The output current of a current sink is regulated by a reference current provided by a current source and a reference voltage obtained by filtering the output voltage of the current sink. The current sink to be regulated is a voltage control current source, where the control voltage is obtained by amplifying the difference between the reference voltage and the output voltage of the current source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to charge pump circuits, and more particularly but not exclusively to methods and apparatus for regulating the output current for a charge pump circuit.
2. Description of the Background Art
A typical PLL (phase lock loop) comprises a PFD (phase/frequency detector), a charge pump circuit, a loop filter, and a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator). The PFD compares the phase of a reference clock with that of the output clock of the VCO. Usually two logical signals, said UP and DN signals are used by the PFD to represent the phase difference between the two clocks. Each time a phase comparison is made, an UP pulse and a DN pulse are generated. If the reference clock is leading the VCO output clock (in clock phase), the UP pulse is longer than the DN pulse. Otherwise, the DN pulse is longer than the UP pulse. The two logical signals are converted into a current signal using the charge pump circuit. FIG. 1 schematically depicts a prior art charge pump circuit. Throughout this disclosure, VDD denotes a supply voltage. The charge pump circuit comprises a current source 110 of magnitude I, a switch 120 controlled by the UP signal, a current sink 130 of magnitude I, and a switch 140 controlled by the DN signal. When UP is 1 and DN is 0, the output current IOUT is positive (i.e. out-flowing). When UP is 0 and DN is 1, the output current IOUT is negative (i.e. in-flowing). When UP is 0 and DN is 0, or UP is 1 and DN is 1, the output current IOUT is zero. The output of the charge pump is connected to the loop filter, which typically comprises a resistor in series with a capacitor to convert the output current from the charge pump into a voltage, which is used to control the VCO.
In practice, however, the prior art charge pump circuits shown in FIG. 1 are prone to problems due to circuit non-idealities. First, the magnitude of the current source 110 may not be exactly the same as that of the current sink 130 due to variation within the manufacturing process. Second, a practical current source/sink always has finite output impedance, and therefore the output current is always load-dependent.
FIG. 2 schematically shows an equivalent circuit of the charge pump circuit depicted in FIG. 1 in practical conditions. The current source 110 in FIG. 1 is replaced by a practical current source 250 comprising an ideal current source 210 of magnitude I1 in parallel with a resistor R1. The current sink 130 in FIG. 1 is replaced by a practical current sink 260 comprising an ideal current sink 230 of magnitude I2 in parallel with a resistor R2. As a result, there is a mismatch between the current source and the current sink, and also the mismatch is load-dependent. When the output voltage at the load increases/decreases, the current flowing out of the practical current source 250 will decrease/increase, while the current flowing into the practical current sink 260 will increase/decrease. Therefore, even if I1 is made exactly the same as I2, there is still a load-dependent mismatch between the current source 250 and the current sink 260. The mismatch between the current source and the current sink usually results in appreciable degradation to the PLL performance, most noticeably in causing spurious frequency components.
Prior arts rely on circuit design techniques to guarantee a good matching between the current source and the current sink, and also a high output resistance for both the current source and the current sink. In a CMOS integrated circuit implementation, for example, people may use large transistors to assure good matching. A good matching is thus achieved at the cost of increased circuit area. Also, people may use a "cascode" topology by stacking up transistors to achieve a high output resistance when implementing a current source/sink. A high output resistance is thus achieved at the cost of reduced output voltage range.
What is needed is an improved charge pump circuit that is self-regulated so that the current source and current sink match well regardless of voltage at the load without sacrificing much output voltage range.

Charge pump circuit with regulated current output


The described methods and systems may be applied to electric arc furnace installations. In this context, the method and system provide an electrode position controller coupled to the feed rate controller so as to predictively anticipate the introduction of new source material and lower the electrodes so as to prevent arc extinguishment while variable reactors are controlled to maintain predetermined power set-points. The electrode position controller may be used in place of, or in addition to, the variable reactance control system to take corrective action to address power and/or current changes or unbalances.

There are a number of contexts in which power and/or current stabilization and unbalance compensation are desirable to mitigate the inefficiencies and potential damage that can result from fluctuating energy demands. For example, in the case of alternating current (AC) electric arc furnaces, high power arcs are used to melt or smelt ore, metals and/or other materials, and these high power arcs behave as non-linear time varying impedances. The active or reactive power consumed by an electric arc furnace tends to fluctuate due to frequently changing operating conditions, causing frequency and/or voltage disturbances which may negatively impact the power supply and other loads connected to the same power supply.
In addition, electric arc furnaces tend to be connected as three-phase loads and may draw unbalanced currents from the power supply, which can lead to voltage imbalances. The resulting current imbalance may exceed the unbalanced current capacity of the supply system.
Loss of arc between the electrode and the furnace bath causes severe fluctuations in power and current drawn by the furnace from the power supply. Such loss of arc may result from, for example, the sudden input of new feed material into the furnace. In the case of smelting furnaces, new feed material is frequently added to the furnace while the furnace is in operation and is typically deposited around the area where electrodes are arcing. The new feed material typically has a relatively high electrical resistance, and the material cannot always be distributed evenly. Unevenly distributed feed material can push high resistance material under one or more electrodes, causing the resistance of the arcing path to be increased significantly, which may lead to extinguishment of the arc.
Arc losses cause furnace power and current drops. In a 3-phase, 3-electrode arc furnace, for example, a loss of arc under one electrode causes a 50% drop in furnace power. As a result, the furnace operator or the automatic electrode regulation system may have to lower one or more of the electrodes to establish contact with low resistance material in the furnace and slowly raise the electrodes in order to return the electrodes to their normal operating positions.
Arc losses usually do not occur under all electrodes at the same time. As a result of an arc loss, furnace currents may become severely unbalanced. This unbalance affects operation of the power generator and other loads coupled to the generator. In some circumstances, the power and current disturbances resulting from arc loss may lead to shutdown of power to the furnace, and possibly even shutdown of the generator. If the furnace or generator is shut down, there may be significant delays before it can be restarted, resulting in reduced operating efficiency and substantial economic loss.
It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more of the problems described above, or to at least provide a useful alternative to previous systems or methods.

System and method of minimizing loss of electrical conduction during input of feed material to a furnace


An image forming apparatus to perform mono printing and color printing having different printing speeds and enhance printing performance includes an image forming unit to perform the color printing and the mono printing, and a control unit to determine whether to change a printing speed by comparing an amount of printing to be processed with a predetermined critical value and, if it is determined to change the printing speed, controlling the image forming unit to perform printing according to the amount of printing to be processed by switching a printing speed from printing at a relatively slow printing speed to printing at a relatively fast printing speed.

1. Field of the General Inventive Concept
The present general inventive concept relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus to enhance printing performance to reduce a total printing time by selecting a printing speed according to a remaining printing amount during switching between mono printing and color printing when a printing speed is different between the mono printing and the color printing, and a printing method of the image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image forming apparatuses form an image on a recording medium based on printing data. An image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image forms an electrostatic latent image by scanning light onto a photoconductor body that is charged to a predetermined electric potential. The electrostatic latent image is coated with a developer of a predetermined color. A coated electrostatic latent image is transferred and fused to a recording medium so that a color image is formed.
An image forming apparatus capable of forming a color image may include a single-pass type image forming apparatus provided with a plurality of light scanning units (LSUs) and photoconductors corresponding to multiple colors and a multi-pass type image forming apparatus provided with one LSU and one photoconductor corresponding to multiple colors.
In a conventional multi-pass type image forming apparatus, a single LSU scans light beams corresponding to multiple colors, that is, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), onto a photoconductor. Images formed on the photoconductor are sequentially transferred to an intermediary transfer medium.
A recording medium is picked up by a pickup roller before all images are transferred to the intermediary transfer medium. The images transferred to the intermediary transfer medium are transferred to a recording medium by a transfer roller. The images transferred to the recording medium are fused by a fusing roller and thus image forming is completed.
However, for mono printing in a multi-pass type image forming apparatus, only black color is scanned onto a photoconductor. When an image formed on the photoconductor is transferred to the recording medium via the intermediary transfer medium, the image is printed in a manner like a single-pass type unlike color printing.
When a printing speed in an image forming apparatus is different between mono printing and color printing, if mono printing is switched to color printing or vice versa, a preliminary operation to change the printing speed is necessarily performed. That is, when the printing speed is different between mono printing and color printing, a predetermined time is used to set an LSU motor clock and a main motor clock suitable for each printing speed whenever mono printing is switched to color printing or vice versa.
As such, when the printing speed in an image forming apparatus is different between mono printing and color printing, for a printing job in which switching between mono printing and color printing frequently occurs, a considerable time may be used for printing due to an intermediary operation according to the switching between the mono printing and color printing.
To reduce the unnecessary time used during printing, when printing with a relatively slow printing speed is switched to printing with a relatively fast printing speed, printing may be performed at the previous slower printing speed without performing an operation to change the printing speed. However, when an amount of printing that is performed without increasing the printing speed is larger than a predetermined number of print sheets, it may be advantageous for the total printing time to change the printing speed to the faster printing speed.

Image forming apparatus to enhance printing performance and printing method thereof


A screed assembly for use with a paving machine is disclosed. The screed assembly can optionally comprise: a screed plate; a heating assembly having a heating element positioned on the screed plate; a heating element cover positioned on or adjacent the heating element; a screed frame releasably coupled to the screed plate and having one or more openings therein; and a plurality of compression spring assemblies connected to the screed frame and connected to the heating element cover. Each of the plurality of compression spring assemblies can be are configured to exert a desired force on the heating element cover. The plurality of compression spring assemblies are accessible through the one or more openings of the screed frame and the bolt is moveable relative to the screed frame to adjust a position of the heating element cover relative to the heating element for facilitating removal of the heating element.

Pavers or paving machines are working machines used in an asphalt paving process to create a new road surface. Such pavers assist in pouring and spreading paving material to form a new roadway surface or mat. With asphalt pavers, an aggregate filled bituminous mixture that comprises the paving material is spread while hot and is then compacted so that a hardened pavement surface is formed upon cooling. Pavers typically utilize a heavy assembly termed a "screed" that is drawn behind the paving machine. The screed assembly includes a replaceable screed plate to spread a smooth even layer of paving material on the prepared roadbed. The weight and/or a vibration of the screed assembly aids in compressing the paving material and performing initial compaction of the paving material layer.
To facilitate laying of the paving material, the screed plate is typically heated, to a temperature in the range of about 82° to 171° C. (180° to 340° F.). Heating the screed plate assists the paving material in flowing under the screed plate and reduces adhesion of the paving material to the screed plate. If the screed plate is not adequately heated, the bituminous mixture contacting the bottom of the screed plate begins to harden, resulting in buildup of paving material and excessive drag.
Some screeds such as those of U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,905 utilize a compression bolt assembly. However, the compression bolt assembly as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,905 is configured to be inserted through and upper portion of the screed plate and through a hole in a primary bolt. The compression bolt assembly cooperates with the upper portion of the screed plate to apply a desired compression force via direct contact to the heating element on a lower screed plate. The compression bolt assembly of U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,905 fails to contemplate (and therefore address) ease of replacement and installation of screed heating elements and/or the promotion of even heat distribution. For example, the arrangement of U.S. Pat. No. 10,017,905 contemplates the use of the upper portion of the screed plate and the compression bolt assembly with multiple components of the compression bolt assembly inaccessible or difficult to reach under the upper portion of the screed plate. Furthermore, the compression bolt assembly must be removed for the upper portion of the screed plate to be removed to access the screed heating elements.


A fuel supply system includes a first component configured to direct a fuel flow to a combustor of an engine system. The first component includes a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The fuel supply system also includes an outer coating disposed on the first outer surface of the first component. The outer coating is configured to thermally insulate a first interior of the first component to reduce non-catalytic coke formation in the first interior. Additionally, the fuel supply system includes an inner coating disposed on the first inner surface of the first component. The inner coating is configured to reduce the fuel flow from contacting a base material of the first inner surface of the first component to reduce catalytic coke formation in the first interior.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a fuel supply system of a gas turbine system and, more particularly, to systems and methods for reducing coke formation of the fuel supply system.
Gas turbine systems generally include a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor receives air from an air intake, compresses the air, and subsequently directs the compressed air to the combustor. The combustor combusts a mixture of the compressed air and a fuel provided via a fuel supply system to produce hot combustion gases. The combustion gases are directed to the turbine to produce work, such as to drive an electrical generator or other load. In some conditions, the fuel within the fuel supply system may be heated to a temperature above a thermal degradation temperature at which the fuel degrades. Thermal degradation of the fuel may cause non-catalytic coke formation on surfaces of the fuel supply system. Additionally, catalytic reactions of the fuel with base material within the fuel supply system may result in catalytic coke formation on the surfaces of the fuel supply system. The coke formation may cause the components of the fuel supply system to become sticky or lose sealing effectiveness. Circulation or purge systems to reduce coke formation may increase system complexity or cost. Additionally, circulation or purge systems may use a high amount of power, thus negatively affecting the performance of the gas turbine system.

Systems and methods for reducing coke formation of fuel supply systems


The mounting system may be utilized for towing vehicles wherein the mounting system may selectively accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch. The mounting system may include a structural frame member including at least one rail capable of being connected to a vehicle frame, wherein the rail includes at least one socket. The socket may be engaged with a receiving member, wherein the receiving member may be engaged with a leg of a fifth wheel hitch. A mid rail may be connected to the rails and may include a hitch ball socket that is capable of engagement with a hitch. Also provided is an underbed hitch mounting system having at least one socket and receiving member exposed above a bed of a vehicle. The system includes trim and ring brackets configured to cover the exposed socket and receiving members along the bed of the vehicle.

Many vehicles are designed to transport freight, goods, merchandise, personal property, and other such cargo. Often, a hitch assembly is utilized to connect a towed vehicle or trailer to a towing vehicle, such as a truck for example, to increase the capacity to transport goods. Many types of coupling devices have been developed for providing this connection between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle.
It is well known to utilize a trailer hitch to connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. There are many different types of trailer hitches that may be attached to the towing vehicle in a variety of ways, depending on the type of hitch to be used. Some of the most common types of hitches include gooseneck, fifth wheel, front mount, and the like. Often, the type of hitch used to connect a trailer and a vehicle is determined by the size, shape and other features of the trailer. For example, large trailers such as semi trailers and campers often require a fifth wheel hitch, whereas, small and midsized trailers, such as boat trailers, are better suited for gooseneck trailer hitches. Typically, trailers are connected to a towing vehicle by way of a ball hitch secured to the vehicle and a ball socket coupling mechanism on the trailer that mounts over the ball and thereby allows for the trailer to pivot behind the towing vehicle.
Due to the size and weight of many trailers, towing a trailer may cause unsafe conditions for the towing vehicle, such as fishtailing or other unsafe effects. To avoid these unwanted effects, it is preferable to evenly balance and distribute the weight of the trailer over the wheels of the towing vehicle. This is best accomplished by connecting the hitch to the frame or base of the towing vehicle, near the vehicle's center of gravity. Accordingly, fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches mounted to pickup trucks are often connected to the truck frame underneath the bed of the truck.
Traditional fifth wheel hitches include a head assembly for receiving a king pin on a trailer, a base having a plurality of legs, and one or more mounting rails. The mounting rails may be permanently fixed to the frame of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck. For example, the mounting rails may be connected between two portions of a pickup truck frame underneath the truck bed. The mounting rails may include a plurality of holes for receiving the legs of the fifth wheel hitch.
Corresponding openings may be cut in the truck bed and aligned with the holes in the mounting rails. The legs of the fifth wheel hitch may be connected to holes in the mounting rails through the openings in the truck bed, thereby securing the fifth wheel hitch to the frame of the truck. When the fifth wheel hitch is not in use, the legs may be disconnected from the holes in the rails and the hitch may be removed from the bed of the truck. Caps may be placed over the holes to allow the truck bed to be used for other purposes.
Traditional gooseneck hitches also mount to a pickup truck frame, beneath the bed of a truck. A gooseneck hitch is designed for use in a pickup truck similar to a fifth wheel. The difference is that the gooseneck uses a ball and coupler verses a kingpin and pin receiver. Gooseneck hitches include a mounting plate configured to connect to the frame of a truck, a receptacle in the mounting plate configured to receive a ball hitch, and a hitch ball removably connected to the receptacle and configured to engage a coupling member of the trailer. An opening in the bed of the truck is aligned with the receptacle in the mounting plate, allowing the hitch ball to connect to the receptacle through the opening in the truck bed. The hitch balls themselves are typically removable or retractable so that when the hitch is not in use, the hitch ball may be removed or retracted when not in use, so as not to obstruct the bed of the pick-up truck in any significant manner.
Towing vehicles are generally arranged to accommodate either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch, but not both. To convert a towing vehicle from accommodating a fifth wheel hitch to a gooseneck hitch or vice versa is time and labor intensive and inefficient. Furthermore, both fifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches are preferably mounted to the vehicle frame near the vehicle's center of gravity. However, since fifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches use different mounting configurations, traditionally only one hitch can occupy this location.
Some underbed structural bodies are made by components that increase time to market and have higher tooling costs. Additionally, some vehicles, such as light duty trucks that may not be equipped with a frame configured for a 5th wheel hitch or gooseneck attachment may not be easily configured to receive support frame components as the layout of the available vehicle structure may not allow for particular strength of configured components. Known designs are described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,793,968 and 7,828,317. Further, examples of these designs may be found in commonly owned patents including U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/739,076, entitled, "UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM," filed Jun. 15, 2015 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/790,134, entitled "UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM," filed Mar. 8, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,468 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/609,062, entitled "UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM," filed Oct. 30, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,414,009 which claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/197,732, entitled "UNDERBED HITCH MOUNTING SYSTEM," filed on Oct. 30, 2008, which are all hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.
These patents describe "H" frame structures with integrated castings and safety chain/5th wheel pucks. The casting designs are either with an integrated safety chain/5th wheel mounting system or are separate from the castings along with the use of square or rectangular shaped tube mill standard tubing to connect the center gooseneck with the four safety chain mounts. These castings are usually expensive and have a long lead time for tooling.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved apparatus for towing vehicles that allow for selectively accommodating either a fifth wheel hitch or a gooseneck hitch that reduces cost and time for manufacturing.
Further, underbed structural frames may be exposed to the bed portion of a vehicle. The configuration of the bed liner or contours of the vehicle bed may hamper bed usage by damaging cargo.
Therefore, the disclosed embodiments may solve the problems of the prior art and includes an assembly that may selectively cover exposed portions of the underbed structural frames.

Frame and trim rings for underbed hitch mounting system


An apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disk includes a first control for producing a first control signal for controlling the rotational speed of a rotational driving apparatus, on the basis of the detected radial position; a judging apparatus which judges whether or not the reproduced signals are reproduced from a recorded region of the optical disk; a second control for producing a second control signal for controlling the rotational speed of the rotational driving apparatus, on the basis of the signals reproduced from the disk; and a switch apparatus which switches the circuit so that the rotational driving apparatus is controlled by the first control signal when the reproduced signals are not reproduced from a non-recorded region, and controlled by the second control signal when the reproduced signals are reproduced from a recorded region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium such as an optical disk, and in particular to an apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from a recording medium which can accurately and stably control the rotational speed of the recording medium.
2. Description of the Background of the Invention
An apparatus for recording and reproducing on and from an optical disk, an apparatus using a magnetooptical disk, an apparatus using a write-once type optical disk, and an apparatus using a phase-transfer type optical disk are known. In all of these apparatus, information is recorded on or reproduced from an optical disk along tracks which are formed concentrically or spirally on the disk, while rotating the optical disk.
For example, the apparatus for recording and reproducing from a magnetooptical disk uses a magnetooptical disk as a recording medium in which the recording portion consists of a magnetic film having the axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to the film face. When recording information on the disk, an energy beam such as a laser beam focused to a diameter of about 1 .mu.m is irradiated on the film to raise the temperature of a region of the film along a track, and the magnetization of the heated region is reversed by applying an external magnetic field. When information is to be reproduced from the disk, using photomagnetic effect between the linear polarlization of a laser beam and the magnetic film, a laser beam is scanned on the disk, and the change in the polarized direction of the light reflected from or transmitted through the magnetic film is analyzed by an analyzer, and converted to a series of electrical signals.
In such an apparatus, the rotational speed of the magnetooptical disk is controlled so that the linear velocity of the region irradiated by the laser beam is kept constant (hereinafter, this control is referred to as "CLV control"). Conventionally, the CLV control is conducted by either of the two control processes described below.
In the first control process, the rotational speed of the magnetooptical disk is detected by a rotation frequency generator such as a tachometer or rotary encoder attached to a spindle motor which drives the magnetooptical disk. The radial position of the irradiated region (hereinafter, referred to as "radial tracking position") is detected by a position sensor such as an optical encoder or potentiometer attached to an optical head which receives the reflected or transmitted light. The objective rotational speed is determined from the detected radial tracking position. Then, the control of the rotational speed of the disk is conducted by taking the feedback difference between the detected rotational speed and the objective rotational speed. The first control process is characterized in that the CLV control is conducted by obtaining the objective rotational speed from the detected radial tracking position.
In the second control process, a magnetooptical disk is used in which ordinary signals for recording information as well as mark signals such as clock pulses were recorded under a constant predetermined linear velocity. When information is reproduced from the disk, both the mark signals and information signals are reproduced, and the frequency or phase relation of the reproduced mark signals are detected from the detected signals to obtain the linear velocity of the irradiated region. Then, the control of the rotational speed of the disk is conducted by taking the feedback difference between the detected rotational speed and the objective rotational speed. For example, in the CLV control for a so-called compact disk, the linear velocity is detected from a frame synchronizing signal which are included in the reproduced signals.
An apparatus for recording and reproducing on and from an optical disk of the prior art in which information can be recorded, reproduced and erased by either of the aforementioned control processes has a drawback that the reliability of the reproduced signals deteriorates because the recording portion of such an optical disk consists of a part of the recording portion (hereinafter, referred as "recorded region") where information has been already recorded, and the other part of the recording portion (hereinafter, referred as "non-recorded region") where information has not yet been recorded. This will be described in more detail below.
When a laser beam is scanned on a recorded region, according to the first control process, the output signal of the rotary frequency generator and the detected information signals are different from each other in frequency or phase, resulting in a variation of the frequency or phase of the reproduced signal. Therefore, the first control process cannot accurately control the linear velocity of the region to be scanned. In contrast, the second control process can perform a reliable control of the linear velocity of the region to be scanned because the control is effected on the basis of the signals detected from the mark signals.
When a laser beam is scanned on the non-recorded region, the first control process can control accurately and stably the linear velocity of the non-recorded region because the first control process does not use mark signals. By contrast, in the second control process, no information or data required for controlling the linear velocity can be obtained, resulting in a runaway of the spindle motor.
Hence, a prior art apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disk such as a magnetooptical disk, in which apparatus either of the two control processes is conducted, cannot accurately and stably control the linear velocity of a region to be scanned so that the reliability of the reproduced signals is lowered.
The timing control for recording, reproducing or erasing information may be conducted as described below. As shown in FIG. 13, a regenerative circuit 31 supplies a reproduced signal A to a sector timing detection circuit 32. In the sector timing detection circuit 32, for example, synchronization detection can be performed at each sector, for example, using a signal such as a sector mark signal which is included in the reproduced signal A. A synchronization detection signal B from the sector timing detection circuit 32 is supplied to a timing control circuit 33 in which the timing control is performed on the basis of the synchronization detection signal B. When reproducing information, a reproduction timing signal D is sent to the regenerative circuit 31, and when recording or erasing information, a recording/erasing timing signal E is sent to a recording/erasing circuit 34. The sector timing detection circuit 32 conducts the synchronization detection separately from the reproduction of information so that the synchronization detection is not disturbed by the reproduction timing signal D.
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 13, the timing control is performed on the basis of only the synchronization detection signal B. If the synchronization detection is erroneously conducted, or if a time lag in detection is produced in the sector timing detection circuit 32, the timing control cannot be performed accurately. For example, the timing control is disturbed in such a case that a read gate signal of a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) becomes inaccurate, that a capturing action becomes impossible, or that the unlocking easily occurs. Such an apparatus for recording and reproducing information from an optical disk has drawbacks that the reliability in the recording, reproduction or erasing of information is lowered, and that the timing control such as an AGC (Automatic Gain Control) is hindered.

Apparatus for recording and reproducing information on and from an optical disk


A process for producing stable, high purity ferrate (VI) employing beta-ferric oxide (beta-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3), and preferably monohydrated beta-ferric oxide (beta-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.H.sub.2 O) as the iron source. An improved process for producing stable, high purity beta-ferric oxide is also disclosed. The process results in the efficient and effective productions of ferrate with high yields and small amounts of waste production. A large portion of the unused product stream can be recycled to the ferrate reactor for the production of additional ferrate.

The ferrate ion FeO.sub.4.sup.-2, in which iron exhibits a valence of six is a powerful and useful oxidizer. A major problem, however, in the production of ferrates using aqueous process is that ferrates are unstable. Specifically, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal ferrates, i.e. salts having the anion FeO.sub.4.sup.-2 are relatively stable when dry, but when dissolved in water, they decompose rapidly.
Ferrates have many known uses such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,573 by Deininger et al., issued Sep. 20, 1983. U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,573 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,090 by Mills et al., issued on Aug. 7, 1956, ferrate has been employed to bleach vegetable fibers, to effect organic reactions and to oxidize sulfurous acid, nitrites, ferrocyanides and other inorganic material. The ferrate (VI) ion has been used to decolorize caustic solutions as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,536,703 by Schreyer, issued on Jan. 2, 1951; and to oxidize carbohydrates as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,632,802 by BeMiller et al. issued Jan. 4, 1972.
Ferrates have also been studied for their uses in wastewater treatment. For example, Murmann et al., "Experiments Utilizing FeO.sub.4.sup.-2 for Purifying Water," Water Research, vol. 8, pp. 79-83 (1974) showed the use of ferrate in removing some toxic trace metals from wastewater and Waite, "Feasibility of Wastewater Treatment with Ferrate," Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Vol. 105, No. EE6, December 1979 showed the use of ferrate use in removal of suspended solids, phosphate, ammonia, and the disinfection of bacteria in wastewater.
In addition to these uses, it has recently been discovered that wastewater solutions containing radioactive transuranic elements and compounds can be cleaned by precipitating transuranics therefrom using ferrate. This process is described in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 07/349,285, entitled "Method of Treating Wastewater", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,306 issued Jan. 9, 1991 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
One problem preventing the widespread use of such processes is that ferrates are difficult to produce, particularly in commercial quantities. In the late 1940's, Schreyer developed a laboratory method for the production of potassium ferrate(VI). In this method, a sodium hypophalite or halogen gas (e.g. NaOC1 or Cl.sub.2) is reacted with a ferric salt in an aqueous NaOH solution to produce Na.sub.2 FeO.sub.4. The Na.sub.2 FeO.sub.4 is then converted to potassium ferrate(VI) by the addition of KOH. Schreyer et al., "Potassium Ferrate(VI)", Inorganic Synthesis, Vol. IV, pages 164-169 (March 1951).
Another laboratory method which employs a hypohalite/ferric salt reaction technique involves the direct reaction of potassium hypochlorite, potassium hypobromite or a halogen gas with Fe(OH).sub.3 in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide to form and precipitate K.sub.2 FeO.sub.4. U.S. Pat. No. 2,455,696 by Mosesman issued Dec. 7, 1948; and Audette et al., "Potassium, Rubidium, Cesium and Barium Ferrate(VI): Preparation, Infrared Spectra and Magnetic Susceptibilities," Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 11, No. 8, pages 1904-1908 (1972).
There are a number of problems with the above methods for the production of ferrates which are based on the reaction of an alkali metal hypohalite with an iron-containing compound. First of all, ferrate(VI) is unstable in aqueous solution and rapidly degrades to produce ferric hydroxide, particularly in the presence of even small amounts of metallic or organic impurities. Second, large amounts of waste material are produced leading to economic inefficiencies and an acceleration in the decomposition of the ferrate ions. Third, the hypohalite (e.g. NaOCl) is unstable. Fourth, excessive heat is generated during the reaction which can rapidly degrade the ferrate and the hypohalite. Finally, excessive amounts of potassium chloride salt and the like are produced as byproducts, particularly in the production of potassium ferrate.
Other methods for producing ferrates include the electrolysis of iron-containing materials in a electrolytic cell containing KOH or the like, or by fusing iron or ferric oxide with potassium nitrate in the presence of KOH. See Mellor, A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, pages 929-937, Longmans, Green & Co., London (1952) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,257 by Deininger et al., issued Mar. 6, 1984.
In U.S. Patent No. 4,435,257 by Deininger, an electrolytic process for producing sodium ferrate in a membrane-type electrolysis cell is described. Specifically, an electrolytic cell is charged with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, a sodium halide salt and ferric ions (Fe.sup.3+) in the anolyte chamber and sodium hydroxide solution in the catholyte chamber. While it is not certain how sodium ferrate is produced in this process, a theory is disclosed that the iron anode or iron salt is converted in the electrolysis process or by reaction with OH.sup.- ions, into ferric oxyhydroxide [e.g. Fe.sub.x O.sub.y.nH.sub.2 O where n is greater than 1], then electrochemically converted in the presence of the halide ion to ferrate ion.
The above-described methods of ferrate production by electrolysis and the fusing of an iron source with potassium nitrate also have significant disadvantages. The direct electrolysis method is commercially impractical for continuous operation because of the passivation of the iron anode by the formation of a ferric oxide film which causes an increase in voltage and a decrease in ferrate production. In addition, the yields produced by this type of process are small. With respect to fusing iron or ferric oxide with potassium nitrate to produce ferrates, this method requires high temperatures and also produces a small yield.
Other processes for producing alkali metal ferrates are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,045 by Thompson, issued May 24, 1983 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,974 by Thompson, issued Oct. 8, 1985. The first process involves subjecting a particulate reactant mixture of elemental iron and an alkali metal peroxide to high temperatures in the substantial absence of free oxygen. The second method involves reacting an alkali metal nitrate or alkaline earth metal nitrite with hematite (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3), magnetite (Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4), or an iron compound which self-reacts via thermal decomposition at a temperature less than about 1100.degree. C. to form Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, followed by subjecting the reactants to high temperatures in the range of about 780.degree. C. to about 1100.degree. C. for a specified period of time. These processes have the disadvantages of requiring energy-consuming high temperatures and producing low yields of product. In addition, the resulting product of these processes is a mixture of iron(IV) ferrates and iron(VI) ferrates, rather than a substantially pure iron(VI) ferrate product.
A process for producing potassium ferrate is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,573 by Deininger et al., issued Sep. 20, 1983. The process of this patent involves the production of potassium ferrate by the reaction of a substantially pure ferric salt, substantially pure Cl.sub.2 and aqueous KOH containing less than 10 parts per million by weight of total harmful metallic and organic impurities through the reaction of intermediates KOCl and Fe(OH).sub.3 in the presence of a stabilizing proportion of an alkali metal silicate.
The process described in this patent has several disadvantages. First, the addition of ferric salt directly to the hypochlorite reactor generates excessive heat which degrades both hypochlorite and ferrate, resulting in reduced yields and increased byproduct salt wastes. Second, the process of this patent includes washing with organic solvents which are difficult to dispose of and remain in the ferrate product in trace amounts. These trace amounts result in an unstable ferrate product with a relatively short shelf-life. Typically, such an unstable ferrate product is unsuitable for use in wastewater treatment applications. Third, it is difficult to use recycled liquids in the process of this patent as the proper water balance cannot be easily maintained, and evaporative removal of water is nearly impossible.
None of the above described methods provide for the production of ferrate in an economic manner on a commercial scale (i.e. 0.25 tons to 100 tons per day). Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a commercially feasible production method for ferrates which results in high yields of high purity ferrates in an economic and efficient manner. As used herein, the term "high purity ferrates" means a ferrate product which is substantially Fe(VI), rather than other iron forms such as Fe(III). High purity does not relate to the amount of ferrate which is produced by the process of this invention as compared to other acceptable byproducts such as potassium chloride. The term "commercially feasible production" means production of ferrates in daily quantities of at least approximately one hundred pounds per day with minimal byproduct formation and waste disposal problems.

Process for producing monohydrated beta-ferric oxide


An Artificial Intelligence (AI) based performance prediction system predicts the performance and behavior of an entity via a complex structure made of iterative and parallel machine learning (ML) model rebuilds with real time data collection. The engine selects a best model at every level and scores the entity to help in predicting the behavior of the entity. Model selection is based on various model selection criteria. The selected model determines a propensity score that indicates a likelihood of the entity migrating from a currently categorized segment to another segment of higher or lower value. Accordingly, messages or alerts with one or more of corrective actions or system enhancements can be transmitted based on the status of the entity via various targeting channels and a post treatment analysis is carried out to find the effect of the corrective actions on the entity. The feedback from the entity in response to the implemented corrective actions or system enhancements is collected for further training the AI based model.

Modern day organizational environments are heavily dependent on computing and communication systems for execution of their tasks. An organization's workforce may be primarily interacting with its computing systems in carrying out its various duties. Protecting and maintaining the computing and communication systems is therefore, a fundamental task of the Information Technology (IT) sector. Regular monitoring and maintenance of an organization's computing and communication infrastructure enables extracting the maximum output from the organization's hardware and software resources, in addition to problem detection and prevention.
Solutions for monitoring the computing and communication infrastructure can include software-based applications and/or hardware-based monitoring tools. Such monitoring tools often times keep track of the system resources such as Central Processing Unit (CPU) usage, amount of free RAM, free space on various hard drives of the computing systems, computing hardware temperatures, networking information such as system Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, current rates of upload and download, system date and time, system uptime, information regarding the various users who may be logged in, fan speeds, voltages provided by the power supplies and the like. Monitoring systems may connect directly to the infrastructure to be monitored or the monitoring systems may be coupled to data collection systems connected to the systems being monitored. The data gathered by the monitoring systems can be displayed on device displays of the concerned personnel. Some monitoring systems may allow the concerned personnel to control the system being monitored such as by allowing temperature control and the like.

Artificial intelligence based performance prediction system


A synthesizer that has a phase detector 8 and a charge pump circuit 9 for injecting an electric charge, or pulling it out that corresponded to a frequency difference of an input, a low-pass filter 11 for converting this electric charge into a voltage, a voltage control oscillator (VCO) 13 for changing an output frequency for this input voltage, a divider 14 for dividing the frequency of the input, and a voltage holding circuit 10 for holding the input voltage for a plurality of output frequencies of the VCO. A holding voltage of the voltage holding circuit 10 is switched with a switch 12, and the frequency of an output clock signal 3 is switched.

The present invention relates to a synthesizer, and more particularly to a synthesizer that is employed for a frequency hopping and is capable of switching a frequency at a high speed.
Conventionally, the synthesizer of this kind is employed on the ground that it can generate an output clock signal of which a frequency is multiple times as great as an input clock frequency (for example, a non-patent document 1)
[Non-Patent Document 1]
RF Microelectronics, p. 252, FIG. 8.8, 1998. One example of such a first conventional synthesizer is shown in FIG. 35.
As shown in FIG. 35, the synthesizer that is a conventional example is configured of a phase detector 1025, a charge pump circuit 1026, a low-pass filter 1027, a voltage control oscillator (VCO) 1028, and a divider 1029.
Next, an operation of the above-mentioned synthesizer will be explained.
The phase detector 1025 and the charge pump circuit 1026 inject an electric charge into the low-pass filter 1027, or pull it out responding to a frequency difference between an input clock signal 1021 and an output signal 1024 of the divider 1029, and an input voltage 1022 of the VCO 1028 is feedback-controlled in such a manner that a frequency difference between the input clock signal 1021 and the output signal 1024 of the divider 1029 is decreased.
Continually, the VCO 1028 changes the frequency of an output clock signal 1023 with the input voltage 1022. And, when a frequency difference between the input clock signal 1021 and the output signal 1024 of the divider amounted to 0 (zero), the circuit operates in a stationary state. At this moment, the frequency of the output clock signal 1023 becomes a frequency obtained by increasing the frequency of the input clock signal 1021 by a factor of a frequency dividing rate.
Also, a second conventional synthesizer is employed on the ground that the output signal having a frequency of ω1±ω2 is obtained from the input signal having a frequency ω1 and the input signal having a frequency ω2 (for example, a non-patent document 2)
[Non-Patent Document 2]
RF Microelectronics, p. 244, FIG. 7.46, 1998. One example of such a second conventional synthesizer is shown in FIG. 36.
As shown in FIG. 36, the second conventional synthesizer is configured of a mixer 1103, and a band pass filter 1105.
Next, an operation of the second conventional synthesizer will be explained.
At first, by inputting a first input signal 1101 of which a frequency is ω1, and a second input signal 1102 of which a frequency is ω2 into the mixer 1103, a mixer output signal 1104 of which a frequency is ω1±ω2 is obtained.
Next, by inputting this mixer output signal 1104 into the band pass filter 1105, and by removing the other signal than ω1+ω2 or ω1−ω2, an output signal 1106 of the band pass filter having one peak of a spectrum is obtained.
Also, a third conventional synthesizer was employed on the ground that the output clock signal frequency was able to be switched in a fine adjustment manner, and at a high speed (for example, a non-patent document 3).
[Non-Patent Document 3]
RF Microelectronics, p. 285 to 289, FIG. 8.47, 1998. Such a third conventional synthesizer is shown in FIG. 37.
As shown in FIG. 37, the third conventional synthesizer is configured of a counter 1202, and a DA converter 1204.
Next, an operation of the third conventional synthesizer will be explained. The counter 1202 counts a clock number of an input clock signal 1201. Continually, an output signal 1203 of this counter is converted from a digital signal into an analogue signal by the DA converter 1204 to generate an output clock signal 1205. At this moment, the period (frequency) of the output clock signal 1205 is switched with a control signal 1206 of the counter.
A first problem of the foregoing conventional synthesizer lies in that the frequency of the output clock signal is impossible to switch at a high speed. Its reason is that plural-time feedback controls are required until the frequency of the output clock signal comes into a stationary state even though a frequency dividing rate is switched, or the frequency of the input clock signal is switched.
Also, a second problem of the foregoing conventional synthesizer lies in that the frequency of the output clock signal is impossible to switch in a broad band. Its reason is that a central frequency of the band pass filter is impossible to switch responding to the output frequency of this mixer even though the output frequency of the mixer is switched by switching the frequency of the input signal.
Further, a third problem of the foregoing conventional synthesizer lies in that the period of the output clock signal to be switched is impossible to partition, or a period length of the output clock signal to be switched is impossible to adjust finely at a frequency equal to or less than the frequency of the input clock signal. Its reason is that only the counting number of the input clock signal decides the period of the output clock signal.


The present disclosure includes a method of determining optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) of a signal, comprising separating one polarization component from a plurality of polarization components in an optical signal, selecting one wavelength from a plurality of wavelengths in the optical signal, delaying a first portion of the one polarization component of the one wavelength of the optical signal, shifting a phase of the first portion by a first amount and the first amount plus pi radians, causing the first portion to interfere with a second portion, measuring a power of the interference of the first and second portions, receiving the power of the interference, and comparing the power of the interference when the phase is shifted by the first amount with the interference when the phase is shifted by the first amount plus pi radians to determine OSNR. The present disclosure also includes associated devices.

Telecommunications systems, cable television systems and data communication networks may use optical networks to rapidly convey large amounts of information between remote points. In an optical network, information may be conveyed in the form of optical signals through optical fibers. Optical fibers may comprise thin strands of glass capable of communicating the signals over long distances with very low loss.
One consideration in analyzing the effectiveness of communicating a signal is the optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR). This value may indicate the instantaneous quality of a signal. As a signal passes through a network, it may lose signal strength or may increase in noise, resulting in a decrease of the overall OSNR. If OSNR drops below a certain point, the signal may be unreadable at a desired destination. Thus, it may be desirable to measure OSNR.
OSNR may be represented by the relationship in Equation (1).
                              O                                                              S                                                              N                                                                          R                                      [              dB              ]                                      =                  10          ×                      log                                      (                                                P                  sig                                                  P                  noise                                            )                                                          (        1        )
where Psig represents the power of the signal to be measured (for example, the magnitude of signal strength), and Pnoise represents the power of the noise. For example, for optical signals, this may represent the intensity of light.
Optical networks often employ modulation schemes to convey information in the optical signals over optical fibers. Such modulation schemes may include phase-shift keying ("PSK"), frequency-shift keying ("FSK"), amplitude-shift keying ("ASK"), and quadrature amplitude modulation ("QAM").
In PSK, the information carried by the optical signal may be conveyed by modulating the phase of a reference signal, also known as a carrier wave. The information may be conveyed by modulating the phase of the signal itself using differential phase-shift keying ("DPSK").
In QAM, the information carried by the optical signal may be conveyed by modulating both the amplitude and phase of the carrier wave. PSK may be considered a subset of QAM, wherein the amplitude of the carrier waves is maintained as a constant.
PSK and QAM signals may be represented using a complex plane with real and imaginary axes on a constellation diagram. The points on the constellation diagram representing symbols carrying information may be positioned with uniform angular spacing around the origin of the diagram. The number of symbols to be modulated using PSK and QAM may be increased and thus increase the information that can be carried. The number of signals may be given in multiples of two. As additional symbols are added, they may be arranged in uniform fashion around the origin. PSK signals may include such an arrangement in a circle on the constellation diagram, meaning that PSK signals have constant power for all symbols. QAM signals may have the same angular arrangement as that of PSK signals, but include different amplitude arrangements. QAM signals may have their symbols arranged around multiple circles, meaning that the QAM signals include different power for different symbols. This arrangement may decrease the risk of noise as the symbols are separated by as much distance as possible. A number of symbols "m" may thus be used and denoted "m-PSK" or "m-QAM."
Examples of PSK and QAM with a different number of symbols can include binary PSK ("BPSK" or "2-PSK") using two phases at 0° and 180° (or 0 and π) on the constellation diagram; or quadrature PSK ("QPSK", "4-PSK", or "4-QAM") using four phases at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° (or 0, π/2, π, and 3π/2). Phases in such signals may be offset. This may be extended, for example, up to 16-QAM, using sixteen phases. These various signals (for example, 2-PSK or 16-QAM) may be arranged in one circle on the constellation diagram.
M-PSK signals may also be polarized using techniques such as dual-polarization QPSK ("DP-QPSK"), wherein separate m-PSK signals are multiplexed by orthogonally polarizing the signals.

Dual-polarization interferometric optical signal-to-noise ratio monitor


Among other things, there is shown embodiments of an enclosure such as a portable building with features focusing on overall improvement in energy usage. Wall, roof and floor configurations are disclosed that provide significant energy savings. Methods are also disclosed for preparing such features and/or refitting existing portable buildings for such energy savings.

Efforts to conserve energy have become a primary focus in many industries in recent times. Technological developments in more efficient ways to produce and use electrical power, for example, have been sought after in many areas, including areas as varied as automotive technology and household appliances, as well as in production and transmittal of power. Naturally, such efforts have come to the fore by virtue of heightened consciousness regarding cost and environmental effects of energy usage.
In the particular field of portable building technology, energy conservation has not been a primary focus. For example, considering mobile office space (e.g. trailers located at a construction site), mobile homes, or the like, little or no improvement in energy efficiency has occurred in many decades. While materials used in such structures may have changed from time to time, a study or overhaul of the structure to seek fundamental energy savings has not been undertaken. It is known that mobile office trailers placed at a building, road or other construction site frequently costs the contractor more in electrical usage, primarily but not exclusively for climate control, than for rent of the trailer itself. Such facilities are built for ease of transport and use, with a focus on reducing weight while maintaining a clean and roomy space for the contractor to use. Little or no focus has been given to energy usage.
Thus, there remains a need for a portable building focused on a strategy of conserving energy and reducing costs of operation to the contractor.


A bark control device for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device includes a vibration dampening material forming or covering at least a portion of the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material reduces the transfer of vibrations through the bark control device housing by reducing the vibrations to levels undetectable by a bark sensor, by preventing the production of vibrations having characteristics sufficiently similar to a bark, and/or by inhibiting the propagation of such vibrations through the bark control device housing. The vibration dampening material of the housing reduces the occurrence of corrections to the dog due to vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices that control the barking of pet dogs. More specifically, the present invention relates to bark control devices having a vibration dampening feature that reduces the occurrence of false positives caused by ancillary physical contact with the bark control device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic bark control devices and systems that control the barking of pet dogs by delivering a correction stimulus to the dog are known in the art. Such devices use various warning and correction stimuli such as, for example, an audible warning sound, and, more commonly, an electric shock. Further, such devices use various triggering mechanisms to determine when a bark has occurred and when a correction stimulus is to be delivered to a dog. Certain systems utilize a vibration sensor carried by the dog that detects vibrations generated by a bark and triggers the delivery of a correction stimulus. For example, the vibration sensor can be a piezoelectric device in contact with the throat of the dog as in the case of the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,054. However, bark control systems which utilize vibration sensors in contact with the throat of the dog to detect the barking of the dog can be prone to delivering false corrections to the dog. For example, the vibration sensor and associated electronic circuitry of the bark control device are typically disposed within a housing secured to the dog's neck with a collar. During the normal activities of the dog it is not uncommon for the housing to rub or scrape against objects such as furniture, bushes, food or water bowls, etc., causing vibrations. Such vibrations can be interpreted by the bark control device as a bark, resulting in a false correction being delivered to the dog. In this regard, false corrections can confuse the dog and undermine the training process. In order to limit the number of false corrections delivered to the dog, some bark control devices utilize a microphone which detects sound waves in addition to a vibration sensor which detects vibrations directly from the throat of the dog. Such devices can better discriminate between an actual bark by the dog wearing the device and other outside influences which could be mistakenly interpreted as a bark. However, devices utilizing microphones tend to be expensive, and tend to be less energy efficient such that the life of the batteries powering the devices can be significantly shortened. Therefore, bark control devices utilizing direct vibration monitors alone remain a popular alternative, notwithstanding the possibility of false corrections. Examples of various bark control devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,180,013; 5,927,233; 6,588,376; and 6,668,760.


An engine cooling system includes a first heat exchanger receiving a first fluid and a second heat exchanger receiving a second fluid. The second heat exchanger is located adjacent the first heat exchanger, thereby creating a stacked heat exchanger. The engine cooling system also includes a third heat exchanger receiving a third fluid. The third heat exchanger is located apart from the stacked heat exchanger. A venturi is located between the stacked heat exchanger and the third heat exchanger. An air mover is mounted to the venturi and located within the venturi. The air mover is configured to move air through the stacked heat exchanger and through the third heat exchanger. In a specific embodiment, the engine cooling system is incorporated into a vehicle, such as a skidder vehicle.

Many types of machines and vehicles use an engine for motive power, and rely upon a radiator and an air circulation fan to assist in cooling the engine. The engine, radiator and fan are typically positioned within a housing that includes an air intake screen and an outlet opening. During normal operations, the fan draws air into the housing through the air intake screen, directs the air through the radiator and out of the housing through the outlet opening.
Legislation mandating a reduction in engine noise, engine emissions, and a variety of other engine byproducts has forced manufacturers of machines and vehicles to develop a host of equipment, such as noise suppressors and clean emission modules, to interface with the engine to comply with the respective legislation. Such equipment is generally situated in an engine compartment of the machine and takes up a large amount of space in that compartment or requires a larger engine compartment. However, increasing the size of the engine compartment generally reduces visibility for an operator using the machine. Thus, it is generally desirable to have a smaller engine compartment, thereby allowing the user of the machine to have better operational visibility.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,499 (the '499 patent) addresses the issue of a lack of sufficient space in the engine compartment by disclosing a cooling arrangement for supercharged engines. The '499 patent provides a vehicle having a cooling arranged on the front end of the vehicle. The cooling arrangement provides a cooling means in the form of a radiator and an intercooler mounted in substantially parallel relationship on the sides of the vehicle. Ambient air may be drawn through the cores of the intercooler and out through those of the radiator by means of a fan arrangement situated between the intercooler and the radiator. Unfortunately, the '499 patent does not teach what to do if more than two features (e.g., 1-the supercharger intercooler and 2-the engine radiator) of the vehicle need cooling.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides an engine cooling system configured to address one or more of the problems discussed above.


A semiconductor memory device includes stacks on a substrate, each of the stacks including word lines stacked on the substrate and first and second string selection lines laterally spaced apart from each other, vertical pillars passing through the stacks, and first and second bit lines extending longitudinally in a first direction and alternatingly arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. In a plan view, at least two adjacent ones of the first bit lines in the second direction and at least one of the second bit lines overlap each vertical pillar. A distance between a center of the vertical pillar and one of the first bit lines is different from that between the center of the vertical pillar and another of the first bit lines.

The inventive concept relates to a semiconductor memory device, and in particular, to a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device.
In the case of semiconductor devices, increased integration is especially desired because integration is an important factor in determining product prices. In particular, higher integration of semiconductor devices is required to satisfy consumer demands for electronic products that offer superior performance and yet are relatively inexpensive. In the case of typical two-dimensional or planar semiconductor devices, integration is mainly a factor of the area occupied by a unit memory cell of the devices. Therefore, the degree to which two-dimensional or planar semiconductor devices can be integrated greatly depends on techniques for forming the patterns of features that constitute memory cells, i.e., fine pattern forming technologies. However, process equipment that can produce very fine patterns is extremely expensive and becomes increasingly expensive the finer the patterns to be produced become. Thus, the overhead associated with process equipment becomes cost-prohibitive when considering modifying or developing such equipment to increase the integration of, i.e., scale down, two-dimensional or planar semiconductor devices.
Three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory devices including three-dimensionally-arranged memory cells have been proposed to provide highly integrated devices that can be manufactured economically. However, there are still significant obstacles in manufacturing low-cost, 3D semiconductor memory devices, particularly in the mass-fabrication of 3D devices that possess or exceed the operational reliability of their 2D counterparts.


A broadband microwave coplanar antenna suitable for use in singular antenna or antenna array dispositions in a plurality of military and other present day uses. The disclosed antenna combines desirable characteristic of the patch and slot antenna forms into an arrangement having both patch resonances and slot resonances. These resonances may be individually accessed and either combined in frequency location or dispersed in frequency to accomplish a broadband combination antenna characteristic. Broadband electrical impedance characteristics are also provided in the dispersed resonance arrangement. The antenna includes a coplanar ground plane member disposed surrounding the active patch/slot element with both physical dimensions of the active patch/slot element and spacings from the ground plane element determining the resonances.

Several transmission line and antenna arrangements compatible with printed circuit embodiment of microwave electronic apparatus are known in the electronic arts and have found application in radar, satellite communication and other present day systems. In these systems a transmission line realized in the form of printed circuit conductors is often used to communicate radio frequency energy to or form an antenna element.
The printed circuit conductor in these embodiments may for example be arranged in the form of what is known as "stripline", an arrangement wherein a strip conductor is received between two adjacent ground planes, or alternately in the form of "microstrip" line wherein a single conductor is spaced from a single ground plane. The printed circuit conductor may also be in the form of "slot" line wherein a slot formed in one planar conductor is spaced from a second ground plane conductor. Another common arrangement for such printed circuit transmission line is known as coplanar waveguide line and is in the form of an electrically isolated signal conductor bounded laterally by adjacent ground plane conductors in a coplanar disposition.
Some of these transmission line types have also been used in configurations wherein an apparent part of one or more transmission line elements also functions as an active element portion of an antenna, an antenna coupled to the transmission line. In these arrangements the transmission line and antenna element portions may appear structurally integral however for functional and analysis purposes a segregation of functions is convenient. This combination of transmission line and antenna functions in single structure has been achieved particularly in the case of microstrip transmission lines. Unlike the case of such microstrip antennas there appears to be little reporting in the technical literature concerning wide strip coplanar waveguide lines or open ended discontinuities and their radiating properties, areas of consideration in the present invention.
This latter transmission line disposition which has been identified by the name of "coplanar waveguide" offers several advantages including its easy layout and fabrication by single layer photographic techniques and acceptable electrical losses. The ease with which coplanar transmission line of this nature can be coupled to resonators and antenna elements is also significant and approaches the topic of interest in the present invention. Perhaps the most convenient of antenna arrangements usable with coplanar waveguide transmission line is the antenna known as a "patch" antenna. Literally such antennas may consist of a printed circuit conductor area of selected and resonance-based physical size disposed at the terminal point or other selected node along a radio frequency conductor. When used with the above identified microstrip form of printed circuit transmission lines for example the patch antenna is found to be attended by several problems; the primary of which is a limited bandwidth capability. This patch antenna bandwidth often extends over only a few percent of the antenna's design frequency and gives rise to difficulty in spread spectrum communications or multiple systems use applications of the antenna. The present invention in which the patch antenna is improved-upon by combining it with a selected additional form of antenna while yet remaining in the convenient and desirable coplanar waveguide environment is believed to provide a desirable addition to the family of antennas usable in printed circuit microwave apparatus.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force


A mounting bracket generally comprises a plate and a pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate. Each prong has a first portion extending rearwardly and a second portion extending downwardly. The second portion of each prong has a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the mounting apertures, whereby the bracket may be attached to the vertical support without rotating the bracket, thereby saving retail space. An interior chamber is defined by the rear surface of the plate and the inner surfaces of the prongs. The interior chamber has a horizontal width less than or equal to the thickness of the vertical support such that the rear and inner surfaces firmly engage the vertical support and attach the mounting bracket thereto. Preferably, the bracket further includes a second pair of laterally spaced prongs structured similarly to the first pair of prongs but vertically spaced therefrom.

The present invention relates generally to hanger assemblies for perforated vertical supports, and more particularly relates to mounting backs for such hanger assemblies.
This invention relates to a hanger assembly for supporting articles on a vertical support such as a perforated panel of the type commonly referred to as a xe2x80x9cPegboard.xe2x80x9d Such an assembly includes a hanger or hook adapted to project outwardly from the vertical support and adapted to hold merchandise. In most hanger assemblies, the hook is adapted to be releasably attached to the panel by a mounting bracket having a pair of horizontally spaced fingers or pegs which extend through holes in the pegboard. The pegs are typically L-shaped, and extend inwardly and upwardly such that the hanger assembly must be tilted upwardly to insert the pegs into the holes. Once the upturned portion of the pegs are inserted into the holes, the assembly may be rotated downwardly so that the hook projects outwardly from the vertical support.
Unfortunately, while such hanger assemblies have achieved much commercial success, they are not without their limitations. It can often be difficult to install the hanger assemblies immediately below other product display devices such as shelves, crossbars, wire bins and baskets, or even other hanger assemblies which can obstruct vision and make mounting the hanger difficult. Since the mounting backs must be tipped upwardly and since hooks are relatively long, significant space is required above the assembly to mount the assembly to a vertical support.
One embodiment of the invention provides a mounting bracket for mounting a display hook to a vertical support having regularly spaced apertures. The mounting bracket generally comprises a plate having a front surface constructed to attach the display hook thereto, and a pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate for attaching the plate to the vertical support via the apertures. Each of the prongs has a first portion extending rearwardly from the plate and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion. The second portion of each prong has a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the apertures, so that the bracket may be attached to the vertical support without any rotation or tilting of the bracket and display hook. Further, an interior chamber is defined by the rear surface of the plate and the inner surfaces of the first and second portions of the prongs. The interior chamber has a horizontal width less than or equal to the thickness of the vertical support such that the rear and inner surfaces firmly engage the vertical support and attach the mounting bracket thereto.
According to more detailed aspects of this embodiment of the invention, the horizontal width of the chamber is between about 0.230 to about 0.235 inches. The horizontal width is less than the thickness of the vertical support, and the prongs compress the vertical support when attached thereto. According to another aspect, an upper portion of the plate extends above the inner surface of the first portion of the prongs to provide rotational stability. Preferably, the prongs are integrally formed with the plate and positioned adjacent a top edge of the plate. The bracket is preferably stamp formed from sheet metal.
In a related embodiment, the mounting bracket further comprises a second pair of laterally spaced prongs structured similarly to the first pair of prongs but vertically spaced therefrom. Like the first pair of prongs, the inner surfaces of the first and second portions of the second pair of prongs define a second chamber for receiving the vertical support therein. Preferably, a lower portion of the plate extends below the inner surfaces of the first portions of the second pair of prongs to provide rotational stability. More preferably, the lower portion of the plate extends below the second portions of the second pair of prongs.
In another embodiment of the invention, a mounting bracket is provided for mounting a display hook to a vertical support having regularly spaced apertures. The mounting bracket generally comprises a plate having a front surface constructed to attach the display hook thereto, and a first and second pair of laterally spaced prongs connected to the plate for attaching the plate to the vertical support via the apertures. The first pair of prongs is vertically spaced above the second pair of prongs. Each prong has a first portion extending rearwardly from the plate and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion. The first portion of each prong extends rearwardly a distance less than or equal to the thickness of the vertical support for secure attachment. The second portion of each prong has a vertical height less than or equal to a diameter of the apertures so that the bracket may be attached to the vertical support without any rotation or tilting of the bracket and display hook.
According to more detailed aspects of this embodiment, a rear surface of plate lies generally flush with vertical support. Each prong includes an inner surface that firmly engages the vertical support. Preferably, the first portion of each prong extends a horizontal distance less than the thickness of the vertical support, and the prongs compress the vertical support when attached thereto.
Other objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Space-saving display hook back for pegboard


An internal combustion engine (10) comprises an engine block (12) having at least one combustion cylinder (18), an air intake port (56) and an exhaust port (58) each in communication with the combustion cylinder (18), a piston (16) reciprocatingly disposed within each combustion cylinder (18), and an exhaust stack (26) in communication with each exhaust port (58). A heat transfer system (28) has a circuit tube (32) with a first portion (34) in heat transfer relationship with the exhaust stack (26), a second portion (42) defining a heat conduction area, a flow valve (38) in the circuit tube (32), and a heat transfer agent within the circuit tube (32). A cooling system (30) has a circuit conduit (44) with a first section (52) defining a heat receiving area in thermal contact with the heat conduction area (42) of the heat transfer system (28). The cooling system (30) further has a second section (46) defining a cooling area, a restriction (54) in the circuit conduit (44) between the first section (52) and the second section (46) upstream of the second section (46), and a refrigerant within the circuit conduit (44).

Reciprocating piston internal combustion engines include one or more pistons that are reciprocally disposed within corresponding combustion cylinders. The pistons are interconnected with each other through the use of a rotatable crankshaft. Reciprocation of the pistons causes rotation of the crankshaft.
An internal combustion engine utilizes air and fuel to create combustion within the various combustion cylinders. Combustion causes movement of the piston within the combustion cylinder which is transferred to the crankshaft and other moving parts of the engine for various purposes. The combustion process generates heat that is transferred throughout the engine.
In order to maintain engine life, it is known to remove as much heat as possible from the engine. It is also known that providing cooled intake air will aid in improved efficiency, cleaner combustion and engine cooling.
However, providing cooled intake air, or cooling of any kind, generally requires at least auxiliary energy and components. This solution is not favorable since it adds weight to the system.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,657 entitled "Cooling Devices for Supercharged Internal Combustion Engines" issued to Gratzmuller on Apr. 22, 1969, there is disclosed a cooling device and process for supercharged internal combustion engines. The device and process utilizes the water cooling circuit of the engine. The supercharger air inlet is provided with a pair of serially arranged heat-exchangers to lower the temperature of the supercharger air. The first heat-exchanger receives cooling liquid from a liquid cooling circuit that includes the water jacket of the engine. The second heat-exchanger is located in the air inlet between the engine and the first heat-exchanger and forms the part of a separate liquid cooling circuit provided with a circulation pump and air-cooled radiator.
There is thus the problem of providing cooled intake air for an internal combustion engine without adding appreciable weight or complexity to the system.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Internal combustion engine with cooling circuit


A battery terminal connector cover and method of assembly where the connector cover has a hinged top wall and a bottom wall forming an enclosure with a battery post receiving aperture in the bottom wall and an attachment assembly for force-fit securement of a connector to the bottom wall in alignment with the post receiving aperture.

Storage batteries of the type used in automobiles, trucks, tractors, other vehicles, etc. have a pair of terminal posts generally made of lead alloy material. The battery is interconnected to the vehicle electrical system by a battery cable assembly having connectors which clamp to the battery posts to provide an electrical and mechanical connection thereto.
Connector covers are utilized to enclose the connection of the connector to the battery post to protect against environmental factors such as corrosion, dirt, etc. and to electrically insulate the battery terminal connections.
It is desirable that a connector cover be economical to manufacture and install as well as easy and convenient to use in servicing the battery cable and/or battery. Prior connector covers did not lend themselves to automated installation on the battery cable assembly and thus were not economical to manufacture and install. Prior connector covers also tended to be inconvenient to use, overly complex in construction and/or somewhat ineffective in protecting the battery terminal connection.
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved battery connector cover which accommodates automated installation onto the battery cable assembly.
Another object of the invention is to provide a connector cover which attaches directly to the connector to provide a unitary battery cable assembly for efficient shipping and inventory control prior to installation in a vehicle.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a connector cover which attaches to the connector by a push-on force-fit engagement therebetween.
A further object of the invention is to provide a connector cover which is convenient to use and which affords quick and easy access to the battery terminal connection.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a connector cover which is economical to manufacture, durable in use and aesthetically pleasing in appearance.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method for installing a battery connector cover to a battery cable assembly.
Accordingly, it has been found that the foregoing and related objects are attained in a battery connector cover having a top wall and bottom wall configured to form an enclosure for the connector. The bottom wall has an aperture to receive a battery post therethrough and an attachment assembly for securing the connector to the bottom wall in alignment with the post aperture. The attachment assembly is configured for force-fit retention of the connector to the bottom wall of the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall of the cover is molded plastic with the attachment assembly being a semi-circular segmented retention channel integrally formed with the bottom wall for force-fit retentive engagement with the annular mounting flange of a typical battery terminal connector. The mounting flange of the connector is insertable into the retention channel of the cover by substantially linear assembly motion so as to be particularly suited for automated assembly. The bottom wall has a slot extending outwardly from the post aperture to allow the bottom wall to momentarily flex and slightly enlarge the retention channel to facilitate insertion of the connector into the retention channel.
The top wall of the cover is connected to the bottom wall by a hinge connection to permit pivotal movement of the top wall between a closed position forming an enclosure for the connector and an open position permitting access to the connector. The top wall is configured to form opposing side walls and a front wall when the top wall is in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the top wall and bottom walls are integrally formed molded components connected by a living hinge.


A method and apparatus for processing an image. The method and apparatus may each perform the operations of extracting motion information of an input signal calculating true motion information, which indicates whether an object of interest moves and an area where the object of interest moved, from the motion information, and deinterlacing the input signal by using the motion information with respect to an area that is determined to have true motion, such that the input signal is in a form before being compressed for transmission. The method and apparatus may further perform an operation of converting resolution of the deinterlaced input signal. In the converting of the resolution, the resolution may be converted by using the true motion information and the motion information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing an image, which receive an image and audio signal and compress the image and audio signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
As network technology has developed, network devices that provide various functions have appeared. A conventional codec used in Internet protocol (IP) network devices is realized using hardware or software, and has a structure for transmitting 1 channel output with respect to 1 channel input. Also, the conventional codec provides only 1 output in each channel even when there are multichannel inputs. In other words, only 1:1 input/output is possible in conventional IP network devices.
An IP network based image monitoring system independently requires at least 3 streams having a resolution of D1, a common intermediate format (CIF), and a quarter CIF (QCIF) according to each user, with respect to an input image signal. However, since only 1:1 input/output is possible in the conventional IP network devices, a system and method of providing 3 such streams in real time at low cost do not exist.
In other words, when a system includes one codec and the output resolution of the codec is converted according to a request of a user, all users who receive data from the codec must receive data with the converted output resolution. Accordingly, such a codec is unable to provide data having plurality of resolutions corresponding to different user requests. Also, when the resolution of the codec is converted to a high resolution, a user of a network bandwidth that can sufficiently receive a codec output stream in high resolution does not have any problem receiving the stream, but clients using a low speed network may be unable to smoothly receive the codec output stream.
When the number of codecs is increased to 3 so as to provide the 3 streams in real time, expenses for making the device increase, and the number of output resolutions is still limited by the number of codecs. Also, an image captured in an IP network device may be input in an interlace method. When a signal received in the interlace method is compressed and transmitted to a client or to another network device requesting the signal, the client or the other network device must perform a deinterlace operation in order to reproduce the signal.

Method and apparatus for processing an image


A collapsible treasure box is disclosed and includes an enclosure including an enclosed inner layer and an enclosed outer layer formed of soft cloth, the outer layer being in covering relationship with the inner layer wherein top edges of the inner and the outer layers are stitched together, an enclosed upper frame member concealed by passing upper portions of the inner and outer layers through a bore of the frame member to wrap around a bottom of the frame member, and a lower container member having an open top, the container being enclosed by wrapping a lower portion of the outer layer therearound by stitching bottoms of the inner and the outer layers together. Turning a top of the treasure box until a top opening thereof is closed and folding inside of the treasure box toward outside thereof continuously will shape the treasure box as a bun.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to treasure boxes and more particularly to a collapsible treasure box with improved characteristics (e.g., aesthetic appearance, etc.)
2. Related Art
Treasure boxes are well known. Treasure boxes are typically owned by women. A conventional treasure box is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a parallelepiped container A formed of cardboard having a cover B at one side, the cover B having a magnetic member C in the form of a button adapted to releasably secure to a corresponding magnetic member C on a top center of the container A.
Another conventional treasure box is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises a cylindrical container B1 formed of metal having a top cover A1, a hinge D1 interconnected the cover A1 and a circular top edge of the container B1, and a fastening member (e.g., zipper (as shown), magnetic member, or the like) C1 formed around the top edge of the container B1, the fastening member C1 being adapted to releasably secure to a corresponding fastener member formed on a circular bottom edge of the cover A1.
A further conventional treasure box is shown in FIG. 3 and it is constructed similar to the treasure box shown in FIG. 2 with an exception as detailed below. A resilient metal plate E1 is extended toward both sides of the hinge D1 into the cover A1 and the container B1 respectively. In use, a user has to exert a force to overcome a stored elastic force of the plate E1 in order to open or close the box by holding and pivoting the cover A1 about the hinge D1 clockwise or counterclockwise.
However, the prior treasure boxes are typically trouble-prone (e.g., magnetic members being subject to deformation, resilient member being subject to elastic fatigue, or the like) and thus unreliable in use. Also, it is somewhat visually unattractive. Thus, a need for improvement exists.