A refrigerated enclosure, for example a household refrigerator, having improved appearance and functionality by including a view panel, for example a glass window in a door of the refrigerated enclosure, a door switch, a controller, and an intermittent fan for removing moisture that condenses on the view panel. The refrigerated enclosure may also include interchangeable components, for example exterior panels, for coordinating or matching the appearance of the refrigerated enclosure to the surroundings into which the refrigerated enclosure is placed.

This invention relates generally to a refrigerated enclosure, and more specifically to a refrigerated enclosure having a view panel and an intermittent fan for removing moisture that condenses on the view panel.
Refrigerated enclosures (e.g., refrigerator, freezer, cooler, refrigerated display case, etc.) are used in residential settings, and also in commercial settings, for example in stores and restaurants. Commercial refrigerated enclosures often include a view panel, which may be located in a door, for viewing the contents of the refrigerated enclosure. This feature can conserve energy by minimizing the period of time the door is opened during product retrieval, selection, or location. This feature can also speed up product selection or location and, in the event the desired product is not present in the refrigerated enclosure, avoid the need to open the refrigerated enclosure at all during product selection or location.
A long standing problem with commercial refrigerators with view panels is condensation on the view panel. Condensation can occur on either the interior surface or the exterior surface of the view panel, when either of those surfaces are at a temperature below the dew point temperature of the air these surfaces are exposed to. However, condensation on the interior surface of the view panel is more commonly a problem, as explained below.
Under normal operation the air temperature inside the refrigerated enclosure is much lower than the outside air temperature. The interior surface of the view panel is exposed to the cooler inside air, while the exterior surface of the view panel is exposed to the warmer outside air. Although the view panel itself provides at least some insulation between the interior and exterior surfaces of the view panel, there will always be some heat transfer through the view panel. Thus, in normal operation the outside air is warmer than the exterior surface of the view panel, the exterior surface of the view panel is warmer the interior surface of the view panel, and the interior surface of the view panel is warmer than the air inside the refrigerated enclosure.
The difference between the temperature of the exterior surface of the view panel and the outside air depends on a number of variables, including the insulation value of the view panel itself and the temperature and circulation of the inside and outside air. If the view panel is designed to minimize heat transfer through the view panel itself, for example by using double paned glass or other material having a relatively high insulation value, the exterior surface of the view panel will be only slightly cooler than the exterior air temperature. Thus, by using a view panel with a high insulation value, as long as the exterior air temperature is well above the dew point so that the temperature of the slightly cooler exterior surface is also above the dew point, condensation on the exterior surface of the view panel can be avoided
When the door to a refrigerated enclosure remains closed, the interior air is cooled and dehumidified by the refrigeration apparatus, which lowers the dew point of the inside air. Since any view panel material will have at least some heat transfer through the view panel itself, the temperature of the interior surface of the view panel will always be at least slightly warmer than the interior air temperature. Thus, as long as the interior air temperature is above the dew point, the warmer interior surface of the view panel will also be above the dew point, and condensation on the interior surface of the view panel will be avoided.
In summary, if the view panel is designed to minimize heat transfer through the view panel itself and the interior and exterior air are not near their respective dew points, condensation on the interior and exterior surfaces of the view panel is usually not a problem as long as the door to the refrigerated enclosure remains closed.
However, when a refrigerated enclosure is opened, warm outside air is brought into the refrigerated enclosure. Since this warm outside air has not yet been cooled and dehumidified by the refrigeration apparatus, the dew point of the warm outside air may be substantially higher than the temperature of the interior surface of the view panel. When this warm outside air comes into contact with the interior surface of the view panel, condensation is likely to form. Condensation can be especially likely when the view panel is located in the door such that the warm outside air flows directly onto the much cooler view panel. Condensation on the view panel is undesirable since it destroys the utility of the view panel and detracts from the visual appearance of the refrigerated enclosure.
The problem of condensation on the interior surface of the view panel when the refrigerated enclosure is opened can be exacerbated by the use of view panel materials having a high insulation value. A view panel having a higher insulation value will keep the exterior surface of the view panel warmer, but it will also keep the interior surface of the view panel cooler. Especially if the interior air is already close to the dew point when outside humid air is introduced by opening the refrigerated enclosure, condensation on the cool interior surface of the view panel can be even more likely when view panels having a high insulation value are used.
It is known to reduce or remove condensation from a commercial refrigerated enclosure generally by applying heat to areas likely to be affected by condensation, such as door jambs and the interior and exterior surfaces of view panels. For example, an electric heater has been positioned adjacent the inside of the front face, or inside the doors, of a refrigerated cabinet, a hot gas loop has been positioned inside the front face of a refrigerated cabinet, and electrical heating elements have been concealed within the outer edges of the door or within the door frame of a refrigerated display case.
However, any heating element consumes power, and the introduction of a heating element on or near a refrigerated enclosure may be especially inefficient since heat produced by such a heating element can end up in the refrigerated enclosure, from which it must be subsequently removed, consuming additional power. It is also known to reduce or remove condensation from refrigerated enclosures used in commercial environments by operating a fan directed at clear windows. However, in commercial refrigerated enclosures such fans are run continuously during operation, consuming power and producing noise.
It is also generally known to provide a refrigerated enclosure in a residential or household environment, for example the common household refrigerator. Household refrigerators have evolved considerably over the years in response to evolving consumer preferences as well as more stringent requirements for energy efficiency. Because of differences in the commercial and residential settings, the design of a household refrigerator may differ in some respects from those of a commercial refrigerated enclosure. Most household refrigerators do not include a window or view panel on the door.
Nonetheless, for many of the same reasons that a view panel is desirable in a commercial refrigerated enclosure, it would also be desirable and advantageous to provide a household refrigerator with a view panel, for example a glass window in the door. As in a commercial setting, a view allows the contents of a household refrigerator to be viewed, which can reduce time spent perusing or searching the interior while the door is open and thereby reduce energy consumption. Further, especially in the high end consumer market, the ornamental appearance of a household refrigerator can be enhanced by a glass window in the door.
As in the commercial setting, household refrigerators with a view panel can also encounter condensation problems. However, approaches which may be adequate in the commercial environment have a number of drawbacks for household refrigerators.
For example, heating elements require substantial additional material and labor to install, increasing manufacturing costs. Heating elements consume power, increasing the cost of operation. Heating elements also introduce additional components which may fail, increasing the likelihood that repairs will be needed. In the event that repairs are needed, these heating elements may not be readily accessible after the manufacture of the refrigerator is completed, such that any necessary repairs may be both difficult and costly.
Similarly, although a continuously operating fan may be acceptable in a commercial environment, this approach also has drawbacks when applied in a household refrigerator. Stringent government regulation of energy consumption of household refrigerators may conflict with a fan that runs continuously. A fan that runs continuously may also generate unacceptable sound levels, and a fan that runs continuously may wear out or fail sooner.
Further, when a household refrigerator incorporates a view panel, the requirements for reduced energy consumption which apply to household appliances can also motivate, if not require, the use of a view panel material having a high insulation value. As explained above, the use of a view panel material having a high insulation value can exacerbate the problem of condensation on the interior surface of the view panel.
Thus, although techniques for avoiding or reducing condensation on view panels used in commercial refrigeration enclosures may exist, these approaches have drawbacks when applied in the residential or household environment.
A refrigerated enclosure according to the present invention includes enclosure walls defining a refrigerated space, a view panel, a door, a door switch indicating whether the door is open or closed, a fan, and a controller, wherein the controller operates the fan to reduce or remove moisture that accumulates on the view panel, for example using an intermittent fan. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the controller turns the fan on for about five minutes after the door has been opened and then closed.
According to one aspect of the invention, a refrigerated enclosure may include enclosure walls defining an interior refrigerated space, a view panel providing visual access to at least a portion of the interior refrigerated space of the refrigerated enclosure, a door, a door switch adapted to detect whether the door is open or closed and to transmit a signal indicating whether the door is open or closed, a controller adapted to receive the signal indicating whether the door is open or closed, a fan adapted to blow air onto at least a portion of the view panel and adapted to be turned on and turned off by the controller; and a cooling apparatus adapted to produce cooling within the refrigerated and adapted to be turned on and turned off by the controller, wherein the controller is further adapted to turn the fan on after the door switch transmits a signal indicating the door is open and the controller is further adapted to turn the fan off after a delay period of time has elapsed after the door switch transmits a signal indicating the door is closed.
According to another aspect of the invention, a refrigerated enclosure includes enclosure walls defining an interior refrigerated space, a view panel, a door, a door switch indicating whether the door is open or closed, a fan, and a controller, wherein the controller turns the fan on after the door has been opened and then closed, and the controller subsequently turns the fan off after a delay period of time.
According to another aspect of the invention, a refrigerated enclosure may include one or more interchangeable panels, interchangeable grilles, interchangeable handles, or interchangeable trim pieces, for example so that the appearance of the refrigerated enclosure may be coordinated or matched to the surroundings into which the refrigerated enclosure is placed.
The present invention further relates to various features (individually, collectively, or in various subcombinations) shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after they have read this specification. Such other ways are deemed to fall within the scope of the disclosed embodiments if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow.


An embodiment first network node has a data flow table identifying forwarding rules to be applied to incoming data packets. The first network node is configured to allow for manipulation of the data flow table via control messages received via a control connection to a controller. The first network node is further configured to determine an occurrence of a network event or compliance with a condition specified by the controller. The first network node is further configured: to establish a control connection to a second network node in case that the network event occurs or the condition is met and to exchange control messages with the second network node via the control connection.

The design and management of software defined networks (SDN) may be based on separating the network forwarding plane from the network control plane. Moreover, the network control plane may be centralized by having one or more SDN controllers which order network nodes via control connections to populate their data flow tables with forwarding rules to be applied to incoming data packets.

Control traffic in software defined networks


A linear actuator, in particular for driving an aircraft landing gear leg, the actuator comprising a main body with a screw that is prevented from moving axially and that is constrained to rotate with a coaxial gear wheel that meshes with the outlet gear wheel of a driving motor and gear box assembly, and a nut that is secured to a sliding guide rod inside said main body. According to the invention, the rotary connection between the screw and the coaxial gear wheel is provided by declutchable coupling means, which means is declutched in an emergency for the purpose of releasing the screw by associated trigger means whose operation requires very little energy.

In aviation, such actuators are used at present for flight controls, and they can have non-negligible advantages over hydraulic actuators.
When centralized electricity generation is provided, the advantage of such actuators can be seen even more clearly, particularly if it is desired to use them for driving landing gear legs.
The driving element of the screw and nut system may be the screw or the nut, however it is often preferred for the system to have the screw as the driving element and the nut as the driven element, with the screw being prevented from moving axially and being constrained to rotate by means of a coaxial gear wheel that meshes with the outlet gear wheel of a motor and gear box assembly, while the nut is secured to a guide rod and sliding in the main body. Such a solution provides good protection against shock and against external pollution (because of the guide rod), better stability against buckling in the extended position (because the guide rod is guided in the main body), and better capacity for greasing the screw. Furthermore, the installation of anti-rotation systems for the guide rod and for its end-of-stroke abutments is facilitated: as a result, in particular when driving an aircraft landing gear leg, the above-described configuration appears to be more suitable than the opposite configuration.
Nevertheless, that type of linear actuator suffers from drawbacks that may be severe if a major mechanical failure should occur (a tooth breaking, seizing where the teeth engage and/or in the bearings): this is most particularly the case when the actuator is associated with driving an aircraft landing gear leg, since a fault of the above type can cause the screw of the screw-and-nut system to jam before the landing gear has been lowered or while it is being lowered, and the inertia of the landing gear and the aerodynamic effects exerted thereon can then insufficient to unjam the actuator.
Although the probability of such a fault is low (in aviation, it is always desirable to achieve a failure rate of less than 10.sup.-9 per hour), the consequences that stem therefrom are nevertheless very severe.
That is precisely the problem which the invention seeks to resolve, even though its field of application is not strictly limited to that of actuators for driving landing gear legs.

Linear actuator, in particular for driving an aircraft landing gear leg


A heterocyclic compound is represented by Formula 1. In Formulae 1, 1a, and 1b, two adjacent groups among A1 to A8 are each independently connected with a respective * of Formulae 1a or 1b to form a ring, where each * is a carbon atom of Formula 1. An organic light-emitting device includes the heterocyclic compound.

1. Field
One or more example embodiments relate to a heterocyclic compound and an organic light-emitting device including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic light-emitting devices are self-emitting devices that have wide viewing angles, high contrast ratios, short response times, and excellent luminance, driving voltage, and response speed characteristics, and produce full-color images.
The organic light-emitting device may include a first electrode disposed on a substrate, and a hole transport region, an emission layer, an electron transport region, and a second electrode sequentially formed on the first electrode. Holes injected from the first electrode are transported to the emission layer through the hole transport region, and electrons injected from the second electrode are transported to the emission layer through the electron transport region. Carriers, such as the holes and electrons, recombine in the emission layer to generate excitons. When the excitons drop (relax) from an excited state to a ground state, light is emitted.

Heterocyclic compound and organic light-emitting device including the same


A wing assembly for an aircraft is disclosed having a spar, a wing cover, and a rib. The spar has a web portion and a flange portion joined by a radius corner, wherein a gap is formed at an interface between the spar, the wing cover and the rib. The assembly further includes a seal member which substantially covers the gap, and sealant provided between the seal member and the rib and/or the wing cover and/or the spar so as to seal the gap.

When an aircraft is in flight, air may enter the wing at the leading edge and move along the leading edge cavity (between the front spar and the "D nose" leading edge panel) before exiting the wing at a different location. The movement of air into and out of the wing results in "leakage drag" due to the disruption of airflow over the aerodynamic surfaces of the wing, increasing the overall drag of the aircraft. At high speeds, leakage drag may contribute significantly to the overall drag of the aircraft, reducing performance and increasing fuel consumption.
In order to minimise the leakage drag experienced by an aircraft, it is desirable to reduce or prevent the bulk movement of air along the leading edge cavity. A plurality of transverse ribs present in a conventional aircraft wing structure act to divide the leading edge cavity into a series of compartments, and at least some of these compartments are sealed by the ribs to substantially prevent the movement of air from one compartment to another along the leading edge.
Conventional wing spars typically have a web portion and upper and lower flange portions for attaching to the upper and lower wing covers respectively joined to the web portion. The web portion may be sealed against the ribs and the flange portions may be sealed against the upper and lower wing covers. Gaps may be formed at interfaces between a spar, a rib and a wing cover adjacent a corner between the web portion and one of the flange portions, and these gaps may be sealed using an aerospace grade sealant. A metallic spar may have a relatively sharp corner with a small radius so that the gap is relatively small and easily filled using conventional aerospace sealant.
Modern wing structures may include fibre-reinforced composite spars. Due to the difficulty of forming composite components having an abrupt corner, a composite spar may have a radius corner formed at a junction between a web portion and a flange portion. The radius corner may result in larger gaps being formed adjacent the outside of the radius corner where the spar meets a wing panel and a rib than would be experienced with a conventional metallic spar having a corner with a smaller radius. These gaps may be difficult to satisfactorily seal using conventional aerospace sealant due to the dimensions of the gaps.


A clamping device includes a flexible sleeve secured to one segment of a telescopic rod and having a collar for receiving the other segment, and two lugs displaceable between untightened and tightened positions, and an elastic lining member disposed on the collar such that, as a result of displacement of the lugs from the untightened position to the tightened position, the elastic lining member is strained to acquire a biasing force that biases the lugs back toward the untightened position, thereby facilitating telescopic movement of the telescopic rod during length-adjustment.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a telescopic rod, more particularly to a clamping device for clamping two segments of a telescopic rod.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional clamping device for a length-adjustable pole as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2011/0240078 A1 is shown to include a flexible sleeve 1 having a collar 101 which is secured to one segment of a telescopic rod, and a pair of lugs 102, 104 defining a gap 103 therebetween. A bolt 2 has a threaded stem extending through the lugs 102, 104 to engage a screw nut 4. A washer 3 is sleeved on a head of the bolt 2. A lever arm 5 is pivotably connected to the head about a hinge axis 501, and has a cam surface 502 to be in abutting engagement with the washer 3. Upon turning of the lever arm 5, by virtue of a camming action between the cam surface 502 and the washer 3, the lugs 102, 104 are displaced between clamped and unclamped positions.
Since the lugs 102, 104 are usually retained in the tightened position and may be deformed due to material fatigue after long-term use, the lugs 102, 104 may not be biased away from each other when the lever arm 3 is turned to the untightened position, which adversely affects the length-adjustment of the telescopic rod.


A wireless IC device includes a radiating plate, a wireless IC chip, and a feeder circuit board, on which the wireless IC chip is mounted. The feeder circuit board includes a resonant circuit with an inductance element, and the resonant circuit is electromagnetically coupled with the radiating plate. The wireless IC chip is interposed between the radiating plate and the feeder circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless IC devices, and in particular, relates to wireless IC devices such as non-contact wireless IC media and non-contact wireless IC tags used in, for example, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
To date, various wireless IC devices on which wireless IC chips are mounted have been proposed.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-298109, for example, discloses a non-contact wireless IC medium produced by the following steps. First, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4A, an antenna portion 103 is formed on a separable sheet 101 using conductive paste, conductive ink, or the like, and an IC chip 109 is mounted on the antenna portion 103 so as to be electrically connected to the antenna portion 103. Next, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4B, an adhesive sheet 111 is closely adhered to the antenna portion 103 and the IC chip 109. Finally, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4C, the separable sheet 101 is stripped off.
The non-contact wireless IC medium is used while the adhesive sheet 111 is adhered to an article and the IC chip 101 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, when the article to which the non-contact wireless IC medium is adhered is brought into contact with other articles, the shock can directly act on the IC chip 109, and the IC chip 109 can be damaged. This can lead to malfunction of the wireless IC medium.


Provided is an omni-wheel including an annular core member for rotatively supporting a plurality of free roller that is light, economical and strong. The omni-wheel comprises an annular core member having at least one junction defined by mutually circumferentially opposing ends thereof, a plurality of sleeve members defining an inner bore and passed onto the core member and a free roller rotatably supported on an outer surface of each sleeve member in a coaxial relationship, wherein the mutually opposing ends of the annular core member at each junction are fitted into either end of the inner bore of the corresponding sleeve member.

As a wheel that can be used in omni-directional propulsion systems such as vehicles, transporters and robots, it is known to fit a plurality of free rollers on an annular core member such that each free roller may be freely rotatable around the tangential direction of the annular core member at the corresponding position. See JP2010-247640A and WO2010/64408A, for instance. Such a wheel is known as an omni-wheel, and allows the vehicle fitted with such a wheel to travel not only in the fore and aft direction owing to the rotation of the annular core member around the center line thereof but also in the lateral direction owing to the rotation of the individual free rollers fitted on the annular core member around the respective tangential lines. By combining these two traveling modes, the vehicle is allowed to travel in any oblique direction as desired.
The annular core members of conventional omni-wheels were known to be costly and heavy because they were made by machining or casting metallic members. Also, to allow the free rollers to be fitted on the annular core member, the annular core member has to be made of two pieces or two halves which are joined to each other once all the free rollers are in place. Various proposals have been made for joining the two pieces together, but have suffered from the problems of high complexity and high cost. Furthermore, in order to ensure the necessary mechanical strength, the annular core member is required to have a significant thickness, and hence a significant weight.
Therefore, there is a need for a light, economical and strong annular core member that can be advantageously used for building an omni-wheel.

Omni-wheel, frictional propulsion device and omni-directional vehicle


Stable azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropentane, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanol and optionally nitromethane have been discovered which are useful as degreasing agents and as solvents in a variety of industrial cleaning applications including cold cleaning and defluxing of printed circuit boards and dry cleaning.

Vapor degreasing and solvent cleaning with fluorocarbon based solvents have found widespread use in industry for the degreasing and otherwise cleaning of solid surfaces, especially intricate parts and difficult to remove soils.
In its simplest form, vapor degreasing or solvent cleaning consists of exposing at room temperature object(s) to be cleaned to the vapors of a boiling solvent. Vapors condensing on the object provide clean distilled solvent to wash away grease or other contamination. Final evaporation of solvent from the object leaves behind no residue as would be the case where the object is simply washed in liquid solvent.
For difficult to remove soils where elevated temperature is necessary to improve the cleaning action of the solvent, or for large volume assembly line operations where the cleaning of metal parts and assemblies must be done efficiently and quickly, the conventional operation of a vapor degreaser consists of immersing the part to be cleaned in a sump of boiling solvent which removes the bulk of the soil, thereafter immersing the part in a sump containing freshly distilled solvent near room temperature, and finally exposing the part to solvent vapors over the boiling sump which condense on the cleaned part. In addition, the part can also be sprayed with distilled solvent before final rinsing.
Cold cleaning is another application where a number of solvents are used. In most cold cleaning applications, the soiled part is either immersed in the fluid or wiped with cloths or similar objects soaked in solvents and allowed to air dry.
Azeotropic or azeotrope-like compositions are desired because they do not fractionate upon boiling. This behavior is desirable because in the previously described vapor degreasing equipment with which these solvents are employed, redistilled material is generated for final rinse-cleaning. Thus, the vapor degreasing system acts as a still. Unless the solvent composition exhibits a constant boiling point, i.e., is azeotrope-like, fractionation will occur and undesirable solvent distribution may act to upset the cleaning and safety of processing. Preferential evaporation of the more volatile components of the solvent mixtures, which would be the case if they were not azeotrope-like, would result in mixtures with changed compositions which may have less desirable properties, such as lower solvency towards soils, less inertness towards metal, plastic or elastomer components, and increased flammability and toxicity.
Fluorocarbon solvents, such as trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113), have attained widespread use in recent years as effective, nontoxic, and nonflammable agents useful in degreasing applications and other solvent cleaning applications. The art has looked towards azeotrope or azeotrope-like compositions including the desired fluorocarbon components such as CFC-113 and which also include components which contribute additionally desired characteristics, such as polar functionality, increased solvency power, and stabilizers. The art is continually seeking new fluorocarbon based azeotrope-like mixtures which offer alternatives for new and special applications for vapor degreasing and other cleaning applications. Currently, fluorocarbon based azeotrope-like mixtures with minimal or no chlorine are of particular interest because they are considered to be stratospherically safer substitutes for presently used chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The latter are suspected of causing environmental problems in connection with the earth's protective ozone layer. Mathematical models have substantiated that hydrofluorocarbons, such as 1,1,1,2,2,3,3-heptafluoropentane (HFC-467mccfs), will not adversely affect atmospheric chemistry since they do not contribute to ozone depletion and contribute only negligibly to global warming in comparison to chlorofluorocarbons such as CFC-113.

Azeotrope-like compositions of 1,1,1,2,2,3,3,-heptafluoropentane, C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanol and optionally nitromethane


A wind turbine blade includes a first blade segment and a second blade segment extending in opposite directions from a chord-wise joint. The first blade segment includes a beam structure extending lengthways that structurally connects with the second blade segment at a receiving section, wherein the beam structure forms a portion of an internal support structure and includes a shear web connected with a suction side spar cap and a pressure side spar cap. The present technology also includes a joint rod located at a first end of the beam structure for connecting with the receiving section of the second blade segment to form a coupling joint about a joint axis. The coupling joint is coupled to an adjustable elastic support. The receiving section may further include a torque coupling positioned offset from the joint axis, such that a bending motion of the beam structure automatically induces a twist motion. A method of assembling the wind turbine blade is additionally disclosed.

The present application relates generally to wind turbines and more particularly relates to an aero-elastically pitching wind blade tip joint for a wind turbine.
Most environment friendly energy sources presently available come from wind power that is considered to be one of the cleanest. Wind turbines generate electricity by effectively harnessing energy in the wind via a rotor having a set of rotor blades that turns a gearbox and generator, thereby converting mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid. The construction of a modern wind turbine rotor blade generally includes skin or shell components, span-wise extending spar caps, and one or more shear webs.
In recent years, wind turbines for wind power generation have increased in size to achieve improvement in power generation efficiency and to increase the amount of power generation. Along with the increase in size of wind turbines for wind power generation, wind turbine rotor blades have also increased in size, for example, a minimum blade length of 40 meters. When the wind turbine rotor blade is increased in size as described above, various difficulties, such as a difficulty in integral manufacture and a difficulty in conveyance along with difficulties in transport, including securing roads and trucks, etc., occur.
In addition, as is generally understood, the loading on a rotor blade is a function of blade length, along with wind speed and turbine operating states. Thus, longer rotor blades may be subject to increased loading, particularly when a wind turbine is operating in high-speed wind conditions. Aero-elastic tailoring (AT) of the blade provides a means for addressing such loads. Conventional AT may include configuring the geometry of the blade, and more particularly, the sweep of the blade, to displace the center of pressure from a pitch axis, or by configuring the structural properties of the blades during layup, such as through off-axis fiber orientation coupling bend-twist via shell layup orthotropy and spar cap positioning, to address the loads. Each requiring complex configurations to achieve AT.
Therefore, there is a desire for a wind blade that is separated in a longitudinal direction for allowing easy handling and transportation, while providing for reduction of the increased loads of the blades through AT, and a method for assembling such a wind blade.

Aero-elastically tailored wind blade tip joint


A method for detecting neutron radiation in accordance with particular embodiments includes exposing a neutron detector array comprising at least one two-dimensional array of neutron detectors to a first scene of interest. The neutron detector array is based on at least one two-dimensional array of microbolometer detectors. The method also includes receiving a plurality of response values from a corresponding plurality of neutron detectors of the neutron detector array. The method further includes generating a comparison value based on the plurality of response values and a baseline response value. The method additionally, includes determining whether more than a first threshold amount of neutron radiation is being generated by the first scene based on the comparison value.

Neutron detectors may be used to monitor radioactive sources that emit neutrons. They may be used for medical imaging, neutron radiography, high resolution images and for detecting radioactive materials that may be hidden from sight (e.g., being smuggled through a security checkpoint).
One conventional neutron detector system utilizes a device known as a Schottky barrier. The Schottky barrier includes a metal layer on a gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductor material and a neutron sensitive surface layer, such as 10B. A negative voltage applied at a first metal contact sets up the Schottky barrier. The combination of the negative voltage at the first metal contact and positive voltage applied at a second metal contact creates an electric field in the GaAs material which results in an active GaAs region. Incident neutrons react with neutron absorbing atoms in the neutron sensitive surface layer (e.g., 10B) to form energetic particles (e.g., alpha (4He) and 7Li). One of the charged particles from the reaction will penetrate through the neutron sensitive surface layer and the Schottky barrier and enter the active region of the GaAs semiconductor. In the active GaAs active region, the energetic particle gives up some of its energy to form electron hole pairs. These charged carriers (the electrons and the holes) then move in the electric field and create a current pulse which appears in an external circuit to provide for detection of neutrons.
Another conventional neutron detector system utilizes a microchannel plate made of glass doped with 10B. The microchannels are aligned normal to the surface of the plate and include a high resistance material. A high voltage is applied between the two faces of the plate. Incoming neutrons react with the 10B in the solid bulk of glass of the plate and generate energetic particles. The energetic particles travel through the bulk of the solid glass and hit the lining of various microchannels to generate electrons. The electrons emitted from the wall of each microchannel then hit the opposite walls of that channel to generate more electrons, which similarly hit opposite walls, and so forth, resulting in an avalanche of electrons in that microchannel. The avalanche of electrons emitted from various microchannels is each detected as a pulse by a detector, such as a cross-finger anode board. This provides information as to where and when the pulse emitted from the microchannel plate to provide for detection of neutrons.

Method and system for detecting neutron radiation


Optical reader apparatus for reading data on a data carrier. A housing defines a data carrier slot having an optical data window at a prearranged position. An optical reading means is mounted within the housing for reading data scanned past the optical data window. A door assembly is mounted in a hinged relation to the housing means opposite the optical read window. The door has closed and open positions and permits access to the optical data window in the open position. The door assembly carries a resilient pressure spring. The resilient pressure spring urges a data carrier passing through the data carrier slot into optical reading contact with the optical data window. The door assembly mounts the resilient spring member within a frame for easy removability. The resilient pressure spring carries an optical compensation member on a forward surface thereof so that the optical compensation member is presented to the optical data window when a data carrier is not present.

Most of the check readers on the market utilize magnetic reader technology which operates to detect the magnetic ink patterns that are incorporated in the MICR data line on a check. Optical readers have also been developed, but these generally involve automatic scanning of the check past an optical reader assembly and the optical reader assembly is typically a complex combination of optical components which is difficult to assemble and requires calibration to provide reliable performance.

Manual check reader apparatus with optical imaging


The invention relates to a wind energy system having a rotor that can be driven by the wind, preferably having one or more rotor blades that can be adjusted in angle, a generator directly or indirectly connected with the rotor, to generate electric energy, which is configured as an asynchronous generator having a super-synchronous converter cascade in the rotor circuit, for slip-variable generator operation, so that power output of the generator is possible at variable speeds of rotation of the rotor, and an operation guide system that is configured to regulate the speed of rotation of the rotor, within a predetermined wind speed range. To improve the energy yield, it is provided that the super-synchronous rectifier cascade is configured in the rotor circuit for feeding the slip power into the network. For this purpose, the super-synchronous converter cascade has a DC voltage intermediate circuit having a high-set element. These are configured to switch, as IGBT switches, with a 180 degree phase shift relative to the rotor voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a wind energy system having a rotor that can be driven by the wind, preferably having one or more rotor blades that can be adjusted in angle, a generator directly or indirectly connected with the rotor, to generate electric energy, which is configured as an asynchronous generator having a super-synchronous converter cascade in the rotor circuit, for slip-variable generator operation ,so that power output of the generator is possible at different speeds of rotation of the rotor, and an operation guide system that is configured to regulate the speed of rotation of the rotor, within a predetermined wind speed range, preferably with adjustment of the rotor blade angles.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for regulating the power output of a wind energy system, in that the slip is regulated.
2. The Prior Art
A system of this type is known from the older application of the applicant, DE 10117212.5.
Such wind energy systems, which work at a variable speed of rotation of the rotor and variable rotor blade angles, produce more electric energy than systems that work at a single, fixed speed of rotation of the rotor and fixed, predetermined rotor blade angles. Usually, work at a variable speed of rotation takes place in the range of very low wind speeds, whereby the rotor blades assume a large angle relative to the incident wind, which is only slightly less than 90 degrees. This rotor blade angle is not changed, at first, with an increasing wind speed, until the wind speed is sufficient to turn the rotor at the rated speed of rotation, whereby the wind energy system puts out its rated output. The power output therefore increases, proceeding from a very small output at a minimum wind speed, along with the speed of rotation of the rotor, until the rated power is reached. If the wind speed increases further, the rated power and the rated speed of rotation are now kept constant, as much as possible, until the wind speed increases above a shut-off speed. Here, the wind energy system is shut off, in that the rotor blades are turned completely in the wind direction, so that the rotor blade angles relative to the wind direction amount to approximately zero degrees. In this way, the rotor is braked. Shut-off at very high wind speeds is necessary because the stress on the wind energy system in operation under very strong winds, particularly gusts, can become so great that damage can occur.
With an increasing power and number of such wind energy systems, equalization of short-term power variations in the utilities poses greater and greater difficulties. For this reason, the demands on the quality of the current that is supplied are constantly increasing.
For this purpose, suitable controls for asynchronous generators have been developed. Such an asynchronous generator achieves a variable slip of up to 10%, which means that the rotor and the generator permit a variation of 10% in the speed of rotation during gusts, by means of suitable computer control. In the case of strong winds, the generator constantly holds the electricity generation at the rated power. The elasticity in the system minimizes the stress on the vital components of the wind energy system, and improves the quality of the current that is being fed into the power network.
In the case of this known method of operation of the wind power system having a rotary current generator, the adaptation of the speed of rotation for uniform supply to the network in the case of gusty winds is implemented by means of a changeable slip, with a pulse-controlled resistor in the rotor circuit. The rotor slip power remains unused and is converted into heat.
Another known concept is the super-synchronous cascade for an asynchronous generator having slip rings. In this connection, the rectified slip power is fed into the network by way of a network-guided inverter. Disadvantages in this application are strong pendulum moments of the current oscillations that are produced in the generator, a great need for reactive power, and possible commutation failure of the inverter.
Another method of a cascade, known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,187, is regulation of the rotor currents with a voltage intermediate circuit converter, according to a field-oriented method for a dual-fed rotary current generator, for utilization of a supra-synchronous and a super-synchronous range of the speed of rotation. The field-oriented regulation methods of the dual-fed asynchronous generator are problematic in the case of short voltage collapses in the network, and in case of network short-circuit.

Operating method for a wind turbine with a supersynchronous cascade

Abstract: Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for regulating the power output of the wind energy system, in that the slip is regulated, whereby the slip power is fed into the network.


A physical layer circuit includes registers and a timing circuit. The registers are configured to store a future time of day, a local hardware time and a compensation value. The timing circuit is configured to: determine a relationship between the local hardware time and a grandmaster time; select the future time of day; determine a difference between a local clock and a grandmaster clock and set the compensation value equal to the difference; subsequent to determining the difference, enable maintenance of a current time of day; when the local hardware time matches the future time of day, begin updating the current time of day based on the compensation value to match the grandmaster time; and adjust the compensation value to compensate for drift between the current time of day and the grandmaster time.

A data communication network may include multiple talkers (or sources of data) and multiple receivers. Any number of bridges may be connected in a daisy chain between each of the talkers and the receivers. The data communication network may be an arbitrary network (referred to as a non-engineered network) or non-arbitrary network (referred to as an engineered network). An arbitrary network may be, for example, a residential local area network (LAN), which may have different network devices (e.g., computers, cellular phones, televisions, printers, and electronic tablets) arbitrarily connecting and disconnecting at various points in the network and at random times. The network devices may connect and disconnect at any time regardless of the priority levels of data being transmitted in the arbitrary network. A non-arbitrary network may be, for example, an automotive network within a vehicle or a manufacturing assembly line network. In general, network devices in a non-arbitrary network are fixed and are not being connected and/or disconnected from the non-arbitrary network.
Network devices that are Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1588 standard (herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) compatible can support one-step or two-step clock precision time protocols (PTPs) to provide precise timing of transferred frames. During a data transfer event between two network devices operating according to the one-step clock PTP, a first network device may transmit an event message that includes a timestamp or other time information indicating when the event message is transmitted from the first network device to the second network device. In order for the event message to include the timestamp, a central processor of the first network device estimates a future time of day when the event message is to be transmitted from a port of a physical layer (PHY) of the first network device to the second network device. The estimated time is included in the event message when the event message is originally generated by the central processor. The estimated time can be inaccurate depending on delays associated with the PHY of the first network device. The central processor does not know an actual time that the event message is transmitted from the PHY of the first network device. As an alternative to estimating the future time of day, the central processor can build the event message and, prior to the PHY transmitting the event message to the second network device, the PHY can update time information in the event message to more accurately indicate the actual egress time of the event message. The one-step clock PTP refers to the transmission of the event message without transmission of a follow up message.
During a data transfer event between two network devices operating according to the two-step clock PTP, a PHY of a first network device may transmit an event message from an egress port of the first network device to the second network device. A timestamp (e.g., a binary counter value) of when the frame was transmitted to the second network device is determined by the PHY. The timestamp is stored in a register accessible by a central processor of the first network device. Once the frame egresses the egress port and the timestamp is generated, the central processor may receive an interrupt (a high overhead operation) from the PHY. The central processor can then read the register and obtain the timestamp. As an alternative, the central processor may poll the PHY to obtain the timestamp. The central processor then converts the timestamp to an actual time of day and generates a follow up message ('FollowUp frame') indicating the actual time of day that the event message was transmitted. The actual time of day determined by the central processor may be, for example, a 10 byte value that includes an upper 6 bytes representing an integer portion of a timestamp in seconds and a lower 4 bytes representing a fractional portion of the timestamp in nanoseconds. The FollowUp frame is then transmitted to the second network device. As an alternative, the FollowUp frame may be generated by the PHY. In order for the PHY to build the FollowUp frame, the PHY needs to store information included in the event message. This requires a large amount of gates in hardware and tends not to be feasible since PHYs are typically incapable of originating frames. The two-step clock PTP refers to the generation of the event message, and after determining the egress time of the event message, generation of the FollowUp frame.
Both the one-step clock PTP and the two-step clock PTP introduce a large amount of latency in a data path. The one-step clock PTP introduces latency in transmitting an event message from an egress port of a corresponding network device. Latency can be introduced when a central processor of the network device estimates a time when the event message is to be transmitted from the PHY. Latency can also be introduced by (i) delaying transmission of the event frame to allow the PHY to compute and convert a timestamp to a time of day, and (ii) modifying the event message to accurately indicate the time of day when the event message was transmitted. The two-step clock PTP introduces latency in transmitting a FollowUp message by having a PHY (i) store a timestamp in a register of when an event message was transmitted, and (ii) generate an interrupt indicating the timestamp has been stored. Latency is also introduced by having a central processor receive the interrupt and read the register (a slow operation). Latency can also be introduced when the central processor polls the PHY for the timestamp and the PHY transmits the timestamp to the central processor.
Also, both the one-step clock PTP and two-step clock PTP can exhibit increased latency if a large number of frames are stored in a queue to be egressed from a same egress port. For the one-step clock PTP, the central processor needs to be informed of (i) the number of frames stored in the queue, (ii) a delay until a particular event frame is to be transmitted, and/or (iii) a time when the event frame is to be transmitted. For a two-step clock PTP, the more frames stored in the queue, the more delayed a central processor may be in determining an egress time of an event frame, depending on where in the queue the event frame is stored.

Maintaining a time of day in a physical layer circuit including compensating for drift away from a grandmaster time


Embodiments described herein are directed to simultaneously presenting a virtual touchpad and a graphical user interface of an operating system on the same display. A user can interact with the OS using the virtual touchpad, and user touches are read by a touch-screen portion of the display assigned to the touchpad. Touch input software converts touch packets from user touches into data packets relevant to the screen and display resolution of either the display or a portion of the display presenting the OS. Gesture-recognition software applies rules to the converted packets to determine which actions the user meant by the touches. And an application controlling a mouse cursor manipulates the mouse cursor according to the mouse actions.

The mouse is a ubiquitous input tool that is easily understood by many people using today's computing devices. For decades, the mouse has remained one of the most popular and input mechanisms for computers. People quickly recognize mouse cursors on screens of computing devices and typically know how to use them. Whether it be a mobile phone, laptop, personal computer, computer tablet, the mouse cursor remains extremely popular for interacting with graphical user interfaces (GUIs).
The traditional mouse is cumbersome in many situations. It generally requires a separate device fit for a hand that needs a planar surface to glide across. As laptops became increasingly popular, touchpads were moved onto the actual computing device. This spares the user from having to use a separate input device to interact with the computing device, but the touchpad requires space on the computing device and is limited to a particular size and area. Modern touchpads only provide a small space for a user to drag a finger or use a stylus, making it somewhat difficult for the user to control a mouse cursor on displays that are much larger in size.


A fusion comb is a single comb which houses two separate and independent combs. Each independent comb has a manually operated plunger which forces a hair product through the comb and out of a set of outlets in the teeth of that comb. By withdrawing the plunger, liquid is suctioned through the teeth and into the comb.

(1) Field of the Invention
The disclosed invention pertains to a fusion or dual comb which contains internal compartments through which a fluent hair product is manually caused to flow and to exit the comb through outlets in the comb teeth into the hair and the scalp of the user. Throughout the specification, the inventive comb is alternatively referred to as a "fusion comb," a "dual comb." and a "single comb," The terms "fusion comb," "dual comb," and "single comb" are used interchangeably to refer to a single comb which internally houses two separate combs. "Fusion comb" is a name coined by the inventors for the single comb in its entirety. "Dual comb" refers to the entire single comb, but "dual comb" is a more visual, physical description of the entire single comb. The "dual comb" draws attention to the fact that there are two combs integral within a single body. "Single comb" emphasizes the overall image of the comb as resembling and being recognized as a common, single comb. The two internal combs are referred to as "two combs." and each internal comb is referred to in the singular as simply a "comb."
(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
So-called "fountain combs" have been patented for a long time, a group which is well represented by the references of record.
The closest reference, to the inventors' knowledge, is the patent to Charley S. Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,446,398, issued Aug. 3, 1948. Wilson discloses a fountain comb with two pistons for forcing two different liquid hair products through holes between comb teeth into the hair. Wilson differs in a principal respect from the disclosed and claimed invention, inasmuch as both pistons feed into a single comb. Two disparate hair products which should not be mixed cannot avoid coming in contact with each other within Wilson's single comb. A second, major, difference is that the pistons act only partially per stroke, delivering no more than the volume of valve chamber 26 during each stroke. A pair of springs restore the pistons to their starting position after traveling only a minute part of the way of their entire length. The two plungers are no longer effective to force fluid into the single comb once the volume of fluid inside cylinder 35 has been injected, after perhaps three to five depressions of piston head 41. The claimed dual, comb shares neither of these results. One, the two combs are always separate. And, two, almost all of the fluid in a barrel can be ejected therefrom in a sustained motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,409,957, issued Aug. 12, 2008, to Aline Abergel is of passing interest. It is not completely clear how the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6-8 may be transformed from diagrammatic to a fountain comb, but it is irrelevant, inasmuch as when the comb is connected to a plurality of containers of disparate hair products, the passages in the comb body function to mix the products prior to dispensing the products from a single set of comb teeth from a single comb. Applicants disclose and claim two combs in a single comb structure where the two combs are completely separate.
The remaining references merely show the state of the art.
No prior art reference known to the inventors, singly nor in combination with any other prior art reference, provides a single fountain comb which house's two complete, separate, and independent fountain combs. The fusion comb, or dual comb, does.

Multiple dispensing combs in a single comb body


An MIM capacitor or an MIS capacitor in semiconductor devices is formed of a thin dielectric layer having a total film thickness less than 100-nm and including a high-dielectric-constant amorphous insulating film, high-breakdown-voltage amorphous films such as of SiO2, and high-dielectric-constant amorphous buffer films between an upper electrode and a lower electrode. The thin high-dielectric-constant amorphous insulation film is formed of a material having a property resistant to fracture although having properties of a large leakage current and a low breakdown voltage, to enhance reliability of the thin dielectric layer and to reduce the footprint thereof in the semiconductor device.

An example of a cross sectional view of a conventional structure of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, which is a semiconductor device or its constituent element, is shown in FIG. 10 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An MIM capacitor is a constituent element of a semiconductor device such as, for example a microwave monolithic IC (MMIC) and ordinarily has such a large footprint (the area of the plane opposite to the semiconductor substrate) as to occupy 20% to 30% of the whole area of the semiconductor device. The large footprint of the MIM capacitor accordingly leads to an impediment to reduction of the whole area of the semiconductor device. In other words, since reduction of the footprint of the MIM capacitor significantly contributes to reduction of manufacturing costs, effective use of the area occupied by the MIM capacitor in the semiconductor device is a major challenge.

Thin-layer capacitor and method of fabricating the same


An electromagnetic interference suppressor is disposed so as to be effective for noise in a wide frequency band including a high frequency band. Provided is an electronic device including an electromagnetic interference suppressor; an interfering object configured to generate an electromagnetic wave; an interfered object to be affected by the electromagnetic wave; a substrate configured to mount thereon the interfering object and the interfered object; and the electromagnetic interference suppressor disposed in parallel to the substrate, and is disposed along only one of the interfering object and the interfered object. When an end portion of the interfering object opposed to the interfered object is defined as a first end portion, and an end portion of the interfered object opposed to the interfering object is defined as a second end portion, one end portion of the electromagnetic interference suppressor is disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion.

There is a technology for disposing an electromagnetic interference suppressor along both of a part, a circuit, a conductive wire, and the like that generate noise (hereinafter collectively referred to as "interfering objects") and a part, a circuit, a conductive wire, and the like that may be affected by noise (hereinafter collectively referred to as "interfered objects") in order to suppress electromagnetic interference, in particular, internal interference (so-called autotoxication), occurring in various electronic devices. Electromagnetic interference against the interfered objects can be suppressed through disposition of an electromagnetic interference suppressor in this manner. "Electronic devices" used herein means devices including an electronic part, a circuit, wiring, and the like in general, and examples of the "electronic devices" include wireless communication terminals such as cellular phone terminals, and various computers such as desktop computers, laptop computers, and workstations.
Generally speaking, an electromagnetic interference suppressor is a sheet-shaped part in which magnetic powder is dispersed in a binding agent. The electromagnetic interference suppressor has a high electric resistance, and a frequency-selective loss characteristic resulting from magnetic resonance. Through disposition of the electromagnetic interference suppressor inside electronic equipment, the adverse effect of high frequency noise can be suppressed effectively without electromagnetic disturbance or other secondary side effects. At present, electromagnetic interference suppressors are rapidly becoming popular as an easy noise countermeasure part that "takes effect just by sticking." Electromagnetic interference suppressors are internationally standardized by IEC 62333.
In Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a technology for enhancing the effect of suppressing electromagnetic interference through disposition of an electromagnetic interference suppressor so that the electromagnetic interference suppressor is in close contact with electronic parts mounted on a substrate. The substrate and the electronic parts set on the substrate are covered with an electromagnetic shield film to be shielded against electromagnetic waves. This close contact of the electromagnetic interference suppressor with the electronic parts and others requires laborious steps to accomplish. In addition, the electronic parts disposed on the substrate and covered with the film together with the substrate cannot adapt to a change to the disposition of the electronic parts when the disposition of the electronic parts is to be changed for some reason or another.
Patent Document 2 includes a description about suppressing interference between electronic parts by attaching an electromagnetic radiation noise absorption sheet near the electronic parts. A point to be noted in Patent Document 2 is that the electromagnetic radiation noise absorption sheet is disposed along an interfering object and an interfered object each. Two electromagnetic radiation noise absorption sheets are illustrated in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 2, as well as in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 2.
According to Non Patent Document 1, main noise suppression functions of a noise suppression sheet, that is, an electromagnetic interference suppressor, are (1) suppression of coupling in the near field, (2) suppression of unnecessary radiation in a high frequency line, and (3) attenuation of a noise component propagated along a transmission line. The following four measurement methods are regulated by IEC 62333-2 to evaluate the main noise suppression functions.
(a) Intra-Decoupling Ratio: Rda
Rda is the proportion of attenuation obtained by attaching a noise suppression sheet in parallel to a transmission line, with respect to spatial coupling occurring between two transmission lines, or between two parts mounted to the same printed wiring board.
(b) Inter-Decoupling Ratio: Rde
Rde is the proportion of attenuation obtained by attaching the sheet in a gap between two transmission lines, between printed wiring boards, or between two parts, with respect to spatial coupling occurring between the transmission lines, between the printed wiring boards, or between the parts.
(c) Transmission Attenuation Power Ratio: Rtp
Rtp is the amount of attenuation obtained per unit line length by attaching the sheet in a transmission line, with respect to a conducted signal or noise propagated along the transmission line.
(d) Radiation Suppression Ratio: Rrs
Rrs is the amount of suppression obtained by attaching the sheet, with respect to radiation noise radiated from a circuit board. This measurement is far-field measurement by the same 10-m method or 3-m method that is used in normal EMI measurement.

Electronic device and method for disposing electromagnetic interference suppressor


It is an object of the present invention to provide an organic light-emitting display of high light-emitting efficiency. The organic light-emitting element comprising a board, upper electrode, lower electrode, a plurality of light-emitting units placed between the upper and lower electrodes, and a charge-generating layer placed between a plurality of the light-emitting units, wherein one of the light-emitting units has a layer for emitting monochromatic light and one of the light-emitting units has a layer for emitting polychromatic light, the former unit having an equivalent or lower light-emitting efficiency than the latter unit.

Recently, organic light-emitting displays have been attracting attention as planar displays of the next generation. These organic light-emitting displays have excellent characteristics, e.g., capacity of emitting white light, wide viewing angle and high-speed response.
An organic electroluminescent element (hereinafter referred to as organic EL element) disclosed by JP-A-2003-272860 is known. FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional organic EL element. It comprises the board 1 which supports the lower electrode 2 and upper electrode 6, and light-emitting unit 7, charge-generating layer 4-1, light-emitting unit 8, charge-generating layer 4-2, light-emitting unit 9, charge-generating layer 4-3 which are placed between these electrodes 2 and 6. The light-emitting units 7, 8 and 9 are responsible for emitting red, green and blue light, respectively. The conventional organic EL element illustrated in FIG. 2 has a layered structure comprising the light-emitting units connected to each other in series via the charge-generating layer in-between. The light-emitting units 7, 8 and 9 emit red, green and blue light, respectively, when a voltage is applied to between the lower electrode 2 and upper electrode 6. These light colors overlap each other to produce white light. Luminance L of white light emitted by the organic EL element illustrated in FIG. 2 can be given by the formula L=LR+LG+LB, where LR, LG and LB are each luminance of red, green and blue light emitted by the light-emitting units 7, 8 and 9. Luminance L of white light emitted by the organic EL element illustrated in FIG. 2 can be also given by the formula L=IαR+IαG+IαB, where αR, αG and αB are each light-emitting efficiency (current efficiency) of the respective light-emitting units 7, 8 and 9, and I is current passing through each of the these light-emitting units. Luminance L of white color emitted by the organic EL element illustrated in FIG. 2 is proportional to light-emitting efficiency of each light-emitting unit. In other words, the R/G/B luminance ratio is equal to αR/αG/αB.    (Patent Document 1) JP-A-2003-272860


According to one aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting pest infestation within a body. The method comprises the steps of a) providing an imaging system comprising at least a radiation source, a detector, a processing station and a display monitor; b) positioning at least a section of the body between the radiation source and the detector; c) acquiring a first image of said section of said body; d) acquiring at least one second image of the section of the body; e) removing the common portion of the images by subtracting the first image from the second image, thereby resulting in a digitally subtracted image; and f) observing determining from the digitally subtracted image and determining whether at least one pest is present within the body. Pest infestation may be detected without physical contact with the tree.

Pest infestation of any object or body, such as in wood construction, or living plants, plant products or trees can be damaging to many areas of society. In the field of agriculture, pest infestation reduces the quality and quantity of harvestable crops. This causes an economic loss to the harvester, which in turn raises the price of these crops for the consumer. Furthermore, pests carry and spread diseases which are harmful to both the environment and to humans. Shipments of goods, particularly food products, are typically entirely discarded if even only one box is found to be carrying pests, which causes tremendous financial loss.
One example of a body in which pests particularly enjoy infesting is the tree. Trees play a vital role in many aspects of the subsistence of the world and its inhabitants, in such areas as ecology and agriculture, as well as in providing energy and raw material for such things as paper and lumber. One example of a tree species which is considered to be important to both natural landscape and for cultivation of its fruit is the Phoenix dactylifera L., or, the date palm.
Since antiquity, date palm distribution has been mainly concentrated throughout Mediterranean countries, Africa and part of Asia. In the past century, however, the date palm was introduced to North America, Australia and throughout Europe. Date production is currently a world agricultural industry, producing millions of metric tones of fruit a year, and marketed all over the world as a high-value confectionery and fruit crop. Moreover, the main ornamental tall palm planted in the gardens and the streets of many coastal cities are palm trees.
Despite its popularity amongst humans, diseases and pests plague the date palm tree. One such pest is the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, or, the red palm weevil (RPW), also commonly known as the Indian palm weevil. The RPW was first observed in the Middle East region in the mid-1980's and have since been detected in trees in at least 19 countries around the world. As of the mid-1990's, approximately 5-6% of date palms in the Middle East were infested with the RPW, at an increasing annual rate of infestation (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (FAO)). The cause of the high rate of spreading of the RPW is human intervention, by transporting infested young or adult date palm trees and offshoots from contaminated to uninfected areas. Currently, in all countries, it is illegal to transport a date palm tree in any form, even within the country itself. Moreover, in light of international laws, countries are required to report sightings of the RPW to the FAO.
Infestation is often not apparent until extensive damage has already been caused, and the tree is beyond recovery, resulting in the death of the tree. Infestation can be observed by wilted or yellow inner leaves and smelled by a characteristic rotting odor. Small round holes at the sites of removed offshoots and oozing out of a reddish brown fluid are also a clear indication of the presence of the RPW. Additionally, cocoon, weevil and pupal fibers are frequently found in the palm leaf base. The clearest sign of infestation is a tree that has fallen due to internal rotting.
Adult females lay several hundred eggs at the base of young leaves or in wounds to the leaves or trunk. Damage to date palms is caused mainly by the larvae, which hatch after 2-5 days. The hatched larvae burrow into the trunk and feed on the soft fibers and tissues of the stem. Just prior to pupating, they move towards the exterior of the tree, making tunnels and large cavities along the way. They can be found any place along the length of the tree. The larval period lasts from about 1-3 months when the larvae pupate inside fibrous cocoons and emerge as adults.
Generations of the RPW at all life stages can be present within a single palm tree. Typically, adult weevils present in a palm will not move to another one while they can still feed on it.
Measures that have been taken to prevent the spread of RPW have not been successful. The late detection of the presence of the RPW constitutes a serious problem in battling the pests. Despite various attempts, no safe techniques for early and consistent detection have been devised.
Nevertheless, there have been numerous measures devised for ridding trees of these pests. One common method of treatment comprises injecting chemical insecticides, including synthetic pesticides and botanicals, in either liquid or gas form, into the tree or individual insects. Anti-microbial products, which kill the micro-organisms that grow on the wood and in the stomach of the RPW may also be added. However, use of intensive chemical treatments (e.g. ConfidorR (Bayer)) has not been fully effective, and concerns have arisen over the environmental impact of the use of such chemicals. An alternative method is to cut down infested palms and destroy them before adults emerge from the tree. Prophylactic treatment of palms with insecticides is also an option, but the costs involved may be prohibitive. Mass trapping of RPW in buckets baited with cruentol and "pal esters" has high potential to reduce infestations.
One of the newest methods for monitoring and controlling RPW is bioacoustic methods, which measure sound emissions of the RPW at early stages of infestation. Sound emissions by the RPW can be detected and measured. Different sound emissions are classified into different groups for determining the lifecycle stage of the RPW, and the detection of the presence of the RPW is possible within only a few weeks of infestation of the tree.
Additionally, successful tests have been carried out in which dogs were used to locate infested trees. Insects feeding on plants produce a unique signature of chemical compounds, which can be smelled. Dogs are trained to recognize this smell and are sent to date palm plantations suspected of being infested with the RPW. (J. Nakash et al.; A Suggestion to Use Dogs for Detecting Red Palm Weevil (rhynchophorus ferrugineus) Infestation in Date Palms in Israel)
The infestation of the date palm tree by the RPW as described above is merely one example of an arthropod that causes destruction to an important tree species. Other arthropods that destroy the date palm tree include the Fruit Stalk Borer (Oryctes elegans) and the Stem Borer (Jebuses Hammerschidti). The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) is known to attack many species of palms including coconut, betel nut, sago palm and the dates. Many other significant species of trees throughout the world are vulnerable to infestation by various species of arthropods. One other example of an arthropod that damages trees is the moth (Zeuzera pyrina L.), which is known to cause serious damage to apple, pear and olive trees. The list of species of infested trees, as well as the list of species of infesting pests, is long, and methods of detection and treatment are generally chosen from at least one of those mentioned herein above, although other methods may be used as well.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,629 discloses a method and apparatus for detecting disease in a tree. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,629 is particularly concerned with recognizing damage caused by red rot disease of a tree early in the infestation of a living tree. Red rot is caused by the fungus Fomes Annosus, which attacks mainly needle trees, such as spruce and pine, as well as the larch, Douglas fir and others. The fungus mainly grows in standing (live) trees, and moves upwardly from the bottom of the trunk. It causes a root rot, which, in the pine ultimately leads to the death of the tree, and in the spruce destroys the wood inside the trunk, but does not threaten its life. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,629 utilizes computer tomography for measuring the coefficient of absorption of the trunk of the tree for gamma and/or neutron radiation. A change in the coefficient due to rot or other factors is detected. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,629 does not attempt to identify the pest infesting the tree, but rather the cavities in the tree formed by the pest. A supporting frame surrounds and is preferably fastened to the trunk, a beam of radiation is passed through the tree at various positions from a radiation source to a detector and the coefficient of absorption at each position is converted into a computerized topographic display. U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,629 does not describe the means by which the apparatus is lifted and secured to the tree, although this does not appear to be a simple or standard procedure. Moreover, when desiring to use the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,629 on many trees, the dismounting and remounting procedure will take a lot of time, and will likely add to the costs involved.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for detecting the presence of pests in a body.
In one embodiment it is desirable to provide a method and system for the detection of the presence of pests in a body, which utilizes a portable (or, mobile) apparatus.
In one embodiment it is desirable to provide a method for the detection of pest infestation of a body, which utilizes an apparatus that is capable of being shifted along a predetermined length.
In one embodiment it is desirable to provide a method for the detection of the presence of pests in a body, which utilizes an apparatus that does not make physical contact with the tree during the detection process.
Additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Method and system for diagnosing and treating a pest infested body


A device for improving and training a right golf grip comprises a pair of gloves, wherein at least the back side of the thumb part and the back side of the index and middle finger parts together with their intermediate part of one glove, and at least a portion of the palm side of the little finger part and at least an area of the palm part of the other glove are provided with fastener means, preferably loop and hook tape, respectively. These fastener means cooperate with each other for interlocking the gloves in the right golf grip. In this device substantially the full palm side of the little finger part of the other glove is provided with fastener means and said area with fastener means of the palm part of this other glove extends with a large width substantially diagonally along said palm part from the insert side of the glove opposite of the little finger part. Moreover, at least said one glove is made of a material operating in the same manner as the corresponding fastener means so that the hands of the user are held one upon the other along the whole contact area, and produce a tearing sound when separated.

The invention relates to a device for improving and training a right golf grip, comprising a pair of gloves, wherein at least the back side of the thumb part and the back side of the index and middle finger parts together with their intermediate part of one glove, and at least a portion of the palm side of the little finger part and at least an area of the palm part of the other glove are provided with fastener means, preferably loop and hook tape, respectively, which fastener means cooperate with each other for interlocking the gloves in the right golf grip.
One of the most important principles in golf is positioning one's hands on the grip of the golfclub. The mutual position of the left and right hands is of extreme importance. As a right golf grip and the right mutual position of one's hands is not as simple and natural as one sometimes thinks, it appears in practice that many golfers have a bad golf grip. Such a bad golf grip means a high interference for playing golf well, in particular with respect to making a right golf swing.
Improving and training the right golf grip is not simple and it is difficult to apply the instructions of the golf trainer, also for the starting golfer. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a device for improving and training a right golf grip.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,280 discloses a device of the abovementioned type, comprising a pair of gloves, of which one glove at the palm side at the end of the little finger and on a small area of the palm is provided with fastener means while the other glove at a part of the thumb and at the intermediate part between the index and middle fingers at the backside is provided with complementary fastener means In this manner the gloves can be interlocked in the right golf grip.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,565 discloses a device which is made in the same manner.
In this known devices an interlocking between the gloves is obtained along a relatively small area only, whereby the hands can still locally move away from each other and a movement of the hands during making the golf swing is possible without the golfer noticing the same.


A cable sheathing slitter attachment for a wire stripper tool. The cable sheathing slitter attachment is preferably integrally formed of sheet metal and a blade member and a guard member. The blade member includes a blade portion having first and second oppositely facing knife-edges and a mounting portion having an opening that facilitates the mounting of the blade member to a jaw of the wire slitter tool. The guard member includes a mounting portion with a hole therethrough and a U-shaped guard portion. A fastener passes through the hole in the mounting portion of the guard member, the elongated opening in the mounting portion of the blade member and through the hole in the respective jaw to mount the guard and blade members to the jaw of the wire stripper tool. The guard is rotatable with respect to the knife-edges to expose the knife-edges when it is desired to use the same for the slitting of non-metallic sheathed cables. In an alternative embodiment, the blade member is mounted within a recess within the jaw of a wire stripper tool and is movable between a first orientation is which knife edges are protected against inadvertent contact and a second orientation in which knife edges are exposed for use.

Not Applicable
The present invention relates to cutters used for slitting non-metallic sheathed cables.
Preparation of electrical cables for attachment to various connectors is a routine practice in the electrical trades. Cable preparation entails a number of operations. For example, when preparing a non-metallic sheathed cable, the cable must first be cut to a desired length. After the cable is cut to the desired length, the sheathing near the end of the cable must be slit to expose insulated electrical conductors within the cable, and the slit portion of the sheathing must be cut off. Subsequently, short lengths of insulation must be removed from the ends of the insulated conductors to expose the electrical conductors. Following the removal of the insulation at the ends of the insulated conductors, the electrical conductors are prepared for attachment via screw connections. Each electrical conductor is typically formed into a loop that is wrapped around a screw, and the screw is tightened to form a secure electrical connection. Because of the repetitive nature of the above-described tasks in the electrical trade, it is desirable to perform these tasks in a straightforward and efficient manner.
The most common tool employed in the electrical trades for the preparation of non-metallic sheathed cables is the wire stripper tool, which is available commercially from numerous vendors. One commercially available wire stripper tool is depicted in FIG. 1. While wire stripper tools differ in various minor aspects, each typically includes a pair of handles connected to offset jaw portions. The handles are pivotally attached so that squeezing the handles causes the jaw portions to close. One section of each jaw portion includes a blade for cutting non-metallic sheathed cables including insulated electrical conductors. Another section of the jaw portion is adapted for severing and removing insulation from various gauge insulated conductors. A third section of the jaw portion near the tips of the respective jaw portions is adapted for grabbing the conductors when the handles are squeezed together. As noted in FIG. 1, the commercially available wire stripper tool includes a hole that extends through at least one of the jaw portions. Once the insulation has been removed from the end of an insulated conductor, the exposed electrical conductor may be inserted through the hole in the jaw portion of the wire stripper tool and bent to form a loop at the end.
Existing wire stripper tools do not include any apparatus for slitting non-metallic sheathed cables. Accordingly, tradesman and others involved in cable preparation normally use another tool for this purpose. For example, a jack knife or a utility knife may be employed to slit a non-metallic sheathed cable. Additionally, the sheathing slitter and cutter tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,235 that is owned by the owner of the present application may be used to slit a non-metallic sheathed cable. Because these tools are separate from the wire stripper tool, they may be misplaced. Moreover, because a separate tool is employed for slitting the sheathed cable, the operation is not as efficient as desired.
A cable sheathing slitter attachment for a wire stripper tool is disclosed. In one embodiment the cable sheathing slitter attachment includes a blade member and a guard member that may be mounted to a wire stripper tool via use of a fastener. The blade member includes a mounting portion having at least one opening that is located so as to align with a hole in a jaw portion of the wire stripper tool when the blade member is disposed in a mounting position relative to the wire stripper tool. Additionally, the blade member includes a blade portion that is integrally formed with the mounting portion and that extends from the mounting portion of the blade member. The blade portion includes first and second knife edges, the first knife edge being oriented so as to face the front end of the wire stripper tool and the second knife edge being oriented so as to face the rear end of the wire stripper tool.
The guard member includes a mounting portion and a U-shaped blade guard portion that is integral with the mounting portion of the guard member. An opening is provided in the mounting portion of the guard member to permit pivotal mounting of the guard member with respect to the blade member. A fastener, such as a shoulder bolt is inserted through the opening in the mounting portion of the guard member, through the opening in the blade member and through the hole in the jaw portion of the wire stripper tool. A nut is threaded onto the bolt and tightened to secure the blade member in position with respect to the respective jaw of the wire stripper tool while allowing the guard member to pivot around the fastener with respect to the blade member. The first knife edge that faces the forward end of the wire stripper tool may be used for slitting non-metallic sheathed cable by urging the first knife edge forward and into the cable sheathing. The second knife edge that faces the rear end wire stripper tool may be used for slitting non-metallic sheathed cable by urging the tip of the second knife edge into the cable and pulling the wire stripper tool to slit the cable. The first and second knife-edges may be employed to slit the sheathing of non-metallic sheathed cables of virtually any size. The guard member is pivotally mounted with respect to the blade member and may be rotated into a first position in which the U-shaped portion of the guard member covers the knife-edges of the blade portion of blade member when the cable sheathing slitter attachment is not being used. When it is desired to slit non-metallic sheathed cables, the guard member may be pivotally rotated around the fastener into a second position in which the guard is clear of the knife edges.
In another embodiment of the invention, a blade member is pivotally mounted to or within a jaw of a wire stripper tool. In the second embodiment, the wire stripper tool is configured to provide a guard that is integrally formed as a part of a jaw of the wire stripper tool. The blade member may be rotated into a first position in which the knife-edges on the blade portion of the blade member are exposed for use. Additionally, the blade member may be rotated into a second position in which the knife-edges are oriented with respect to the jaw so as to prevent inadvertent contact with the knife-edges of the blade member.
Other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the Detailed Description of the Invention in conjunction with the drawing.

Cable sheathing slitter for a wire stripper tool


A device, system and method for treating cardiac valve regurgitation. The device includes a compression member disposed on a tube and a sleeve rotatably disposed about the tube and the compression member. The sleeve includes a side port, and is rotatable to align the compression member with the side port to transform the compression member from a delivery configuration to a compression configuration. One method includes positioning the compression member adjacent a cardiac valve and rotating the sleeve to align the compression member with the side port to release the compression member from the delivery configuration to the compression configuration to apply a compressive force to the cardiac valve.

Valve insufficiency and regurgitation is a potentially grave health issue that can lead to cardiac dysfunction. Mitral valve insufficiency may comprise a valve that does not completely shut and affect the seal between the left ventricle and the left atrium. Historically, such a condition necessitated surgical intervention.
Surgical repair of mitral valve insufficiency historically involved the use of a sternotomy or a similar invasive procedure. After performing a sternotomy, the patient's heart would be stopped while the surgeon transected the chambers of the heart to gain access to the mitral valve. Upon attaining access to the mitral valve, the surgeon could then repair the valve by an annuloplasty, or suturing the valve. These procedures are complex, time consuming, and involve many risks attendant with open cardiac surgery. Complications may occur, and recovery time may be significant.
Catheter based valve replacement has been proposed as a way to avoid open-heart surgery. Such procedures involve excision of the native valve and replacement of the native valve with a prosthetic valve, or installation of a prosthetic valve over the native valve, or a device to repair the damaged valve. Previous proposed treatments involve the use of clips to bind the posterior and anterior leaflets of the mitral valve. To avoid cardiopulmonary bypass, the catheter based valve replacement is performed on a beating heart. Following excision of the native valve, no valve is present to preserve the pumping action of the heart while the permanent prosthetic valve is being implanted.
An additional consideration in both open-heart and catheter based valve replacement is the healing process after the prosthetic valve is implanted. After the surgical valve replacement procedure, scar tissue must form around the sewing cuff to secure the prosthetic valve in position. In current practice, multiple knotted sutures anchor the prosthetic valve in place until in-growth of scar tissue into the sewing cuff takes over the load bearing function. However, the placement of knotted sutures through a catheter can be very difficult and time consuming.
Artificial heart valves for temporary use are known in the art, but present certain problems. Some designs are complex, requiring alternating the inflation and deflation of balloons to alternately block and permit flow. Such designs require complex sensing and control systems. Other designs fail to provide access for tools that must reach the valve site for removal of the native valve and placement of the prosthetic valve. Yet other designs require elaborate supporting frames to hold the valve portion.
Alternative procedures to effect cardiac valve regurgitation involve the implantation of a device into the coronary sinus near the mitral valve. Some of these devices attempt to correct mitral valve regurgitation by placing a compressive force on the coronary sinus that then compresses at least a portion of the mitral valve annulus adjacent the coronary sinus. The resultant reduction in annulus radius brings the valve leaflets closer together to decrease the valve regurgitation. Still other devices that are implanted in the coronary sinus attempt to decrease valve regurgitation by straightening the radius of the coronary sinus. Straightening the coronary sinus results in a corresponding straightening of a portion of the mitral valve annulus adjacent the straightened coronary sinus. The intended result is to draw the valve leaflets closer together to decrease the valve regurgitation. One drawback to these implanted devices is that the size and shape of these devices often impede the flow of blood through the coronary sinus.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide an apparatus and method for reducing cardiac valve regurgitation that overcomes these and other disadvantages.

Coronary sinus approach for repair of mitral valve regurgitation


The present invention discloses a brewing apparatus with air suction for cold extraction and a brewing method thereof, the apparatus adopts a air suction device to suck air out of a pot body and achieves a subatmospheric environment, by adopting the subatmospheric environment together with the cold water, it is able to extract a plurality of brewing ingredients effectively, and be able to shorten an extraction period while improving an extraction efficiency, which is favorable for a popularization of cold extraction beverage, and the brewing apparatus with air suction for the cold extraction is convenient to use, having a low manufacturing cost. The apparatus is able to prepare a cold-extraction beverage ready just after a simple operation, thus having a good economic efficiency and practicality.

In the prior art, there are a plurality of beverage brewing methods, and most of them are brewed with hot water. Taking coffee as an example, usually, coffee is brewed by adopting a plurality of methods including a method of dripping from a filter paper, a method of using an Italian-styled machine, and a method of siphon, all of these methods listed above are using boiling water for a brewing purpose. However, brewing coffee with boiling water, on one hand, due to a high temperature of the water, causing it easy to soak out a plurality of sour and bitter substances inside the coffee, thus affecting a taste of the coffee, on other hand, in summer, a cold beverage is more popular than a hot beverage.
So people starts to use cold water to brew beverages, such as a cold brewed coffee (Dutch coffee) or a cold brewed tea, and when using cold water to brew tea or coffee, due to a low tannin content being extracted, there is no taste of astringency, specifically, a Dutch coffee tastes more smooth and delicious, while a cold extracted tea tastes more sweet and fragrant. However, cold extraction method takes a pretty long time, for example, an ordinary Dutch coffee needs a brewing time of more than 12 hours. Such a long brewing time is not conducive to a large number of sales of cold extracted beverages.
Therefore, the current technology needs to be improved and developed.

Brewing apparatus with air suction for cold extraction and brewing method thereof

SANDORA HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC APPLIANCES (SHENZHEN) LTD.