A replaceable cutting head stably rotates a head body using a work tool during attachment. An outer periphery of the head body is provided with a plurality of chip discharge grooves extending along a direction of an axis, cutting blades extending along the chip discharge grooves, and a pair of latching faces that are formed by cutting the outer periphery of the head body and are arranged back to back with the axis interposed therebetween at a base end portion along the axial direction. A first chip discharge groove, and a second chip discharge groove having a narrower width along a circumferential direction around the axis than the first chip discharge groove at at least the base end portion along the direction of the axis are included in the chip discharge grooves. At least one latching face is connected to a base end portion of the second chip discharge groove.

In the related art, replaceable cutting heads having a head body detachably attached to a tip of a tool body rotating around an axis by screwing are known. An outer periphery of the head body is provided with a plurality of chip discharge grooves that are arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction around an axis, cutting blades that extend along the chip discharge grooves, and a pair of latching faces that are formed by cutting the outer periphery of the head body in a planar shape and are arranged back to back with the axis interposed therebetween at a base end portion along the direction of the axis.
A work tool, such as a wrench, is made latchable (lockable) to the pair of latching faces, and a replaceable cutting head is rotated around the axis with respect to the tool body by this work tool and thereby, this replaceable cutting head is detached and attached.
For example, the following Patent Document 1 describes a replaceable working head rotating tool in which a fastening male thread and a fastening female thread respectively provided on axial centers on one and the other of a working head (replaceable cutting head) and a holder (tool body) are screwed to each other, and thereby, the working head is concentrically and detachably attached to a tip portion of the holder.
In this replaceable working head rotating tool, the working head and the holder are provided with abutting faces that are made to abut against each other in a fastened state where the fastening male thread and the fastening female thread are screwed to each other, and the fastening male thread and the fastening female thread are integrally rotationally driven via the holder in a tool rotational direction where the fastening male and female threads are fastened due to working load, and thereby, predetermined working is performed by the working head, and the abutment of the abutting faces prevents the fastening male thread and the fastening female thread from being further fastened with working load.
Additionally, Patent Document 1 describes that a pair of double-chamfered flat locking faces (latching faces_) are provided parallel to each other at symmetrical positions to an axial center at the head body of the replaceable cutting head, as tool locking portions (latching portions) to which a work tool for making the fastening male thread and the fastening female thread screwed to each other is locked.


A method for playing a card game that simulates a game of football with kibitz and side bet options, comprising providing a play area, providing a deck of playing cards and a deck of special teams cards, and randomizing the decks of cards. At least one spectator can be permitted to place at least one bet. First and second pluralities of cards are then dealt to a first player and a second player, respectively. A football offense player and a football defense player are designated, and the football offense player is permitted to select and play a first card. Depending on the type of card played, the football defense player can be permitted to play a second card for discard or in response to the first card. A game outcome is determined based on the cards played, and winnings are awarded based on the bets placed and the game outcome.

A need exists for a method for playing a card game that simulates a game of football and that closely follows the manner in which professional football games are played, which combines card gaming elements with gambling elements, such as those found at a casino table, allowing both players and spectators to participate and enjoy the simulated football game.
A further need exists for a method that simulates a game of football, which incorporates card game elements and strategies, such as bluffing, learning playing strategies of opponents, reading opponents to determine bluffs, counting cards, and the confrontation and competitive aspects of popular card games.
A need also exists for a method for playing a card game that simulates a game of football that allows both players and spectators to place bets on various play achievements and game outcomes, and receive winnings based on odds and game outcomes, in the style of popular casino table games.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

Method for playing a card game that simulates a game of football with kibitz and side bet options


The invention features devices and methods for detecting, enriching, and analyzing circulating tumor cells and other particles. The invention further features methods of diagnosing a condition, e.g., cancer, in a subject by analyzing a cellular sample from the subject.

The invention relates to the fields of medical diagnostics and microfluidics.
Cancer is a disease marked by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells. In normal tissue, cells divide and organize within the tissue in response to signals from surrounding cells. Cancer cells do not respond in the same way to these signals, causing them to proliferate and, in many organs, form a tumor. As the growth of a tumor continues, genetic alterations may accumulate, manifesting as a more aggressive growth phenotype of the cancer cells. If left untreated, metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant areas of the body by way of the lymph system or bloodstream, may ensue. Metastasis results in the formation of secondary tumors at multiple sites, damaging healthy tissue. Most cancer death is caused by such secondary tumors.
Despite decades of advances in cancer diagnosis and therapy, many cancers continue to go undetected until late in their development. As one example, most early-stage lung cancers are asymptomatic and are not detected in time for curative treatment, resulting in an overall five-year survival rate for patients with lung cancer of less than 15%. However, in those instances in which lung cancer is detected and treated at an early stage, the prognosis is much more favorable.
Therefore, there exists a need to develop new methods for detecting cancer at earlier stages in the development of the disease.

Devices and methods for enrichment and alteration of circulating tumor cells and other particles


An assembling method of an injection mold includes the steps of: disposing guide rods and a ejection pin plate on a punch template; inserting guide bushes into the ejection pin plate; inserting ejection pins respectively into the ejection pin plate and the punch template; fastening a ejection pin fixing plate to the ejection pin plate; fastening a die fixing plate and spacer plates to the punch template, and inserting the other ends of the guide rods into the die fixing plate; and disposing a press plate into the die fixing plate, and fastening the guide rods to the die fixing plate by tightening screws. The assembling method set the guide rods first o achieve a positioning function before ejection pin plate is assembled, and thereby capable of effectively eliminating the problems of deformation of the ejection pin plate, breaking of the ejection pin, and abrasion occurring in the return stroke.

Referring to FIG. 3, a conventional injection mold 80 comprises a movable die 81 and a stationary die 82. The movable die 81 comprises a movable die fixing plate 811, a spacer plate 812, an ejection pin plate 813, an ejection pin fixing plate 814, a punch template 815, an ejection pin 816, and a guide rod 817. When the movable die 81 is assembled, it is general to insert the ejection pin 816 into ejection pin holes (not shown) of the ejection pin plate 813 and the punch template 815, and then fasten the ejection pin fixing plate 814 to the ejection pin plate 813 for preventing the ejection pin 816 from being ejected out. Then, the guide rod 817 is inserted into the punch template 815, the ejection pin fixing plate 814, the ejection pin plate 813, and the movable die fixing plate 811.
However, in the above-mentioned assembling method of the injection mold 80, the guide rod 817 can not achieve the positioning function before the ejection pin plate 813 and the ejection pin 816 are assembled. Moreover, the installation of the guide rod 817 is fulfilled by whacking to be inserted into the punch template 815, the ejection pin fixing plate 814, the ejection pin plate 813, and the movable die fixing plate 811. Consequently, in the assembling processes, the guide rod 817 may make the ejection pin plate 813 and the ejection pin fixing plate 814 deformed or wrapped due to elastic deformation. Further, this may cause the injection mold 80 uneven, and result in deforming the ejection pin plate 813 due to unequal forces, breaking the ejection pin 816, and the problem of abrasion in the return stroke. In addition, the guide rod 817 is disposed into the movable die fixing plate 811 and the punch template 815 generally in an interference fitting manner. The guide rod 817 may get loosened and thereby refracted due to the counterforce generated by repeated position motion of ejection and retraction during opening and closing the injection mold 80.


A data processing system including a data processing apparatus, includes a user data storing unit that stores user data of a user who uses a first service, the user data including first authentication data used for logging in the first service and user specifying data; a determining unit that determines, when the user who uses the first service sets second authentication data used for logging in a second service different from the first service, user specifying data usable as the second authentication data from the user specifying data included in the user data; and a management unit that sets the user specifying data determined to be usable as the second authentication data in the user data of the user who uses the first service as the second authentication data, and manages the user data as user data of the user who uses the first service and the second service.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data processing system, a data processing apparatus and a log in method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, service providing configurations have been increased in which a user only uses a necessary function only when it is necessary. For example, such configurations include a software using configuration called Software as a Service (SaaS) in which a user arbitrarily selects only a desired function and uses the service, a combination of computing resources on the INTERNET, a cloud computing that provides a service with a high added value to end users or the like.
In order to use such a service, a method is known in which user identification data that identifies a user is previously registered from an image forming apparatus, and the user logs in by the registered user identification data to use the service (see Patent Document 1, for example).
However, according to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to register authentication data (user identification data) that identifies a user to use a service. Further, in order to use another service in which an authentication embodiment is different from that of the previous service, it is necessary to register authentication data that corresponds to the other service. Thus, according to the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, convenience of a user is not good because efforts or time are required for procedures for using the service.

Data processing system, data processing apparatus and log in method


A curable coating composition is disclosed comprising a resinous binder comprising (a) a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a compound containing phosphorus acid groups, the reaction product having reactive functional groups, and (b) a curing agent having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of (a). An electroconductive pigment is dispersed in (a) such that the weight ratio of the electroconductive pigment to (a) plus (b) is within the range of 0.5 to 9.0:1. When the curable coating composition is deposited and cured on a metal substrate, the cured coating is weldable.

This invention relates generally to curable, weldable coatings for metal substrates, and more particularly, to curable, weldable coatings for metal substrates, which inhibit corrosion.
The production of light gauge steel for end uses ranging from architectural construction materials to automobiles is well known. A rolling mill line produces continuous sheets of steel in the required thickness and width. The steel sheets may be coated with a thin layer of zinc metal via a galvanizing process. Eventually, mill oil is applied to the uncoated or galvanized steel sheets, and the steel is either stored or shipped in a coil to a customer for further processing.
Typically, the customer is an automobile manufacturer who will take the coiled metal sheet and pass it through a lubricating station and then to a forming operation where the metal sheet is cut and formed into a part such as a roof, fender, door, etc. The parts are then welded together to form an automobile body. Next, the automobile body is cleaned, treated with a zinc phosphating solution to enhance corrosion protection, and rinsed with deionized water. The treated automobile body is then passed through an electrodeposition bath where a corrosion resistant primer is applied.
The automobile manufacturers would like to streamline their operations and have some of the operations described above done outside the automobile assembly plant, for example at a steel mill or a custom coater. One major problem with moving certain operations to a steel mill or a custom coater is that any coating applied outside the automobile assembly plant must be able to accept a weld. At some point in time, the various metal parts will be welded together in the automobile assembly plant to form the automobile body. Consequently, automobile manufacturers have a strong demand for a weldable, corrosion resistant coating composition that can be applied at a steel mill or at a custom coating facility.
Such a weldable, corrosion resistant coating composition could be applied at a custom coater, known as a coil coater, who would ship the coated metal sheet to the automobile manufacturer. As described above, the automobile manufacturer would then form the metal sheet into parts and weld the parts together. However, the metal pretreatment operation and perhaps the electrodeposition process could be avoided since the metal received by the automobile manufacturer would already contain a corrosion resistant coating.
Similar to the above, a weldable, corrosion resistant coating composition could also be applied at a steel mill. Application at the steel mill enables the automobile manufacturer to receive corrosion resistant metal directly without the expense associated with shipping the metal to a coil coater and from the coil coater to the automobile manufacturer.
The present invention provides a weldable, curable coating composition that provides corrosion protection and can be applied by a coil coater or at a steel mill, can be cured at low temperature and provides good adhesion and good corrosion protection without prior metal pretreatment.
One aspect of the present invention is a curable coating composition comprising:
a. a resinous binder comprising:
i. a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a compound containing phosphorus acid groups, the reaction product having reactive functional groups,
ii. a curing agent having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of (i);
b. an electroconductive pigment dispersed in (a) such that the weight ratio of b to (i) plus (ii) is within the range of 0.5 to 9.0:1,
the curable coating composition being characterized such that when it is deposited and cured on a metal substrate, the cured coating is weldable.
Another aspect of the present invention is an aqueous-based coating composition comprising:
a. a resinous binder comprising:
i. a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a compound containing phosphorus acid groups, the reaction product having reactive functional groups,
ii. a curing agent having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of (i);
b. an electroconductive pigment dispersed in (a) such that the weight ratio of b to (i) plus (ii) is within the range of 0.5 to 9.0:1; and
c. water,
the coating composition being characterized such that when it is deposited and cured on a metal substrate, the cured coating is weldable.
Yet, another aspect of the present invention is an organic solvent-based coating composition comprising:
a. a resinous binder comprising:
i. a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a compound containing phosphorus acid groups, the reaction product having reactive functional groups,
ii. a curing agent having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of (i);
b. an electroconductive pigment dispersed in (a) such that the weight ratio of b to (i) plus (ii) is within the range of 0.5 to 9.0:1; and
c. an organic solvent,
the curable coating composition being characterized such that when it is deposited cured on a metal substrate, the cured coating is weldable.
Another aspect of the present invention is a process for coating a continuous strip or coil of metal comprising:
a. applying directly to the metal sheet shortly after it is formed and at a temperature of 20 to 150xc2x0 C., a curable coating composition comprising:
i. a resinous binder comprising
(A) a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a compound containing phosphorus acid groups, the reaction product having reactive functional groups,
(B) a curing agent having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of (A);
ii. an electroconductive pigment dispersed in (i) such that the weight ratio of (ii) to (A) plus (B) is within the range of 0.5 to 9.0:1,
the curable coating composition being characterized such that when it is deposited and cured on a metal substrate, the cured coating is weldable; and
b. drying the coating composition on the metal sheet.
Yet, another aspect of the invention is a process for coating a continuous metal coil comprising:
a. unwinding the metal sheet from a metal coil and passing the metal sheet in a substantially continuous manner through a cleaning station, a coating station, and a curing station;
b. applying to the metal sheet at the coating station a curable coating composition comprising:
i. a resinous binder comprising:
(A) a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a phosphorus-containing acid, the reaction product having reactive functional groups,
(B) a curing agent having functional groups reactive with the functional groups of (A);
ii. an electroconductive pigment dispersed in (i) such that the weight ratio of (ii) to (A) plus (B) is within the range of 0.5 to 9.0:1; and
C. curing the coating composition applied to the metal sheet in step (b) as the coated metal sheet passes through the curing station.
The use of numerical values in the various ranges specified in this application, unless expressly indicated otherwise, are stated as approximations as though the minimum and maximum values within the stated ranges are both preceded by the word xe2x80x9caboutxe2x80x9d. In this manner, slight variations above and below the stated ranges can be used to achieve substantially the same results as values within the ranges. Also, the disclosure of these ranges is intended as a continuous range including every value between the minimum and maximum values.
The present invention is a curable coating composition for metal substrates that can be applied without pretreatment and methods involving the same. The curable coating composition comprises a resinous binder. The resinous binder comprises a reaction product of an epoxy-containing polymer with a compound containing phosphorus acid groups. The reaction product has reactive functional groups.
Useful epoxy-containing polymers have at least one epoxy or oxirane group in the molecule, such as polyglycidyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols. Useful polyglycidyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols can be formed by reacting epihalohydrins like epibromohydrin, dichlorohydrin and epichlorohydrin with polyhydric alcohols, such as dihydric alcohols, in the presence of an alkali condensation and dehydrohalogenation catalyst. Suitable alkali condensation and dehydrohalogenation catalyst include sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide.
Suitable polyhydric alcohols can be aromatic, aliphatic or cycloaliphatic. Non-limiting examples of suitable aromatic polyhydric alcohols include phenols that are preferably at least dihydric phenols. Other useful aromatic polyhydric alcohols include dihydroxybenzenes, for example resorcinol, pyrocatechol and hydroquinone; bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-isobutane; 4,4-dihydroxybenzophenone; bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-ethane; bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane; 1,5-hydroxynaphthalene; 4-isopropylidene bis(2,6-dibromophenol); 1,1,2,2-tetra(p-hydroxy phenyl)-ethane; 1,1,3-tris(p-hydroxy phenyl)-propane; novolac resins; bisphenol F; long-chain bisphenols; and 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, i.e., bisphenol A.
Non-limiting examples of aliphatic polyhydric alcohols include glycols such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, 2,3-butylene glycol, pentamethylene glycol, polyoxyalkylene glycol; polyols such as sorbitol, glycerol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, erythritol and trimethylolpropane; and mixtures thereof. An example of a suitable cycloaliphatic alcohol is cyclohexanedimethanol.
Preferably, the epoxy-containing polymer has at least two epoxy groups per molecule and aromatic or cycloaliphatic functionality to improve adhesion to a metal substrate. It is also preferred that the epoxy-containing polymer be relatively more hydrophobic than hydrophilic in nature. Further, the epoxy-containing polymer should have a number average molecular weight of about 220 to 25,000. The molecular weight can be determined by multiplying the epoxy equivalent weight or epoxy equivalent by the epoxy functionality or number of epoxy groups.
Useful epoxy-containing polymers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,294,265; 5,306,526 and 5,653,823, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Other useful epoxy-containing materials include epoxy-functional acrylic polymers, glycidyl esters of carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable commercially available epoxy-containing polymers are available from Shell Chemical Company under the trademarks EPON(copyright) 836, EPON(copyright) 828, EPON(copyright) 1002F and EPON(copyright) 1004F. EPON(copyright) 836 and EPON(copyright) 828 are epoxy functional polyglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A prepared from bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin. EPON(copyright) 828 has a number average molecular weight of about 400 and an epoxy equivalent weight of about 185-192. EPON(copyright) 836 has an epoxy equivalent weight of about 178-186.
The compound containing phosphorus acid groups that is reacted with the epoxy-containing polymer comprises phosphonic acids, phosphorous acid, phosphoric acids (preferred) including super- and poly-, and mixtures thereof.
Examples of suitable phosphonic acids include those having at least one group of the structure:
xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x94POxe2x80x94(OH)2
where R is xe2x80x94Cxe2x80x94, preferably CH2, and more preferably Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94(CH2)2xe2x80x94. Nonlimiting examples of suitable phosphonic acids include 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, methylene phosphonic acids, and alpha-aminomethylene phosphonic acids containing at least one group of the structure:
such as (2-hydroxyethyl)aminobis(methylene phosphonic) acid, isopropylaminobis(methylenephosphonic) acid and other aminomethylene phosphonic acids disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,556 at column 2, line 52 to column 3, line 43, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Other useful phosphonic acids include alpha-carboxymethylene phosphonic acids containing at least one group of the structure:
Nonlimiting examples of suitable phosphonic acids include benzylaminobis(methylene phosphonic) acid, cocoaminobis(methylene phosphonic) acid, triethylsilylpropylamino(methylene phosphonic) acid and carboxyethyl phosphonic acid.
The equivalent ratio of the compound containing phosphorus acid groups to epoxy-containing polymer is within the range of 0.3 to 5.0:1, preferably 0.5 to 3.5:1. The epoxy-containing polymer and the compound-containing phosphorus acid groups can be reacted together by any method known to those skilled in the art.
The functional groups associated with the reaction product of the epoxy-containing polymer and the compound-containing phosphorus acid groups are hydroxyl groups including acidic hydroxyls or hydroxyl groups and epoxy groups depending on the equivalent ratio of the compound containing phosphorus acid groups to epoxy-containing polymer.
The resinous binder of the present invention also comprises a curing agent having functional groups that are reactive with the functional groups of the reaction product described above. The curing agent can be selected from aminoplasts, polyisocyanates, including blocked isocyanates, polyacids, organometallic acid-functional materials, polyamines, polyamides and mixtures of any of the foregoing depending on the identity of the functional groups in the reaction product.
Useful aminoplasts can be obtained from the condensation reaction of formaldehyde with an amine or amide. Nonlimiting examples of amines or amides include melamine, urea and benzoguanamine.
Although condensation products obtained from the reaction of alcohols and formaldehyde with melamine, urea or benzoguanamine are most common, condensates with other amines or amides can be used. For example, aldehyde condensates of glycoluril, which yield a high melting crystalline product useful in powder coatings, can be used. Formaldehyde is the most commonly used aldehyde, but other aldehydes such as acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, and benzaldehyde can also be used.
The aminoplast can contain imino and methylol groups. In certain instances, at least a portion of the methylol groups can be etherified with an alcohol to modify the cure response. Any monohydric alcohol like methanol, ethanol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutanol, and hexanol can be employed for this purpose. Nonlimiting examples of suitable aminoplast resins are commercially available from Cytec Industries, Inc. under the trademark CYMEL(copyright) and from Solutia, Inc. under the trademark RESIMENE(copyright). Preferred aminoplasts are CYMEL(copyright) 385 (preferred for water-based compositions), CYMEL(copyright) 1158 imino-functional melamine formaldehyde condensates, and CYMEL(copyright) 303.
Other curing agents suitable for use include, but are not limited to, polyisocyanate curing agents. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cpolyisocyanatexe2x80x9d is intended to include blocked (or capped) polyisocyanates as well as unblocked polyisocyanates. The polyisocyanate can be aliphatic, aromatic, or a mixture of the foregoing. Although higher polyisocyanates such as isocyanurates of diisocyanates are often used, diisocyanates can be used. Higher polyisocyanates also can be used in combination with diisocyanates. Isocyanate prepolymers, for example reaction products of polyisocyanates with polyols also can be used. Mixtures of polyisocyanate curing agents can be used.
If the polyisocyanate is blocked or capped, any suitable aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic alkyl monoalcohol known to those skilled in the art can be used as a capping agent for the polyisocyanate. Other suitable capping agents include oximes and lactams. Other useful curing agents comprise blocked polyisocyanate compounds such as, for example the tricarbamoyl triazine compounds described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,541, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Suitable curing agents are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,143 at column 5, lines 45-62 and include blocked or unblocked di- or polyisocyanates such as toluene diisocyanate blocked with caprolactam. A toluene diisocyanate blocked with caprolactam is commercially available from Bayer Corporation under the trademark DESMODUR(copyright) BL 1265.
Suitable polyacid curing agents include acid group-containing acrylic polymers prepared from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer containing at least one carboxylic acid group and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is free from carboxylic acid groups. Such acid functional acrylic polymers can have an acid number ranging from 30 to 150. Acid functional group-containing polyesters can be used as well. The above-described polyacid curing agents are described in further detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,811 at column 6, line 45 to column 9, line 54, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Useful organometallic complexed materials which can be used as curing agents include a stabilized ammonium zirconium carbonate solution commercially available from Magnesium Elektron, Inc. under the trademark BACOTE(trademark) 20, stabilized ammonium, zirconium carbonate, and a zinc-based polymer crosslinking agent commercially available from Ultra Additives Incorporated under the trademark ZINPLEX 15.
Nonlimiting examples of suitable polyamine curing agents include primary or secondary diamines or polyamines in which the radicals attached to the nitrogen atoms can be saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, aromatic-substituted-aliphatic, aliphatic-substituted-aromatic, and heterocyclic. Nonlimiting examples of suitable aliphatic and alicyclic diamines include 1,2-ethylene diamine, 1,2-propylene diamine, 1,8-octane diamine, isophorone diamine, propane-2,2-cyclohexyl amine, and the like. Nonlimiting examples of suitable aromatic diamines include phenylene diamines and toluene diamines, for example o-phenylene diamine and p-tolylene diamine. These and other suitable polyamines are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,729 at column 6, line 61 to column 7, line 26, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Appropriate mixtures of curing agents may also be used in the invention. The weight percent of the curing agent generally ranges from 5 to 60 percent based on the total weight of the resinous binder.
The curable coating also comprises an electroconductive pigment dispersed in the resinous binder. Nonlimiting examples of suitable electroconductive pigments include zinc, aluminum, iron, graphite, iron phosphide, tungsten, stainless steel, and mixtures thereof. Suitable zinc pigments are commercially available from ZINCOLI GmbH under the trademark ZINCOLIS 620 or 520. Suitable iron phosphide pigments are commercially available from Occidental Chemical Corporation under the trademark FERROPHOS(trademark).
The electroconductive pigment is dispersed in the resinous binder such that the curable coating composition deposited and cured on a metal substrate is weldable. The term xe2x80x9cweldablexe2x80x9d is defined as being sufficiently electroconductive to sustain a spot welding and joining operation as used in an automotive assembly plant. Preferably, the weight ratio of the electro-conductive pigment to the reaction product plus curing agent is within the range of 0.2 to 10. Also, the weight percent of electroconductive pigment based on the total weight of resinous binder plus electroconductive pigment is from 30 to 95 percent.
The curable coating composition may contain a diluent. Diluents are added to adjust the viscosity of the coating composition. If a diluent is used, it should not detrimentally affect the adhesion of the curable coating composition to the metal substrate. Useful diluents include water, organic solvents, or mixtures of water and organic solvents.
When water is included as a diluent, dispersants, thickeners, stabilizers, rheology modifiers, and anti-settling agents are required. A suitable rheology modifier is available from Rohm and Haas Company under the trademark Rheology Modifier QR-708, Experimental. A suitable stabilizing and dispersing agent is potassium tripolyphosphate (KTPP). When prepared, the viscosity of the aqueous composition is 300-12,000 cp (Brookfield Cone and Plate). When the composition is shipped, it is up to 35 percent water by weight with a viscosity of about 100-2000 cp. At application, the composition will be no more than 50 percent water by weight with a viscosity between 20-100 cp.
Optimally, the aqueous composition will contain an amine. The preferred amines are hydroxyl-containing amines. The volatile organic compound content (VOC content) of the aqueous composition will be less than 2, preferably less than 1.7.
Method 24 is a common method for determining VOC content. According to Method 24, the VOC content for single component coatings is determined by calculating the total volatile content in grams for the water and/or exempt material content in grams and dividing by the volume of the test specimen corrected for the water and/or exempt material volume. The VOC content is reported as the mass per unit volume of coating (grams per liter or pounds per gallon) or as the mass per unit volume of coating solids (grams per liter of solids).
For multi-component coatings, the VOC content is determined using the following equations:       VOC    =                                                      (                              total                                                  xe2x80x83                                                volatiles                                                  xe2x80x83                                                less                                                  xe2x80x83                                                water                                                  xe2x80x83                                                less                                                  xe2x80x83                                                exempt                                                  xe2x80x83                                                solvents                            )                                                                          (                              density                                                  xe2x80x83                                                of                                                  xe2x80x83                                                coating                            )                                                                                100                                %                            -                              (                                  volume                                                        xe2x80x83                                                      percent                                                        xe2x80x83                                                      of                                                        xe2x80x83                                                      water                                )                            -                                                                          (                              volume                                                  xe2x80x83                                                percent                                                  xe2x80x83                                                of                                                  xe2x80x83                                                exempt                                                  xe2x80x83                                                solvents                            )                                            or      VOC    =                            (                      W            o                    )                                  (                      D            c                    )                                      100                    %                -                  V          W                -                  V          ex
Where:
WO=weight percent of organic volatiles
VW=volume of water, %, (WW) (DC/DW)
Vex=volume of exempt solvent, %, (Wex) (DC/Dex)
DC=density of coating, g/L, at 25xc2x0 C.
The VOC content for multi-component coatings is expressed as the mass of VOC per unit volume of the coating minus water and exempt solvents.
The diluent of the present invention can be an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include alcohols having up to about 8 carbon atoms, such as ethanol and isopropanol; and alkyl ethers of glycols, such as 1-methoxy-2-propanol, and monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and propylene glycol. Preferably, the diluent includes a propylene glycol monomethyl ether or a dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether that are commercially available from Dow Chemical Company. A suitable propylene glycol monomethyl ether is available from Dow Chemical Company under the trademark DOWANOL PM. A suitable dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether is commercially available under the trademark DOWANOL DPM.
Other suitable organic solvents include ketones such as cyclohexanone (preferred), acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and isophorone; esters and ethers such as 2-ethoxyethyl acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether acetates such as PM ACETATE, which is commercially available from Dow Chemical Company; and aromatic solvents such as toluene, xylene, aromatic solvent blends derived from petroleum such as those available under the trademark SOLVESSO(copyright).
When prepared, the viscosity of the organic solvent-containing composition is 300-12,000 cp (Brookfield Cone and Plate). When the composition is shipped, it is 20-40 percent organic solvent by weight with a viscosity of about 100-2000 cp. At application, the composition will be approximately 50 percent organic solvent by weight, the composition with a viscosity between 20-100 cp.
The solvent-based composition contains an amine for stability purposes. The preferred amines are alkyl substituted morpholine compounds such as N-methyl and N-ethyl morpholine.
Optimally, the curable coating composition of the invention can further comprise surfactants. Surfactants can be used to improve the wetting of the substrate. Generally, surfactants are present in an amount of less than about 2 weight percent on a basis of total weight of the coating composition. Suitable surfactants are commercially available from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. under the trademark SURFYNOL 104 PA.
The coating composition of the present invention can also include corrosion resistant pigments. Suitable corrosion resistant pigments include, but are not limited to, zinc phosphate, calcium ion-exchanged silica, colloidal silica, synthetic amorphous silica, and molybdates such as calcium molybdate, zinc molybdate, barium molybdate, strontium molybdate, and mixtures thereof. Suitable calcium ion-exchanged silica is commercially available from W. R. Grace and Co. under the trademark SHIELDEX(copyright) AC3. Suitable colloidal silica is available from Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd. under the trademark SNOWTEX. Suitable amorphous silica is available from W. R. Grace and Co. under the trademark SYLOID(copyright).
The curable coating composition can further comprise other optional ingredients such as inorganic lubricants like molybdenum disulfide particles that are commercially available from Climax Molybdenum Marketing Corporation. The coating composition can also include extender pigments such as iron oxides and iron phosphides, flow control agents, and thixotropic agents such as silica, montmorillonite clay and hydrogenated castor oil. Further, the coating composition can include anti-settling agents such as aluminum stearate and polyethylene powder, dehydrating agents which inhibit gas formation such as silica, lime or sodium aluminum silicate, and wetting agents including salts of sulfated castor oil derivatives such as those commercially available from Cognis Corporation under the trademark RILANIT R4.
Preferably, the curable coating composition is essentially free of chromium-containing materials, i.e., contains less than about 2 weight percent of chromium-containing materials (expressed as CrO3), and more preferably less than about 0.05 weight percent of chromium-containing materials, and most preferably about 0.00001 weight percent. Examples of such chromium-containing materials include chromic acid, chromium trioxide, chromic acid anhydride, dichromate salts such as ammonium dichromate, sodium dichromate, potassium dichromate, and calcium chromate.
In practice, the curable coating composition of the present invention will be applied on a metal substrate. Metal substrates used in the practice of the present invention include ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and combinations thereof. Suitable ferrous metals include iron, steel, and alloys thereof. Nonlimiting examples of useful steel materials include cold rolled steel, galvanized (zinc coated) steel, electrogalvanized steel, stainless steel, pickled steel, zinc-iron alloy such as Galvanneal, Galvalume and Galfan zinc-aluminum alloys and combinations thereof. Useful non-ferrous metals include aluminum, zinc, magnesium and alloys thereof. Combinations or composites of ferrous and non-ferrous metals can also be used.
At application, the temperature of the coating composition is typically about 10xc2x0 C. to about 85xc2x0 C., and preferably about 15xc2x0 C. to about 60xc2x0 C. For aqueous coating compositions, the pH of the coating composition at application generally ranges from about 7.0 to about 12.0, and is preferably about 8.0 to about 10.5.
If the pH of the coating composition needs to be adjusted, water-soluble or water-dispersible acids and/or bases can be used. Suitable acids include mineral acids, such as hydrofluoric acid, fluoroboric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid; organic acids, such as lactic acid, acetic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof. Suitable bases include inorganic bases, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; nitrogen-containing compounds such as ammonia, triethylamine, methyl ethanol amine, diisopropanolamine; and mixtures thereof.
The curable coating composition of the invention can be applied to the surface of a metal substrate by any conventional application technique, such as spraying, immersion or roll coating in a batch or continuous process. Squeegee or wringer rolls can be used to remove excess coating. After application, the curable coating is cured to form a cured coating upon the metal substrate. Curing can be achieved at peak metal temperatures of 100-400xc2x0 C. Peak metal temperatures of about 150xc2x0 C. to about 300xc2x0 C. are preferred. The cure times utilized in the present invention range from twenty (20) seconds to sixty (60) minutes.
The thickness of the applied coating is determined mainly by the application conditions. Generally, to achieve sufficient corrosion resistance for automotive use, the applied coating should have a film thickness of at least about 1 micrometer (about 0.04 mils), preferably about 1 to about 20 micrometers, and more preferably about 2 to about 10 micrometers. For other substrates and other applications, thinner or thicker coatings can be used.
One of the major advantages of the curable coating composition of the invention is that it can be applied either at a steel mill or a coil coating facility. When the coating composition is applied at a steel mill, the following steps are followed. First, the curable coating composition is applied-directly to a metal sheet shortly after it is formed and at a temperature of 20 to 150xc2x0 C. Second, the coating composition is dried using an IR oven. IR ovens generate the high peak metal temperatures in short periods of time (2 to 30 seconds).
When the coating composition is applied at a coil coating facility, the process is as follows. A metal sheet is unwound from a metal coil and passed through a cleaning station, a coating station, and a curing station in a substantially continuous manner. As the metal sheet passes through the coating station, the curable coating composition of the present invention is applied to the metal sheet. The coating composition is cured as the coated metal sheet passes through the curing station.
The present invention will now be illustrated by the following specific, non-limiting examples. All parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

Weldable coating of phosphated epoxy polymer, curing agent and electroconductive pigment


A data carrier (DC) has a receiving-means configuration (RC) which includes a switching means (S) and a first transmission coil (L1), which can be short-circuited with the aid of the switching means (S), and at least one second transmission coil (L2), which is arranged in series with the first transmission coil (L1), and capacitor configuration (CC), which is arranged in parallel with at least the second transmission coil (L2), the receiving means configuration (RC) being configured to be controllable as regards the value of at least one of its elements comprising the at least one second transmission coil (L2) and the capacitor configuration (CC).

The invention relates to a data carrier which is configured to communicate with a communication station with the aid of a carrier signal and which includes a receiving-means configuration having a switching means and having a first transmission coil that can be short-circuited and having a second transmission coil and having a capacitor configuration.
Such a data carrier is commercially available and is consequently known. The construction of the relevant part of the known data carrier is shown in FIG. 1.
The known data carrier DC includes a receiving-means configuration RC and a chip CH connected to the receiving-means configuration RC. The receiving-means configuration RC includes a switching means S, a first transmission coil L1 that can be short-circuited with the aid of the switching means S, a second transmission coil L2 arranged in series with the first transmission coil L1, and a capacitor configuration CC arranged in parallel with the series arrangement of the first transmission coil L1 and the second transmission coil L2. The capacitor configuration CC now consists of a capacitor C external to the chip CH and of the input capacitance of the chip CH, but this is shown as a single capacitor C in an equivalent diagram. The switching means S is switchable between a conductive switching state and a non-conductive switching state. The switching means S can be changed over with the aid of control means CM, which are incorporated in the chip CH and which are connected to the switching means S via a control line CL.
In a mode of communication between the data carrier DC and a communication station the switching means S is in its non-conductive switching state, as a result of which the two transmission coils L1 and L2 are arranged in series and this series arrangement of the two transmission coils L1 and L2 is arranged in parallel with the capacitor configuration CC. The two transmission coils L1 and L2 than have an inductance value and the capacitor configuration CC has a capacitance value, which inductance value and which capacitance value are selected in such a manner that the resonant circuit formed by the two transmission coils L1 and L2 and the capacitor configuration CC has a resonant frequency which corresponds to the carrier signal frequency fC of the carrier signal CS used in the communication process.
In a rest mode of the data carrier DC, when the data carrier DC is not in a mode in which it communicates with the communication station, flee switching means S is in its conductive state. When in this operating mode of the data carrier DC, i.e. in its rest mode, the data carrier DC enters into communication with a commutation station, this results in a coil current I1 through the first transmission coil L1, which is an inductive coil current having a phase lag with respect to the voltage across the first transmission coil L1. Furthermore, it results in a coil current I2 through the second transmission coil L2, i.e. a capacitive coil current having a phase lead with respect to the voltage across the second transmission coil L2. Each of these two coil currents I1 and I2 produces a magnetic field with the aid of the respective coil L1 or L2, which two magnetic fields attenuate one another, the aim being that the two magnetic fields cancel one another, so that owing to the desired cancellation of the two magnetic fields flee data carrier DC cannot have any adverse effect on the transmission coil of a nearby data carrier.
Owing to the selected design, which uses two fixed-value transmission coils L1 and L2 and a fixed-value capacitor configuration, which elements always exhibit a spread in value, it is substantially impossible with the known data carrier DC to obtain currents I1 and I2 through the two transmission coils L1 and L2 which cause magnetic fields which cancel one another. Thus, with the known data carrier DC the two transmission coils L1 and L2 always produce a residual magnetic field when the data carrier DC is in its rest mode, in which the switching means S is in tis conductive state, as a result of which the residual magnetic field exerts an undesired influence on a nearby data carrier, which undesired influence results in the resonant frequency fR no longer corresponding to the carrier signal frequency fC, as a result of which the receiving means configuration RC of the nearby data carrier DC does not guarantee a correct reception of a carrier signal CS and, consequently, the generation of energy from the received carrier signal CS is not satisfactory, which leads to a distinct reduction of the range of a nearby data carrier DC when the nearby data carrier is set to its communication state, i.e. a communication mode, in which the switching means S of the nearby data carrier is set to its non-conductive state.

Data carrier having a controllable carrier-signal receiving-means configuration


A DC-to-DC converter has a leading full-bridge inverter and a lagging full-bridge inverter for receiving a DC input and producing respective AC output voltages. A full-wave rectifier circuit rectifies the AC output voltages to produce a rectified output voltage, which is filtered by a current doubling output filter circuit to produce a DC output voltage. A master phase-shift controller and a slave phase-shift controller respectively provide first and second control signals to the leading full-bridge inverter and third and fourth control signals to the lagging full-bridge inverter to regulate the DC output voltage by changing a phase of the second and fourth control signals with respect to the first and third control signals below a predetermined DC output voltage, and by changing a phase of the third and fourth control signals with respect to the first and second control signals above the predetermined threshold.

1. Field
This various circuit embodiments described herein relate in general to power converters, and, more specifically, to double phase-shifting full-bridge DC-to-DC power converters having capabilities and advantages of the type described which can be controlled with phase-shifting signals, with a wide-range of zero-voltage-switching (ZVS), and with substantially no circulating currents.
2. Background
In the field of power conversion, it is a common practice to convert electrical energy from one DC voltage level to other isolated DC voltage levels using high frequency switching technology. The use of switching technology dramatically decreases the size of power converters and improves power conversion efficiency. While enjoying the benefits of switching technology, industry is also facing new challenges, including further demands of higher power conversion efficiency, smaller converter size requirements, and lower electromagnetic inference (EMI) emission requirements that are caused by switched currents and voltages.
In order to improve converter efficiency, reduce the size of converters, and minimize EMI, tremendous efforts have been made to achieve wide-range zero voltage switching (ZVS), eliminate circulating currents, perform energy recovery associated with reverse recovery of output diode, and eliminate or clamp voltage ringing of the output diodes. Although a lot of effort has been expended, no comprehensive solution known to the applicant has been achieved that has a wide-range ZVS capability, always operates at maximum duty cycle, fully utilizes magnetic components, minimizes or eliminates circulating current, performs reverse energy recovery, and clamps or eliminates the voltage ringing at output diodes.
What is needed is a DC-to-DC converter and control method with topology that can operate at a constant 50% duty cycle with a regulated output voltage. Also, what is needed is a control method and topology that can improve peak efficiency and light load efficiency at the same time, without having to switch between PWM and phase-shift control signal modes.

Double phase-shifting full-bridge DC-to-DC converter


Techniques for database query information protection using skeletons are described. An agent installed on a host computing device with a database instance obtains queries executed by the database instance and skeletonizes the queries to remove sensitive data from them. The agent identifies references within the queries, obtains structural definitions for the references, and inserts placeholders into the queries in place of the references and relates the placeholders to the definitions. The query skeletons and/or similarly-constructed execution plan skeletons may be analyzed to identify modifications to queries and/or the database instance to improve query processing.

Many companies and other organizations operate computer networks that interconnect numerous computing systems to support their operations, such as where computing systems are co-located (e.g., as part of a local network) or instead located in multiple distinct geographical locations (e.g., connected via one or more private or public intermediate networks). For example, data centers housing significant numbers of interconnected computing systems have become commonplace, such as private data centers that are operated by and on behalf of a single organization, and public data centers that are operated by entities as businesses to provide computing resources to customers. Some public data center operators provide network access, power, and secure installation facilities for hardware owned by various customers, while other public data center operators provide "full service" facilities that also include hardware resources made available for use by their customers.
Many public data center operators, such as service providers who operate service provider networks, offer their customers a variety of resources as services. For example, one popular set of services involve databases, where customers may utilize various types of databases such as relational databases often used by for transactional applications, non-relational databases for internet-scale applications, data warehouses for analytics, in-memory data stores for caching and/or real-time workloads, graph databases for building applications with highly-connected data, time series databases for measuring changes over time, ledger databases to maintain a complete and verifiable record of transactions, etc.
The type of information stored or queried using such "cloud" databases is often sensitive, such as personally-identifiable information (PII) that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context, etc. Accordingly, customers of provider networks often require that their data and queries (which may include or otherwise identify sensitive information) are protected at all times—e.g., when in transit, when stored—so that it others are unable to access this information. As a result, cloud providers may encrypt both the queries and data in such a manner (e.g., using customer encryption keys) so that even the cloud provider network is unable to access this information. As a result, the information remains secure from third parties, and the provider network itself is unable to have any visibility into the particular types of queries that are being executed by its customers.

Database query information protection using skeletons


An integrated hybrid system is provided. The hybrid system includes compute components of different types and architectures that are integrated and managed by a single point of control to provide federation and the presentation of the compute components as a single logical computing platform.

There are many types of computing systems, each having its own set of features, capabilities and advantages. As examples, there are general-purpose systems optimized for a broad set of applications or components, and special-purpose systems and accelerators optimized for a specific set of applications or components. Each type of system is defined, in part, by the instruction set architecture that it implements, and each is distinct from the others.
The general-purpose systems may include, for instance, mainframe computers able to provide high-end, high-availability, reliable services, and/or modular systems (e.g., blades of a blade center chassis), and the special-purpose systems may include co-processors or blades of a blade center chassis able to efficiently perform specific tasks. Each system manages its workload in its own individual manner and is separately responsible for performing requested services. Typically, each of the systems introduces its own specific administration model, resulting in system-specific management tooling, forming separate and distinct management silos.
The different system architectures are used to serve the disparate needs of the applications. Even for one application (e.g., a banking application, an online reservation application, etc.), multiple, disparate systems may be used, resulting in higher complexity and cost.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Managing a workload of a plurality of virtual servers of a computing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


Microwave appliances and methods for operating microwave appliances are provided. A method includes operating a fan of the microwave appliance in order to draw a flow of air through a circulation conduit of the microwave appliance, measuring an operational characteristic of the fan with a sensor of the microwave appliance during the operating step, and providing an indicator signal when the operational characteristic exceeds a threshold value at the measuring step.

Over-the-range microwave appliances are generally mounted above a cooktop of an oven range appliance. In addition to providing for heating of food and beverage items, certain over-the-range microwave appliances include a circulation system. When activated, the circulation system can draw fumes, smoke, grease, and/or steam away from the cooktop of the oven range appliance. Circulation systems generally include a fan for drawing a flow of air into the circulation system and a grease filter for trapping grease entering the circulation system. Certain over-the-range microwave appliances also include air filters for filtering air passing through the microwave appliances' circulation systems. The circulation assembly's air filter can assist with removing dust, particulates, and/or other undesirable substances from air passing therethrough.
Over-the-range microwave appliances generally activate the circulation system's fan on demand and/or for a predetermined time interval in order to filter the air with the circulation system's air filter. After the predetermined time interval elapses, the fan is deactivated and the circulation system stops filtering air. A user can also manually deactivate the fan prior to the predetermined time interval elapsing in order to stop filtering air with the circulation system.
After a period of use, such air filters can require changing. For example, charcoal air filters fill with odor molecules, etc., during use and eventually will cease filtering. Currently, however, consumers do not receive any feedback that the air filter may require changing. Thus, some consumers leave the air filter in for too long or neglect to change the air filter at all, while others change the air filter too soon.
Accordingly, a microwave appliance with features for indicating a need for an air filter change would be desired. In particular, a microwave appliance with features that reduce the risk of prolonged air filter use would be advantageous.

Microwave appliances and methods for operating the same


A recording medium lift detection apparatus for detecting a lift of a recording medium that is conveyed on a predetermined conveyance surface along a predetermined conveyance path, includes: a light projection/receiving, a light projection parallel flat plate, a light projection turning device, a control device and a recording medium lift detection control device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording medium lift detection apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus. Particularly, the present invention relates to a recording medium lift detection apparatus and an inkjet recording apparatus capable of preventing erroneous detection of a lift of a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
An inkjet recording apparatus ejects liquid droplets from an inkjet head to record an image on a recording surface of a recording medium such as a sheet conveyed through a predetermined conveyance path. When the conveyed recording medium is lifted off a conveyance surface in such an inkjet recording apparatus, the distance (slow distance) between a liquid droplet ejection surface of the inkjet head and the recording surface of the recording medium changes, degrading the recording quality level, or damaging the liquid droplet ejection surface as the recording medium comes into contact with the liquid droplet ejection surface of the head.
Therefore, a recording medium lift detection apparatus is provided in the conveyance path through which the recording medium is conveyed, in order to stop the conveyance of the recording medium when a detected lift of the recording medium is at least a specified value. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-76872 describes a recording medium lift detection apparatus which is provided with a light projection part and a light receiving part facing each other with a recording medium conveyance path therebetween, wherein the light projection part emits a detection beam toward the light receiving part at a predetermined height position from the conveyance surface and whether the detection beam is received or not is detected.
However, the recording medium lift detection apparatus of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-76872 which detects the lift of the recording medium based on changes in the amount of light received by the light receiving part when the recording medium blocks the detection beam, often detects erroneously that the recording medium is lifted even when it is not lifted.
The inventors of the present invention had performed keen investigations and found out that such erroneous detection is caused by the change of the amount of light received by the light receiving part. This change of the received amount of light is caused by the fact that air of different temperatures or humidity, or air of different densities, are produced by various devices provided in the inkjet recording apparatus, and this air of different densities flows into the optical path of the detection beam and the detection beam is refracted.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-126155 describes an invention that covers an optical axis with an elongated optical axis cover member in order to eliminate such influence of the air of different densities when the detection beam is refracted due to the air of different densities and consequently the optical path of the detection beam is bent as described above.
However, the method of covering the optical axis with the elongated optical axis cover member as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-126155 might cause a recording medium to come into contact with the optical axis cover member when the recording medium is lifted, thereby damaging the recording medium.
Further, even if the recording medium is lifted, the optical axis cover member prevents the recording medium from blocking the optical path, so that the lift of the recording medium cannot be detected. In addition, when adjusting the height of the optical axis in accordance with the thickness of the recording medium, the height of the optical axis cover member needs to be adjusted, which is troublesome. In order to accomplish such a task, a device for changing the height of the optical axis cover member is needed.

Recording medium lift detection apparatus and inkjet recording apparatus


An artificial intelligence execution acceleration system and a method of setting an artificial intelligence execution model are provided. The system includes: an execution weight extraction module for analyzing a learning model that includes an artificial intelligence model and a weight file generated as a result of artificial intelligence learning, and calculating a data weight of the learning model of artificial intelligence for artificial intelligence execution acceleration; an artificial intelligence accelerated execution file setting module for loading the learning model from an artificial intelligence learning server that calculates the learning model, converting the loaded learning model into a custom layer usable in the artificial intelligence execution acceleration system, and then optimizing the custom layer to calculate an execution model; and an artificial intelligence execution acceleration module for receiving the execution model, configuring an execution environment corresponding to the execution model, and accelerating execution speed of artificial intelligence.

Unless otherwise indicated in the present disclosure, the content described in this section is not related art to the claims of this application and is not admitted to be the related art by inclusion in this section.
Artificial intelligence is a field of computer engineering and information technology that studies how to enable computers to perform tasks such as thinking, learning, and self-development that humans can do, and is a technology that allows the computers to imitate the intelligent behavior of humans. In addition, artificial intelligence does not exist by itself, but is directly or indirectly related to other fields of computer science. In particular, in modern times, attempts to introduce artificial intelligence elements in various fields of information technology to utilize the elements for problem solving in those fields have been made very actively, and there is a trend of expanding functions of digital devices by combining artificial intelligence with various aspects of real life.
Artificial intelligence may be largely divided into the server that performs a learning function and the module that performs an execution function. The server performing the learning function collects vast amounts of data, finds features in the data, and performs data processing, such as a data patterning, to train electronic devices, whereas the module performing the execution function processes input data by using the value optimized through learning and provides an inference function based thereon.
Since a learning process of artificial intelligence requires a vast amount of data throughput, artificial intelligence needs a high-performance server and tens of gigabytes of memory. When an execution process of artificial intelligence is performed by using the result of the learning process, the data processing speed is inevitably slow because high-level computational processing such as data recognition, interpretation, and patterning is continuously performed in the learning process.
Even when the Internet is disconnected, the trained artificial intelligence should serve a role, but the conventional cloud-based artificial intelligence service is unable to perform artificial intelligence functions in an environment where connection to the Internet is not possible. In a case where a learning function of artificial intelligence is further installed in an edge terminal, on which artificial intelligence functions are performed, in order to solve this problem, the data processing speed of an artificial intelligence model becomes too slow, causing great inconvenience for practical terminal use for a user.
In addition, in order to develop a program that uses artificial intelligence, program developers should be familiar with difficult artificial intelligence APIs, whereby there exists a limitation in developing the artificial intelligence related programs.

Method of setting artificial intelligence execution model and artificial intelligence execution acceleration system for artificial intelligence execution acceleration


In some embodiments, a first image may be captured from a first field of view using a first exposure time. A second image may be captured from a second field of view using a second exposure time that is different than the first exposure time. An overlapping field of view may be defined by an overlapping portion of the first field of view and the second field of view. Histograms may be created for the first image and the second image, and possibly more images that include different exposure times and represent the overlapping field of view. The histograms may be analyzed to determine a presence or an absence of a light source in the overlapping field of view.

Some unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are capable of travelling between destinations with little or no input from a human user. Although general route information may be determined in advance of a flight, an UAV may also need to dynamically sense and avoid obstacles such as buildings, trees, or even other vehicles while in route to a destination. Some UAVs utilize stereo vision systems to sense and avoid obstacles by comparing two or more images of the obstacles to calculate relative location and/or depth information associated with an obstacle. In particular, these systems can sense and locate an obstacle by first determining a disparity between two images containing the obstacle and then performing geometrical calculations using this determined disparity in conjunction with known camera geometry. The ability of a stereo camera system to generate quality imagery of obstacles correlates with the system's ability to determine the disparity and, therefore, to sense and avoid obstacles.
Light sources, including the sun, that are in a field of view of an imaging system, such as a stereo vision system, may cause undesirable results. For example, lights sources, such as the sun, may cause lens flare to occur in the cameras of a stereo camera system and this may hinder the system's ability to generate quality imagery that is usable for navigation. As another example, presence of light sources or white objects may result in sub-optimum exposure levels, which may result in imagery having lower quality than a potentially attainable quality had an optimal exposure level been used during image capture.


A xenon capture system that reduces the concentration of xenon in a carrier gas is disclosed. An example xenon capture system includes a carrier gas with a first concentration of xenon that flows through an intake into a chamber. Within the chamber is a reaction area that has at least one peripheral sidewall. The reaction area operates at a predetermined temperature, flow rate, and low pressure. Within the reaction area is at least one xenon capture mechanism that is at least partially formed of a transition metal. When the carrier gas is exposed to the xenon capture mechanism, the xenon capture mechanism adsorbs xenon from the carrier gas. The carrier gas, with a second concentration of xenon, exits the chamber through the exhaust outlet.

The detection and capture of radioactive xenon is an important component world-wide for efforts in the detection of nuclear detonations and environmental management. Monitoring systems for nuclear detonations work better when radioactive xenon release from nonthreatening sources is mitigated. Nonthreatening releases of radioactive xenon include nuclear reactors and medical isotope production facilities during normal operations, lighting, scientific instruments, and anesthesia. Therefore, capturing radioactive xenon emissions from nonthreatening emissions unmasks the xenon emissions from nuclear detonations. There is significant world-wide interest in distinguishing nonthreatening radioactive xenon releases from a nuclear detonation. The emissions of radioactive xenon from these nonthreatening sources not only interfere with monitoring agencies ability to detect a nuclear detonation, but also negatively impact the environment.
Prior art techniques to capture xenon include absorbents made from silver-loaded zeolites, using activated carbon, metal-organic frameworks and porous organic cage compounds. These methods are costly and inefficient. Therefore, there is a need for a more efficient and cost-effective xenon capture system.

Transition group metals for the capture of radioactive xenon


A process for forming a small grain structure in a material within a semiconductor device near the interface of an adjacent dissimilar material, to result in a highly diffusive grain structure. The highly diffusive grain structure formed within one material enhances diffusion of a dopant impurity, and provides for improved dopant control in an adjacent dissimilar material.

It is a common practice within the semiconductor processing industry, to introduce a dopant impurity into one material by causing an impurity to migrate from another dissimilar material. A common example of causing an impurity to migrate from one material to another would be heat treating a semiconductor device to cause an impurity to be diffused from one material into a dissimilar, undoped material. An application of this procedure as it relates to a common semiconductor device, would include a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device cell including a buried strap connecting a transistor to a trench capacitor. In a DRAM device including a buried strap, it is desirable to cause impurities to diffuse from a doped polysilicon electrode of the trench capacitor into the buried strap which connects the capacitor to the active area of the transistor, and then into the active area.
A common problem associated with causing an impurity to migrate from one material to another dissimilar material through an interface formed between two dissimilar materials, includes the effects of the interface upon the impurity migration. When an interface is formed between two materials, at least two known features can suppress the diffusion of a dopant impurity across the interface: the interface itself; and the grain structure of materials adjacent the interface.
This example, as it relates to the DRAM buried strap device, would involve the introduction of an impurity species from an amorphous/polycrystalline silicon buried strap, into the crystalline silicon structure comprising the active area of a transistor device formed within a semiconductor substrate. If the interfacial problem prevents extensive diffusion of dopant impurities from the buried strap and into the crystalline active area, an open will result and the electrical connection between the transistor and the capacitor will be faulty. Specifically, the device failure is caused when the dopant impurity in the trench is not diffused through the strap region, and into the active area resulting in electrical opens at low temperature conditions. Normally, the strap electrically connects a doped polycrystalline electrode of the trench capacitor to the active area through n-type doping.
Diffusion of an impurity through a material occurs fastest along grain boundaries. Thus, an electrically blocking crystal within the buried strap, with twinning and/or grain boundaries parallel to the interface between the active region, and generally orthogonal to the direction of the diffusion can disrupt the diffusion of impurities from the strap region into the active area. Generally, the buried strap is amorphous silicon, as deposited, and is converted to polycrystalline silicon which has a grain structure conducive to diffusion. Diffusion through a single crystalline silicon material, such as the active area, occurs at a much lower rate.
A common diffusion process used within the semiconductor industry, comprises utilizing a heating operation to simultaneously (a) convert an as-deposited amorphous silicon film into a polycrystalline structure, and (b) to cause diffusion of the dopant impurity from the amorphous/polycrystalline silicon region into the crystalline silicon region of the active area. The process is commonly used to urge diffusion of an n-type dopant impurity from the polycrystalline silicon of a buried strap into the crystalline silicon active area within a DRAM device. An associated problem with this process, however, is the formation of an electrically blocking, single crystalline grain structure forming in the polysilicon region near the interface between the polysilicon region and the crystalline silicon region. The single crystalline silicon structure of the active area "grows across" the interface and into the as-deposited amorphous silicon area if the interface between the two materials is smooth. In a trench DRAM, a heating process is used to produce buried strap polycrystalline silicon growth, and to enhance contact between the active area of the device and the trench capacitor by providing for the diffusion of a dopant impurity from one material (the polycrystalline buried strap being formed) to another material (the active area). It is found, however, that single crystal re-growth generates a dislocation in the active region which results in variable retention time failures.
One conventional approach to eliminating the formation of the electrically blocking, single crystalline region, is to prevent coherent nucleation at the interface between the two dissimilar materials. Coherent nucleation at the interface causes single grain growth adjacent the interface as a result of a smooth surface of the crystalline structure.
Another approach known in the art, which is directed to preventing the coherent nucleation of the crystalline surface, is using an "angle implant." The necessity for utilizing an angle implant is determined by the structure of the device. For example, a DRAM device using a buried strap structure connecting a trench capacitor to a transistor, requires angle implant because of the need to introduce a dopant into a surface which is substantially perpendicular with the substrate surface. This technique necessarily introduces an additional process step and thereby increases manufacturing complexity. Further, as devices become smaller, this step may become an even more significant source of other problems. This additional process step is more costly, requires more material and more time, and increases potential for error. Furthermore, the angle implant process is very difficult to control.
What is needed in the art is a method which helps generate a grain structure favorable for diffusion of dopant impurities in a region within a polycrystalline silicon material adjacent a crystalline silicon active area of a semiconductor device. Such a grain structure would enable, for example, diffusion of dopant impurities from a highly-doped polycrystalline silicon region of a trench capacitor, into a buried strap, then into the single crystalline active area of a DRAM device. By roughening the surface of a single crystalline material, such a grain structure is possible because a rough surface results in random nucleation sites at the interface which, in turn, will result in multi-grain growth in the polycrystalline silicon.
When a heating operation is used to cause the diffusion of an impurity from one material into another dissimilar material, crystal blocking at or near the interface significantly inhibits diffusion because impurity diffusion in perfect crystalline silicon is at least an order of magnitude slower than the diffusion along grain boundaries. In other words, "bulk diffusion" is at least an order of magnitude slower than the diffusion along grain boundaries. Depending on device dimensions, a single grain of silicon may be capable of slowing the intended dopant diffusion through, for example, a buried strap during thermal processing. When the strap is used to connect a trench capacitor to a DRAM transistor, the formed device structure would likely have low temperatures failures, as above.

International Business Machines Corporation

deceased, S. Kathleen Reese, administratrix


A method of forming a composite article. One step involves applying adhesive on surfaces of a plurality of sublaminate units, each ply of each sublaminate unit comprising fibers impregnated with resin which has been initially cured to 30% to 50% of full cure. The initially cured sublaminate units are then arranged in a stack, which stack is pressed against a surface of a forming tool. While pressure is being applied, the stack is heated to an intermediate temperature above a glass transition temperature of the resin for a time interval sufficient to intermediately cure the resin to 50% to 70% of full cure to form a composite laminate having a contour defined by the surface of the forming tool. Then the resin is finally cured at a final temperature higher than the intermediate temperature.

This disclosure relates generally to methods for manufacturing composite structures and, more particularly, to methods for forming composite articles made of fiber-reinforced plastic material (e.g., pre-preg).
As used herein, the term "pre-preg" refers to a reinforcement material that has been impregnated with either a thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric matrix material, such as resin. The term "thermoset pre-preg" will be used to refer to reinforcement material that has been impregnated with thermoset resin. Pre-preg allows one to impregnate the fibers on a flat workable surface, or rather in an industrial process, and then later form the impregnated fibers to a shape which could prove to be problematic for the hot injection process. The thermoset pre-preg is only partially cured to allow easy handling; this B-stage material requires cold (below 20° C.) storage to prevent further curing. The pre-preg can be stored in a cooled area for an extended period of time to cure later.
Traditional methods of manufacturing thermoset composite articles include laying up composite plies of thermoset pre-preg over a forming die or tool. Heat and pressure are then applied to the composite layup to consolidate and cure the composite layup. In some traditional fabrication methods, the consolidation and curing of composite layups must be performed inside of an autoclave to provide the compaction pressure required to achieve the necessary mechanical properties for the cured composite article.
Traditional autoclave processing of thermoset composite materials may require extended periods of time during which heat and pressure are applied to a composite layup on a forming tool. For example, the consolidation and curing of a composite layup in an autoclave can take up to 24 hours. Unfortunately, autoclaves are generally expensive to construct and operate. Furthermore, the forming tools or dies over which the composite parts are laid up are relatively expensive to manufacture and maintain. For production programs requiring a high volume of thermoset composite parts, a large number of forming tools may be required. The combination of expensive forming tools and autoclave processing translates into an overall high cost of production.
The foregoing drawbacks are compounded by the fact that composites materials are capable of high degrees of optimization. Because individual plies of pre-preg used for primary structure are very thin (e.g., <0.01 inch), very complex stacking sequences are often developed for design to optimize strength and weight. However, high degrees of design complexity drive high manufacturing cost. Large/expensive automated layup equipment is needed because complex designs are created with thin material forms. In order to build up laminates fast with thin material, the machines need to be large and accurate. State-of-the-art high-performance thermoset pre-pregs also require large expensive autoclaves to consolidate and cure with high quality. Because of the nature of the materials used and the manufacturing process, many large expensive rate tools are often necessary to meet production rates for wing and fuselage structure.
In particular, the above-described problems are prevalent in aircraft manufacturing. Current composite wing and fuselage structures use very thin thermoset pre-preg material that requires very expensive automated fiber placement equipment. Moreover, the process of placing ply upon ply using a fiber placement machine takes days to build up a structure having a desired thickness and strength.
Improved methods for manufacturing thermoset composite parts that allow for high production rates with reduced manufacturing costs would be desirable.

Methods for making composite parts from stacked partially cured sublaminate units


The invention relates to an ultrasonic oscillating unit that comprises a cylindrical base body having a center axis and a jacket surface into which a plurality of slits are introduced that extend obliquely to the center axis in a side view of the jacket surface.

Such an ultrasonic oscillating unit in the form of a sonotrode is known from DE 44 06 818 C1. In this known sonotrode, the base body is formed as a cup-shaped hollow cylinder and the slits are provided as elongate slits extending linearly in a side view. Such a sonotrode can be used to convert a longitudinal vibration imprinted by a converter into a torsional vibration.


An extraction tube for exhaust gas emission measurement systems of internal combustion engines includes at least two tubes which extend in parallel over a portion of the length of the extraction tube, and wherein each tube includes an exhaust gas extraction point to which a sampling line can be connected.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an extraction tube for emission measurement systems for exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, the extraction tube having at least two exhaust gas extraction points and connecting pieces to at least two sampling lines, and to an emission measurement system for exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, including at least one analysis and evaluation device for the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, comprising at least one analysis and evaluation device for the exhaust gas as well as a plurality of sampling lines from the exhaust gas system of the internal combustion engine to the or each analysis and evaluation device.
2. The Prior Art
For mobile applications as well as on test stands, emission measurement systems are used in case a plurality of components in the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine are to be analyzed. For this purpose, a plurality of analysis devices and often also a plurality of sampling lines and exhaust gas extraction points are provided in the exhaust gas system of the internal combustion engine.
Currently, the lengths of exhaust pipes, in particular in case of heavy duty engines, have to be manufactured according to the number of exhaust gas extraction points. If four or more extraction points are needed, the space, in particular in case of test stands, is not sufficient for a straight tube so that additional bends have to be installed which, however, can no longer be used for other test arrangements.
It was therefore the object of the present invention to propose an extraction tube which, with little required space, in particular with a short overall length, and little constructional efforts, allows multiple sampling from the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, and which is not specifically designed for one special application.

Extraction tube for emission measurement systems


A light guide plate (LGP) positioning structure, a backlight module and a display device are provided. The LGP positioning structure includes: a plurality of positioning members disposed between a first surface of a LGP and a back plate. The first surface is adjacent to an incident surface of the LGP. The surface reflectivity of the positioning members near the incident surface is lower than the surface reflectivity of the positioning members away from the incident surface.

Abrupt change of optical cross-section easily occurs on the periphery of a light guide plate (LGP) positioning structure of a backlight, then, an abrupt change of optical effect occurs, so that a shadow is generated at a point far away from a light source, and a bright area is generated at a position near the light source. Currently, to solve the problem, a common way is to arrange a reflector plate on the periphery of the LGP positioning structure to balance the bright and dark shadows caused by abrupt change of edge. However, the reflector plate is easy to fall off and is difficult to adjust the shadow problem.

Light guide plate (LGP) positioning structure, backlight module and display device


A bag and system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a stack of bags. The present system is configured for point of use dispensing to a customer, such as in the produce section of a grocery store or market. Each bag pack is dispensed from a station which includes an underlying, medially situated, angled bag pack support, configured to provide optimal support for the user in opening and removing the bag to be dispensed from the bag pack. Further contemplated is a unique cover which is placed over the bag pack to be dispensed, the cover having an opening formed therethrough for the dispensing of bags therethrough, the opening configured to provide optimal dispensing of the bags while maintaining the remaining bags in a uniform bag pack.

The present invention relates to bag dispensing systems, and particularly to a bag and system for dispensing thermoplastic bags or the like from a stack of bags. The present system is configured for point of use dispensing to a customer, such as in the produce section of a grocery store or market.
The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present system teaches a free standing bag dispensing stand configured to hold at least a single pack of produce bags, but which may include as many as four or more produce bag packs of equal or different sizes. Each bag pack is dispensed from a station which includes an underlying, angled bag pack support, configured to provide optimal support for the user in opening and removing the bag to be dispensed from the bag pack.
A further component of the present system is a unique cover which is pivotally affixed to the bag rack and rests upon the exposed side of the bag pack to be dispensed, the cover having a base configured to engage the lower portion of the bag pack, and first and second support members formed an open space therebetween for the dispensing of bags therethrough, the opening configured to provide optimal dispensing of the bags while maintaining the remaining bags in a uniform bag pack. The cover may include at its base advertising, and to this end may include a pocket or retaining means for allowing the placement of notices, advertising thereupon, or holding means for allowing the dispensing of coupons or bag ties therefrom. The cover not only facilitates uniform dispensing of bags from the pack, but also holds the pack down when the system is used in windy conditions.
Produce bags are dispensed directly to customers at produce counters or the like, where the customer can bag the produce as it is chosen for purchase. A common problem with dispensing produce bags is providing the bag to the consumer in a convenient, simple, and reliable fashion. Further considerations relate to ease of replenishing the supply, uniformity of dispensing, ease of opening, and providing closure means such as bag ties or the like. Prior art patents have contemplated various dispensers for produce bags, including rolls of unfolded or folded bags, dispensing boxes, and stands, which may be wall mounted for free standing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,833 issued 1998 teaches a free standing plastic bag dispenser for dispensing packs of produce bags or the like, wherein the bag packs are hung on folded plastic tab members and supported by a single, wide, medially situated hook (18A). A horizontally situated backing bar (16) for maintaining the packs xe2x80x9cin a substantially planar condition which is pleasing to the eyexe2x80x9d. FIG. 8 illustrates a bag pack having a perforated tab which is heat sealed at insertion points (22e), the tab having formed therein first and second apertures (27) for receiving first and second support hooks (18xe2x80x2).
While the prior art has contemplated a free standing produce bag stand for dispensing individual bags from a pack of produce bags, it would appear that the prior art has failed to teach a produce bag dispensing system which includes an angled medial support member to aid in removing the top most bag from the stack.
Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a bag dispenser system which is comparatively strong and reliable, while being inexpensive to manufacture, requiring little in the way of custom manufacturing equipment, while being consistent in performance and quality.
Prior art systems for produce bag dispensers for dispensing individual bags from a pack of bags are found to have shortcomings relating to the expense of manufacture and the ease of use. Specialized tabs for supporting the bag packs add material and labor costs to the product, as well as requiring specialized racks for holding the packs. Hanging the bag pack presents additional problems in dispensing the top most bag, as the hanging pack lacks support, and a user pressing against the top most bag in an attempt to retrieve same must pinch and grab the bag to pull it, as applying pressure to the bag simply results in the bag pack being pushed back. When the user must pinch and grab the bag, all to often more than one bag at a time is dispensed, and the additional bags often end up on the floor, resulting in waste and a potential safety hazard.
What is therefore required is a bag rack which is provides a stable platform for the dispensing of produce bags, so that a user may easily and with little instruction dispense a single, top bag from the pack.
The present invention provides the stability lacking in the prior art by adding an angled support member situated below the upper portion of the bag packs, the support member providing a stable platform upon which a user may apply pressure to the top bag of the pack, and pulling toward the user, the bag is dispensed without the necessity of pinching the bag pack and pulling the pack toward the user, which, as above disclosed, can result in more than one bag being dispensed.
In order to further aid dispensing of the top most bag from the bag pack, a cover having some mass is provided to provide a weighted top layer over the bag pack, the cover forming a dispensing area which guides the user to the optimal portion of the bag for dispensing same, wherein the user contacts the top most bag within the confines of the aperture formed in the cover, and, by pressing down upon the top most bag and directing said pressure toward the consumer, the bag pack is supported by the underlying support member, and the top most bag is detached from the pack and dispensed through the aperture to the customer consistently as a single bag with relative reliability and ease. The cover has the additional purpose of providing pressure upon the side edges and bottom of the bag pack, which in cooperation with the upper portion which engages the rack, stabilizes the bag stack on the rack to prevent the bag pack from blowing in wind, while securing the bag pack in a flat, uniform fashion. The downward pressure of the cover further facilitates the dispensing of a single bag from the bag stack at a time, preventing waste.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for dispensing individual thermoplastic bags or the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a perforated, solid fused tab having a first and second handle support apertures or slits formed therein for accepting first and second support hooks or support members on the rack.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bag dispensing system which requires little significant equipment modification, while providing a consistent quality, strong and aesthetically acceptable product.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bag rack which includes a medial support member for providing angled support of the dispensing area of the pack.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover configured to be used with the bag pack and rack of the present invention, wherein the support cover has formed therethrough a dispensing aperture configured to guide the user to the optimal portion of the top bag for dispensing from the bag rack.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cover which protects the bag pack while maintaining the bag pack in a flat, uniform, fashion even under windy conditions.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bag pack which is easily loaded upon a rack, providing a consistent and reliable dispenser for produce bags or the like.