A tape recording apparatus is capable of operation in either a normal recording mode or a high band recording mode. Detecting holes to indicate whether a tape cassette loaded into the recording apparatus is designed for the normal recording mode or the high band recording mode are formed in the tape cassette. The kind of cassette is detected from the detecting holes, and the high band recording mode or the normal recording mode is automatically set in accordance with the kind of tape cassette detected. The automatic setting can be selectively cancelled, however, in which case the recording can be executed in the normal recording mode even if a tape cassette designed for the high band recording mode has been loaded into the recording apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for recording a video signal and, more particularly, to a recording apparatus that can be selectively set into a normal mode or a high band mode.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a rotary head type videotape recorder (VTR) in which the luminance signal is frequency modulated and the chroma signal is converted into a low band frequency and recorded, the horizontal resolution and thus the picture quality can be improved by raising the carrier frequency when the luminance signal is frequency modulated and by widening the frequency deviation. Therefore, in such a VTR, it is good practice to provide a recording mode in which, when the luminance signal is frequency modulated, the carrier frequency is set to be higher than the frequency that has conventionally been used, thereby improving the picture quality.
Hitherto, in the recording format of, for example, an 8-mm VTR, the carrier frequency when the luminance signal is frequency modulated has been set to 4.2 MHz at the sync tip level and 5.4 MHz (or higher by 1.2 MHz) at the white peak level. In such an 8-mm VTR, in order to realize high picture quality, it is common practice to set the carrier frequency when the luminance signal is frequency modulated to 5.7 MHz at the sync tip level and 7.7 MHz (or higher by 2.0 MHz) at the white peak level. Such a recording mode is hereinafter called a high band mode. The conventional recording mode is hereinafter called a normal mode.
In order to improve the picture quality still further the carrier frequency when the luminance signal is frequency modulated is sometimes set to 7.0 MHz at the sync tip level and 9.0 MHz at the white peak level. Such a recording mode is hereinafter called a super high band mode.
In a VTR that can record in the high band mode or the super high band mode in addition to the normal mode, it is necessary to control various components of the VTR in accordance with the recording mode. That is, it is necessary to switch the characteristics of the FM demodulator, the pre-emphasis characteristics, the characteristics of the recording amplifier, and the like in accordance with the recording mode.
One constraint imposed is that recording in the high band mode or the super high band mode cannot be carried out using "ordinary" or "normal" tape. In the case of recording in the high band mode or the super high band mode, it is necessary to use a tape that will accept a high density recording. Such a tape can of course also be used for recording in the normal mode, in which the recording is of a lower density.
As mentioned above, in a VTR capable of operating in either the normal mode or the high band mode, it is necessary to switch various setting states in accordance with the recording mode selected.
It is very troublesome to execute such a setting operation manually. Moreover, when such a setting operation is manually performed, mistakes are often made. For instance, in spite of the fact that a normal tape has been loaded, the high band mode may be set. In such a case, normal mode recording is not executed. Moreover, high band mode recording is not properly executed, since the tape is not capable of accepting a recording of the requisite density. Alternatively, in spite of the fact that a tape for the high band has been loaded, the normal recording mode may be set. In such a case, the recording will be carried out, but without achieving the picture quality of which the loaded tape is capable.


A shuttle vector capable of dominant transfection of both animal and bacterial cells and of amplification in animal cells has been constructed. This vector contains the cloned bacterial gene coding for asparagine synthetase; it is shown that animal cells bearing the vector can be selected for with a drug which inhibits the animal but not the bacterial asparagine synthetase. The vector and any linked genes can then be amplified using a drug which inhibits the bacterial synthetase. This vector is useful in the production of large quantities of specific biological products by animal cells. It may also be useful for the genetic transformation of plants.

The introduction of cloned nucleotide sequences into animal cells has greatly facilitated the study of the control and function of various eucaryotic genes. Bacterial-animal cell shuttle vectors, capable of selection and amplification as plasmids in bacteria and as episomal or integrated genetic elements in animal cells, are particularly convenient for this purpose. Such vectors require genes capable of conferring a selective advantage on both bacteria and animal cells harboring them. It is often the animal cell side of this requirement which is particularly difficult to meet, since, ideally, selection and amplification should be possible in many types of cells.
Up until now, the most commonly used systems used for these purposes were the neo genes selectable with the antibiotic G-418, the gpt gene selectable with mycophenolic acid, and the dhfr gene selectable with methotrexate. However, important drawbacks have been noted for each of these systems. Thus, neo and gpt cannot be amplified, dhfr is easily amplified but difficult to select in anything but dhfr.sup.- recipients, and all of the markers require the use of mutagenic drugs for selection.
Therefore, a selectable marker for shuttle vectors possessing both efficient dominant animal cell transfection as well as strong amplification capabilities would be highly desirable.

Shuttle vector, utilizing the E. coli asparagine synthetase gene, and capable of dominant transfection and amplification in animal cells

The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning (McGill University)


A polymer battery having at least one layer of a positive electrode, at least one layer of a polymer electrolyte retained by a separator and at least one layer of a negative electrode, each of which is in a thin film form, stacked in this order, wherein the entirety of the outer peripheries of the separator and of the negative electrode is positioned outside of the outer periphery of the positive electrode except for a collector tab (49 provided to the positive electrode so as to protrude from one side of the positive electrode, and the following relationship is satisfied in a portion of the outer peripheries of the separator and of the negative electrode: the length between the end of the negative electrode and the end of the positive electrode (D1) >the length between the end of the negative electrode and the end of the separator (D2).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithium polymer battery and a manufacturing method for the same and, more particularly, to a stacked type lithium polymer battery and a manufacturing method for the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Matrix materials such as carbon materials and conductive polymers which utilize a dope-undope process of lithium ions instead of utilizing lithium metal or metal alloy thereof for a negative electrode have been developed in recent years. Accordingly, generation of dendrite (which occurs in the case where lithium metal or metal alloy thereof is utilized) no longer theoretically occurs. Therefore, short circuit problems inside of the battery has been considerably reduced. In particular, it is known that the dope-undope potential of lithium of carbon materials is closer to the deposition-dissolution potential of lithium than that of other materials. Specifically, graphite materials are carbon materials that can theoretically hold lithium in their crystal lattice at a rate of one lithium atom relative to six carbon atoms and which have a high capacity per unit weight and per unit volume. Furthermore, the potential of intercalation-deintercalation of lithium is fiat in graphite materials which are chemically stable so as to greatly contribute to the cycle stability of batteries.
As a result of such research and development, a so-called lithium ion battery employing a carbon material as the negative electrode has been commercialized and has rapidly come into wide use as a power source for mobile devices. Such battery is lightweight and has a high capacity which is utilized to the fullest.
In addition, ion conductive polymers having high ion conductivities have been recently reported. Research has been directed to increase the prevention of liquid leakage, the safety level, and the extended shelf life of batteries in the case where liquid electrolytes are used.
Normal (straight) chain polymers, net crosslinked polymers and comb polymers of homopolymers or copolymers having basic units of ethylene oxides have, in particular, been proposed and have been put into practice as one group of ion conductive polymers. Batteries using ion conductive polymers in which electrolytic salts are dissolved in high polymer materials having such polyether structures have been widely described in patent documents (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,303,748, 4,589,197 and 4,547,440).
These ion conductive polymers, however, have low ion conductivities at a temperature below room temperature; therefore, reduction in size and weight and an increase in the energy density required for batteries for power sources to drive portable electronic devices and to back up memories cannot be implemented.
Therefore, a method for achieving an increase in the ion conductivities of these ion conductive polymers has been proposed. According to the proposed method, a monomer and an organic solvent (in particular, organic solvent having a high dielectric constant such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC)) are mixed so as to be polymerized and, thereby, a gel polymer electrolyte (hereinafter, referred to as "chemical crosslinked gel") is obtained which maintain an electrolytic solution in a polymer network and which maintains a solid condition. The chemical crosslinked gel can greatly reduce the risk of liquid leakage. Therefore, it has become possible to utilize a laminate film wherein a metal foil and a resin film are stacked as an exterior material of batteries.
Manufacturing methods for such batteries are generally categorized into "stacked types" of manufacturing batteries (by stacking groups of electrodes) and "jelly-roll (winding) types" of manufacturing batteries (by winding positive electrodes, negative electrodes and separators in band forms).
So far, the mainstream of lithium ion batteries is the "jelly-roll types" of manufacturing batteries wherein positive electrodes, negative electrodes and separators are wound in band forms in order to emphasis importance on the productivity because the forms of batteries are restricted by the battery cans. On the other hand, it is easy to process the forms of lithium polymer batteries wherein laminate films are used as exterior materials. Therefore, manufacturing methods can freely be selected in order to achieve further reduction in weight and further freedom in the forms in addition to reductions in weight and increases in the capacity of lithium ion batteries and, for example, a stacked type can be adopted so that thin batteries having large areas can easily be manufactured.
In the case where polymer batteries are actually manufactured, the jelly-roll types are in the mainstream because facilities and manufacturing methods used for the manufacturing of conventional lithium ion batteries can be effectively utilized and the productivity is high. Accordingly, in the case where mechanization of production of polymer batteries are progressed for jelly-roll type batteries, only the batteries having similar forms to lithium ion batteries can ultimately be obtained due to the regulation of winding equipment for winding and peripheral jigs (the width of electrodes, winding core, and the like).
On the other hand, stacked type batteries in general have high freedom in form and have characteristics suitable for thin batteries, while mechanization of production is difficult due to the complication of their stacking processes. Although regulation of the sizes of positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and separator layers for separating between the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes has been proposed in order to increase the reliability (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-30742), the separator layers are set at sizes sufficiently larger than the positive electrodes and the negative electrodes in order to prevent short circuiting of the respective electrodes. Therefore, the problem of the complication of the stacking process is not solved. In addition, although there is an idea that separators are made to have a uniform size and both the positive and negative electrodes are covered with the separators so that the positioning can be easily carried out, a problem arises wherein the thickness of the battery increases and the energy density is reduced when the two electrodes are covered with the separators.
Furthermore, thin batteries having broad areas have problems that the batteries swell when gas is generated from the inside and that the batteries are weak against vibration in comparison with jelly-roll type batteries due to independence of electrodes.

Polymer battery having the outer peripheries of the separator and negative electrode positioned outside of an outer periphery of the positive electrode


An image pickup system with an illuminating device capable of sequentially irradiating three kinds of color lights different from each other onto an object, an objective lens system forming images of the object with the color lights, a solid-state image sensor receiving the images of the object, a signal processing device producing individual color images of the object based on electric signals supplied from the solid-state image sensor, and a color dispersion device or a color separation device disposed in an optical path of light incident on the solid-state image sensor from the object. The color dispersion device includes the combination of variously shaped prisms and a diffraction grating, and the color separation device includes a structure compounded of dichroic mirrors, whereby the images with respective color lights are incident at positions shifted each other on the solid-state image sensor. The compound of signals indicative of individual color images makes it possible to bring about the object image with high resolution.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup device suitable especially for endoscopes or the like, which is arranged to use a solid state image sensor to pick up an image of an object formed by an image-forming lens and to perform color display of this image.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
In an image pickup device, in general, using a solid-state image sensor as the image pickup means, the resolution of image is determined by the number of the picture elements (number of the light-receiving elements) which are provided on the image sensor. However, a solid-state image sensor having a large number of picture elements presents not a few problems in its manufacture, and there has been a difficulty in putting to practice the image sensor having a sufficiently large number of picture elements.
In order to solve this problem, therefore, there has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 56-40546 an image pickup device which is of a structure representing the so-called "picture element displacement technique" that a plurality of image sensors are arrayed in such a manner as to be shifted in position relative to the optical axis of the image-forming lens by, for example, 1/2 pitch or 1/3 pitch of the interval between the picture elements so that the relative positions of the images on the arrayed picture elements in one image sensor differ from those on the arrayed picture elements of another image sensor, so that the informations corresponding to the sites lying between the picture elements of one image sensor can be picked up also by another image sensor, to thereby enhance the resolving power.
However, in a known device of such a system as mentioned above, it should be noted that, in order to set the amount of displacement of the image at a predetermined value, relative positioning of a plurality of image sensors requires to be effected by displacing them relative to each other, so that there has been the problem that the fabrication of the optical system is very troublesome.

High image resolution image pickup system with color dispersion means


A method for detecting displacements of a micro-electromechanical sensor including a fixed body and a mobile mass, and forming a first sensing capacitor and a second sensing capacitor having a common capacitance at rest. The first and second sensing capacitors being connected to a first input terminal and, respectively, to a first output terminal and to a second output terminal of the sensing circuit. The method includes the steps of closing a first negative-feedback loop, which is formed by the first and second sensing capacitors and by a differential amplifier, feeding an input of the differential amplifier with a staircase sensing voltage through driving capacitors so as to produce variations of an electrical driving quantity which are inversely proportional to the common sensing capacitance, and driving the sensor with the electrical driving quantity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a circuit for detecting displacements using micro-electromechanical sensors with compensation of parasitic capacitances and spurious displacements.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known, the use of micro-electric-mechanical sensors, or MEMS sensors, with differential capacitive unbalance has been proposed for forming, for example, linear or rotational accelerometers and pressure sensors.
In particular, MEMS sensors of the indicated type comprise a fixed body (stator) and a moving mass, generally of suitably doped semiconductor material, connected to each other through elastic elements (springs) and restrained so that, with respect to the stator, the moving mass has predetermined translational and rotational degrees of freedom. Moreover, the stator and the moving mass have a plurality of fixed and, respectively, moving arms, interleaved to each other. In practice, each fixed arm is arranged between a pair of moving arms, so as to form a pair of capacitors having a common terminal and a capacitance which is a function of the relative position of the arms, that is of the relative position of the moving mass with respect to the stator. When the sensor is stressed, the moving mass moves and the capacitance of the capacitors is unbalanced.
Depending on the type of structure and relative movement allowed between the moving mass and the stator, it is possible to manufacture MEMS sensors of a linear or rotational type, with variable interspace (distance between each moving arm and the respective fixed arms) and/or with variable facing area (variation of the reciprocal facing area between the moving arms and the respective fixed arms).
In all mentioned cases, reading by the sensor (that is detection of an electric quantity representing the variation of the capacitance of the capacitors) leads to problems due to the presence of parasitic capacitors (pad and substrate capacitances). The reading precision is also limited by another drawback, which is caused by spurious displacements, i.e., displacements not according with the designed degrees of freedom and due to non-ideality of mechanical constraints.
For the sake of clarity, reference will be made to FIGS. 1 and 2, where a linear MEMS sensor 1 is shown; however, what will be explained hereinafter applies to MEMS sensors of any type.
In detail, the sensor 1 comprises a stator 2 and a moving mass 3, connected to each other by springs 4 so that the moving mass 3 can translate parallel to a first reference axis X, while it is substantially fixed with respect to a second and a third reference axes Y, Z. The sensor 1 is also symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis parallel to the first reference axis X.
The stator 2 and the moving mass 3 are provided with a plurality of first and second fixed arms 5xe2x80x2, 5xe2x80x3 and, respectively, with a plurality of moving arms 6, extending substantially parallel to the plane Y-Z.
As shown in detail in FIG. 2, each moving arm 6 is arranged between two respective fixed arms 5xe2x80x2, 5xe2x80x3, partially facing them. Consequently, the moving arm 6 forms, with the two fixed arms 5xe2x80x2, 5xe2x80x3, a first and, respectively, a second sensing capacitor 8, 9 with paraliel flat faces. In particular, the area of the plates of the sensing capacitors 8, 9 is equal to the facing area A of the moving arms 6 and of the fixed arms 5xe2x80x2, 5xe2x80x3. In particular, the facing area A is substantially a rectangle with sides Ly, Lz.
The first and the second sensing capacitor 8, 9 have a first and a second sensing capacitance Ca, Cb, respectively, given by the equations:                     Ca        =                  ϵ                                A            X1                                              (        1        )                                Cb        =                  ϵ                                A            X2                                              (        2        )
where X1, X2 are the distances between the moving arm 6 and the first and, respectively, the second fixed arms 5xe2x80x2, 5xe2x80x3 of FIG. 2 and ∈ is the dielectric constant of the air.
In the sensor 1, all the sensing capacitances Ca formed between the moving arms 6 and the first fixed arms 5xe2x80x2 are parallel-connected; similarly all the sensing capacitances Cb formed between the moving arms 6 and the second fixed arms 5xe2x80x3 are parallel-connected. Consequently, altogether two capacitances are present between the stator 3 and the moving mass 4, equal to Cl=N*Ca and, respectively, to C2=N*Cb, with N number of moving arms 6 of the sensor 1. If we define as a common sensing capacitance Cs of the sensor 1 the value of the capacitances C1, C2 at rest, we have:
Cs=C1=C2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(3)
After a movement of the moving arm 4 purely along the axis X, the sensing capacitances C1, C2 present variations with an opposite sign and with a same absolute value, and equal to a capacitive unbalance xcex94Cs.
In greater detail, supposing for simplicity""s sake that the distances X1, X2 are initially the same and equal to a rest distance X0, from equations (1)-(3) it results that the component xcex94Csx of the capacitive unbalance xcex94Cs according to the first reference axis X is given by the equation:                                           Δ                                      xe2x80x83                                    CSx                    =                                                    -                                                      ⅆ                    Cs                                                        ⅆ                    X                                                                            Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                          X                        =                                                                                ϵ                                                              xe2x80x83                                                            A                                                        X0                    2                                                                  Δ                                                  xe2x80x83                                                X                            =                                                Cs                  X0                                                Δ                                                  xe2x80x83                                                X
                                              Δ                                      xe2x80x83                                    CSx                    =                                                    -                                                      ⅆ                    Cs                                                        ⅆ                    X                                                                            Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                          X                        =                                                                                ϵ                                                              xe2x80x83                                                            A                                                        X0                    2                                                                  Δ                                                  xe2x80x83                                                X                            =                                                Cs                  X0                                                Δ                                                  xe2x80x83                                                X                                                                        (        4        )
where xcex94X is the movement of the moving mass 4 long the first reference axis X.
In presence of a spurious movement xcex94Y parallel to the second reference axis Y, the capacitive unbalance xcex94Cs has a component xcex94Csy given by the equation:                               Δ                                xe2x80x83                              CSy                =                                            -                                                ⅆ                  Cs                                                  ⅆ                  Y                                                                  Δ                                      xe2x80x83                                    Y                    =                                                    -                                                      ϵ                                                              xe2x80x83                                                            Ly                                    X0                                                          Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                          Y                        =                                          -                                  CS                  Ly                                                          Δ                                            xe2x80x83                                          Y                                                          (        5        )
Any spurious movements xcex94Z along the third reference axis Z are instead compensated by virtue of the axial symmetry of the sensor MEMS 1.
While the unbalance introduced by the movement xcex94X is of a differential type and is itself suitable to be detected by a fully differential sensing operational amplifier (see, for example, the article xe2x80x9cA Three-Axis Micromachined Accelerometer with a CMOS Position-Sense Interface and Digital Offset-Trim Electronicsxe2x80x9d by M. Lemkin, B. Boser, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 34, N. 4, Pages 456-468), the movement xcex94Y introduces a notable common mode variation of the common sensing capacitance Cs, as it causes a variation of the facing area A (FIG. 2).
Since the sensing operational amplifier allows detection of a voltage that is directly proportional to the capacitive unbalance xcex94Cs, which in turn is directly proportional to the common sensing capacitance Cs, the common mode variation due to the movement xcex94Y introduces a significant sensing error.
An embodiment of the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method and a circuit are provided for detection of displacements through a micro-electromechanical sensor. The sensor includes a fixed body and a mobile mass, and forms a first sensing capacitor and a second sensing capacitor having a common capacitance at rest. The first and second sensing capacitors are connected to a first input terminal and, respectively, to a first output terminal and to a second output terminal of the sensing circuit.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps of closing a first negative-feedback loop, which is formed by the first and second sensing capacitors and by a differential amplifier, feeding an input of the differential amplifier with a staircase sensing voltage through driving capacitors so as to produce variations of an electrical driving quantity which are inversely proportional to the common sensing capacitance, and driving the sensor with the electrical driving quantity.
According to another embodiment of the invention, a circuit for detecting displacements in the sensor is provided, including a first negative-feedback loop, which can be closed selectively and which includes the first and second sensing capacitors and first amplifier means. The circuit also includes voltage-source means connected to the first amplifier means via capacitive driving means and supplying a staircase sensing voltage when the first negative-feedback loop is closed, so as to produce variations of an electrical driving quantity of the sensor, which are inversely proportional to the common sensing capacitance.

Method and circuit for detecting displacements using micro-electromechanical sensors with compensation of parasitic capacitances and spurious displacements


The invention is directed to novel hair dye compositions, novel leave-in conditioners, and novel leave-in conditioners with a hair coloring effect. Hair dye compositions, leave-in conditioners, and leave-in conditioners with hair coloring effect may include a styrene/vinylpyrrolidone copolymer emulsion.

Many compositions for dyeing human hair are known. Often hair dyeing involves applying a dye composition and fixing it by oxidation using peroxide or the like. The dyes used in those procedures are known as "permanent" or "oxidative" hair dyes. Their effects may last for a number of weeks or months. Other hair dyes may be applied without oxidation. These dyes are known as "semi-permanent" dyes. Their effects may last for about 6 to about 12 weeks.
Compositions for conditioning hair have also been reported. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,874, to Saphakkul, reports an aqueous hair conditioner product comprising a cationic surfactant, a fatty alcohol having an alkyl group with from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, a basic dye, and a neutral dye. Saphakkul reports that the cationic surfactant is present in a disperse lamellar liquid crystal phase with a certain weight ratio.
It is an object of the invention to provide a dye composition for temporary or semi-permanent use. It is a further object of the invention to provide a hair conditioner that does not need to be rinsed out of hair immediately following application. It is a still further object of the invention to provide a hair conditioner and dye composition that does not need to be rinsed out of hair immediately following application and that imparts a tint or color to conditioned hair. Of course, the scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and the claims should not be limited by reference to the objects of the invention unless specifically stated therein.


A welding system comprising a user manipulatable device, a proximity sensor positioned on said user manipulatable device, an engine capable of operation in an energy conservation mode and an operating mode, and a generator operatively coupled to the engine. The generator may provide at least one of (1) a welding current output or (2) an auxiliary power output. The engine may operate (1) in the operating mode when the proximity sensor outputs the first output signal, and (2) in the energy conservation mode when the engine is not operating in the operating mode. The proximity sensor may be configured to output the first output signal when an operator of said welding system is in-range.

Welding is a process that has increasingly become ubiquitous in all industries. Welding is, at its core, simply a way of bonding two pieces of metal. While there are other techniques of joining metal (e.g., riveting, brazing, and soldering, for instance), welding has become the method of choice for its strength, efficiency and versatility.
Welding systems can generate a welding current output in excess of 100 amps. Such welding systems typically require a fuel-powered engine to drive an electric generator, which in turn generates the required current for the specific welding operation. The size of the engine and electric generator is dictated by the maximum welding current output rating of the welder. For instance, a welder that is rated to generate a 300-amp, 33.3 volt arc can require 10 kilowatts of power to generate such an arc. Thus, the engine in such a welder must have sufficient horse power to drive an electric generator to generate at least 10 kilowatts of power so as to supply the maximum welding current output rating of the welder at any given time.
As expected, such welding systems can utilize a significant amount of power. Accordingly, there has been a recent push to provide more energy efficient welding systems. To achieve this efficiency objective, it is advantageous to provide welding systems having two or more operating modes, such as an idle mode (i.e., energy conservation mode) and a normal mode (i.e., operation mode). However, a need still remains for an efficient means of dynamically switching between an energy conservation mode and an operation mode, so as to maximize the energy efficiency of such welding systems.

Energy conservation system, method, and apparatus for use with welding equipment


Provided are methods for obtaining n-type doped metal chalcogenide quantum dot solid-state films. In some embodiments, the methods include forming an metal chalcogenide quantum dot solid-state film, carrying out a n-doping process on the metal chalcogenide quantum dots of the metal chalcogenide quantum dot solid-state film so that they exhibit intraband absorption, wherein the process includes partially substituting chalcogen atoms by halogen atoms in the metal chalcogenide quantum dots and providing a substance on the plurality of metal chalcogenide quantum dots, to avoid oxygen p-doping of the metal chalcogenide quantum dots. Also provided are optoelectronic devices, which in some embodiments can include an n-type doped metal chalcogenide quantum dot solid-state film (A) obtained by a method as disclosed herein and first (E1) and second (E2) electrodes in physical contact with two respective distanced regions of the film (A).

Optical sensing in the mid and long-wave infrared (MWIR, LWIR) is of paramount importance for a large spectrum of applications including environmental monitoring, gas sensing, hazard detection, food and product manufacturing inspection, etc. Yet, such applications to date are served by costly and complex epitaxially grown HgCdTe, quantum-well and quantum-dot infrared photodetectors. The possibility of exploiting low-energy intraband transitions make colloidal quantum dots (CQD) an attractive low-cost alternative to expensive low bandgap materials for infrared applications. Unfortunately, fabrication of quantum dots exhibiting intraband absorption is technologically constrained by the requirement of controlled heavy doping, which has limited, so far, MWIR and LWIR CQD detectors to mercury-based materials.
The possibility of exploiting low-energy intraband transitions makes colloidal quantum dots an attractive low-cost alternative to current expensive low bandgap materials employed for infrared applications [1-3]. Stable high doping of CQDs is required in order to achieve steady-state intraband absorption [4]. However, precise control of doping is an ongoing challenge in CQD technology [5], even more so if long-term stability under air is needed. For this reason, although steady-state intraband absorption has been demonstrated in different materials (see [4] for a review), the first devices exploiting intraband transitions (MWIR photodetectors) have only recently been demonstrated using mercury chalcogenide nanocrystals [6-8].
Prior reports of doping PbS quantum dots (QDs) have relied on aliovalent cation or anion: Ag+ substitution of Pb2+ induces p-type character in PbS [9] and PbSe [10], while the substitution of Pb2+ by Bi3+ or In3+ makes PbS [11] and PbSe [12] more n-type. There is also evidence of n-type doping of PbS after ligand exchange with halides [13]. In particular, it has been proposed that partial substitution of S−2 by I− could contribute to rendering PbS n-type [14,15]. Unfortunately, oxygen is an effective p-type dopant in lead chalcogenides and reduces the effectiveness of halide doping in air such that n-type doping in PbS QD solids has been demonstrated only in the low doping regime [13,15]. Remote transfer of electrons from cobaltocene molecules is another reported mechanism of doping n-type PbS and PbSe QDs [16], leading to intraband absorption. However, none of the above approaches have led to robust permanent doping [10,12,16], preventing, thus, their use in devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,318,628B2 discloses infrared photodetectors in mid and long wave infrared based on Hg-chalcogenide QDs. However in this patent only interband excitations (i.e. above bandgap) are considered.
It is, therefore, necessary to provide an alternative to the state of the art which covers the gaps found therein, by providing a method for obtaining an n-type doped metal chalcogenide quantum dot solid-state film, and an optoelectronic device including the same, where the film is heavily n-doped.

Method for obtaining an n-type doped metal chalcogenide quantum dot solid-state film, and an optoelectronic device comprising the obtained film


The invention relates to an energy storage system for storing heat and coldness and for providing electrical energy, characterized by an energy converter, wherein the energy converter is designed to produce electrical energy from heat and coldness and to produce heat and coldness from electrical energy, the energy converter being in heat-transferring contact with a hot heat exchanger and with a cold heat exchanger, the hot heat exchanger being connected to a heat reservoir and the cold heat exchanger being connected to a coldness reservoir, and a control unit being provided, which operates the energy storage system in a first operating mode, in which heat and coldness are formed from electrical energy by means of the energy converter, and in a second operating mode, in which electrical energy is produced from heat and coldness.

It is known from the prior art to store electrical energy, for example in a battery, in the form of compressed air, or by means of a pump storage station.
It is the underlying object of the present invention to provide an energy storage system that has a greater field of application in comparison with known systems.


A booster mechanism is selectively connected to an exhaust turbine which consequently powers an intake air compressor. The booster mechanism applies additional power to the exhaust turbine in order to give the engine full or near full torque above idle revolutions per minute (RPM). In one embodiment, the booster mechanism comprises an air flask which contains pressurized air or another pressurized air source that can be utilized to provide a pressure source for additional power to the exhaust turbine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to turbocharged engines and, more particularly, to the improved operation of turbocharged engines at low Revolutions-Per-Minute (RPM).
2. Description of the Prior Art
Diesel engines may be either 2-Stroke or 4-Stroke cycle. Diesel engines differ from gasoline engines in that ignition occurs as a result of the heat from near-adiabatic compression. As historically-implemented, the naturally-aspirated diesel is a high compression ratio engine (typically between 16 and 22 to 1). As such, the compression ratio is approximately twice the compression ratio of a gasoline engine. Diesel engines therefore have lower power to weight ratio than gasoline engines. Modern high speed diesel engines have largely compensated for the inherent weight penalty of the diesel engine by the use of turbo-charging and after-cooling.
In the turbocharged and after-cooled marine diesel, the waste heat in the exhaust (typically about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit at full load) is used to spin a turbine, which drives a compressor which consequently boosts the intake manifold pressure. The combination of the pressurized intake manifold and the aftercooler (or intercooler), which cools the air downstream of the compressor, increases the power of the turbocharged diesel by a factor of approximately two or three. This is comparable to the power to weight ratio of gasoline engines.
With a turbocharged engine, the power at low RPMs may be one third or less of the power at higher RPMs. For example, a typical high speed diesel may be rated at 370 horsepower at 2400 RPMs; the diesel rates being approximately 75 horsepower at 1000 RPM. This low horse power condition is because at low RPMs there is not sufficient exhaust flow to spin the turbocharger fast enough to create a boost in horsepower.
In many applications, this difference in horsepower at different RPMs is not important because transmissions or gear boxes may be utilized to adjust the load to allow fast acceleration of the engine to higher speeds. With boats, various means have been utilized to minimize or avoid this problem including the use of variable pitch propellers, gearboxes, engine-powered superchargers, and operationally-comparable mechanisms. Larger engines may also be utilized. However, these solutions add considerable costs.
When planning craft of 20-50 feet in length, operating at top speeds of 25-50+ knots, the most efficient propulsor at design point (top speed) will generally be a fixed pitch propeller. With the fixed pitch propeller (surface piercing or not), unless slip is significant, speed tends to be more or less linear with the RPM. As a result, the engine tends to be at a low RPM when the vessel is required to "climb out of the hole "onto" plane.
If the vessel has a low-to-moderate top speed compared to the hull speed (2-2.5 times hull speed or less); generally there is no problem. The engine will be above the critical one-half rated speed point and will have the ability to develop boost and power before that power is needed to transition to a plane condition. However, as designs for faster speeds are made (3-5 times hull speed), a situation can exist where if the vessel is perfectly "propped' for the full speed condition there will not be significant (or in some cases any) excess power and the vessel will either be slow to get onto plane, or may be unable to transition to a plane condition.
As an example, a 33 foot craft with a 22,000 lb. displacement powered by two 370 hp diesels, a top speed in excess of 32 knots can be achieved at the proper RPM (2825). When fuel and water loads are increased to full (an additional 1500 lb. displacement) the vessel cannot transition onto plane in shallow water, and in deeper water requires 20-30 seconds at full throttle from a standing start before any boost pressure is obtained. During this 20-30 second period of time, the vessel runs at 9-10 knots and smokes. Once the boost starts, the vessel breaks onto plane and accelerates to top speed in less than ten seconds. The compromise solution is to reduce the propeller diameter by 1″ from 22″×24″ to 21″×24″. This solution sacrifices 3 knots of top speed (new speed 29 knots) but allows sufficient slip during acceleration that boost is achieved in 8 seconds or less. A ten percent pitch reduction at the same diameter (considered) would have had the same effect.
Neither solution is acceptable for naval applications. Navy craft need good performance/efficiency over a much wider range of load conditions than is typical of most vessels. In addition, smoke is created during this temporary overload (fuel rich condition). Engines which have electronic controls or other fuel/smoke limiters have an even greater problem with this transition.
The above-discussed solutions such as gearboxes, larger engines, and the like might be utilized, but the cost is high. The following United States Patents describe various prior art systems that may be related to the above and/or other turbocharger systems:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,352 (issued Jul. 12, 1983) to Stumpp et al, discloses a method and an apparatus for regulating and attaining an anti-overload means in turbochargers and in internal combustion engines equipped therewith, serving in cost-favorable embodiment both in Otto (gasoline) engines and in diesel engines to limit the air throughput of the engine in accordance with the engine speed and to provide that neither the turbocharger (as a result of exceeding its limit rpm) nor the engine can be endangered if the engine exceeds the permissible compression and combustion pressure.
In summary, the intent is to attain a favorable adjustment of the exhaust turbocharger over the entire RPM range of the internal combustion engine. To this end, the exhaust gas quantity delivered to the exhaust turbocharger is controlled in accordance with the throughput, that is, in accordance with the air quantity delivered to the engine, with the aid of a bypass line. The air quantity delivered by way of the compression area of the exhaust turbocharger of the engine is detected ahead of the exhaust turbocharger, either with the aid of a direct air flow rate meter, or by means of a throttle restrictor and the detection of the underpressure being created at that point.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,229 (issued Jul. 21, 1992) to Kriegler, discloses that in order to utilize recycling of exhaust gases at high engine loads in an internal-combustion engine with an exhaust gas turbocharger, optionally with a charge cooler, as well as an exhaust gas recycling valve which is arranged within a connecting pipe through which a partial exhaust gas stream flows, the connecting pipe, in the direction of the flow, branching from the exhaust pipe upstream of the exhaust gas turbine and connecting into the charge pipe downstream of the exhaust gas turbine, an apparatus is employed which injects water into the partial exhaust gas stream flowing the connecting pipe at operating temperature and at high load operation of the internal-combustion engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,008 (issued Jul. 23, 2002) to Voss et al, discloses methods and apparatus for reducing the RPM level of a diesel engine exhaust stream by providing a suitable oxidation catalyst into the exhaust train. The oxidation catalyst may be incorporated into a thermal insulative coating on the inner surface of the exhaust train-particularly the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipes prior to the turbocharger. Alternatively, when the exhaust train includes a turbocharger, the catalyst can be in a separate monolithic unit between the engine and the turbocharger. The system may also include an improved diesel oxidation catalyst unit having a metal monolithic substrate. The oxidation catalyst can also be incorporated into a thermal insulative coating inside the cylinders, particularly on non-rubbing surfaces. A further embodiment is the use of a stainless steel bond coat to bind the thermal coating to a metallic substrate, particularly an aluminum substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,866 (issued Oct. 29, 2002) to Cook, discloses an apparatus for and method of exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine that operates with charge air boost. An EGR valve has an inlet port communicated to the engine exhaust system upstream of a throttle valve in the tailpipe and an outlet port communicated to the engine intake system. The throttle valve is controlled to selectively restrict exhaust gas flow through the tailpipe so as to maintain the difference between pressure at the EGR valve inlet and pressure at the EGR valve outlet substantially unaffected by changes in pressure in the intake system and in the exhaust system.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,347 (issued May 6, 2003) to Alvarez et al, discloses a method and apparatus of operating a turbo-charged diesel locomotive engine to facilitate controlling pressure in an engine cylinder. The method includes determining an allowable peak firing pressure for the turbo-charged diesel engine; determining an actual peak firing pressure; and comparing the allowable peak firing pressure to actual peak firing pressure to control the operation of the turbocharger for controlling peak firing pressure. The apparatus includes a diesel engine including an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, an electronic fuel controller, a turbo-charger, and a motor-generator coupled to the turbocharger and operable to at least one of increased turbocharger rotational speed, decrease turbocharger rotational speed, and maintain turbocharger rotational speed, and a controller including a first input corresponding intake manifold air pressure and a second input corresponding to fuel injection timing for the engine and including as an output a motor-generator configuration signal.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,382 (issued October 28) 2003, to Brehob et al, discloses a turbocharger system for a diesel engine includes an exhaust driven intake air compressor, a sensor for tracking the position of the engine's throttle and for generating a throttle position signal, and a water injection system for furnishing water to the engine's air intake. A controller receives the throttle position signal and operates the water injection system such that the rate of water injection will be increased in the event that the time rate of change of the throttle position signal indicates that the throttle pedal is being depressed at a rate exceeding a predetermined threshold.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,162 (issued Oct. 18, 2005) to Larson et al, discloses an exhaust gas recirculating system for a turbocharged diesel engine utilizes an electrically driven compression pump to boost exhaust gas pressure before return to the engine induction system. Exhaust gas is drawn from the exhaust system or stack some distance removed and downstream from the outlet from the exhaust turbine, compressed to overcome the intake manifold boost pressure, and returned to the intake system along an extended pipe to cool the gas. The compressor is energized from the vehicle battery during periods of demand for ak pressure demand on the engine thereby recycling recaptured energy from the battery to boost engine output. Exhaust turbine performance during periods of peak loading is also improved.
The above-cited prior art does not adequately disclose a low cost way to improve the operation of a turbocharger powered internal combustion engine at low RPMs. Consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate the present invention that addresses the above and other problems.

Diesel engine with air boosted turbocharger

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A physical quantity sensor includes a vibration element that performs drive vibration, an acceleration detection chip that detects an acceleration, a semiconductor element which is electrically connected to at least one of the vibration element and the acceleration detection chip, and a package that has a storage space for storing the vibration element, the acceleration detection chip and the semiconductor element. The semiconductor element is fixed to the package, the acceleration detection chip is fixed to the package with the semiconductor element interposed therebetween, and at least a portion of the acceleration detection chip overlaps the vibration element when the package is seen in a plan view.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a physical quantity sensor, an electronic apparatus and a moving object.
2. Related Art
In recent years, as a sensor including a plurality of physical quantity detection elements, for example, a physical quantity sensor including an angular velocity detection element and an acceleration detection element has been developed. Such a physical quantity sensor can be used in, for example, a vibration reduction function of a digital still camera (DSC), a navigation system of an automobile, an operation input device of a game console, and the like.
In addition, such a physical quantity sensor has an angular velocity detection element and an acceleration detection element stored within one package. However, in such a physical quantity sensor, generally, the angular velocity detection element and the acceleration detection element are supported by directly fixing these elements to the package, and thus the vibration of the angular velocity detection element has a tendency to be propagated to the acceleration detection element through the package. For this reason, in spite of an acceleration not being applied to the acceleration detection element due to the vibration, there is a problem in that the acceleration is detected.
In order to solve such a problem, for example, JP-A-2012-63243 discloses a physical quantity sensor having a configuration in which an angular velocity detection element is fixed to a package with a vibration-proof terminal interposed therebetween, and an acceleration detection element is fixed to the package. However, in the configuration disclosed in JP-A-2012-63243, a sufficient strength has to be given to the vibration-proof terminal in order to support the angular velocity detection element. For this reason, it is not possible to sufficiently attenuate the vibration of the angular velocity detection element through the vibration-proof terminal.

Physical quantity sensor, electronic apparatus and moving object


The invention relates to an air-exhausting lehr for laminated glass sheets, including a tunnel-like lehr, a conveyor, including elements for carrying laminated glass sheets in a substantially upright position through the lehr, and air circulation ducts, having fans and heating elements associated therewith for blasting heated air between the laminated glass sheets presently on the conveyor within the lehr. The lehr has its sides provided with movable walls for adjusting the lehr width to match a given glass size. This results in an enhanced passage of air between glass sheets regardless of variations in glass size.

The present invention relates to an air-exhausting lehr for laminated glass sheets, comprising a tunnel-like lehr, having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction; a conveyor for carrying laminated glass sheets continuously through the lehr; retainer elements present in the conveyor for holding the glass sheets in a substantially upright position and in a lateral direction of the lehr, i.e. crosswise relative to the conveying direction; air circulation ducts, having fans and heating elements associated therewith for blasting heated air between the laminated glass sheets presently on the conveyor within the lehr; slots associated with the air circulation ducts in the lehr's floor and ceiling for the circulation of air; and curtains or valves at the outer ends of the lehr tunnel for covering tunnel mouths.
This type of air-exhausting lehr is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,799 assigned to Tamglass Engineering Oy, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The specification of DE-198 09 582 Cl discloses a batch-type heat treatment space for performing a "Heat Soak" treatment on glass panels. Because of varying batch sizes, the heat treatment space is provided with movable walls for an enhanced circulation of hot air through between individual glass sheets

Air-exhausting lehr for laminated glass sheets


A display device and a method of controlling the same are provided. The display device includes: a display panel including a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a plurality of sub pixels; a prism panel at one side of the display panel and including a prism array and a liquid crystal; a prism panel driver configured to apply voltage to the prism panel; and a controller configured to display a plurality of image frames on the display panel and to control a driving state of the prism panel variably while the plurality of image frames is displayed.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a display device and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, to a display device that increases a resolution of a display device, and a method of controlling the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The recent development of a wired/wireless Internet and of information communication devices has rapidly increased the amount and quality of information accessible to a user. The development of such electronic technologies has resulted in advances in three-dimensional (3D) imaging. Here, in addition to a two-dimensional (2D) image, a 3D image is really and stereoscopically seen, felt, and enjoyed based on a terminal such as a television (TV), a smartphone, or the like that processes text, voices, images, or the like at a high speed.
A human recognizes a 3D world according to a principle of a stereoscopic vision of two eyes. In other words, the human acquires two images having different views through the two eyes that are horizontally spaced apart by about 65 mm and analyzes a difference between the two images in a brain to reconstitute and recognize the two images as a single 3D image having a depth.
A stereoscopic display device uses a principle of a stereoscopic vision using a binocular disparity of a human and is classified into a stereoscopic type and an autostereoscopic type according to whether an observer additionally wears glasses. The autostereoscopic type may be further classified into a multi-view binocular disparity type, a volumetric type, and a holographic type according to methods of realizing a 3D image.
An autostereoscopic display device that is realized by the multi-view binocular disparity type may enable a viewer to feel a binocular disparity without particular glasses so as to realize a 3D image. The autostereoscopic display device may include a parallax barrier or a lenticular lens that is installed in front of or in the rear of a display panel to divide pixels that are seen by left and right eyes of the viewer.
A parallax barrier type is classified into a front barrier type where a parallax barrier is positioned between a display panel and a viewer and a rear barrier type where the parallax barrier is positioned between a light source unit and the display panel.
A rear barrier type includes a display panel that displays information of two vision fields, a parallax barrier that is disposed at a distance from the display panel, and a backlight unit (BLU) that supplies light to the parallax barrier. The parallax barrier has a structure in which stripes having light-passing units are inclined. In this structure, the number of views increases with increases in widths between the stripes, but resolutions of the views are lowered by a resolution of an original image and/or the number of views.
A barrier type 2D/3D conversion system has a structure that blocks light and thereby lowers a luminance thereof. In particular, the barrier type 2D/3D conversion system increases the luminance in proportion to the number of views in a multi-view structure. A backlight type autostereoscopic 3D system is provided to have a structure, where a 3D backlight of a line light source is stacked on a 2D backlight of a surface light source, as a structure for improving a luminance lowering problem of a 2D/3D conversion barrier type. However, when a 3D BLU supplies light for a 3D mode, leakage light is generated. This leakage light penetrates into a 2D BLU to be reflected toward a viewer. The leakage light lowers a quality of a 3D image and increases cross-talk. Also, the 2D and 3D backlights are stacked, such that a display device may not realize a compact structure.

Display device and method of controlling the same


An imaging system includes a method and apparatus for use in processing fish body sections that have been transversely cut. The system uses a frame with a pair of shrouds, each having an interior space that contains an illumination system for illuminating the fish section. A pair of video cameras housed respectively within the shrouds scan opposed flat sides of the fish section to produce images of the respective sides. Screens move behind the fish section in sequential fashion as each camera scans the fish section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fish processing and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for processing a fish body that has been cut into a plurality of transverse fish body sections, and more particularly relates to an improved imaging apparatus that features imaging of both sides of a transverse fish slab section using automated illumination and background screening to produce an improved image of each of the opposed sides of a fish body section.
2. General Background
In the processing of fish such as tuna, it is common to freeze a catch of fish at sea, and to process the catch on shore. The processing normally involves thawing the fish followed by manual operations of slicing the fish belly and the removal of viscera. The visceral cavity is then washed with water, and the tuna inspected for spoilage. The tuna is then usually cooked whole in a batch type precooking operation.
Manual prior art methods of processing tuna are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,191 issued to J. M. Lapeyre. The '191 Lapeyre patent discloses the concept of cutting the tuna in lateral sections at spaced intervals and thereafter separating the edible loin portions to provide discrete cannable portions.
A later U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,370 entitled "Method of Butchering Tuna" issued to J. M. Lapeyre, describes a method for processing such transverse tuna sections while frozen. The method of butchering frozen tuna described in the '370 Lapeyre patent includes the subdivision of the whole fish into a plurality of transverse cross-sections and subsequently subdividing the cross-sections into frozen segments. The junctures between the segments are along lines generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fish and to the backbone thereof. Each lateral fish section is skinned and the skinned sections operated on to effect a separation of the scrap parts of the segments from the loin meat parts, while the latter were still in at least a partially frozen condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,363 issued to J. M. Lapeyre entitled "Tuna Butchering Method and System" describes an automated butchering method and system for separating the edible loin portions of transverse tuna slices provided by subdivision of a frozen whole tuna.
Three additional, more recently issued U.S. Patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,724, entitled "Support Apparatus For Use In Video Imaging And Processing Of Transverse Fish Sections," U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,917, entitled "Support Apparatus For Use In Video Imaging And Processing 0f Transverse Fish Sections," and U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,879, entitled "Method And Apparatus For Processing Fish Into Transverse Sections."
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,593,370; 3,594,191; 3,800,363; Re. 33,917; 4,748,724; and 5,189,879 are each incorporated herein by reference.
A problem encountered in the cutting of transverse sections (such as transversely cut fish) with a robotic knife that tracks according to a video image is precision. Precision is required to separate fish bones, blood meat, visceral and like non-edible portions from the edible portions if waste is to be minimized. Therefore, there is a need for an improved, precise video imaging system that can precisely process the section with minimum waste.

Imaging system for use in processing transversely cut fish body sections


An optical imaging system with a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has a central core element including a flexible optical conduit, with a number of wires surrounding the core element to form a tube concentric with an axis defined by the center of the core. The cable has a conductive shield layer surrounding the wires and uniformly spaced apart from the wires. An electronic instrument is connected to the first end of the cable and has an illuminator coupled with the optical conduit and a display device connected to the wires. An image transducer is connected to the second end of the cable and is connected to the wires. The wires may be twisted pairs evenly spaced apart from each other, and evenly spaced apart from an axis defined by the core.

Remote imaging systems are used to view objects not normally accessible to human observation or conventional imaging tools. Only limited-size image transducers are positioned for viewing, and a signal is transmitted to a remote location for viewing. For instance, surgeons use optical probes to view internal anatomy for diagnosis or surgery. Such systems require miniaturized multi-wire cable assemblies to transmit images recorded by a charge coupled device (CCD) to an external display screen.
For surgical and other applications, it is desirable to minimize the cable size. Limited diameter facilitates desired flexibility. However, a detailed real-time image needs significant bandwidth, requiring many separate conductors of a given frequency capability. To avoid undesirably bulky cables when substantial numbers of conductors are required, very fine conductors are used. To limit electrical noise and interference at high signal frequencies, conductors are generally shielded. A typical approach employs fine coaxial wires, which are bundled in a cable. Each wire includes its own shield, which provides suitable protection against interference at high frequencies.
While adequate, multiple coaxial assemblies have several disadvantages. The manufacturing cost of fine coaxial wiring is higher than is acceptable for many applications. The mode of terminating very fine coaxial wire is complex and expensive. And coaxial wires generate unwanted bulk due to the need for a given spacing between core conductor and shield.
For low-voltage differential signal (LVDS) communication, twisted pair wiring has been used effectively. However, for the finest gauge wires and for high frequencies required in certain applications, twisted pair wires have critical limitations. One problem is that when twisted pairs are bundled together and surrounded by a suitable conductive shield layer, they have different electrical characteristics with respect to the shield. Some pairs will inevitably be closer to the shield than are others, resulting in common mode impedance differences or signal skew as signals via different pairs arrive at different times. Such skew limits usable signal rates, a particular concern with very small conductors needed for slim, flexible cables requiring a multitude of lines.
A further disadvantage of existing systems is that they lack a light source, requiring a second cable in the surgeon's hand to convey light via an optical fiber bundle. Coordination of separate cables makes surgery is difficult, and requires a larger surgical opening in the patient. Moreover, efforts to unify the two cables create a much stiffer cable lacking desired flexibility due to its overall size.

Cable having signal conductors surrounding optically transmissive core remote imaging system


An upright cleaning appliance is described which includes a reclining upright body and a cleaner head, the cleaner head being connected to the upright body and maneuverable across a floor surface using a handle fixed to the upright body. The appliance also includes a substantially rigid wand which is connected to a suction inlet on the vacuum cleaner by a flexible hose and which is suitable for use in cleaning above the floor. The wand is configured for storage on-board the vacuum cleaner with a first portion of the wand constrained relative to the handle and a second portion of the wand constrained relative to a lower part of the upright body so that the wand braces the handle to said lower part.

A typical so-called "upright" vacuum cleaner comprises a wheeled head assembly, which carries a fixed cleaner head, and an 'upright' body which can be reclined relative to the cleaner head and which includes a handle for maneuvering the vacuum cleaner across the floor. In use, a user grasps the handle and reclines the upright body until the handle is disposed at a convenient height for the user; the user can then roll the vacuum cleaner across the floor using the handle in order to pick up dust and other debris on the floor. The dust and debris is drawn in through a downward-facing suction inlet on the cleaner head by a motor-driven fan housed on-board the vacuum cleaner. From here, the dirt-laden air stream is then ducted under the fan-generated suction pressure to some sort of separating apparatus on board the vacuum cleaner, where dirt is separated from the air before the relatively clean air is then expelled back to the atmosphere. The separating apparatus may include a bag or cyclone, and may also include one or more filters for filtering very fine particulates from the air stream.
In some upright cleaners, the upright body comprises a relative large upright housing, typically formed from molded plastic, which incorporates the fan, the motor, the separating apparatus and any associated ducting: in these machines, the housing tends to be designed so that it is relatively tall and the handle is often conveniently provided on top of the housing, possibly as an integral-molded part of the housing.
Other upright vacuum cleaners do not incorporate large main housings, and in these machines the handle is often provided instead on a rigid, structural spine. This sort of "open" type of arrangement is shown in FIG. 1, which illustrates an upright vacuum cleaner a from the Dyson range of upright vacuum cleaners, currently sold under the model number DC15, in which a handle b is supported at the top end of a rigid, structural spine c running generally vertically up the rear of the machine a.
Historically, conventional wheeled upright vacuum cleaners were maneuvered across the floor by sequentially pushing and pulling the cleaner in straight lines, and the handle thus served primarily as a "push-pull" handle, with the main housing or rigid, structural spine acting to transmit push-pull forces down through the upright body and, ultimately, to the cleaner head. Many upright vacuum cleaners are currently still being designed to be maneuvered in this push-pull manner.
More recently, handles on some upright vacuum cleaners have been configured to rotate from side-to-side about the longitudinal axis of the upright body in order to provide some additional functionality for the cleaner. Thus, referring to FIG. 2, the handle b of the cleaner a forms part of a steering mechanism for improving maneuverability of the cleaner a; briefly, the handle b is rotatable from side to side about the longitudinal axis of the spine c as the cleaner a is being pushed or pulled, and the rotation of the handle b is transmitted via the spine c to some intermediate part of the steering mechanism which is operably connected to a steering yoke configured to steer the cleaner head to the left or right accordingly. This sort of steering mechanism is described in more detail in European Patent No. EP1526796.
It is often desirable to clean above the level of a floor. For example, it may be desirable to clean shelving, stairs or the upper corners of a room. For this purpose, many upright vacuum cleaners are now additionally provided with a suction wand which is connected to a suction inlet on the vacuum cleaner by a flexible hose, allowing the vacuum cleaner to be operated as desired in the manner of a "cylinder" (or "canister") cleaner, rather than in the manner of an "upright" cleaner. For convenience, the wand is normally releasably stored on-board the vacuum cleaner, and the hose itself is retractable for reducing the corresponding storage length of the hose on the vacuum cleaner.
In the absence of a relatively large main housing, the structural spine in an "open" type of upright vacuum cleaner typically also acts as a mounting support for the separating apparatus. Thus, referring again to FIG. 1, the vacuum cleaner a comprises a so-called "cyclone pack" d which is a removable component seated on a mounting platform e at the front of the cleaner a and secured in place by means of a manual release catch f which engages the spine c. The cyclone pack d incorporates a multi-stage cyclonic separation system g, along with associated inlet and outlet ducting (e.g. inlet duct h), which feeds a generally cylindrical dust-collecting bin i. During use of the cleaner a the dust collecting bin i gradually fills with dust and debris separated in the separation system g and when it is desired to empty the dust collecting bin i, the entire cyclone pack d is released by manually depressing the catch f and then removed in its entirety from the cleaner a. Once the cyclone pack d has been removed, the bin i can then sequentially be detached from the remainder of the cyclone pack d for emptying through the top of the dust collecting bin i, or the bottom of the dust collecting bin i may be provided with a trap-door (not shown), which may be opened using the same catch f.
A carry handle j is provided on top of the cyclone pack d for handling the cyclone pack d, and this same carry handle j can also be used to lift and carry the cleaner a when the cyclone pack d is secured on board the cleaner a. The carry handle j is located close to the catch f for convenience when removing the cyclone pack d, and so to prevent accidental depression of the catch f as a user lifts the cleaner a using the carry handle j, the catch f is additionally configured to allow the entire cyclone pack d to slide upwardly relative to the spine c to obstruct operation of the catch f. This type of catch arrangement is described in more detail in GB Patent No. GB2416483.
The main housing or the structural spine is designed to have sufficient flexural and torsional stiffness to provide a stable support for the handle, especially during use of the handle to maneuver the cleaner head across a floor. Torsional stiffness is particularly desirable where the structural spine or main housing of the upright body is required to transmit rotation of the handle from side to side about a longitudinal axis of the upright body to some intermediate part of a steering mechanism.
It is an object of the present invention to seek to provide an improved upright cleaning appliance.


A transceiver includes: a baseband control apparatus (21); an up-conversion apparatus (22), connected to the baseband control apparatus (21), and configured to perform up-conversion on a baseband signal generated by the baseband control apparatus (21), to obtain an intermediate frequency signal; at least two radio frequency channels (23) disposed in parallel, connected to the up-conversion apparatus (22), and configured to perform frequency conversion, amplification, and filtering on the intermediate frequency signal, to obtain a radio frequency signal corresponding to the frequency band covered by the each radio frequency channel; and an antenna (24), connected in series with an output end of any radio frequency channel of the at least two radio frequency channels (23), and configured to transmit the radio frequency signal obtained by the radio frequency channel. The transceiver enables relatively high wireless communication performance when an ultra wide bandwidth is implemented.

With the continuous development of society, people impose increasing demands on a wireless communication service capacity. For wireless communications evolving from 2G to 3G and then to 4G, an increase of a service capacity is always the most importance; therefore, a radio transceiver required to support a large service capacity with feature of wideband. However, for conventional wireless communications, a wireless communications system generally works in a wireless spectrum less than 6 GHz, and it is quite difficult to meet an increasing demand for a service capacity. In addition, countries worldwide have strict and clear divisions of wireless spectrums, but there still has a relatively large difference between the divisions. Therefore, development of ultra-wideband wireless communications adaptive to spectrum divisions of the countries has attracted a lot of attention.
FIG. 1 shows an architecture of an ultra-wideband receiver with a distributed structure. As shown in FIG. 1, in the structure, a received radio frequency signal (Vin(t)) is fed back in sequence to amplification and frequency-conversion links (marked as 230-1, 230-2, . . . 230-n in the figure) that are in a parallel, and a local oscillator signal (Local Oscillator signal, LO signal for short) is also fed back in sequence to local oscillator ports of mixers (Mixer) (marked as 235-1, 235-2, . . . 235-n in the figure). A traveling wave relationship is formed between the received radio frequency signal (Vin(t)) and the local oscillator signal (LO signal), so as to implement a wideband receiver solution. However, when the architecture works in a relatively wide frequency band, communication performance is relatively low.