cooling heat exchanger and the interior heat exchanger can be used for cooling air to be blown into the compartment. Therefore, it can restrict condensed water from being largely generated on the interior heat exchanger in the cooling operation, and it can effectively prevent a windshield from being fogged at a switching time from the cooling operation to the heating operation, when the air conditioner is used for a vehicle. Accordingly, dehumidifying capacity of air can be improved while the refrigerant cycle has a simple structure.
Here, the cooling heat exchanger can be disposed upstream from the interior heat exchanger in an air flowing direction. Alternatively, the cooling heat exchanger and the interior heat exchanger can be disposed in the air conditioning case, in parallel in the air flowing direction.
Preferably, the cooling heat exchanger and the interior heat exchanger are disposed such that at least a part of air after passing through the cooling heat exchanger passes through the interior heat exchanger. Therefore, in the air conditioner, air can be effectively dehumidified while it can restrict the temperature of air blown into the compartment from being greatly decreased.
Preferably, the cooling heat exchanger is coupled to the interior heat exchanger such that at least a part of refrigerant flowing out from the interior heat exchanger is introduced to the cooling heat exchanger. Alternatively, the cooling heat exchanger is coupled to the interior heat exchanger such that refrigerant flowing to the cooling heat exchanger is branched from the interior heat exchanger. Accordingly, refrigerant can be readily introduced into the cooling heat exchanger with a simple structure.
The refrigerant cycle of the air conditioner further includes an inner heat exchanger for performing a heat exchange between a high-pressure side refrigerant before being decompressed, and a low-pressure side refrigerant after being decompressed. Further, the inner heat exchanger has therein a first refrigerant passage through which the high-pressure side refrigerant flows, and a second refrigerant passage through which the low-pressure side refrigerant flows. In this case, the first refrigerant passage has a passage diameter that is substantially equal to a passage diameter of the second refrigerant passage. Alternatively, the first refrigerant passage has an equivalent passage diameter that is substantially equal to that of the second refrigerant passage. Therefore, even when refrigerant reversely flows through the inner heat exchanger, it can prevent heat-exchanging capacity of the inner heat exchanger from being greatly decreased.

Vehicle air conditioner with heat pump refrigerant cycle


Automated print head alignment uses thermal expansion. By leveraging thermal expansion to position print heads within the carriage, the tedious manual adjustment process is eliminated. The need for costly precision references within the printer and on the print head is also reduced.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to printing. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for thermal expansion based print head alignment.
2. Description of the Background Art
Aligning large numbers of print heads is time consuming and/or costly. Print heads are currently aligned within the printer using precision mechanical references, manually adjusted by mounts, or adjusted by motors. Initially, the carriage plates the support the print heads must be machined very accurately to place the print heads exactly where they should be. Doing so is expensive and not always as accurate as required. Further, variability in manufacturing the print heads themselves means the print heads are not always positioned where they need to be. The state of the art provides an adjustment screw. The operator manually turns the screw to push the print heads forward or back. This procedure is very time consuming. After making such adjustment, the operator prints a pattern, inspects it, and measures it with a microscope. Then the operator makes another adjustment. This procedure is repeated, and typically four hours or more have elapsed before the alignment is done.
Some alignment techniques attempt to use thermal expansion to compensate for print head movement during operation. That is, the print heads are intentionally misaligned during manufacture to allow them to move into alignment when they are at an operating temperature in the field. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,323, Thermal Expansion Compensation for Modular Printhead Assembly; U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,335, Thermal Expansion Compensation for Printhead Assembly; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,906, Printhead Assembly Incorporating Heat Aligning Printhead Modules. Such approach leaves much to serendipity because operating conditions vary widely in the field and no mechanism is provided for realigning the print heads if they are out of alignment in the field when at an operating temperature.
It would be advantageous to provide a mechanism that addresses the problem of aligning print heads in the field, and that allows such alignment to be performed as needed without the need for time consuming and/or costly procedures.

Method and apparatus for thermal expansion based print head alignment


The invention relates to liquid crystal flakes, to methods of their preparation and to their use as pigments for security or decorative applications or optical elements.

In the area of security there is a need to provide materials that have non reproduceable effects and are preferably processable by printing on a substrate. Obvious effects include properties such as thermochromaticity and optically variable effects. Other features may be hidden such a the reflection of light with a certain polarisation state, infra-red reflecting or UV reflecting materials. These effects can only be seen with the use of viewing devices such as polarising films or specrophotometers.
Much work has focused on the use of cholesteric (or chiral nematic) liquid crystals (CLCs) as pigments. These pigments exhibit specific optical properties, such as angular colour dependence and reflection of circular polarised light, due to the chirality of the CLC material which induces a helically twisted molecular structure in the cholesteric phase. Suitable materials and methods of preparation of CLCs are described in prior art, for example in U.S. Pat No. 5,364,557 and U.S. Pat No. 5,599,412. Further descriptions of cholesteric pigment materials are given in GB 2 132 623, U.S. Pat No. 4,388,453 and WO 97/27251. The pigments described in these documents have three characteristic properties. Firstly, pigment particles are produced that reflect light within a specific range of wavelengths (dependent upon the composition of the LC material). Secondly the pigment particles have an angular dependent colour, i.e. the perceived colour changes as the viewing angle changes. Thirdly, the reflected light is circularly polarised, with the sense of polarisation being determined by the handedness of the chiral CLC material. However, CLC materials have several drawbacks. In general chiral materials for use in the CLC systems are difficult to prepare and expensive, especially if both chiral forms are required. Furthermore, for cholesteric materials an absorbing or black background is required to give best effects.
The use of nematic liquid crystal materials, which exhibit an untwisted liquid crystal phase, in birefringent films for security devices has also been reported in prior art. GB 2 357 061 describes a hot stamping foil for security applications, comprising a layer of polymerised or crosslinked nematic liquid crystal material with macroscopically uniform orientation applied onto a reflective layer. The birefringent nematic liquid crystal layer provides a hidden optical effect. The layer is invisible when viewed under unpolarised light, and produces a bright birefringence colour when viewed at between linear polarisers. The colour changes if the liquid crystal layer is rotated relatively to the polarisation direction of the polarisers.
However, the use of nematic materials as described in GB 2 357 061 has the following drawbacks. The materials need to be applied to a reflective background and subsequently cured using actinic radiation or transferred after polymerisation from a carrier film to a reflective film. In certain cases it may be necessary to pre-treat the substrate to ensure that the correct alignment of the materials is achieved. These steps are significantly different from standard printing processes and require additional machinery and techniques.
It was an aim of the present invention to provide new liquid crystal pigment particles, in particular for use in security devices, which do not have the disadvantages of prior art as discussed above. Another aim of the present invention was to provide methods of manufacturing the new liquid crystal pigments, which are especially suitable for mass production. Other aims of the present invention are immediately obvious to the expert from the following description.
It was found that the above aims can be achieved by providing solid liquid crystal flakes comprising a non-chiral liquid crystal material according to the present invention.
The flakes according to the present invention have several advantages compared to materials of prior art. For example, the use of chiral materials, which are difficult to prepare and expensive especially if both chiral forms are required, can be avoided. Furthermore, the nematic flakes of the present invention can produce a hidden image or hidden optical effect on a reflective background, whereas e.g. for cholesteric materials an absorbing or black background is required to give best effects.
Definition of Terms
The term 'flakes' as used in this application means small solid particles, preferably with dimensions of from 0.1 to 2000 μm, which are preferably platelet shaped and have average lateral dimensions that are several times larger than their thickness.
The term 'vitrified material' means a solidified glassy like, non-polymerised material.
The term 'non-chiral' material includes materials that consist exclusively of achiral compounds, as well as materials that consist of or comprise a racemate.
The term 'film' as used in this application includes self-supporting, i.e. free-standing, films or foils that show more or less pronounced mechanical stability and flexibility, as well as precoated, preprinted or laminated foils wherein the coating or printing can be partially or completely, as well as coatings or layers on a supporting substrate or between two or more substrates.
The term 'marking' includes films or coatings or layers covering the entire area of a substrate, as well as markings covering discrete regions of a substrate for example in the shape of a regular pattern or image.
The term 'liquid crystal or mesogenic material' or 'liquid crystal or mesogenic compound' should denote materials or compounds comprising one or more rod-shaped, board-shaped or disk-shaped mesogenic groups, i.e. groups with the ability to induce liquid crystal phase behavior. Liquid crystal compounds with rod-shaped or board-shaped groups are also known in the art as 'calamitic' liquid crystals. Liquid crystal compounds with a disk-shaped group are also known in the art as 'discotic' liquid crystals. The compounds or materials comprising mesogenic groups do not necessarily have to exhibit a liquid crystal phase themselves. It is also possible that they show liquid crystal phase behavior only in mixtures with other compounds, or when the mesogenic compounds or materials, or the mixtures thereof, are polymerized.
For the sake of simplicity, the term 'liquid crystal material' is used hereinafter for both liquid crystal materials and mesogenic materials, and the term 'mesogen' is used for the mesogenic groups of the material.
The term 'director' is known to the expert and means the preferred orientation direction of the long molecular axes (in case of calamitic compounds) or short molecular axis (in case of discotic compounds) of the mesogens in a liquid crystal material.
The term 'planar structure', 'planar alignment' or 'planar orientation' refers to a layer or film of liquid crystal material wherein the director is substantially parallel to the plane of the film or layer.
The term 'homeotropic structure', 'homeotropic alignment' or 'homeotropic orientation' refers to a layer or film of liquid crystal material wherein the director is substantially perpendicular to the film plane, i.e. substantially parallel to the film normal.
The term 'tilted structure', 'tilted alignment' or 'tilted orientation' refers to a layer or film of liquid crystal material wherein the director is tilted at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees relative to the film plane.
The term 'splayed structure', 'splayed alignment' or 'splayed orientation' means a tilted orientation as defined above, wherein the tilt angle varies monotonuously in the range from 0 to 90°, preferably from a minimum to a maximum value, in a direction perpendicular to the film plane.
For sake of simplicity, a film comprising liquid crystal material with a planar, homeotropic, tilted or splayed orientation, alignment or structure is hereinafter also referred to as 'planar film', 'homeotropic film', 'tilted film' and 'splayed film', respectively.

Flakes comprising non-chiral liquid crystal material

Merck Patent Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung


A controller which is assigned with the wireless resources for a plurality of wireless zones and a plurality of wireless base stations communicably connected to the controller, wherein the controller is operable to assign a part of the assigned wireless resources to the wireless zone formed by any of the wireless base stations. According to this, it is possible to introduce and run a great number of wireless base stations at a low cost without increasing or modifying the number of the superordinate devices such as RNC.

The wireless coverage indoors of a mobile communication system is not so good. This has some reasons; for example, wireless electric waves are difficult to reach the inside of a building and it costs much to set an indoor-typed wireless base station and to make use of it.
Under this situation, a microminiature wireless base station (BTS: Base Transceiver Station) called "Femtocell" has been proposed these days. This BTS is assumed to be used inside a house or office and it conforms to, for example, the W-CDMA (Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access) method, enabling a simultaneous communication for a small number of users (about four users) after forming a small sized cell (femtocell) having a radius of some tens meters. Further, the cost is low.
In order to improve the indoor coverage without raising the operation cost, it is considered that such a small BTS (hereinafter, referred to as a femtocell BTS) is arranged inside a tall building or an underground facility (dead zone) which could not be covered by the existing wireless base station.
Further, a technique of remotely setting an RF (Radio Frequency) unit connected with an existing base station unit via a cable line, is known as a means for improving the coverage of the mobile communication system.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-40802    [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application National Publication (Laid-Open) No. 2002-524989    [Non Patent Document 1] "A follow up article on 3GSM, Korea Samsung and NEC exhibit "Femtocell"    [Non Patent Document 2] "Manufacturing Agreement For Zone Gate Low-Cost Residential 3G Access Point".    [Non Patent Document 3] NTT DoCoMo Technical Journal Vol. No. 1, [online], April, 2007.
Since the femtocell BTS is supposed to be set indoors, the number of the femtocell BTSs being set is expected large. However, there is a limit to the capacity (for example, some hundreds BTSs) in a device which accommodates the base transceiver stations and controls them (RNC: Radio Network Controller). Therefore, it cannot help but increase the number of large-sized expensive RNCs, in order to accommodate a large number of femtocell BTSs (for example, more than some thousands BTSs).
The technique of Patent Document 1 is only a technique for just relaying a signal destined for a mobile station unit from a base station unit, through the RF unit connected with the base station unit via a cable line.

Wireless communication system and method of assigning wireless resources in the same system and controller


A material feeding apparatus has gripper apparatuses which perform clamping and unclamping operations of a material by means of a stationary gripper and a movable gripper, and a sliding block which can support the first gripper apparatus and oscillate in a transfer direction of the material. These members are respectively driven by first, second and third cams which are fixed to an input shaft. In order to closely attach transfer members interposed between the first cam performing a forwarding operation of the material and the sliding block to each other, a spring which always urges the sliding block in a returning direction is provided. Accordingly, it is possible to remove a play between the transfer members and perform a feeding operation at a high speed and a high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a material feeding apparatus which can transfer and supply the material at a high speed and a high accuracy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a material feeding apparatus, and particularly to an apparatus which intermittently feeds a material such as a sheet material, a wire material and the like to a working machine such as a press machine and the like at every fixed amounts.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an apparatus which feeds a material such as a sheet material, a wire material and the like to a working machine such as a press machine and the like, for example, Japanese Utility Model Examined Publication 60-27549 has been conventionally known. The apparatus is provided with a first gripper apparatus structured such as to perform a material clamping (gripping) operation and a material unclamping (releasing) operation between a first stationary gripper and a first movable gripper, and a second gripper apparatus disposed on a sliding block capable of oscillating along a transfer path of the material and structured such as to perform material clamping and unclamping operations between a second stationary gripper and a second movable gripper, and performs the material clamping and unclamping operation and the sliding block sliding operation by means of the first and second gripper apparatuses at a predetermined timing with using a cam apparatus, a swinging arm and the like.
In this case, since the apparatus is structured such as to control both of the first gripper and the second gripper by the single swinging arm which is swung by the single cam so as to perform the material clamping and unclamping operation by the first gripper apparatus and the second gripper apparatus, there has been a problem that it is hard to suitably set a timing of the operation of the first gripper apparatus and the second gripper apparatus. Particularly, it is impossible to design such that both of the first and second gripper apparatuses temporarily clamp the material at a starting time and a finishing time of each one of the material intermittent feedings, whereby the material is prevented from becoming a free state, so that it is hard to improve a feeding accuracy and make the feeding high-speed.
Then, in order to solve the problem, the applicant of the present application proposed Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 63-82271. This apparatus respectively drives the first and second gripper apparatuses and the sliding block by independent cams so as to prevent a free state in which the material is not fully clamped from being generated during all the period of the material feeding operation, thereby making a high-speed and high-accuracy material feeding possible.
However, even the apparatus proposed by the applicant can not always satisfy a requirement with respect to the feeding accuracy and the feeding speed which have been required for this kind of feeding apparatus in recent days.
That is, in recent years, electronic information devices such as a portable telephone, a personal computer and the like are significantly spread, however, while these devices become compact and inexpensive, in a production field, in order to correspond to making parts compact and high-density, a feeding (a positioning of the material) at significantly higher accuracy than the conventional one is going to be desired. Further, in order to satisfy the requirement for improving a productivity, reducing a cost, mass production and the like, it is desired to provide an apparatus which can be operated at higher speed.
For example, in a press working industry, a requirement with respect to a high-speed operation has been increased year by year, and there is provided a press machine which can operate at two or three times higher speed than that of the conventional apparatus proposed by the applicant. However, in a current status, a feeding apparatus for supplying a material to the press machines does not always correspond to the operation speed of the press machine.


It is a method of making spring washers by means of a laser beam and a spring coil; the laser beam is focused perpendicularly at the spring coil in a 1/3 depth from the surface of the spring coil; a relative movement between the laser beam and the spring coil is made during cutting the spring coil.

The spring washers have widely been used in mechanical parts, and have become indispensable parts in the mechanical field. According to the conventional method of making spring washers, a steel wire is first wound into a spring coil, and then the spring coil is cut, with a punching machine, into a plurality of spring washers; however, the conventional method of making spring washer results in a considerable noise, which would badly affect the working efficiency of washer. Moreover, since the working speed of a punching machine is limited, the production efficiency would be bottlenecked thereby, and the quality of the products cannot easily be controlled at a given level.

Method of making spring washer with laser beam

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A method and structure for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor that is within a semiconductor structure, by oxidizing or nitridizing a fraction of a surface layer of the resistor with oxygen/nitrogen (i.e., oxygen or nitrogen) particles, respectively. The semiconductor structure may include a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor chip, and an integrated circuit. The method and structure comprises five embodiments. The first embodiment comprises heating an interior of a heating chamber that includes the oxygen/nitrogen particles as gaseous oxygen/nitrogen-comprising molecules (e.g., molecular oxygen/nitrogen). The second embodiment comprises heating the fraction of the surface layer by a beam of radiation (e.g., laser radiation), or a beam of particles, such that the semiconductor structure is within a chamber that includes the oxygen/particles as gaseous oxygen/nitrogen-comprising molecules (e.g., molecular oxygen/nitrogen). The third embodiment comprises: using a plasma chamber to generate plasma oxygen/nitrogen ions; and applying a DC voltage to the plasma oxygen/nitrogen ions to accelerate the plasma oxygen/nitrogen ions into the resistor such that the oxygen/nitrogen particles include the plasma oxygen/nitrogen ions. The fourth embodiment comprises using an anodization circuit to electrolytically generate oxygen/nitrogen ions in an electrolytic solution in which the resistor is immersed, wherein the oxygen/nitrogen particles include the electrolytically-generated oxygen/nitrogen ions. The fifth embodiment comprises immersing the semiconductor structure in a chemical solution which includes the oxygen/nitrogen particles, wherein the oxygen/nitrogen particles may include oxygen/nitrogen-comprising liquid molecules, oxygen/nitrogen ions, or an oxygen/nitrogen-comprising gas dissolved in the chemical solution under pressurization.

1. Technical Field
The present invention provides a method and structure for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor that is located within a semiconductor structure such as a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor chip, and an integrated circuit.
2. Related Art
A resistor on a wafer may have its electrical resistance trimmed by using laser ablation to remove a portion of the resistor. For example, the laser ablation may cut slots in the resistor. With existing technology, however, trimming a resistor by using laser ablation requires the resistor to have dimensions on the order of tens of microns. A method and structure is needed to increase the electrical resistance of a resistor on a wafer generally, and to increase the electrical resistance of a resistor having dimensions at a micron or sub-micron level.
The present invention provides a method for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor, comprising the steps of:
providing a semiconductor structure that includes the resistor; and
oxidizing a fraction F of a surface layer of the resistor with oxygen particles, resulting in the increasing of the electrical resistance of the resistor.
The present invention provides an electrical structure, comprising:
a semiconductor structure that includes a resistor; and
oxygen particles in an oxidizing reaction with a fraction F of a surface layer of the resistor, wherein the oxidizing reaction increases an electrical resistance of the resistor.
The present invention provides a method for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor, comprising the steps of:
providing a semiconductor structure that includes the resistor; and
nitridizing a fraction F of a surface layer of the resistor with nitrogen particles, resulting in the increasing of the electrical resistance of the resistor.
The present invention provides an electrical structure, comprising:
a semiconductor structure that includes a resistor; and
nitrogen particles in an nitridizing reaction with a fraction F of a surface layer of the resistor, wherein the nitridizing reaction increases an electrical resistance of the resistor.
The present invention provides a method and structure for increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor on a wafer generally, and for increasing the electrical resistance of a resistor having dimensions at a micron or sub-micron level.

Increasing an electrical resistance of a resistor by oxidation or nitridization

International Business Machines Corporation


A pilot actuator for controlling the operation of a control valve. The control valve can be part of a dry-type fire suppression sprinkler system in which the sprinkler piping network is filled with pressurized gas such as, for example, air, nitrogen, or another gas. The pilot actuator is a differential valve that actuates the control valve when the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network is at or below a value for tripping or actuating the pilot valve to the open position. The pilot actuator has a ratio of a change in a trip pressure set point to a change in an inlet pressure that is in a range of 0.007 to 0.045.

Automatic fire protection sprinkler systems are used to protect property and life from damage and loss due to fires. The types of systems that are currently used for fire protection can include wet systems and dry systems. In a wet system, the sprinkler piping system is filled with pressurized fluid (e.g., water, a foam solution, or another fire suppressant fluid) to permit a more rapid response. These systems can include sprinklers that have a fusible heat activated link or a glass bulb to seal the outlet of the pressurized sprinkler piping system. When a fire starts, the fusible heat activated link or the glass bulb opens due to the heat of the fire, which allows the flow of liquid until the sprinkler system is manually shut off.
However, in a dry system, the sprinkler piping is not filled with fluid but can either be open to atmosphere or filled with a compressed gas. Dry systems are primarily used to protect unheated structures where the system may be subject to freezing or in areas that are susceptible to water damage. In some dry systems, the sprinklers can be sealed so that the sprinkler piping can be pressurized. The compressed gas can be air or another type of gas such as, for example, nitrogen. When a fire starts, the fire system is actuated based on the gas pressure in the piping network dropping to a predetermined value. For example, the gas pressure can be released due to a sprinkler opening from the fire. A pilot actuator monitors the pressure in the sprinkler piping and, upon the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping dropping to a predetermined value, a dry pipe valve (also referred to herein as a "control valve") can be opened to fill the sprinkler piping with fluid (e.g., water, a water foam solution, or another fire suppressant solution). A benefit of a dry system over a wet system is that the piping network is free from liquid in the non-actuated state and thus the risk of the pipes freezing is eliminated.
In deluge-type dry systems, the sprinkler piping and sprinklers are open to atmosphere and thus the sprinkler piping is not pressurized. However, in some deluge systems, a pilot line that feeds a sealed pilot sprinkler is filled with pressurized gas with the rest of the sprinkler piping open to atmosphere. A pilot actuator monitors the pressure in the pilot line and, similar to the pressurized sprinkler system discussed above, opens a control valve when the pressure in the pilot line drops to a predetermined value.
In some systems, such as, a pre-action type system, the fire is detected using a sensor such as, for example, smoke detectors, heat sensor, infrared sensors, or another type of sensor for detecting a fire. Upon detecting a fire, pressure is released from a pilot line or an automatic sprinkler is operated to release pressure from the sprinkler piping. Upon release of the pressure, a pilot actuator opens a control valve as discussed above.
As indicated above, in deluge, pre-action, and dry systems, the fluid is prevented from entering the sprinkler piping by the control valve. In some systems, the control valve can be a diaphragm or piston operated valve that uses pressure in a chamber (also referred to herein as "prime chamber") to control the open and close operation. In a ready or stand-by state, the control valve is held closed by introducing pressurized fluid into the prime chamber of the control valve to press the diaphragm/piston against the control valve seat, which separates the control valve inlet from the control valve outlet.
To open the control valve, the fluid in the prime chamber is depressurized by draining the fluid. As the prime chamber depressurizes, the diaphragm/piston separates from the control valve seat to allow the fire suppression fluid to flow into the sprinkler piping.
In some systems, a pilot actuator, which can be a differential valve, is used to control the draining operation of the prime chamber of a control valve. A control valve that is operated by a pilot actuator is shown in Viking Technical Data entitled, "4" MODEL G-4000 DRY VALVE RISER ASSEMBLY″ (November 2011) ("G-4000 publication"), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In such conventional systems, as the inlet fluid pressure to the control valve increases, the pressure in the prime chamber of the control valve must be increased to keep the control valve closed. In a dry-type sprinkler piping network filled with compressed gas, if the pressure in the prime chamber of the control valve increases, the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping network must also be increased to keep the pilot actuator from inadvertently opening and draining the prime chamber. The principle is similar in the deluge-type and pre-action type systems discussed above. For example, in the Model A Dry Pilot Line Actuator offered by Reliable, as the inlet water supply pressure changes from 20 psi to 175 psi, the minimum gas pressure in the pilot line/sprinkler piping must be changed from approximately 10 psi to approximately 40 psi to close the dry pilot actuator. Similarly, in the Model DP−1 Dry Pipe Actuator offered by Tyco Fire Products, LP, as the inlet water supply pressure changes from 20 psi to 250 psi, the minimum gas pressure in the pilot line/sprinkler piping must be changed from approximately 10 psi to approximately 25 psi to close the dry pilot actuator. In practice, to minimize nuisance (false) trips and ensure the pilot actuator remains closed, the pilot line/sprinkler piping is pressurized to an operating gas pressure that is higher than the minimum gas pressure (e.g., by about 10 to 15 psi). However, a higher operating pressure in the sprinkler piping means that there can be more leaks and/or a greater leakage rate. To maintain the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping at the higher operating pressure, a compressor will need to run more frequently, which can lead to more moisture in the sprinkler piping and/or higher operational and maintenance costs. In addition, if higher operational pressures are needed in the sprinkler piping network due to higher inlet water pressures, more economical sprinkler piping (e.g., PVC piping) and/or some applications (e.g., residential applications) may be prohibited by regulations.
The Series 776 Low Pressure Actuator offered by Victaulic purportedly allows the gas pressure in the sprinkler piping to be maintained at relatively constant low minimum pressure setting for a range of inlet water pressures. However, the Series 776 Low Pressure Actuator has a complex configuration with upper and lower chambers and upper and lower diaphragms.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one skilled in the art, through comparison of such approaches with embodiments of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings.

Pilot actuator for actuating a control valve

Minimax Viking Research & Development GmbH


An automated litter device having: a base; and a chamber configured for retaining a litter and rotatably supported by the support base, wherein the chamber includes: an entry opening so that an animal can enter and exit the chamber; and a waste opening generally opposing the entry opening configured so that an animal waste passes through the waste opening into the base upon rotation of the chamber; wherein the automated litter device includes one or more of: i) one or more sensors located adjacent to the entry opening which are adapted to sense the presence of the animal within the chamber, the presence of the waste in the base, a level of litter in the chamber, a position of the chamber relative to the base, or any combination thereof; ii) a filtering system configured for reducing, eliminating, and/or preventing, malodors building in the base; and/or iii) a litter dispenser in communication with the chamber to transfer some of the litter to the chamber.

Automated litter devices may provide a means for pet owners (e.g., user) to effectively manage waste eliminated by one or more of their pets. These automated litter devices may be advantageous in automatically removing waste contents from litter; automatically collecting waste for subsequent disposal; storing waste contents separate from a litter chamber such that they are not exposed to the ambient environment, thereby preventing and/or reducing smell from the waste. Examples of some automated litter boxes which may be particularly beneficial may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,463,881; 8,757,094; and 9,433,185 which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes.
One of the challenges with respect to automated litter devices is sensing the presence of an animal within the device and avoiding a cleaning cycle with the animal present. One solution is mass sensors which can detect a change in mass within the device. One such solution is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,094. Another known method is one or more sensors located at or near an opening of the device. These sensors may provide a sensing curtain along the entrance of the device and sense movement of an animal when the animal passes the curtain. These sensing curtains may provide a narrow sensing range such that they only sense presence of an animal passing the opening, may not determine if an animal is entering or exiting the device, and may even be unable to detect the physical presence of the animal inside of the device. Notwithstanding the above, there is still a need for developing more precise means for detecting the presence of an animal within the device regardless of their weight and having a larger sensing range than just the entrance opening. For example, young kittens when being housetrained, may not weigh enough to trigger the difference in mass being sought by a mass sensor.
Another challenge with respect to automated litter devices is determining when a waste storage area, such as a waste bin or drawer, is near full or full and thus needs to be emptied. One or more sensors which may be used for detecting waste in a waste drawer are typically located in close proximity or within the waste drawer. Due to the proximity, the sensors are susceptible to damage from the litter, urine, or even feces over frequent usage of the device by an animal. There is a need for providing accurate waste and waste level detection of a waste drawer while keeping the sensors distanced away from the waste bin to avoid damage.
Another concern with respect to automated litter devices is managing odor when a large amount of waste is able to be collected within the device before the device needs to be emptied. As the waste drawer may prevent exposure of used litter and animal waste to the ambient environment, pet owners may wait multiple days, or even longer, before cleaning out the waste drawer. Thus, there is still a need for providing odor control for waste stored within the automated litter device for longer durations of time (e.g., consecutive days, weeks).
A challenge associated with automated litter devices is the dependence on a human for refilling with clean litter. While the device may be able to separate waste from unused litter, the device itself may have insufficient litter while still having the ability to collect waste. Insufficient litter may lead to an increase in odors, an animal being uncomfortable or unattracted to using the litter device, or even waste contacting and adhering to interior surfaces. Thus, there is a need to provide a method of more frequent litter dispensing into the litter device and allowing for the device to be used for longer periods without human interaction.


A canopy system comprising a shading element, a support element, and an attachment element member. The canopy system is adapted to provide shade over at least a portion of an above-ground container. The canopy system is configured to maintain its structure during slightly windy and mild weather conditions.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a canopy system and, more particularly, to a canopy system adapted to provide shade for above-ground containers, such as pools, spas, and Jacuzzi tubs.
Most pool users utilize outdoor pools when the weather is warm, and more particularly during the summer months. Warm weather and summer months bring about intense sunlight bearing sun rays that can cause sunburn, sun blindness, discomfort, and in extreme cases may lead to skin cancer. Such intense sunlight can also interfere with the enjoyment of the swimming pool and corresponding swimming pool activities. Also, because the pool is outside, the pool is subject to other environmental conditions such as wind or rain.


An apparatus includes a transmitter portion which transmits a defined beam of eyesafe laser energy, a receiver portion which receives reflected energy from the beam, and a further portion which analyzes information in the received energy so as to detect the presence of a moving projectile.

There are military and other applications in which it is desirable to be able to detect one or more moving projectiles. Systems have previously been developed to detect one or more large projectiles, such as an artillery shell. However, it is more difficult to detect smaller projectiles, such as a sniper's bullet. Although existing systems have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been satisfactory in all respects, and none of them have proved to be suitably accurate and efficient at detecting just a single shot from a sniper rifle. Further, some of these systems routinely generate false alarms in response to irrelevant flashes and/or reflections, while others routinely generate false alarms in response to irrelevant acoustic effects. Still others are highly directional, which is problematic in situations where it is difficult to identify the particular direction from which hostile fire is coming.

Method and apparatus for detecting a moving projectile


A robot for driving a vehicle safely stops the vehicle's engine even in the event of an accident such as an electric power failure or operating error. A robot body is provided with an ignition key-operating actuator consisting of a holder member for holding an ignition key of an automobile, a shaft for turning the holder member, and a motor for driving the shaft. An actuator for operating an accelerator pedal may be returned to a zero point by an emergency power source provided within a control unit, after which the key actuator operates the ignition key to stop the engine, for example, when a power source for the control unit is turned off. In this case, if it is dangerous to stop the engine, it is not necessary to do so.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a robot for driving a vehicle such as an automobile, in particular for the case where the performance of the vehicle is to be tested using a chassis dynamometer.
2. Description of Related Art
In conventional vehicle tests such as automobile emissions tests and fuel-cost tests, the automobile is mounted on a chassis dynamometer and is then operated according to a predetermined driving profile. In order to reduce labor costs and improve test repeatability, robots have been used to "drive" the vehicle.
An example of a robot apparatus for driving an automobile is disclosed in the laid-open Japanese Utility Model Application No. Sho 63-190,944 has been known as said robot for driving an automobile. This apparatus for driving an automobile is provided with an actuator that comprises an arm, which operates the accelerator pedal, and a driving device, which reciprocates the arm. The degree to which the accelerator is applied is regulated by reciprocating the arm to operate the accelerator pedal so that the test automobile is "driven" according to a previously defined driving or operational profile.
When a motor is driven according to an operational profile using such a conventional robot, however, when the motor pops out of gear or too great a difference arises between an intended car speed and the actual car speed, the robot disengages the accelerator actuator from the accelerator pedal, shifts the automobile's gear-shift lever to a neutral position by a shift lever-operating actuator, and the engine is shut off.
In the above-described conventional robot for driving an automobile, however, the robot does not directly turn the vehicle's ignition key, but rather it switches wiring within an engine compartment with the respective relays of a controller in order to stop the engine. In addition, in the case where the controller's power source is switched off due, for example, to an electric power failure, the accelerator actuator is disengaged from the accelerator pedal by using a mechanical member such as a spring.
Using a conventional robot for driving an automobile, therefore, when some serious problem occurs, the robot cannot shut off the vehicle's engine in a secure manner. The automobile's engine and transmission may thereby suffer severe damage; indeed, in some circumstances, the automobile itself may even jump out of the chassis dynamometer and endanger those around it.

Robot for driving an automobile on a chassis dynamometer


A cylinder lock device includes a body, a rotor rotatably arranged inside the body, a holder lever rotationally driven according to a rotation of the rotor, an engagement lever that is link-connected to the holder lever so as to be angularly adjustable and rotationally driven according to a rotation of the rotor, and a retention mechanism to hold the engagement lever into a predetermined direction relative to the body. The retention mechanism is configured to force a protrusion on the engagement lever to contact the holder lever by an elastic force thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a cylinder lock device for locking or unlocking door handle operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, cylinder lock devices for vehicle door are installed around a handle. In a cylinder lock device, a rotor is provided to rotationally move in accordance with insertion and operation of a key and an engaging member is pivotally coupled to and rotates together with the rotor. The engaging member is connected to a lock mechanism arranged in a door panel and the lock mechanism is shifted to the locked or unlocked state by a turning force of the rotor (JP-A-2000-34851).
In this cylinder lock device, a long hole is formed on an engagement lever so that the engagement lever is pivotally coupled to the rotor through the long hole. Meanwhile, a recessed portion is formed on a bottom of a groove on the rotor so that the engagement lever, when pivoting upward about a pin, enters the recessed portion under its own weight and moves forward to a position at which the pin is engaged with an edge of the long hole. In this configuration, the innermost wall of the groove of the rotor is located on a pivoting trajectory of a proximal end of the engagement lever and the proximal end of the engagement lever is stopped by the wall, thereby restricting downward pivot of the engagement lever under its own weight. Therefore, it is possible to hold the engagement lever at a temporary position without supporting by a hand and mounting work efficiency is thus improved.

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


A connector assembly includes a plug device and a socket device. The plug device includes a holding portion. The holding portion includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite to the top wall, and an middle portion located between the top wall and the bottom wall. An inner surface of the top wall facing the middle portion defines a stopping hole. The socket device includes a main body and a resilient piece. The main body includes a top panel and a bottom panel opposite to the top panel. The resilient piece is located on the top panel. A latch portion is located on the resilient piece. The resilient piece is elastically deformable to engage the latch portion in the stopping hole. The main body is located between the top wall and the bottom wall. The middle portion is located on the top panel and the bottom panel.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to connector assemblies, and particularly to a connector assembly with an infallible mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
A connector assembly is used for transmitting data between two electronic devices. The connector assembly includes a plug device and a socket device. The plug device is inserted into the socket device to electrically connect to the socket device. However, the plug device is easily disengaged from the socket device, because the plug device can not be firmly installed in the socket device.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (WuHan) Co., Ltd.


A protection system capable of safely quenching a high temperature superconductor (HTS) magnet coil. The protection circuit provides for a frequency loss induced quench design that advances the protection technology for HTS magnet coils and provides a protection system that is capable of quickly distributing the heat energy uniformly in all the coil sections when a localized hot-spot is created.

High temperature conducting (HTS) magnets, such as HTS magnets formed from rare earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide (BSCCO), yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO) and magnesium diboride (MgB2), are designed to produce high magnetic fields to store large amounts of magnetic energy during operation. However, the stored energy in the HTS magnet may subject the magnet to a failure mechanism referred to as a "quench", in which the stored energy is suddenly converted into heat accompanied by the presence of large electrical voltages. A quench typically occurs in an HTS magnet when a conductor transitions from the superconducting state to the normal state is some region of one of the magnet coils. In the normal state, the non-superconducting region of the conductor exhibits an increasingly large electrical resistance, relative to the super-conducting state, resulting in excessive heating of the magnet. The excess temperature and voltage in the windings of the HTS magnet cause by a quench condition can potentially damage the magnet.
In the event of a quench condition in a large superconducting magnet, the current in the superconducting magnet must be rapidly reduced to prevent damage to the magnet resulting from a peak hot-spot temperature or from a mechanical strain. Any method to reduce the magnet current by altering the magnet current through external means, such as a resistor, would involve large voltages, which is undesirable. Alternatively, by warming a large portion of the superconductor to above critical temperature (Tc), the resulting resistance may be distributed throughout the superconducting device, which can dramatically reduce the peak voltages experienced by a quenching coil.
It is known in the art to integrate a set of embedded heaters into the magnet windings to warm the superconductor, thereby distributing the thermal energy throughout the magnet. Additionally, a method is known in the art which relies on AC coupling, commonly referred to as Coupling Loss induced Quench (CLIQ). In CLIQ, the magnetic energy is distributed by driving an imbalance in the transport current between two or more sections of the magnet. While these known techniques are adequate for low temperature superconducting magnets, they provide marginal quench protection for recently developed high temperature superconductors and are not effective in rapidly distributing a large amount of thermal energy to the windings of an HTS magnet. Additionally, in CLIQ based quench protection systems, to increase the available energy, either the capacitance of the system must be increased, which slows down the frequency, or the voltage must be increased, which results in safety concerns.
Protection of HTS magnets for reliable operation has proven to be a challenge, particularly in Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) superconductors, due to the large amount of energy that is required to get enough of the current into the metallic stabilizer to properly distribute the magnetic energy and to minimize peak hot-spot temperatures during a quench condition.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an improved quench protection system for high temperature superconductors (HTS).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Frequency loss induced quench protection system for high temperature superconductors and associated method of use

The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.