The present invention provides a method and apparatus for mechanically interconnecting a lateral wellbore liner to a main, or parent, wellbore casing. The present invention further provides a method of wellbore construction for the construction of multiple wellbores which are interconnected downhole to form a manifold of pipelines in a reservoirs of interest. Provision is made for flow controls, sensors, data transmission, power generation, and other operations positioned in the lateral wellbores during the drilling, completion and production phases of such wellbores.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wellbore construction and more particularly to the construction of multiple wellbores which are interconnected downhole to form a manifold of pipelines in the reservoirs of interest. Provision is made for flow controls, sensors, data transmission, power generation, and other operations positioned in the lateral wellbores during the drilling, completion and production phases of such wellbores.
2. Background of the Related Art
To obtain hydrocarbons such as oil and gas, wellbores or boreholes are drilled from one or more surface locations into hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean geological strata or formations (also referred to herein as reservoirs). A large proportion of the current drilling activity involves drilling deviated and/or substantially horizontal wellbores extending through such reservoirs. To develop an oil and gas field, especially offshore, multiple wellbores are drilled from an offshore rig or platform stationed at a fixed location. A template is placed on the sea bed, defining the location and size of each of the multiple wellbores to be drilled. The various wellbores are then drilled from the template along their respective pre-determined wellpaths (or drilling course) to their respective reservoir targets. Frequently, ten to thirty offshore wells are drilled from an offshore rig stationed at a single location. In some regions such as the North Sea, as many as sixty separate wellbores have been drilled from an offshore platform stationed at a single location. The initial drilling direction of several thousand feet of each such wellbore is generally vertical and typically lies in a non-producing (non-hydrocarbon bearing) formation.
Each wellbore is then completed to produce hydrocarbons from its associated subsurface formations. Completion of a wellbore typically includes placing casings through the entire length of the wellbore, perforating production zones, and installing safety devices, flow control devices, zone isolation devices, and other devices within the wellbore. Additionally each wellbore has associated wellhead equipment, generally referred to as a "tree" and includes closure valves, connections to flowlines, connections for risers and blowout preventors, and other devices.
As an example, ten wellbores may be drilled from a single offshore platform, each wellbore having a nine-inch internal diameter. Assuming that there is no production zone for the initial five thousand feet for any of the wellbores, there would be a total of fifty thousand feet (five thousand for each of ten wellbores) of non-producing wellbore that must be drilled and completed, serving little useful purpose. It may, therefore, be desirable to drill as few upper portions as necessary from a single location or site, especially as the cost of the drilling and completing offshore wellbores can range from $100 to $300 per foot of wellbore drilled and completed.
Multilateral well schemes have been proposed since the 1920's. Various methods of constructing these well geometry's have been disclosed showing methods of creating the wellbores, methods of mechanically connecting casings in the various wellbores drilled, methods of sealing the casing junctions, and various methods of providing re-entry access to the lateral wellbores for remedial treatments.
Multilateral wellbore junction construction is currently thought of as fitting into one of six levels of complexity. Level 1 is generally thought of as open hole sidetracks where lateral wellbores are drilled from an open hole (uncased) section of the main well. No casing is present in the main well or lateral well at the junction of the two wellbores. This method is generally the least expensive but does not ensure wellbore stability, does not provide a method of easy lateral re-entry, and it does not seal the junction in a manner to allow future flow control of the lateral versus the main wellbore.
Level 2 multilateral junctions are those where the lateral exits from a cased main well using section miling or whipstock methods to create the exit. The lateral wellbore may be left as open hole or a liner may be run and "dropped off" outside the main well casing exit such that the lateral liner and main casing are not connected and an openhole junction results. This method is currently a little more costly than Level 1; it provides some more assurance of re-entry access to laterals, and it can provide some flow control of the various wellbores. It does not however protect or reinforce the junction area against potential collapse of the open hole wellbore wall.
Level 3 junctions provide laterals exiting from a cased main well and a lateral liner is run in the lateral wellbore and mechanically connected to the main casing but no seal of the junction is achieved. This method supports the borehole created and provides access to laterals but the lack of a seal at the junction can lead to sand production or fluid inflow or outflow into the junction rock strata. In many applications this inflow or outflow of fluids at junction depth is not desirable as the laterals may penetrate strata of different pressures and the unsealed junction could result in an underground blow out.
Level 4 junctions also provide a lateral wellbore exiting from a cased main well and a lateral liner is run into the lateral wellbore with the top end of the lateral casing extending back to the main casing with the junction of the lateral liner and main casing sealed with cement or some other hardening liquid material that can be pumped in place around the junction. This method achieves isolation of the junction from adjoining strata providing a sufficient length annular seal can be placed around the lateral liner and provided the main casing has an annular seal between the casing and the main wellbore wall. Various methods of reentry access to the laterals is provided using deflectors or other devices. The pressure seal integrity achieved in this type of wellbore junction is generally dependent on rock properties of the junction strata and cannot exceed the junction strata fracture pressure by more than a few hundred pounds per square inch. In addition the guaranteed placement and strength of liquid cementatious hardening materials in a downhole environment is extremely difficult with washouts causing slow fluid velocities, debris causing contamination of sealing materials, fluid mixing causing dilution, gelled drilling muds resisting displacement, etc. The junction may be isolated from adjoining zones but seal reliability specifically at the junction is difficult.
Level 5 systems generally provide lateral wellbores exiting from a cased main well. Liners are run in the lateral wellbore and may be "dropped off" outside the window in the main casing or a Level 4 type cemented intersection may be created. The Level 5 systems however use production tubulars and mechanical packer devices to mechanically connect and seal the main casing and lateral liners to each other. Level 5 systems can achieve a junction seal exceeding the junction strata capability by five to ten thousand psi. These systems do however restrict the diameter of access to the lateral and main casings below the junctions due to the relatively small tubular diameters compared to casing sizes. Well designs must also generally consider the possibility of a leak in the junction tubulars. This limits the application of Level 5 systems to generally those applications where the junction pressures are abnormal for the junction rock only due to surface applied pressures such as may be encountered in injection wells or during well stimulations. Flow rates achievable through such junctions are also restricted to the rates possible through the smaller diameter tubulars.
Level 6 junctions create a mechanically sealed junction between the main casing and lateral liner without using the restricting bores of production tubulars to achieve the seal. The methods devised to date generally are of two categories. One category uses prefabricated junctions in which one or both bores are deformed. This prefabricated piece is lowered into the well bore on a casing string and located in an enlarged or underreamed section of hole such that it can be expanded or unfolded into its original shape/size. The casing string with the prefabricated junction is then cemented in the wellbore. The lateral borehole is then drilled from the lateral stub outlet and a lateral liner is hung/sealed in the lateral stub outlet. A second category of Level 6 junction currently used creates an oversized main well borehole and full size underformed junctions are run into the main wellbore on the main casing. Laterals can then be drilled from a lateral stub outlet as described from the previous category.
FIGS. 1a to 1f illustrate several conventional methods 200a to 200f for forming multiple lateral wellbores into reservoirs 202a and 202b. Multiple lateral wellbores or drainholes 204 are conventionally drilled from the cased main wellbore 208 or from the openhole section 206 of the main wellbore. When constructing the laterals 204a from a cased hole 208, a whipstock 214 is usually anchored in main well casing 208 by means of a packer or anchoring mechanism 216. A milling tool (not shown) is deflected by the whipstock face 218 to cut a window 210 in the casing 208. The lateral wellbore 204a is then directionally drilled to intersect its targeted reservoir 202a. The whipstock face 218 is typically 1 to 6 degrees out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the whipstock 214 and the lateral wellbore 204a is directed away from the main wellbore casing 208 at a substantially equal angle. The intersection or junction between the lateral liner 220 and the main well casing 208 thus created is elliptical in its side view, curved in its cross section, and lengthy due to the shallow angle of departure from the main well casing 208. This conventional prior art method 200a-d creates a geometry that is difficult to seal with appreciable mechanical strength or differential pressure resistance. Method 200e of FIG. 1e uses tubulars and packers to mechanically seal the junction but restricts the final production flow area and access diameters to the two production bores. Method 200f of FIG. 1f uses a prefabricated junction which is deployed in place in an underreamed or enlarged section of the wellbore. This method requires an enlarged wellbore to the surface or an underreamed portion. If the underreamed wellbore approach is used then current technology deforms the junction piece in the underrearned section and by nature of design uses a low yield strength material which causes low pressure ratings. Alternatively this method may use an oversized diameter main wellbore to allow a prefabricated junction to be placed at the desired depth.
In the conventional multilateral wellbore construction methods described above, the lateral borehole is typically drilled from the main casing and departs the main casing at a shallow angle of 1 to 6 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the main casing. Recently, however, multilateral wellbores have been constructed by drilling separate lateral wellbores towards the main well casing, from the outside of the main casing so that the downhole end of the lateral wellbore is located proximate perforations in the main wellbore or even intersecting with the main wellbore if possible. Production fluids such as hydrocarbons can, therefore, be flowed between the main wellbore and the lateral wellbores.
However, such prior methods of constructing multilateral wellbores do not provide a mechanical connection or other suitable seal against downhole pressures between the main wellbore and the lateral wellbores. Accordingly, in a particular application such conventional techniques may only be desirable in situations in which the lateral wellbore intersects a production zone co-extensive with a production zone of the main wellbore. The present invention provides a method of mechanically connecting the lateral liner to the main casing and sealing the junction, which may be beneficial for multilateral wellbore construction where it is desirable to intersect a main wellbore with lateral wellbores drilled from outside the main wellbore in a direction generally towards the main wellbore.
In operations in which high pressure connections are desired, the less desirable conventional drilling techniques described above may heretofore have been employed which require deviating the lateral wellbores from within the main, or parent, wellbore. However, these conventional multilateral wellbore construction techniques may also cause undue casing wear in the parent wellbore when many lateral wellbores are drilled from a common parent well. In such a case, the parent well casing may be exposed to thousands of drillpipe rotations and reciprocations executed in the drilling. This drilling process wears away the metal walls of the casing internal diameter. Drill pipe is also used over and over and is therefore commonly treated with a hard coating on the tool joints to minimize the wear on the drill pipe itself. This wear resistant coating on the drill pipe can increase the wear on the casing. Since the production of the wellbore typically flows through the parent wellbore to the surface, the parent casing typically must have sufficient strength after drilling wear to contain wellbore pressures while also accounting for corrosion and erosion expected during the production phase of the well. Accordingly, a need has arisen to provide mechanical connection methods and apparatus between lateral wellbores and parent wellbores for operations in which it may be beneficial to drill the lateral wellbores from outside the parent wellbore in a direction towards the parent wellbore.
Further, during the completion of a wellbore, a number of devices are utilized in the wellbore to perform specific functions or operations. Such devices may include packers, sliding sleeves, perforating guns, fluid flow control devices, and a number of sensors. To efficiently produce hydrocarbons from wellbores drilled from a single location or from multilateral wellbores, various remotely actuated devices can be installed to control fluid flow from various subterranean zones. Some operators are now permanently installing a variety of devices and sensors in the wellbores. Some of these devices, such as sleeves, can be remotely controlled to control the fluid flow from the producing zones into the wellbore. The sensors are used to periodically provide information about formation parameters, condition of the wellbore, fluid properties, etc. Until now the flow control devices and sensors have been installed in the main well production tubing necessitating a reduction in the production flow area for a given main casing size. For example devices are now available matching 51/2 inch nominal tubing to fit in 95/8 inch nominal casing. 7 inch nominal tubing could be used in 95/8 inch casing but the remotely operated production control devices are restricted to 51/2. The present invention provides a method of placing the production control devices out of the main casing and into the lateral wellbore so they do not restrict the main casing tubular design or size and yet production of each lateral wellbore is controlled independently.
In deepwater fields (generally oil and gas fields lying below ocean water depths greater than 1000 ft), the costs of field development are even more extreme than the costs previously mentioned. In these environments satellite wells might be used with seafloor flowlines connected back to a central seafloor manifold for processing and a flowline extends from the central manifold to the sea surface where it is connected to a floating vessel or from the central manifold along the seafloor to a nearby existing platform or pipeline infrastructure. In these deepwater applications the reservoir fluids are subjected to cold ocean floor temperatures (which are generally 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less). These cold temperatures can cause problems in flow assurance since many hydrocarbons contain waxes which will crystallize when the fluid is cooled and can plug pipelines or flowlines especially if flow is stopped for any reason. The typical solution is to insulate individual wellbore risers from the seafloor to the sea surface and/or to insulate flowlines on the seafloor or even make provisions for flowline heating. These solutions have an associated high cost. The present invention provides for connecting wellbores at reservoir depth such that the wellbore fluids remain at substantially reservoir temperatures and pressures until they reach a common outflow wellbore to the surface thus addressing a portion of the well flow assurance concerns.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for providing mechanical connections between a main wellbore and a lateral wellbore, in which the lateral wellbore has been drilled from outside the main wellbore in a direction generally towards the main wellbore. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing mechanical connections between a main wellbore and a lateral wellbore, in which the lateral wellbore has been drilled from outside the main wellbore in a direction generally towards the main wellbore
In addition, there is a need for measurement and control apparatus in the lateral wellbores so that production through the lateral wellbores can be controlled independent of the production through the main wellbore. The present invention provides measurement and control apparatus in the lateral wellbores so that production through the lateral wellbores can be controlled independent of the production through the main wellbore.

Method and apparatus for intersecting downhole wellbore casings


A semiconductor device includes a protective insulating film, an opening formed in the protective insulating film, an electrode pad located within the opening, a bump formed on the protective insulating film, and an interconnect. The bump includes a bump core and a conductive film. The bump core includes an insulating resin layer and a conductive resin layer located on the insulating resin layer. The conductive film is formed on at least the upper surface of the bump core. The interconnect connects the conductive film of the bump and the electrode pad.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having a bump in which a conductive film is formed on a bump core made of resin and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.
2. Related Art
A bump is formed in a semiconductor device in order to mount a semiconductor device on the mounting board. A circuit included in the semiconductor device is connected to an electrode such as the land of the mounting board through this bump. In recent years, a technique has been developed in which the core of the bump is formed of a resin, and the bump is formed by forming a conductive film on this core.
For example, Japanese Unexamined patent publication NO. 2007-201106 discloses a technique for dispersing conductive metal particles in a resin forming the bump core. According to this technique, it has been known that even when a crack or a fissure is generated in a conductive film, it is possible to suppress lowering of the reliability of the electrical connection between the bump and the electrode.
With the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-201106, the conductive metal particles are dispersed throughout the whole bump core. On the other hand, there may be a case where when the bumps are brought into close contact with each other, the lower portions of the bump core are connected to each other. In such a case, when the conductive metal particles are dispersed throughout the whole bump core, the bumps adjacent to each other are short-circuited through the bump core.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device


According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, and apparatus for scaling an image to produce a scaled image is described, the image comprising an array of image pixels, and the scaled image comprising an array of scaled pixels. In a first step a map is created between the array of scaled pixels and the array of image pixels. In a second step, an energy parameter of each image pixel in the array of image pixels is determined. In a third step, a fraction of a given image pixel which overlaps a given scaled pixel in the array of scaled pixels is determined for each image pixel, in the array of image pixels. In a final step the energy parameter of the given image pixel is distributed between scaled pixels which overlap the given image pixel, the distributing based on the fraction, such that the energy parameter is conserved.

Digital images are generally composed of a 2 dimensional array of pixels. Different image formats may have different resolutions of pixels, for example, 1920×1080, 720×480, 1280×1024, etc. Very often these images need to be converted from one format to another format in order to display the image on a digital display device, which tend to have a fixed output format. Examples of digital display devices with fixed formats may include digital projectors, including digital projection televisions, and digital display monitors (e.g. liquid crystal displays, plasma displays, and the like). Digital images arriving at the digital display device may arrive in any format and must be scaled to match the display's output format. Scaling from a higher resolution format to a lower resolution format is known as downscaling, while scaling from a lower resolution format to a higher resolution format is known as upscaling. Scaling may also be applied to parts of an image, to improve the appearance of an image when it is projected at off-perpendicular angles, or onto an irregular surface, for example by keystoning the image. These types of corrections are known as geometric corrections.
The usual method used to scale an image is to first represent the input image as a series of points (1 pixel=1 point), and generate a curve fit to the points, with all of the light energy in each pixel represented by a corresponding point on the curve. Some algorithms only include the nearest input pixels to generate the curve, while other algorithms include more distant input pixels, to generate a better curve. Once the curve is generated, the output pixels (which make up the output image), are mapped onto the curve, with the value of any given output pixel determined by its location on the curve. However, this technique leads to many artefacts in the output image. For example, if an input pixel falls midway between two output pixels, the total energy transfer from that input pixel to the output will be different than if the input pixel were mapped near an output pixel. This results in some areas of the image where edges are undesirably brighter and others where edges are undesirably dimmer. Further, while the inclusion of more distant input pixels may generate a better curve, input pixels distant from a given output pixel may then have a significant impact on the given output pixel, creating image artefacts such as ringing, overshoot, etc.
A particular problem exists for input images which contain high frequency information (i.e. abrupt transitions from light to dark, or from one colour to another), as the scaling process produces aliasing artefacts in the output image, which appear as undesirable lower frequency images superimposed over the desired image. Many aliasing artefacts are frequency effects proportional to the difference between the input and output pixel rates. While these effects can be seen on still images, they are not always noticed because the viewer may not be able to tell if what they are seeing is a scaling artefact or just part of the original image. However, aliasing artefacts become noticeable in video images, particularly when elements in the input image move slowly across the screen: the artefacts may move at a different speed and in a different direction than the desired elements in the output image, and draw the user's eye to them. For example, they may appear as ripples or flashing in the image. The techniques used to reduce the intensity of these artefacts, usually involve complex filters which require significant electrical resources when implemented in a real time image processing application.
Hence there is a need for a method and apparatus for scaling an image to produce a scaled image by distributing the energy of image pixels between the scaled pixels such that the energy of the image pixels is conserved.

Method and apparatus for scaling an image to produce a scaled image


There is provided a display control apparatus comprising: an input unit configured to designate a position on a display screen; a display control unit configured to control to identifiably display a set region set on the display screen; and a control unit configured to control to, when a trajectory of the designated position after a start of designating the position by the input unit does not satisfy a predetermined condition while the set region is set on the display screen, change a portion occupied by the set region on the display screen in accordance with the trajectory, and when the trajectory satisfies the predetermined condition, set a new set region different from the set region on the display screen in accordance with the trajectory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display control apparatus and control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some display control apparatus for a personal computer (PC) and the like can set a region on the display screen of the display in accordance with an instruction from an input device such as a pointing device (PD). The set region is used as a processing target subjected to subsequent processing. For example, when a region containing part of an image to be edited is set while the PC executes an image editing application, an image within the region undergoes image processing such as trimming processing.
The region is set by a manipulation of, for example, selecting a start point on the display screen by the user of the display control apparatus with the PD, and moving the pointer from the start point to the end point. In this case, the set region is, for example, a rectangle whose diagonal is defined by the start and end points.
After setting the region, the user may sometimes wants to perform adjustments such as enlargement, reduction, and movement of a region. As a technique regarding a PD manipulation for these adjustments, there is known Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-103013 that discloses a technique concerning enlargement, reduction, and movement of a window. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-103013, enlargement of a window or the like is executed by, for example, moving the pointer to contact or cross the boundary of the window. This facilitates the manipulation because the user need not position the pointer to the narrow region of the boundary such as the frame or corner of the window.
In another case, the user may want to delete a set region and set a new region, instead of executing the foregoing adjustment. However, when the technique in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-103013 is adopted, even if the user designates a position other than a set region with the PD, the set region is adjusted. Hence, before performing the manipulation for setting a region, the user needs to execute any additional manipulation (for example, a manipulation of selecting a set region and pressing a region delete button displayed on the display screen). This additional manipulation increases the manipulation burden on the user.

Display control apparatus and control method thereof


An instrument panel top cover is provided with an integrally molded foam underside. The integrally molded foam underside provides a number of components that have been supplied separately in the prior art. The use of the integrally molded foam underside thus eliminates the need for many separate components and improves upon the instrument panel top covers of the prior art.

This invention relates to the use of a foam backing for an instrument panel top cover which integrally provides a number of components which had been previously provided by separate parts.
Vehicle interiors are becoming more and more complex. There is a good deal of emphasis on eliminating any perceived "seams" within the interior of a vehicle, and further in providing simple interior trim structure which supports the ever-increasing number of components and systems mounted within the vehicle.
One particularly challenging area is the top of the instrument panel. Typically, an instrument panel includes a facing trim member facing the passenger cabin of the vehicle. A top cover is snapped into a space between the windshield and the instrument panel. This top cover must enclose a number of electrical and ventilation systems. Typically, the top cover has been provided with a soundinsulating material underlying the outer plastic skin. This sound-insulating material has typically been provided by cloth, foam, or other materials attached to the rear face of the plastic skin. In addition, many other components are attached to the top cover prior to attachment of the top cover. In particular, a windshield seal is placed on one edge of the top cover skin to seal between the top cover and the windshield. In addition, a number of spacers are usually attached to the bottom surface of the top cover to provide spacing between the top cover and underlying support surfaces. Supply ducts for supplying air to vents within the top cover are also attached. Typically, gaskets or seals are placed between each duct and the top cover.
Speakers are often attached beneath the top cover. A foam gasket is typically placed between the top cover and each speaker grill. In addition, squeak edge tape is placed between the edge of the top cover that will contact the instrument panel and the instrument panel. Each of these components have typically been supplied as separate parts which must be attached to the top cover.

Instrument panel top cover with integral foamed components


Techniques related to reclamation of energy leaking from waveguides are disclosed. One or more photovoltaic cells may receive light leaking from a waveguide at a first surface of the wave guide. The first surface may be opposite to a second surface at which an in-coupling element is located. The light leaking from the waveguide results from inefficiency in redirecting incoming light for propagation within the waveguide. The one or more photovoltaic cells may generate electric power from the light leaking from the waveguide.

The disclosure relates generally to near-eye display systems, and more specifically to reclamation of energy leaking from waveguides.
Near-eye display (NED) systems have garnered significant interest due to their suitability for various commercial and military uses. For example, NED systems have become popular for use with virtual reality and augmented reality applications. To make NED systems small and lightweight for users, many NED systems comprise waveguides that enable an increased field-of-view without a corresponding increase in the size and weight of a NED system. Typically, however, a small percentage, such as 20%, of incoming light is propagated within a waveguide, and the rest of the incoming light is wasted. Thus, NED systems often consume a significant amount of power, which may cause overheating and/or require large and heavy batteries to supply adequate power.

Reclamation of energy leaking from waveguides


A method of initializing a meter reading device that communicates a current meter value of a meter to a central metering facility includes capturing, by a camera, an optical image of the meter that displays meter information and determining an initial meter value from the meter information in the optical image of the meter. The method further includes initializing the meter reading device using the initial meter value.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to initializing an automated meter reading device, and more particularly to automatically providing an initial meter value to the automated meter reading device.
Discussion of the Related Art
The "background" description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work described herein, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or implicitly admitted as prior art.
A customer's consumption of electricity, gas, and/or water is measured by meters which have been installed at the customer's house. For example, the electricity meter measures the amount of electricity (i.e., power) used by the household and the consumption of electric power is indicated by readings on an electricity meter. Similarly, a gas meter measures the amount of gas used by the customer and the consumption of gas is indicated by readings on a gas meter. To bill the customer, the corresponding utility requires two values: an initial meter value on the index of the meter and a usage amount measured since initialization, so that the measured usage amount may be added to the initial meter value.
To reduce costs and enhance billing efficiency and accuracy, many utility companies are investigating and implementing automated meter reading capabilities that automatically report a meter value to a remote location (e.g., a remote utility facility). For example, background automated meter reading solutions sense the current meter reading by physically coupling a sensing device to the rotation of the display dials, magnetically coupling the sensing device to the meter, or electrically coupling the sensing device to an LCD or other type of display.
However, in order for a conventional automated meter reading device to be initialized and an initial meter value to be determined, for example upon installation, a field technician may manually read the initial value of the meter and input this value to the automated meter reading device. This is a slow and error-prone process, as the value reading often includes interpreting a series of dials, each of which has a hand that points to a corresponding digit. Furthermore, the movement direction of the dials may vary between clockwise and counter-clockwise directions of rotation. For example, the dials may alternate between:                1. Digits 0 through 9, with 0 at the top, and the digits proceeding around the dial in a clock-wise fashion. The "value" of the dial increases as the hand rotates in the same direction as an analog clock; and        2. Digits 0 through 9, with 0 at the top, and the digits proceeding around the dial in a counter-clock-wise fashion. The "value" of the dial increases as the hand rotates in the opposite direction of an analog clock.
As such, an erroneous initial meter value reading is possible when such a reading is manually entered by a field technician. An incorrectly entered initial reading may prevent the utility company from accurately billing the customer, leading to billing disputes and customer dissatisfaction.

Method, apparatus, and system for initializing a meter reading device


A book rack and pencil tray combination has a book rack and a pencil case attached to the bottom wall of the book rack. The pencil case is optionally attached to the bottom wall of the book rack by a pencil case attachment plate attached to the bottom wall of the pencil case. The pencil case attachment plate is typically attached to the bottom wall of the pencil case such that a portion of the bottom wall of the book rack is sandwiched between the pencil case attachment plate and the bottom wall of the pencil case.

Desks for students in classroom settings are frequently of a simple design comprising a desk top and supporting legs. To provide the student with a compartment for storing books and notebooks, manufacturers have sometimes added a book rack to the underside of the desk top. At the request of many school districts, such a book rack is often made from a wire mesh or is otherwise made intentionally "porous" to make it difficult for a student to hide inappropriate objects within the book rack. Unfortunately, although such wire mesh or otherwise "porous" book racks are useful in retaining large items, such as books and notebooks, they are unsuitable for retaining smaller items, such as pencils, pens and rulers. There is therefore a need in the prior art for a book rack which overcomes this problem in the prior art.


A method and system for reducing the concentration of nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The system includes an algal photobioreactor system. The photobioreactor includes a transparent tubular structure, a medium disposed inside the transparent tubular structure, and alga configured to adhere to the medium. The photobioreactor further includes a pump, and a light source. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water, adding the water to the algal photobioreactor system, adjusting at least one of temperature, ion concentration, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, ion concentration or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to enhance growth of algae, removing water from the algal photobioreactor system, and harvesting the algal biomass. A system and method are also disclosed for reducing the concentration of organophosphates from water via an organophosphate-removing alga.

Many sources of water throughout the world are affected by contamination of substances harmful to human health. Nitrate-bound nitrogen is a particularly common contaminant in agriculture-intensive areas, where nitrogen from fertilizers enter both surface and ground water. Treatment of contaminated water by biological entities (e.g., bacteria, algae, and fungi) is an emerging technology in wastewater, groundwater, and surface water treatment systems. These biological entities accumulate contaminants, often metabolizing them and incorporating the metabolized compounds into cellular components (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids and lipids). Algae is commonly proposed as the organism in bioremediation systems. Algae is photosynthetic and can survive in minimal media conditions while accumulating contaminants. (e.g., nitrogenous and phosphorous compounds).
Algal water-remediation systems are hampered by several issues that limit large scale and commercial use of these systems. Algal remediation systems may require considerable staffing for monitoring the system and controlling the conditions for algal growth. Specifically, algal harvesting systems linked to remediation often require considerable energy inputs (e.g., centrifugation to remove the algae). The production of algal biomass, a potential source of income to offset operational costs, has yet to be optimized. One component of algal biomass and source for income, triglycerides (TAG), naturally accumulate in most green algae in response to abiotic stress, which is accompanied by reduced or slowed growth and reduced biomass.
Other contaminants common to agricultural areas are organophosphate pesticides. Organophosphate pesticides are a class of commonly used pest control compounds with the general structure O═P(OR)3. These compounds target and inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in a wide variety of insects and other animals, resulting in an interference in nerve activity and potential death. Organophosphate pesticides are heavily used in agriculture, and by weight, comprise nearly half of all pesticides used in the world.
Organophosphates pesticides are hazardous to human health, even at low concentrations. People chronically exposed to low concentrations of organophosphates are at risk for nerve- and cancer-related disorders as well as diabetes. Pregnant women and children are especially susceptible to organophosphates, as the compounds negatively affect brain development in young children and the developing fetus.
Organophosphate pesticides are also hazardous to other off-target animals. Birds and beneficial insects (e.g., bees) are profoundly sensitive to organophosphate pesticides. These animals are often exposed to organophosphates not only at the point of application (e.g., in the field), but also in places where water running off the field may accumulate, such as in rivers and lakes.
Many lakes and rivers throughout the world are affected by organophosphate contamination. Organophosphate pesticides also bioaccumulate within the food web of water environments, and where they may reach toxic levels in fish, and the animals that feed primarily on fish. Organophosphates are also used at industrial scale for use as fire retardants, anti-foaming agents, and plasticizing agents. Contamination of water sources from these industrial uses have become widespread as well, and the environmental damage from these contaminants is still being assessed. Removal or breakdown of organophosphates from water sources currently require the use of chemicals and/or enzymes. These methods are expensive and are labor intensive.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide systems and methods that overcomes the shortcomings described above.

Biological remediation of groundwater using an algal photobioreactor system


A division apparatus for executing division operation by means of a convergence algorithm, the apparatus including a ROM having a table of inverse values stored therein which respectively correspond to all possible values of a first approximation for a divisor. Division is executed by reading out a corrsponding inverse value from the ROM, and performing a small number of successive multiplication operations on the divided and this inverse value, in conjunction with simple addition or subtraction operations which are determined by the specific form of the alogorithm which is used. A considerable increase in division speed is attainable, with a simple system configuration.

When arithmetic operations are executed by digital processing, division operations require a greater amount of time than any of the other three types of arithmetic operation. It has been proposed in the prior art to reduce the time required for division operation by executing division using a sequential processing method, whereby a simple algorithm is utilized such that during each of sequential processing steps, the magnitude of the divisor and that of the dividend (or of the partial residue) are compared, and the type of computation that is executed in the succeeding step is determined based on the results of that comparison. With such a method, as for the usual method of multiplication processing, a number of parallel operation circuits are utilized. However it is found in practice that it is difficult to utilize such a division method.
For this reason, a method of convergence division has been proposed in the prior art, which utilizes a high speed multiplier and an adder/subtractor. In the following description of this prior art method, and of embodiments of the present invention given hereinafter, it will be assumed that both the divisor and dividend (or partial residue) are normalized numbers, where the term "normalized number" as used herein refers to a fixed point number such as the fixed point portion (i.e. mantissa) of a number expressed in floating-point form. It will further be assumed that the divisor (designated in the following as D) is of the form 0.1xxxx. . .s, having N valid digits, where N is a finite number and where "x" represents a digit value which can be either 0 or 1. In this case, the divisor D can be expressed as (1-D.sub.m), where D.sub.m is a value which is equal to or smaller than 0.1. For the case in which D.sub.m =0.1, the quotient can be made equal to twice the dividend (or partial residue). With binary number operations, this can be done simply by a one-digit left-shift operation, so that it is not necessary to perform an actual division operation for this special case. However even if that special case is excluded from the following description, the description is still generally applicable.
Specifically, the division operation A/D (where A designates the dividend) can be mathematically transformed as follows: ##EQU1##
Generally, the number N of valid digits of the numeric value system is in the range 48 <N<52, for the case of double precision floating-point expression. Assuming that N is 52, then value D.sub.m.sup.64 in the denominator will be smaller than the lower limit set by the number of digits of N. Thus, D.sub.m.sup.64 is effectively equal to zero. The following approximation is therefore true: ##EQU2##
Thus, the division computation can be executed by adding one to the result of each computation of D.sub.m raised to the power 2.sup.(n-1), with this addition being performed for each item in the expression (in this case, therefore, six addition operations are required).
In the above, D.sub.m.sup.2n is obtained as the square of D.sub.m.sup.2(n-1). Since the most significant digit of D.sub.m will be zero, (1 +D.sub.m.sup.2n) can be obtained simply by changing that most significant digit to a value of one. In that case, it can be considered that in practice a negligible amount of computation time is required to obtain (1+D.sub.m.sup.2n). thus, division can be considered to be executed by one subtraction operation for obtaining D.sub.m, and 11 multiplication operations (i.e. the 5 multiplication operations for obtaining D.sub.m.sup.2 to D.sub.m.sup.32 and the six multiplication operations for the six items of equation (2)).
If extremely high speed multipliers are used, the total multiplication time required for the above operations is of the order of 1 to 2 microseconds, so that a comparatively high speed division apparatus can be implemented.
Such a prior art convergence type of division apparatus, made up of a subtractor, multipliers, and a control circuit, can be made comparatively small in circuit scale. However due to the large number of multipliers which are used, it is difficult to provide an extremely high speed division apparatus by such a method.

Apparatus for executing division by high-speed convergence processing

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In a method for the measurement and analysis of tire air pressure with an allocation of wheel positions (I, II, III, IV) of a vehicle (1) for analysis in a tire air pressure measurement system each wheel (2) of the vehicle (1) is allocated an air pressure checking device (10), an LF receiver (11), in particular a magnetic field strength receiver, an analysis unit (13), an RF-transmission device (12) and an individual wheel code. The LF receiver (11) receives electrical LF signals from an LF transmission device (4) of a central unit (3) arranged in the vehicle (1), the analysis unit (13) analyzes the received signal amplitudes and from these determines a wheel rotation rate and the RF transmission device (12) of the wheel (2) sends RF signals with information about the wheel rotation rate and the individual wheel code to the central unit (3) of the vehicle (1). The central unit (3) determines the wheel position (I, II, III oder IV) of the wheel (2) using another measurement system (7) and allocates the air pressure checking device (10) and its individual wheel code to the known wheel position (I, II, III or IV) on the vehicle (1). A tire air pressure measurement system has a central unit (3) arranged in a vehicle (1) with an LF transmission device (4), an RF receiver device (5) and a central analysis device (6). An air pressure checking device (10) arranged on each wheel (2) of the vehicle (1), an LF receiver device (11), RF transmission device (12) and analysis unit (13) for determining a rotation rate using a periodically varying amplitude of the received LF signal, and a measurement system (7) for measuring the wheel rotation rate at each wheel (2) and/or for determining the type of bend are additionally provided.

A. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method for the measurement and analysis of tyre air pressure with an allocation of wheel positions of a vehicle to be analysed in a system for tyre air pressure measurement, and a corresponding system for tyre air pressure measurement for carrying out the method.
B. Background of the Invention
Modern vehicles have tyre air pressure monitoring systems which determine the current tyre air pressure and warn the driver if a deviation occurs from a predetermined tyre air pressure. Tyre air pressure monitoring systems of this kind contribute considerably to the safety of vehicles.
Systems of generic kind are normally equipped with pressure sensors in the tyres, which transmit the current air pressure to a central analysis unit. In these, each wheel of the vehicle is allocated an air pressure checking device, which transfers the information to the analysis unit together with an individual wheel identifier. A problem with this arrangement, among other things, is that the data transfer must take place in a largely error-free manner. Furthermore, a particular problem consists in the fact that the air pressure checking device may be allocated to a specific wheel position. If this were not the case, the driver might not be informed about a problem at a specific wheel position. If the wheel is changed however and eventually mounted at a different position on the vehicle, then the allocation of the air pressure checking device of the corresponding wheel to a specific wheel position of the vehicle cannot be guaranteed. In order to eliminate this source of error, systems for the allocation of air pressure checking devices to specific wheel positions and wheel detection in them have been described in the prior art.
Thus for example EP 0 806 307 A2 discloses sensors, which simply measure the current rotation rate of the wheel using the energies generated by the wheel rotation, and transmit it to a receiver associated with them. Via a cable between the receiver and a central unit the current rotation rate of the respective wheel is transmitted to a central unit. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that there is a relatively high cost for the cabling of the receivers and a corresponding sensitivity to interference.
From EP 1 807 270 B1 a wheel detection system is known, which uses signals at radio frequencies and a received signal amplitude that varies periodically owing to the rotation of the wheel, to allow the current rotation rate of the wheel to be estimated. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the radio-frequency is susceptible to interference, since reflections from the surroundings can cause interference and signal dropout effects to occur. This means it is difficult to determine a periodicity from the signals from which the rotation rate is derived.

Method for the measurement and analysis of tyre air pressure with allocation of wheel positions and system for tyre air pressure measurement


A device for injecting a pesticide from an exposed area to a concealed area behind a wall is disclosed. The device includes a plug which is permanently secured to an opening in the wall. A spray tube extends through the plug from the exposed area into the concealed area. A hose is removably connectable at one end to the spray tube from the exposed area. The hose is connectable at an opposite end to the outlet of a remote pesticide container, thus allowing a remote pesticide container to be used to spray pesticide into the concealed area.

Insects, rodents and other pests often inhabit homes and commercial buildings and multiply at an alarming rate. These pests not only impart visible destruction, but may also carry infectious diseases which are transmitted to humans either through direct contact or through the intermediary of contacted foodstuffs or utensils. Many commercially available pest control products are highly effective in reducing or eliminating pests. However, a major drawback of most commercially available products is that they are designed only to treat exposed areas, and are not designed to treat concealed areas such as voids in a structure where insects and rodents tend to live and multiply. Furthermore, these pesticides are typically packaged in an aerosol canister or bottle having a spray-type nozzle which does not lend itself to treating concealed areas within a structure. While professional extermination equipment may provide somewhat more effective means of dispensing pesticides to concealed areas, extermination services tend to be quite costly. Moreover, because the equipment is not designed to reach concealed areas, the pest population is often merely just controlled, rather than eliminated.
Others have previously attempted to overcome these drawbacks through various devices in which a pesticide is introduced into concealed areas, such as between walls. U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,505 discloses a fumigation system for exterminating insects in an existing building. The system includes a tunnel device which is permanently mounted in the wall and provides access to a cavity between the interior and exterior walls of a building. The tunnel device is inserted through an aperture in the wall of similar cross-section. One drawback of the system is that the tunnel device must have a surface which is adaptable to pressure seal the outer contour of a fumigant injection nozzle. Consequently, once installed, the system is only usable with specific types of packaging. Yet another drawback of this system is that the tunnel device requires a plurality of upstanding barbs to hold it in place which may cause substantial damage to the wall during installation.
Another device for injecting pesticide between walls is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,202, which relates to a method and apparatus for dispensing selected amounts of insecticide through a needle into building structure void spaces. The needle may be inserted through various forms of wall panel members. Pesticide is then released into the spaces by pneumatically forcing metered amounts of the pesticide through the needle. This apparatus also has several drawbacks. For example, the needle is unable to penetrate relatively hard surfaces, such as wood, and, consequently, cannot be used to inject pesticide behind a kitchen cabinet or wood paneling. In addition, the apparatus is suitable only for use with containers of pesticide having a screw-type cap and cannot be used with aerosol canisters.
Accordingly, the need exists to provide an improved system for applying pesticide in concealed areas within a home or commercial building which is relatively inexpensive, yet effectively eliminates insects, rodents and other pests.

Device for injecting a pesticide into concealed areas within a structure


An interlocking steel fencing system having posts and rails made from tubular steel, the posts and rails being either round or rectangular in shape, the posts having openings therein which correspond with the shape of a rail designed to be inserted therein, the end posts being provided with openings only on one side thereof, while in-line posts are provided with openings parallel to one another and corner posts are provided with openings in ninety-degree relation to one another, the end posts and corner posts being provided with spacer bars therein with which the rails are firmly abutted during assembly, and these posts being further provided with a locking cap to prevent removal of the spacer bars, the fencing system designed to be assembled such that each rail abuts the adjacent rail at a central location within the post or, on an end or corner post, abuts a spacer bar within the post and wherein the post openings are slightly larger than the rails to allow the fencing system to traverse uneven topography.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fencing where the fence posts and the fence railings are both made of steel. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method of connection of the fence rail to the fence post which obviates the need for welding.
2. Prior Art
Wood rail fencing has been utilized traditionally for many years to enclose areas of real estate. Typically, the main purpose of such fencing is to enclose and retain animals within a given space. Recently, manufacturers and installers of fencing have proposed plastic components for the fences, such plastic materials including, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds in the manufactured fence components. The recent interest in the PVC fencing is occasioned by the apparent more attractive appearance of PVC fencing as compared to wood fencing. However, PVC fencing is generally not as rigid and is subject to deterioration and colors lost by ultraviolet exposure. The present invention proposed the use of square or round steel posts in the form of tubing which is provided with openings to allow the insertion of pre-cut steel rails.
A preliminary search was conducted on the above invention and the following listed patents were uncovered.
InventorU.S. Pat. No.DateLawrence5,645,270Jul. 8, 1997German5,161,783Nov. 10, 1992Colton2,856,652Oct. 21, 1958Baker5,649,688Jul. 22, 1997Dodge5,421,556Jun. 6, 1995Wylie4,854,548Aug. 8, 1989Mesa4,642,459Feb. 10, 1987Totten4,007,919Feb. 15, 1977Lewis et al.3,993,289Nov. 23, 1976
Lawrance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,270, discloses a system assembling a hollow post and post cap. The cap is provided with means to prevent separation of the parts.
German, U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,783 discloses a fence post and rail connection which uses a sleeve inside post to form a rigid connection.
Colton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,856,652 discloses a post and fence construction which uses spacers to fill areas between rails.
None of the patents are believed to disclose the features of the present invention, as will hereinafter appear.


A Ti-containing ferritic stainless steel sheet and a manufacturing method thereof include stainless steels being formed while a refining load is decreased and having a low yield strength which exhibits superior workability. The Ti-containing ferritic stainless steel sheet contains on mass percent basis: 0.01% or less of C; 0.5% or less of Si; 0.3% or less of Mn; 0.01% to 0.04% of P; 0.01% or less of S; 8% to 30% of Cr; 1.0% or less of Al; 0.05% to 0.5% of Ti; 0.04% or less of N, 8≦Ti/(C+N)≦30 being satisfied; and the balance being substantially Fe and incidental impurities, wherein a grain size number of ferrite grain is 6.0 or more, and an average diameter Dp of precipitation diameters, each being [(a long axis length of a Ti base precipitate+a short axis length thereof)/2], of the Ti base precipitates in the steel sheet is in the range of from 0.05 μm to 1.0 μm.

As methods for improving the workability of ferritic stainless steel sheets, for example, a method has been disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3-264652 in which Ti or Nb is added besides reduction of C and N. In addition, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-320772, as methods for manufacturing a more inexpensive Ti-containing ferritic stainless steel sheet, a manufacturing method has been disclosed in which besides hot rolling control performed by high temperature coiling, precipitation of FeTiP, which causes hardening and decrease in ductility, is suppressed by controlling the contents of P, S, C and N so that annealing of hot-rolled steel sheets can be omitted.
As is the above method, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-204588, a method for manufacturing stainless steel sheets having superior workability has been disclosed. In this method, the upper limits of P, C, S, and N contents forming phosphides, carbides, nitrides, and sulfides with Ti are controlled for suppressing the precipitation of phosphides, carbides, and sulfides in coiling of a hot-rolled steel sheet so as to facilitate recrystallization in the coiling mentioned above, and as a result, although annealing of a hot-rolled steel sheet is omitted, a stainless steel sheet having superior workability can be manufactured. In the above three conventional techniques, P and C precipitates, and P and C in a solid solution form are regarded as elements harmful to the workability, and it has been believed that it is important to reduce the contents of P and C as small as possible by refining.
The reduction of P and C contained in steel by refining described above is effective for improvement in steel properties; however, the reduction described above may cause some problems in some cases. For example, the following may be mentioned.    (1) When recycling of dust and slag by-produced in a steel-manufacturing process and reuse of scrap are taken into consideration, in order to reduce the contents of P and C in steel, which inevitably come from the starting materials mentioned above, to a predetermined level, refining for a long period of time is required in a steel-manufacturing process, and as a result, the productivity is decreased.    (2) By the reduction of the elements described above, it becomes difficult to control the growth of steel grains, and concomitant with larger and coarser grain diameters of a hot-rolled steel sheet, the anisotropy is increased, resulting in apparent generation of ridging (surface irregularities) and the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide stainless steel and a manufacturing method thereof, the stainless steel having improved workability and properties such as a yield strength. In the stainless steel described above, P present therein is allowed to remain to a certain extent by refining so that a load required for refining is decreased, and in addition, P in the form of larger and coarser Ti base precipitates is positively precipitated so as to make P harmless. In addition, an object of the present invention is to enable existing machines to be efficiently used without enhancing the capacities thereof and is to achieve recycling of steel materials and energy saving in manufacturing.

Ferritic stainless steel plate with Ti and method for production thereof


Provided is a method of manufacturing a solar cell, wherein a solar cell is manufactured by combining a damage removal etching process, a texturing process and an edge isolation process. The method is advantageous in that RIE and DRE are conducted, and then DRE/PSG and/or an edge isolation removal process are simultaneously conducted, so that the movement of a substrate (that is, a wafer) is minimized, thereby reducing the damage rate of the substrate.

Recently, as the existing energy resources, such as oil, coal and the like, became exhausted, alternative energy sources thereto have attracted attention. Among these alternative energy sources, solar cells are receiving particular attention because they are resourceful and do not cause environmental problems.
Solar cells include solar heat cells that generate steam necessary to rotate a turbine using solar heat and solar light cells that convert solar energy into electric energy using semiconductor properties. Solar cells are generally called solar light cells (hereinafter, referred to as 'solar cells').
Solar cells are largely classified into silicon solar cells, compound-semiconductor solar cells and tandem solar cells according to raw materials. Among these three kinds of solar cells, silicon solar cells are generally used in the solar cell market.
When solar light enters such a solar cell, electrons and holes are generated from a silicon semiconductor doped with impurities by a photovoltaic effect.
Such electrons and holes are respectively drawn toward an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor to move to an electrode connected with a lower portion of a substrate and an electrode connected with an upper portion of an emitter doping layer. When these electrodes are connected with each other by electric wires, electric current flows.
In this case, a conventional solar cell is manufactured by the following processes of: {circle around (1)} texturing; {circle around (2)} doping (forming a PN Junction); {circle around (3)} removing an oxide film (PSG: phosphor silicate glass); {circle around (4)} forming an anti-reflective film (ARC: anti-reflective coating); {circle around (5)} metallizing; and {circle around (6)} measuring edge isolation.
The texturing of a conventional solar cell (for example, a polycrystalline silicon solar cell) was mostly conducted using an acid solution (HNO3/HF composition). In addition, the texturing thereof was conducted by performing a wet SDR (sawing damage removal) process and then decreasing reflexibility using RIE (reactive ion etching) texturing and thus improving Isc (shot-circuit current: reverse (negative) current density occurring when light is applied in a state in which a circuit is shorted, that is, in a state in which external resistance does not exist.
In the case of RIE texturing, due to surface plasma damage, it is difficult to realize the degree of increase of efficiency attributable to the decrease of FF (fill factor) and Voc (open-circuit voltage) regardless of low reflexibility. In order to remove such plasma damage, a DRE (damage removal etching) process is carried out. That is, the conventional RIE texturing includes: {circle around (1)} a wet SDR process; {circle around (2)} an RIE process; {circle around (3)} a DRE process; {circle around (4)} a doping process; {circle around (5)} a PSG removal process; and {circle around (6)} other conventional solar cell processes.
In order to accomplish a conversion efficiency of about 15% using a polycrystalline substrate (that is, a wafer), surface texturing is not the most important factor. However, in order to manufacture a polycrystalline solar cell having a conversion efficiency of 16% or more, a texturing process capable of trapping light can be issued.
Such a conventional texturing process includes a wet etching process. A wet etching apparatus is provided in order to conduct such a wet etching process. Meanwhile, the RIE process is carried out by dry etching, whereas the DRE process is carried out by wet etching. Therefore, an additional wet etching apparatus is required in addition to RIE equipment.
Accordingly, owing to the above wet etching process and wet etching apparatus, there is a problem in that the damage rate of a substrate (that is, a wafer) increases.
Further, since an additional wet etching apparatus is required in order to perform the above wet etching process, there is a problem in that the installation and maintenance costs thereof increase.


When a laminating apparatus M is constituted with a vacuum suction step S1 for vacuum sucking an enclosed space in a work tray 2 accommodating a laminated-substrate W, a thermocompression-bonding step S2 for heating and pressuring the work tray 2 having finished the vacuum suction step S1, and a cooling step S3 for cooling the work tray 2 having finished the thermocompression-bonding step S2, a conveyer route R of a rectangular frame form to circulatorily convey the work tray 2 along a horizontal direction is provided, and in a processing conveyer section Rp composing one side of the conveyer route R, the vacuum suction step S1, the theremocompression-bonding step S2, and the cooling step S3 are sequentially disposed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laminating apparatus for manufacturing an IC card and the like by having a vacuum suction step, a thermocompression-bonding step, and a cooling step.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Conventionally, as a laminating apparatus for manufacturing a thin IC card containing an electronic component such as an IC chip, an IC card manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3381027 is known.
This IC card manufacturing apparatus manufactures an IC card by thermocompression bonding a laminated-substrate which consists of an electronic component such as an IC chip held between sheet materials. The IC card manufacturing apparatus includes: a laminated-substrate sandwiching unit composed of an upper sandwiching member and a lower sandwiching member for sandwiching the laminated-substrate in a sealed state, an evacuation unit for evacuating an interior of the laminated-substrate sandwiching unit, a pre-heating press unit for elevating a temperature of the evacuated laminated-substrate sandwiching unit which holds the laminated-substrate with a pre-heating temperature lower than a regular heating temperature, a thermocompression-bonding press unit for thermocompression bonding the evacuated laminated-substrate sandwiching unit which holds the laminated-substrate and transferred from the preheating press unit, and a cooling unit to cool the evacuated laminated-substrate sandwiching unit which holds the laminated-substrate and transferred from the thermocompression-bonding press unit. According thereto, since heating press control and pressuring control to the laminated-substrate is conducted independently by the separate pre-heating press unit, thermocompression-bonding press unit, and the cooling press unit, a production cycle time is shorten, improving productivity and mass-production efficiency, and enhancing energy conservation and economical efficiency. Additionally, since the laminated-substrate is accommodated within the sealed and evacuated laminated-substrate, a heating state and a pressuring state are continuously secured; i.e.; a temperature and a pressure of the laminated-substrate is secured, and therefore quality and homogeneity are improved to increase merchantability.
However, since this IC card manufacturing apparatus (laminating apparatus) uses a rotary conveyer method in which the respective press units rotate centering on a driving shaft portion, in spite of merits of the rotary conveyer method, this apparatus has disadvantages described below.
First, since the respective press units are disposed around the driving shaft portion, when another processing step (pressing unit and the like) is added, design modification of the entire apparatus is required, and besides a number of steps to be able to be added is limited. Therefore this apparatus is disadvantageous in terms of expansibility.
Secondly, since a size of the laminated-substrate cannot be easily enlarged, this apparatus is disadvantageous in terms of freedom of design, and an improvement in mass-productivity is difficult to achieve considering an aspect of the laminated-substrate size.
Thirdly, since the respective press units rotate centering on the driving shaft portion, when for example an optional processing step is monitored, the other processing steps cannot be easily monitored. Therefore, monitoring of the entire steps cannot be conducted easily or efficiently. Also, a moving distance (work flow) of an operator for monitoring, maintenance or the like becomes long.


A flexible package is designed to contain a product, for instance a spice or a cosmetic product, and the flexible package is formed of at least two layers of flexible material joined together to create a closed package (volume). A dosage device is arranged on an inner face of the closed package, and the dosage device includes an elastic dosage membrane having a number of incisions over at least a part of its width and length, and includes an opening device configured to stretch the elastic dosage membrane.

The present invention concerns a package manufactured from a flexible material, specifically for grainy/granular or powdery products. More specifically, the present invention concerns a package of a flexible material which is provided with at least a device which allows easy and controlled dosage and/or delivery of the product contained in the package, and which automatically will close after use.
Presently, there exist a number of package forms for storage of different grainy, granular, or powdery products. Examples of such products may be ground spices, such as salt, pepper, cinnamon, or the like, or granular spices in the form of finely chopped spicy herbs (e.g., oregano). Other examples of such products may be different medical powders for application at wound areas (e.g., talcum), or different cosmetic powders, such as for instance face powder.
Package forms for these products are often glass/rigid plastic containers, or more thin-walled and flexible packages.
Flexible packages are commonly characterized by being produced from different materials from a roll, which are shaped into containers such as simple bags (sachets, pouches), tube shaped bags (so-called flow packs/stick packs), or independently standing bags/standing pouches. The materials used in such flexible packages are generally different laminates of plastic, paper and/or barrier films, which together confer the necessary strength and storage properties (e.g., maintenance of aroma) to the flexible package. The materials are formed into containers or packages, and are joined along defined areas using techniques such as for instance gluing or welding (heat, ultra sound, laser, etc.). Today, there exist a lot of techniques enabling the production of thin-walled, tube shaped bags employing for instance injection molding, wherein the tube shaped bags may be used as a component in a flexible package (e.g., tooth paste tubes, milk packages etc.).
The rigid glass/plastic containers are generally equipped with different lids; and in some cases simple devices for dosage and pouring of the products.
The flexible packages for storing granular or powdery products are often completely closed packages which may be opened by tearing along defined package edges, or by using scissors/knives. After use, the opening edge is folded together and is held together with a rubber band, clips, etc.
However, presently, closable packages in which the flexible package is closed after use, using for instance a built-in zip-lock, are becoming more common. EP 2050688 A1 discloses an independently standing package of a flexible material for a granular or powdery product, wherein the package comprises a supporting base area, from which base area opposite side walls extend. The side walls are connected to the periphery of the base area, and the side edges are further connected to each other up to a certain height of the package such that free upper areas of the side walls are left, and a perforated plate, along its circumference, is fixed to an inner side of the free upper areas of the side edges. Before the package has been opened, the perforated plate is folded together and connected around its circumference. When the package is to be used, the perforated plate is torn apart to provide an opening in the package.
However, the known flexible packages provide the user with little possibility to control the pouring of the product contained in the package, because pouring of the product occurs through predefined openings in the package. In addition, the user has to close the package after use, using for example rubber bands, paper clips, or zip-locks, which may cause the user to forget closing the package and/or not closing the package completely or in a correct way, in which case the product may loose aroma and/or taste.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible package which contains and pours out a product, which package is provided to enable a controlled dosage and/or pouring of the product, wherein the package will close automatically after use.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flexible package which is economically and easy to manufacture.


An electronic fish scale having a spring connected to a hook to which the fish or other item to be weighed is attached. Attaching the weight to the hook causes linear displacement of the spring. A rigid coupling is attached to the spring and connected to a variable resistor such that movement of the spring results in a change in the effective resistance of the variable resistor. Electronic circuitry is interconnected with the variable resistor such that a signal is generated which is indicative of the effective resistance of the variable resistor. The generated signal is sampled and processed at a microprocessor having stored data corresponding to the weight equivalent to the variance in the variable resistor-dependent signal. A display receives a signal output from the microprocessor and displays and weight measured.

Traditional fish scales include scales indicating the weight of the fish to the user through the physical displacement of the spring. The user directly reads the weight corresponding to the displacement off of the scale connected to the spring. More recently, fish scales have been developed which include electronic circuitry. However, electronic scales currently on the market are believed to have a limited range of weights which are capable of being measured and displayed, have a limited number of features, and use relatively bulky and expensive components.


An improved system for radiographically inspecting a relatively stationary object and a related method are disclosed. A source transmits radiation toward a selected location at which the object is positioned. Radiation interactive with the object is thereafter transmitted in one embodiment to a detection area having electronic detectors and another embodiment through an atomic element filter to the detection area. En route to the detectors area or the filter and detection area, radiation is first blocked by a scanning point selection means which sequentially selects only a pencil beam portion of the radiation to be transmitted to the detection area at any given time. The pencil beams sequentially selected sweep the entire detection area over a short time, enabling use of signals generated by the electronic detectors in obtaining an image of the object or for obtaining the identity and location of atomic elements constituting the object.

Known systems for performing radiographic inspection of an object include systems which utilize X-ray film. Such inspection systems generally produce high resolution images of the object being inspected, but present a disadvantage in that such systems perform radiographic reproduction over a limited dynamic range. The high resolution of the X-ray film results from the fact that individual silver bromide crystals, which make up the emulsion layer of the X-ray film and which are activated by incident X-rays to create a "picture," are of relatively small size. The dynamic range, on the other hand, is determined by the number of silver bromide crystals per unit area in the emulsion layer that can be exposed to the X-ray radiation. The dynamic range of a given film is limited by the thickness of the silver bromide crystal emulsion that, when developed, will not allow detectable light to be transmitted. The use of higher density film having high dynamic range necessitates the use of a very intense light source for reading the X-ray piCture. This requirement for a very intense light for reading the X-ray film presents a significant disadvantage as to the use of such film. Also, the use of X-ray film for radiographic inspection does not permit compensation for the effects of radiation scattered by the object being inspected.
To increase the dynamic range for radiographic inspection systems and to permit compensation for radiation scatter, radiation detectors that produce a linear electronic signal response, when exposed to a wide range of X-ray intensities, in conjunction with electronic processing of the signals with wide range linear amplifiers are used.
An example of a known radiographic inspection system, which utilizes electronic detectors, is a "linear flying spot scanner" of the type commonly used for inspecting luggage at airports. This linear flying spot scanner includes a radiation source, a stationary shield, a rotating beam-chopper wheel and electronic detectors. The radiation source transmits a beam of radiation along a path toward a selected location at which an object is positioned. The stationary shield, rotating beam-chopper wheel and the electronic detectors are disposed in the radiation path, with the stationary slit and beam-chopper wheel positioned between the radiation source and the electronic detectors.
The stationary shield and beam-chopper wheel are aligned to select a portion of the radiation beam from the source. This portion of the radiation beam is transmitted along the radiation path to a single portion of the selected location at which the object is positioned and to a corresponding selected portion or area of the object.
Radiation transmitted to the selected area of the object interacts with the selected area. A portion of the radiation interactive with the area of the object is compton scattered in all directions. Another portion is absorbed by the photoelectric interaction in the object and re-emitted in all directions as fluorescent radiation, while yet another portion passes through the object. X-ray sensitive electronic detectors, disposed between the radiation source and the object, generate signals in response to the fluorescent and compton scattered radiation which is scattered in the backward direction by the selected area of the object, and through-radiation detectors, positioned such that the object is between the radiation source and the through-radiation detectors, generate response signals for radiation passing through the selected area of the object.
Response signals generated by the electronic detectors are processed to obtain a data representation of the selected area of the object. The signal processing is performed by a data processor. An image of the object area is obtained using the processed signal data, and using a visual display means which is responsive to the processed data, the image of the selected area of the object is displayed.
As described above, the stationary shield and beam chopper wheel select a single line portion of the selected location and thereby allow radiation to be transmitted to just a corresponding selected area of the object. By limiting the portion of the object to which radiation is transmitted, the exposure of the object to radiation is limited. The number of detectors required to generate response signals is also minimized by limiting the radiation transmitted to the object and, thus, just a few large area detectors are utilized. The resolution of such a system is determined by the size of the slits in the stationary shield and the rotating chopper wheel.
However, because the linear flying spot scanner only operates to select a single line portion of the selected location and a single corresponding object area, the necessity exists to move the object through the selected inspection location in order to radiographically inspect area of the object other than the single line selected area. Such movement places successive line areas of the object in the selected location to which radiation is transmitted and thereby permits a radiographic image of each line area of the object to be obtained.
The requirement of moving the object relative to the linear flying spot scanner is a major disadvantage in that, in order to move the object, specialized moving apparatus is needed. Furthermore, space must be provided with the linear flying spot scanner to accommodate the moving apparatus.
Alternatively, certain known radiographic inspection systems utilize a collimated linear array of electronic detectors. The electronic detectors are moved relative to the object and radiation source to successively generate response signals for the successive sections or areas of the object. The radiation source of such a system transmits radiation toward the entire object being inspected, permitting the detector array, as moved, to generate response signals for each section of the object. The moving detector system requires a large number of electronic detectors to inspect the object to ensure high resolution. The major disadvantages of such a system are the need to move the detectors relative to the object and the large number of detectors and associated electronics. The detectors must be balanced for uniform response characteristics.

System for radiograhically inspecting a relatively stationary object and related method


Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet spaced from the exhaust gas inlet; a plurality of cooling tubes disposed between the exhaust gas inlet and exhaust gas outlet; and a baffle positioned proximate to the exhaust gas inlet and interposed between the plurality of cooling tubes and the exhaust gas inlet, where the baffle directs exhaust gas entering the EGR cooler through the exhaust gas inlet to the plurality of cooling tubes in a defined path.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, a cooler for that system, and associated methods.
2. Discussion of Art
Engines may utilize recirculation of exhaust gas from an engine exhaust system to an engine intake system, a process referred to as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). In some examples, a group of one or more cylinders may have an exhaust manifold that is coupled to an intake passage of the engine such that the group of cylinders is dedicated, at least under some conditions, to generating exhaust gas for EGR. Such cylinders may be referred to as "donor cylinders." In other systems, the exhaust gas may be pulled from a manifold.
Some EGR systems may include an EGR cooler to reduce a temperature of the recirculated exhaust gas before it enters the intake passage. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler may be used to reduce exhaust gas temperature from about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In such an example, fouling of the EGR cooler may occur when particulate matter (e.g., soot, hydrocarbons, oil, fuel, rust, ash, mineral deposits, and the like) in the exhaust gas accumulates within the EGR cooler. The EGR cooler can foul over time due to various factors (duty cycle, time at idle, engine oil carryover, time in service) decreasing effectiveness of the EGR cooler and increasing a pressure drop across the EGR cooler as well as temperature of the gas exiting the cooler. This could result in increased level of emissions and decreased fuel efficiency.
Some EGR coolers may fail during use due to high stress concentration in tubes at a leading edge of the heat exchanger—the edge that is closest to a tube sheet. The proximity would sometimes subject portions of the system to high stress due to low water flow, over constraint by a heat exchanger sidewall, and high thermal gradients.
If fouling occurs, the engine system switches into a cleaning mode referred to as port heating. Port heating is an operating mode that reduces an amount of (i.e. oxidizes and/or vaporizes) liquid oil that may be present (fouling) an exhaust system. In one example, during the port heating mode the system over-fuels individual cylinder(s) during engine idle. This over-fueling continues and heats the local exhaust port. The system engages port heating periodically at low loads, such as idle and/or in response to the engine experiencing conditions that put engine at risk for oil in the exhaust system. Fouling, or "souping," can cause unburned oil to foul engine hardware such as the EGR cooler. If this unburned oil is blown out the exhaust stack, it may leave an unsightly residue on the exterior of the equipment and/or vehicle. Thus, port heating has been used to reduce oil residue fouling of the EGR cooler, engine intake, and equipment exterior.
It may be desirable to have an EGR cooler system that prevents fouling, or if fouled is easier to clean, than those systems that are currently available.

Exhaust gas recirculation system and method


Drive structure is provided for connection between an actuating assembly of a circuit breaker and linkage structure for opening and closing a movable electrical contact disposed in a volume of insulating material in a pole assembly. The drive structure includes a drive lever constructed and arranged to connect with the at least one actuating assembly. A drive shaft has first and second ends, with the first end being removably coupled to the drive lever so that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the drive lever. Seal structure is disposed between the drive lever and the actuating assembly such that the drive shaft can be removed from the drive lever without disrupting the volume of insulating material.

Circuit breakers are commonly found in substations and are operable to selectively open and close electrical connections. Typical dead tank circuit breakers have pole assemblies that include first and second electrical conductors in associated bushings. As is known in the art, electrical power lines are coupled to first and second electrical conductors, and the circuit breaker selectively opens or closes the electrical connection there-between. A bell crank or other actuating assembly is associated with a respective pole assembly. The bell cranks are interconnected by a gang-style rotary or push-pull linkage so that all three poles assemblies are actuated at the same time by a single operating mechanism.
In these conventional dead tank circuit breakers, a drive shaft coupling the linkage to the bell cranks is part of the gas seal at each pole assembly, or a single drive shaft passes through all poles assemblies. Thus, the drive shaft(s) cannot be installed or removed for servicing without the time-consuming removal or reclaiming the insulating gas from the pole assemblies.
Thus, there is a need to provide a drive shaft for a circuit breaker that can be installed or removed for servicing without the need to remove or reclaim the insulating gas from an associated pole assembly.

Floating drive shaft between an actuating assembly and linkage structure of a dead tank breaker


A substrate for an organic light emitting display device and an organic light emitting display device are provided. The substrate to the organic light emitting display device includes a protective layer having a non-flat shape; a first electrode on the protective layer and having the non-flat shape; and a bank layer on the protective layer and the first electrode. The bank layer having an opening for exposing the first electrode. The protective layer is formed at the opening of the bank layer and a part of an area with the bank layer.

Field
The present disclosure relates to a substrate for an organic light emitting display device with improved light extraction efficiency and an organic light emitting display device.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an organic light emitting display device which has gotten the limelight as a display device has an advantage in that a response time is high, and contrast ratio, emission efficiency, brightness, and a viewing angle are large by using an organic light emitting diode (OLED) having a self-luminance characteristic.
Light emitted from an organic emission layer of the organic light emitting display device passes through various constituent elements of the organic light emitting display device to be discharged to the outside of the organic light emitting display device. However, light which is not discharged to the outside of the organic light emitting display device, but blocked in the organic light emitting display device among the light emitted from the organic emission layer is present and thus, there is a problem in light extraction efficiency of the organic light emitting display device with respect to the front and the side of the organic light emitting display device.
Further, since an optical path length of light emitted from the organic light emitting diode having a flat plane differs with respect to the viewing angle, a color change with respect to the viewing angle occurs and a color shift for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors increases, and as a result, chromaticity characteristics become vulnerable on the side.
Accordingly, a scheme that can solve the problem is required.
A substrate for forming an organic emission layer may include a protective layer for flattening a step due to formation of a transistor, an anode electrode formed on the protective layer, and a bank layer formed in an area other than an area for emission. In addition, the organic emission layer is laminated on the flat anode electrode, and as a result, the organic emission layer is also formed in a flat form. Since the flat emission surface significantly depends on an optical path length with respect to a viewing angle, a color change according to a viewing angle of an organic light emitting display device occurs, and as a result, it is characterized that the flat emission surface is vulnerable to a color shift on a side. Further, when an inclination angle is given to an opening of the bank layer in the related art, an amount of some light of a light emitting unit hits and is reflected on an inclination surface of the bank layer, and the amount of a collected light on a front is also small.
In addition, the color shift which occurs on the side of the organic light emitting display device means red, green, and blue color shifts and a white color shift with respect to a viewing angle and since the color shift which occurs on the side increases on the flat emission surface, color shift characteristics are vulnerable on the side. In this case, the color shift may mean a difference in color coordinate with respect to a viewing angle.

Substrate for organic light emitting display device and organic light emitting display device