A tool for compressing and finishing the grout in joints between ceramic and mosaic tiles and the like. The tool includes a handle portion for gripping the device and a flexible yet resilient elongated shaft portion extending linearly therefrom. The shaft portion is bent about 20 degrees at a point approximately midway the length of the rod thereby forming two straight and distinct portions. The portion furthest from the handle, that is, the distal portion of the rod is placed atop the unhardened, exposed grout in the joints between tegular elements applied to a surface such that the entire distal portion is in contact with the grout material while the proximial portion of the rod assumes an approximately 20 degree angle with the surface. In this manner the user moves the tool along the grout joint while applying a desired amount of pressure such that the grout is compressed within the joints between tegular elements while it is also topically smoothed in an aesthetically appealing manner.

This invention relates to material working tools and more particularly to a tool for finishing grout material and the like in the joints formed between tegular elements applied to a surface.
The construction of tegular surfaces is typical today in the interior/exterior design field, examples of which may be found in many commercial establishments as well as the home dwelling. In the industry, it is typical for those skilled in the art to apply a semi-solid material such as grout or mortar into the elongated, intersecting spaces, i.e. joints, which are formed as a result of applying tegular elements to a surface. In such application, undesirable air pockets near the underlying surface are inadvertently formed and the grout usually acquires a highly irregular surface. It is therefore highly desirable to level off the grout in a manner such that it is compressed and restricted within the joints between the tiles thereby increasing the strength of the tegular surface and its aesthetic appeal.
Tools which have been employed to accomplish this task vary from using the handle end of a toothbrush to tools specifically designed and manufactured for this purpose, achieving respectively varied results. An example of such a tool is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,854, issued to Groeneveld on June 22, 1976. The '854 patent claims a tool used for scraping and pressing the joint material between tegular elements which comprises a hand gripped handle in connection with a head-tipped portion, the terminal end of which may be moved along the joint between the tiles to press and smooth the jointing material. The single terminal end employed by the '854 patent restricts the amount of pressure which may be applied without dragging the grout material out of the joint and, hence, is not much better at achieved results than the toothbrush handle. A similar device is shown in Design Pat. No. D 249,014, issued Aug. 22, 1978, also to Groeneveld. It is therefore a main object of the present invention to provide an improved grout finishing tool which is simple in both design and use.
A further object is to provide a grout finishing tool which may be moved smoothly across the grout material with one stroke which firmly compresses the grout into the joints.
Still another object is to provide a grout finishing tool which is very smooth and slick in material form and design so as to let the tool slide along the grout surface without marring the tile surface and prohibit dragging of the grout material out of the joint.
A still further object is to provide a grout finishing tool which produces a smooth and concave joint which has increased water resistance and is aesthetically appealing.
Other objects will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.


Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with handling secure interrupts between security zones are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a memory divided between a secure zone and a non-secure zone and storing a plurality of applications. The secure zone provides exclusive access to secure assets of the apparatus. A processor with an interface module configured to, in response to receiving an interrupt request from a requesting application that executes on the processor in the non-secure zone, tunnel the interrupt request into the secure zone of the processor. The non-secure zone and the secure zone are configured as operating environments of the processor with separate security controls. The processor includes a monitor module configured to issue the secure interrupt to a trusted application that is one of the plurality of applications in the secure zone, wherein the trusted application is registered to handle the secure interrupt.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor(s), to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Maintaining security in a computing environment is a difficult task. For example, malicious processes may attempt to alter programs, intercept information or otherwise maliciously interfere with operation of a device with the intent of compromising the integrity, authenticity, and/or confidentiality of the data and programs. When processes execute in an insecure environment those processes are generally susceptible to interference by malicious processes that may intercept/alter hardware level commands.
Furthermore, devices may use various authentication routines to attempt to secure the device and data, but these routines are still susceptible to many attacks. Additionally, special purpose security hardware may be implemented separately to perform sensitive tasks and provide additional security. However, implementing a separate processor to handle sensitive tasks is an expensive compromise. Thus, maintaining security in a computing device can be complex.

Secure interrupt handling between security zones


A cellulose powder which has an average degree of polymerization of 150 to 450, an average particle diameter of 30 to 250 μm, an apparent specific volume exceeding 7 cm3/g, and a retention of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 400 to 190% or higher.

It has been previously and widely carried out to prepare molded articles containing active ingredients by using cellulose powder as an excipient.
Cellulose powders that were used are known to be microcrystalline celluloses and powdered celluloses, including the following examples.
JP-B-40-26274 describes a cellulose powder having an average polymerization degree of 150 to 375, an apparent specific volume of 1.84 to 8.92 cm3/g, and a particle size of 300 μm or less.
JP-B-56-2047 describes a cellulose powder having an average polymerization degree of 60 to 375 and an apparent specific volume of 1.6 to 3.1 cm3/g and 2 to 80 wt % of a component of 200 meshes or more, and JP-A-06-316535 deals with cellulose powder having an average polymerization degree of 100 to 375, an apparent specific volume of 4.0 to 6.0 cm3/g, and an average particle size of 30 to 120 μm without the substantial presence of a particle of 355 μm or more which is obtained by the acid hydrolysis or alkaline oxidative decomposition of a cellulosic material.
WO02/02643 describes a cellulose powder having an average polymerization degree of 150 to 450, an average particle size of 20 to 250 μm, and an apparent specific volume of 4.0 to 7.0 cm3/g.
JP-A-11-152233 describes those cellulose powders having an average polymerization degree of 100 to 375 which pass through a sieve with a mesh size of 75 μm and of which 70% or more of the total weight remains on a sieve with a mesh size of 38 μm without passing therethrough.
JP-A-50-19917 describes a method for preparing an additive for tablet molding which includes pretreating purified pulp to depolymerize until the pulp has an average polymerization degree of 450 to 650, and then subjecting it to mechanical pulverization treatment such that 50% or more of the resulting particles may pass through a 200-mesh sieve.
JP-A-63-267731 describes a cellulose powder which is pulverized to an average particle size of 30 μm or less. JP-A-63-267731 describes a method of preparation of a cellulose powder having an average particle size of 10 μm or less. This reference describes a powder having a relatively large apparent specific volume.
However, there has been a problem that the cellulose powder obtained by the method disclosed in the above described reference has insufficient compression moldability because the compression moldability of it is low, and thus a tablet with practical hardness can not be obtained. Further, there has also been a problem that when an active ingredient has liquid or semisolid form, exudation of the ingredient and tableting disorder occur at the compression molding of the tablet.
In addition, when a liquid or semisolid active ingredient is formed into a tablet at ordinary temperature, a method that has been previously known, which includes holding the liquid ingredient directly on an adsorption carrier, or dissolving, emulsifying or suspending the active ingredient in water, organic solvent, water-soluble polymer or surfactant before the holding thereof on the adsorption carrier, and then passing a drying process, and further subjecting the resultant dry powder or granule to compression molding, is described in JP-A-56-7713, JP-A-60-25919, JP-A-61-207341, JP-A-11-193229, JP-A-11-35487, JP-A-2000-16934, JP-A-2000-247869, JP-A-2001-181195, JP-A-2001-316248, National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2002-534455, JP-A-2003-161, JP-A-2003-55219. In such a method it has been a problem that there are many necessary drying steps, and thus the costs of equipment which is used therein and the energy used for drying are increased.
Also, JP-A-61-151116 describes a method which involves mixing an active ingredient with a surfactant or a water-soluble polymer in the presence of a nonaqueous solvent, and then removing the solvent, and JP-A-61-225121 describes a method which involves dissolving the ingredient in liquid polyethylene glycol, and then obtaining a powder or a granule, followed by the compression molding. In such a method it has been a problem that the use of the nonaqueous solvent requires the step of desolvation under heating, and thus the costs of equipment which is used therein and energy used for drying are increased. When only polyethylene glycol is used without adding a solvent, no tablet has been substantially obtained. Indeed, only a powder is described in the Examples of these references.
JP-A-57-165392 discloses a method for preparing a tablet containing an active ingredient and 10% or more of fat and oil based on the weight of the active ingredient. However, in such a method the active ingredient, the fat and oil component and an excipient must be formed into a dry granule using a compression roller. The extra step and the extra equipment therefor increase costs.
JP-A-58-194808 describes a chewable tablet consisting of a mixture of a pretreated active ingredient composition composed of a fat and oil absorbing material, which is a typical crystalline cellulose having an edible fat and oil absorbed therein, and a binder, an antioxidant, a flavor and/or a colorant, a pretreated active ingredient composition composed of an active ingredient particle mixture, an edible oil, a binder, an emulsifier, a flavor, and a coloring agent, wherein the active ingredient particles are coated with other components such as the binder, and a pretreated auxiliary composition for direct compression tableting composed of a binder and a flavor. However, in the method described in the reference it has been a problem that in order to obtain the three kinds of compositions, the respective pretreatment steps are required and such additional steps make the preparation method complicated, and thus the cost of equipment which is used therein is expensive. In addition, such a method does not satisfy the purpose of obtaining a tablet having high hardness because it provides only a tablet with low hardness.
JP-A-8-268914 discloses a solid pharmaceutical composition containing an oil or an oily substance, an active ingredient, and a water-insoluble non-bridged polymer excipient which has an average particle size of more than 150 μm and is capable of binding water, and a method for preparing the same. However, in such a method it has been a problem that the oily substance, the active ingredient, water, and the specific water-insoluble non-bridged polymer need to be stirred with high shearing force and the equipment used for this method is necessary.
JP-A-2001-335469 describes a method for producing a solid preparation that is excellent in the elution of a water-insoluble bioactive ingredient and further has a proper hardness. The method includes mixing the bioactive ingredient, a nonionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant and allowing a water-swelling polymeric compound with a specific surface area of 5,000 cm2/g or more to support the mixture, to which a general-purpose cellulose powder is then added, followed by the compression molding. In such a method, it has been a problem that the steps of mixing the drug with the surfactant(s) and allowing the specific water-swelling polymeric compound to support the mixture are necessary, and such additional steps make the production method complicated, and thus the cost of equipment which is used therein is expensive.
As described above, conventional methods have not been able to solve the problems that complex preparation processes lead to the increased cost of equipment and energy and that practical tablet hardness is not achieved at compression molding, generating exudation of liquid active ingredient and tableting disorder.
An object of the present invention is to provide a cellulose powder which is excellent in compression moldability and liquid retention when used as an excipient in the preparation of molded articles containing various active ingredients. Particularly in the preparation of a medical tablet, the present invention does not generate exudation of liquid active ingredient and tableting disorder and can produce a tablet having sufficient hardness in a simple and easy production process.


A method of submerged arc welding of thick steel plates with a large heat input and flux for submerged arc welding which comprises: forming a groove having a multi-angle shape which has at least two different angular inclination when a single side submerged arc welding for perfect penetration is conducted under a condition of an welding heat input of 100 to 1000 kJ/cm; using submerged arc welding flux SiO.sub.2 : 5 to 28% by weight, MgO: 15 to 35% by weight, CaO: 5 to 15% by weight, CaF.sub.2 : 2 to 20% by weight, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 : 5 to 15% by weight, and TiO.sub.2 : 2 to 10% by weight as the main components, and containing iron powder by 30% by weight or less and either or both of Si and Mn in the metallic form by 10% by weight, the submerged arc welding flux having a particle size distribution arranged such that the proportion of the particle size distribution arranged such that the proportion of the particle which have a size finer than 36 mesh is 20% by weight or less and the proportion of the particles which have a size 14 mesh or finer but 36 mesh or rougher is 60% by weight or more; and conducting the welding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of submerged arc-welding of a thick steel plate having a thickness exceeding 30 mm with a large heat input.
2. Description of the Background Art
Recently, steel plates having a thickness exceeding 30 mm have been used as the building structural members, especially as structural members for high rise buildings.
When the thick steel plates having thicknesses exceeding 30 mm are welded, joints having good appearance, and no internal defects should be produced without difficulty. In order to meet this goal, a method has been usually employed using underlay CO.sub.2 -welding. However, the underlaying CO.sub.2 -welding needs a lot of time and labors, this method is not suitable for welding a large quantity of thick building structural members.
In order to conduct welding with high efficiency, it is preferable that joints be formed by one pass/single layer welding with a large heat input, for example, 100 KJ/cm. If the above cannot be conducted because the thickness of the plate exceeds a certain limit, it is preferable that a multiplicity of passes/single layer welding or multi-layer welding be conducted.
It has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-108839 that the quantity of weld deposition is increased by using a flux to which iron powder has been added and using a multiplicity of electrodes with a large heat input for the purpose of one-pass/single layer welding a thick steel plate having a thickness exceeding 35 mm. However, the thickness which can be welded by one-pass has a certain limitation even if the above method is employed Furthermore, as the welding heat input increases, the characteristics of the welded joint are adversely affected
On the other hand, when multi-layer submerged arc welding is conducted with a large heat input, the amount of slag increases in proportion to the increase of the heat input, and what is even worse, the slag is difficult to remove. As a result, the removal of slag takes a long time or any remaining slag causes welding defects at the multilayer welding.
In order to overcome the above-described problems, a method has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-1925593 in which the slag can be readily removed by adding iron powder and adjusting the composition of flux.
However, the multi-layer welding of thick steel plates cannot be conducted efficiently with the above-described method because the thickness of the slag inevitably increases proportionally with the increase in the heat input and the proper heat input region is limited by a groove.
That is, in order to easily remove the slag by the above-described method, the groove angle must be 40. or more. However, it leads to a fact that the cross sectional area of the groove is enlarged excessively in accordance with increase in the plate thickness in the case of the single side welding. As a result, problems arise in that the strength and the toughness of the heat affected zone deteriorates because the heat input is enlarged. On the contrary, if the groove angle is reduced, solidified portions generate cracks because the width is narrowed with respect to the depth of fusion (the height of the penetrated metal) when using the first layer of the multi-layer welding with a large heat input. Because of the problems described above, the multi-layer welding with a large heat input has not been generally used.

Method of submerged arc welding a thick steel plate with large heat input and submerged arc welding flux


Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array.

There are many situations where is it desirable to locate buried utilities such as pipes and cables. For example, before starting any new construction that involves excavation, worker safety and project economic concerns require the precise location and identification of existing underground utilities such as underground power lines, gas lines, phone lines, fiber optic cable conduits, cable television (CATV) cables, sprinkler control wiring, water pipes, sewer pipes, etc., collectively and individually herein referred to as "buried objects."
Locating transmitters and receivers used in buried object locating systems, as well as locating methods using such systems, are known in the art. For example, some locating transmitters generate and transmit a current output signal to a buried object, and a corresponding locating receiver detects a resulting signal radiated from the buried object to determine location. However, conventional locating transmitters and receivers typically operate on a single frequency for signal transmission and detection. Depending on the nature of the operation, restriction to a single frequency may provide unsatisfactory results. For example, in systems which transmit and detect only a single frequency, it is difficult for an operator to determine if the current signal is the signal of interest, or a jamming or interfering signal. Additionally, certain output frequencies may be better suited than others in a given locating operation.
Thus, various multi-frequency transmitters have been developed to overcome problems arising from this constraint. However, while existing multi-frequency transmitters are capable of generating multiple current signals at different frequencies, such transmitters are not optimized for the current output to be sensed, processed, and displayed by a receiver on multiple frequencies at the same time. Thus, the operator is responsible for selecting the appropriate frequency signal for the specified locating operation and the information obtained is a function of only a single frequency at a particular time. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the above-described, as well as other problems.

Multi-frequency locating system and methods


A heuristic approach to configuration and/or planning for wireless networks is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, statistics relating to mobile device cell usage are collected and monitored. The statistics may include UE measurements (RSRP/RSRQ), UE location, number of connection requests, duration of connectivity, average traffic load associated with the users, channel utilization, and other statistics. Based on statistical analysis of the data collected, neural network analysis, data fitting, or other analysis, adjustments to cell coverage parameters such as handover thresholds, inactivity timer values, contention window size, inter-frame duration, transmit power, DRX cycle duration, or other parameters may be identified.

Recently, mobile phone networks have begun to take advantage of newer protocols and technologies developed on Internet Protocol (IP). The Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol, which specifies both a core network architecture and an air interface for mobile devices, leverages an all-IP architecture to provide both data and voice. In the LTE architecture, wireless base stations, known as eNodeBs, provide access to mobile devices, known as user equipments (UEs), and utilize backhaul connections to a telecommunications operator's core network, which are typically wired connections.
Also, wide deployment of LTE/Wifi networks has resulted in an increased focus on efficient utilization of resources and bandwidth. Given the rise in data traffic and quality of service (QoS) expectations of end users, cell operators are placing a greater emphasis on cell capacity and coverage planning. Traditionally, the task of cell planning, also referred to as radio frequency (RF) planning, is carried out before the actual deployment and is based on a priori measurements. This results in the possibility of sub-optimal utilization of cell resources. Adjustments to cell parameters, e.g., transmit power or handoff thresholds, must be made "off-line," i.e., made in non-real time and requiring human intervention. Further, in the absence of feedback it is not possible to correctly predict or observe the impact of the changes made.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Parameter optimization and event prediction based on cell heuristics


A well has a wellbore extending from a surface. Tubing extends within the wellbore for supporting a downhole pump. Sucker rods extend within the tubing for reciprocating a travelling valve. A load calculator determines loading on the sucker rods during a pump cycle. A variable speed driver reciprocates the sucker rods and travelling valve. A real time speed controller varies a speed of the driver in response to loading information from the load calculator for smoothing the rod load in a beam pump cycle. A target rod load is obtained and a surface linear speed of rods is varied by either slowing or speeding a driver for varying a surface linear speed of the rods when rod loading is above or below the target rod load.

Referring to FIG. 1, a beam pump or pumpjack, designated generally as 10, is the mechanical drive that converts rotary motion of a motor or prime mover 12 to reciprocating motion for reciprocating a downhole piston pump 14 in an oil well. Sucker rods 16 join the surface components of beam pump 10 and the downhole piston pump 14. Downhole pump 14 typically includes a pump barrel 17, which contains a plunger 21 carrying a travelling valve 18, and a standing valve 20. Beam pump 10 is used to mechanically lift liquid out of a well if there is insufficient bottom hole pressure for liquid to flow all the way to the surface. Beam pump 10 may also be used to increase the current production from a low producing well. Beam pumps, such as beam pump 10 of FIG. 1, are commonly used for low producing onshore wells and are common in oil-rich areas. About 60% of all artificially lifted wells in North America are beam or sucker rod pump systems and the figure is closer to 70% worldwide.
Depending on the size of beam pump 10, production may be from 15 to 30 liters of liquid per stroke, depending on design parameters. Often, the produced fluid is a mixture of crude oil and water with the possibility of some gas. Pump unit size, the size of sucker rods 16, and the horsepower capability of prime mover 12 are selected to accommodate the depth and weight of the oil to be removed. Deeper extraction requires greater power to move the increased weight of the discharge column. The diameter of downhole pump 14 and stroke length of the surface unit of beam pump 10, along with the pumping speed, i.e., strokes per minute (SPM), determine the producing rate of liquids. Liquids are routed up tubing string 24.
Beam pump 10 converts the rotary motion of a pump motor 12 to a vertical reciprocating motion to drive sucker rods 16, which are connected to the piston pump or downhole pump 14. The vertical reciprocating motion of beam pump 10 produces the characteristic nodding motion of the pump, which may be referred to as a walking beam.
A surface dynamometer card is the plot of measured or predicted surface loads on rods 16 of the pump shaft, i.e., sucker rods, at various positions throughout a complete stroke of beam pump 10. Surface loads may be measured via a load cell, e.g., located under a rod clamp resting on a carrier bar. Alternatively, a predicted surface load may be obtained from a predictive wave equation computer program, as is known in the art. For purposes of this application, a load cell, or other load measuring device, as well as computer or software that calculates surface load, shall be referred to as a load calculator. A surface dynamometer card reflects forces at the surface but can also be used to calculate and to plot forces in rods 16 above downhole pump 14 or anywhere in the string of sucker rods 16 as a function of position at the bottom of rod string 16 or anywhere in rod string 16. The loads on the surface card or loads in the rods 16 at the surface are a result of the fluid load and also are a result of the weight of rods 16 in fluid and dynamic forces. The load is typically displayed in pounds of force (Y scale) and the position (X scale) of a rod is typically displayed in inches. Dynamometer cards are displayed by predictive and diagnostic software for the purposes of design and diagnosis of sucker rod pumping systems to show stroke length, maximum/minimum loads for a cycle and other parameters.
Some diagnostics may be conducted by an analysis of surface dynamometer card shapes, since certain downhole problems are typically associated with particular surface dynamometer card shapes. In shallow to medium depth wells, such interpretation of the surface dynamometer card may be reasonably effective in diagnosing pump performance. In deeper wells, however, the complex nature of the lift system means that diagnosing pump performance from surface dynamometer cards can be more problematic due to the dynamics of the long string of sucker rods.
A downhole dynamometer card, designated generally 30 (FIG. 2), is a plot of calculated loads at various positions of pump stroke and represents the fluid load that pump 14 applies to the bottom of the rod string 16. Downhole dynamometer card 30 has four indices, i.e., A, B, C, and D, representing opening and closing events of standing valve 20, i.e., indices B and C, and opening and closing events of travelling valve 18, i.e., indices A and D. A schematic of pump 12 is shown adjacent to each labeled corners A-D of card 10 wherein the status of pump 14 at each of points A-D is shown. The maximum plunger travel (MPT) is the maximum length of the movement of plunger 21 with respect to barrel 17 of pump 14 during one complete stroke. Most of the load, presented on the Y-axis of downhole dynamometer card 30, is a force caused by differential pressure acting on plunger 21 of pump 14 or the fluid load at pump 14. The differential pressure acts across traveling valve 18 on the upstroke and is transferred to standing valve 20 on the down stroke. The differential pressure is the difference between the pressure due to fluids within tubing 24 and the pressure in the wellbore. The magnitude of the fluid load is equal to the pump discharge pressure minus the pump intake pressure multiplied by the plunger area. Loads are shown on a downhole dynamometer card 30 on the Y scale, i.e., load in rod 16 above pump 14, and position of rods 16 above the pump 14 (X scale) will be transferred to a surface dynamometer card along with the weight of rods 16 in fluid and dynamic loads. A typical surface dynamometer card 40 is shown in FIG. 3.
Still referring to FIG. 2, the successive steps in the downhole pump operation include the following: At the start of the upstroke (point A), traveling valve 18 and standing valve 20 are both closed.
Still referring to FIG. 2, from points B to C, rods 16 carry the fluid load when traveling valve 18 is closed. From points D to A, tubing 24 carries the fluid load, when standing valve 20 is closed. The effective plunger travel (EPT) is the length of travel of plunger 21 when the full fluid load is acting on standing valve 20. In FIG. 2, the effective travel of plunger 21 is from B to C and is usually a smaller length than the surface stroke length due to stretch of rods 16.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a typical surface dynamometer card is shown. A surface dynamometer card is a plot of measured loads on rods 16 at various positions throughout a complete stroke. The load may be displayed in pounds of force and the position may be displayed in inches. With reference to surface dynamometer card 40, from point A to point B, the fluid load is fully carried by tubing 24 prior to point A and is gradually transferred rods 16 at point B. The load transfers as rods 16 are loaded and exhibit stretch to pick up the fluid load. If tubing 24 is anchored, plunger 21 and travelling valve 18 do not move relative to tubing 24. Pressure in pump 14 decreases and any free gas in the clearance space between valves 18 and 20 expands from the static tubing pressure (Pt) to the pump intake pressure (Pint).
Standing valve 20 begins to open at A, allowing fluid to enter pump 14 when the pressure in pump 14 drops below the intake pressure (Pint).
Still referring to FIG. 3, with reference to surface dynamometer card 40, from point B to C, the fluid load is carried by rods 16 as well fluids are drawn into pump 14. At C, standing valve 20 closes as plunger 21 starts down, and traveling valve 18 remains closed until the pressure inside pump 14 is slightly greater than the pump discharge pressure (Pd). From C to D, gas in pump 14 (if present) is compressed as plunger 21 moves down to increase pressure on the fluid from the intake pressure (Pint) to the static pressure in tubing 24. However, plunger 21 does not move if pump barrel 17 is full of an incompressible fluid. As fluid in pump barrel 17 is compressed, then the fluid load is gradually transferred from rods 16 to the tubing 24.
At D, the pump discharge pressure (Pd) equals the static tubing pressure (Pt), and traveling valve 18 opens. From D to A, fluid in pump 14 is displaced through traveling valve 18 into tubing 24 and the fluid load is held by tubing 24.

Adjusting speed during beam pump cycle using variable speed drive


Electronic packages made with a high area percent coverage of blanket metal may be prone to certain kinds of ceramic defects. In aluminum nitride, these defects may be related to decomposition of the liquid sintering aid. In this experiment, unique additions to the metallization prevented the formation of certain ceramic defects. Our approach involves a unique composition used in an existing process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to densified ceramic bodies for electronic components and, in particular, to a densified ceramic body which is relatively free of surface defects.
2. Description of Related Art
Aluminum nitride (AlN) is of great interest as a material for electronic packages because of its high thermal conductivity and close match in thermal expansion to silicon. AlN can be densified at relatively low temperatures (1500-1700.degree. C.) by additions of various low-melting-temperature compounds. Because of its high equilibrium vapor pressure, densification of the AiN ceramic can only be accomplished by hot pressing or liquid phase sintering.
Electronic packages using AlN as a dielectric are typically processed from ceramic tape or greensheets. Greensheets consist of aluminum nitride powder, sintering aids, and an organic binder. The electrical conductor in the package is formulated into a paste made of refractory metal powder, ceramic additives, and organic binder. These two components are used in the process illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. The paste 12, 14 is screened essentially in a blanket pattern on the top sheet 16 of the greensheet stack 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, where up to 80% of the surface of the greensheet may be covered by the paste. Often, two different pastes are deposited, one on top of the other. One paste may be added to provide adhesion to the ceramic and another to offer a surface which has sufficient exposed metal to allow plating. Greensheets are provided with through holes called vias which are also filled with conductive paste. The sheets 16 are then laminated by applying sufficient heat and pressure and the result is illustrated in FIG. 1B. The laminated stack 18 is then heated to remove the organic binder from the paste 12,14 and from the greensheet 16. Further heating sinters the powders of both the paste and the greensheet. The resulting stack is illustrated in FIG. 1C. In the sinter cycle, the sintering aids form a liquid which further aids densification of the ceramic body 20. If any component of the liquid sintering aids has a high vapor pressure, the liquid phase will tend to wick to the surface(s) of the part. The surface of the part may then tend to have an accumulation of sintering aid byproducts. The byproducts may be in the form of particles 22 which protrude above the surface as illustrated in FIG. 1D. The protruding particles 22 are especially undesirable on the surface of an electronic chip carrier because the particles present a debris hazard in clean room operations and may also damage a chip during the chip attach process. The chip damage problem is especially exaggerated when the metal covers a high area percent of the ceramic.
Processing of electronic packages is greatly aided by use of a multilayer ceramic (MLC) technology, in which greensheets are cast using AlN and metallization is applied in the form of thixotropic ink or paste. The ink typically contains a solvent, a metal powder, a binder, and ceramic additives. The particle size of the metal powder and the volume fraction of the ceramic additives are chosen in order to assure a shrinkage match between the metallization and the ceramic. The ceramic additives are typically similar to that of the powder mixture in the greensheet. In cases where there is a surface metal feature to which IO devices (wire bonds, pins, tape automated bonding (TAB), etc.) will be attached, mechanical adhesion between the metal and the ceramic is required. Here, ceramic additives to the ink are also of great value, in that they may provide an interlocking feature between the ceramic and metal.
In some electronic packaging applications, however, there is a need for coverage of much of the surface of the ceramic with metallization. It is possible for 70% or more of the ceramic surface to be taken up by metal features. The specifications for the surfaces of these packages have very stringent limits on the height of bumps or bulges in the ceramic, in order to prevent damage to die which are later attached to the packages. There is also a strong desire to limit the potential for the ceramic to be a source of particulate contamination in a clean room environment.
In a package with high surface metal loading, however, a problem with the sintering aid may occur. The sintering aid may have a tendency to move toward the surface during the sinter cycle. Since a highly loaded system will have few areas which are not covered by metallization, the liquid phase may accumulate in these areas. Furthermore, the liquid phase is likely to decompose into phases which are of a high hardness. This decomposed phase may cause an electronic package to violate specifications for surface defect height or to cause concerns about clean room contamination. In some extreme cases, the surface second phase may cause bulges in the metallization.
Accordingly, it is highly desirable to develop aluminum nitride bodies with minimal surface defects.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a ceramic surface for an electronic component whereby the surface is substantially free of surface defects.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an aluminum nitride body with minimal surface defects.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of producing a ceramic body which is substantially free of surface defects.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of producing an aluminum nitride body with minimal surface defects.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

Method for controlling of certain second phases in aluminum nitride

International Business Machines Corporation


A hose clamp having a metal band provided with two closed end loops. Each end loop has a pair of aligned slots. A first loop is formed of a curved section and a straight section. A captive nut comprising a tubular threaded portion with a curved backing flange is inserted in the loop with the tubular portion projecting through a slot and the flanged portion abutting the internal curved portion of the loop. A tightening bolt with a flanged head is passed through the second loop and is threaded into the tubular portion to close the loop. A second embodiment shows a bridging element pivoted to the second loop.

This invention relates to a hose clamp which is formed of a metal band provided with two looped ends. In a first embodiment of the invention the looped ends are similar and comprise an inwardly facing curved portion joined by a relatively straight portion which is bonded to the band forming a closed loop. Each loop is provided with a pair of opposed slots for receiving a threaded bolt. One of the loops retains a captive nut which cooperates with the threaded bolt to tighten the clamp when the bolt is turned. The captive nut is provided with a curved flange whose curve matches that of the curved area of the loop.
In a second embodiment of the invention one of the loops is substantially circular and houses a bushing which pivotally supports a bridging element. Because of the pivoted relationship between the bridging element and the bushing, the bridging element can adjust to a best clamping relationship around the hose as the threaded bolt is tightened.
A number of hose clamps have been invented each of which possesses one or more drawbacks which this invention overcomes. One drawback in the prior art is the excessive friction developed during the tightening process which reduces the tightening property of the clamp. Another drawback in some of the prior art devices is the lack of a tightening screw which can be quickly tensioned by means of high speed automated wrenches. Also, in some designs the nut which receives the tightening screw can become detached and lost before the clamp is placed in use. Another disadvantage of some prior art clamps is that they are very heavy in relation to their size making them difficult to use in certain applications.
In prior art clamps formed by a strip rolled over itself forming end loops with a nut and bolt acting between the loops to tighten the clamp around the hose, there remains an uncovered space on the hose between the end loops. Because of this uncovered space between the loops there is no perpendicular force acting to seal the hose in this area as the clamp is gradually closed in a radial direction against the external walls of the hose. Consequently, there is a break in the annular constraining action of the clamp which results in a pinching of the hose in this area. This pinching action raises the flexible material in the unsupported area causing a defective seal.
To avoid this negative pinching effect, there is currently a rigid extension tab or bridge, with no joint, at the bottom of one of the clamp's ends. This rigid extension tab reduces the problem described above, since it creates a bridge which exerts pressure on the space without bunching the hose between the two ends of the clamps. However, as stated above, the advance of one end of the clamp towards the other is not straight but curved, and the extension tab is rigid and not jointed, so this known tab cannot adapt precisely to the curvature of the flexible tube. This inability to adapt to the curvature of the hose in the bridging space causes wrinkles and friction damage to the hose as the clamp is tightened.
So as to avoid the problems created by a rigid extension tab, this invention provides for a tab pivotally attached to one loop end of the clamp.

Hose clamp with flanged captive tensioning nut and pivoted bridging element


In a burst mode digital communication system, a preamble containing a predetermined bit pattern and a digital signal are modulated upon orthogonal carriers and transmitted in a series of burst signals. At a distant end of the system, the preamble and the digital signal are noncoherently detected with locally generated orthogonal carriers having the same frequency as the transmitted orthogonal carries to produce in-phase and quadrature signals. First and second correlators are provided to perform a correlation calculation between a locally generated bit pattern and the in-phase signal and to perform a correlation calculation between the local bit pattern and the quadrature signal. A phase error of the local carriers with respect to the transmitted carriers is detected from the outputs of the first and second correlators. A clock phase error of a locally generated clock pulse with respect to symbols contained in the transmitted burst signals is detected from one of the outputs of the correlators. Power level detector is connected to the outputs of the correlators for detecting a power level of the received burst signals. The carrier and clock phase error detection as well as the power level detection are performed in a parallel fashion, allowing a reduction of the amount of information contained in the preamble.

The present invention relates generally to burst mode digital communications systems, and more specifically it relates to a technique for reducing the amount of information contained in the preamble of each burst transmission that is necessary for recovering carrier and clock timing at a receiving end of the system.
In a burst mode of digital transmission, a preamble is transmitted at the beginning of each burst transmission to convey information as to the carrier and symbol clock timing of a modulator to allow receiving stations to establish correct timing relationships with the carrier and symbol clock of the modulator. The preamble is made up of a carrier recovery field and a clock recovery field that follows. On receiving a preamble, the receiver's function is to first analyze the carrier recovery field to establish correct timing with the carrier of the modulator and then proceed to the clock recovery field to establish proper symbol clock timing. In addition, an automatic gain control signal is derived from the received signal after the clock recovery procedure is complete.
Because of the sequential operations, the time taken to process the preamble is substantial and hence the transmission efficiency of the current burst mode of digital communications system is low.

Preamable detection circuit for digital communications system


An AC voltage detection device has a rectifying circuit configured to rectify an AC voltage output from an AC power source, a voltage-pulse conversion circuit configured to convert a rectified voltage rectified in the rectifying circuit to a first pulse signal having a period shorter than a half of a period of the AC voltage, a pulse transmission circuit configured to perform signal transmission with electrical insulation by converting the first pulse signal to a physical signal other than an electrical signal and converting the physical signal to a second pulse signal being an electrical signal, and a controller to which the second pulse signal is input. The controller calculates the voltage value of the AC voltage from a characteristic value of the second pulse signal.

There has been disclosed an AC voltage detection device having a zener diode, a photocoupler, and a control means for measuring the duration of a signal output from the photocoupler. The photocoupler includes a primary-side light emitting diode and a secondary-side phototransistor. In this technology, in the case where the AC voltage is lower than a predetermined threshold close to 0V, the secondary-side phototransistor is turned on; whereas in the case where AC voltage is higher than the predetermined threshold, the secondary-side phototransistor is turned off.
Therefore, the control means can obtain an output signal corresponding to the ON-OFF state of the secondary-side phototransistor. Further, since the OFF durations of the output signal lengthen as the amplitude of the AC voltage increases, the related-art AC voltage detection device specifies the value of AC voltage on the basis of the OFF durations.
However, in the field of AC voltage detection devices, new methods of detecting an AC voltage by the secondary side unlike the above-described method of the related art are demanded.

AC voltage detection device, image forming apparatus, and industrial machine


Disclosed is a system (102) for determining a location of an explosive device. The system (102) detects an explosive device using one or more devices (204) based on one or more nano-explosive detection sensors (206) associated with the one or more devices (204). The system (102) further identifies a type, a quantity and a signal strength associated with the explosive device. The system (102) computes a distance between the explosive device and the one or more devices (204). The system (102) determines explosive device co-ordinates based on the computed distance and device co-ordinates associated with each device (204). The system (102) receives a data packet comprising data associated with the explosive device from the one or more devices (204). The system (102) determines a location of the explosive device based on an analysis of the data packet received from the one or more devices (204).

Generally, there are a number of conventional systems for ensuring security of highly sensitive areas such as airport, railway stations, theatres, sports stadium and the like. Typically, the conventional systems detect a presence of explosives in public places based on static object scanning mechanism, through manual intervention. The conventional systems further generate alarms based on detection of the explosive. However, the conventional systems may not be accurate in predicting an exact location of a moving explosive device and affecting coverage area associated with the explosive device.

System and method for determining a location of an explosive device


Methods include the use of a probe array that includes a flotation device configured to maintain the probe array adjacent a surface of a wellbore fluid; an acquisition module secured to the flotation device such that the acquisition module is positioned below the surface of the wellbore fluid, and that include one or more of a dissolved oxygen probe, a pH probe, a turbidity probe, or a conductivity probe; transmitter configured to receive data acquired from the acquisition module and transmit the data to a computer system configured to receive the data from the transmitter and configured to perform the steps of: processing the data to determine one or more wellbore fluid properties, displaying the one or more wellbore fluid properties and/or one or more remedial actions.

Wellbore operations in subterranean formations involve the management of large volumes of wellbore fluids. During drilling, wellbore fluids are circulated downhole and perform various tasks including lubrication of the drill bit, transporting drill cuttings, and maintaining hydrostatic pressure against the formation. As wellbore fluid is continually pumped downhole, displaced fluids return to the surface along with entrained solids, gases, and connate fluids encountered downhole.
The accumulated materials change the properties of the wellbore fluid, which can result in changes in the performance, including reduced rate of penetration, loss of mud downhole and filter cake buildup. In addition, wellbore fluids can encounter corrosive materials during drilling and production operations, which can degrade downhole equipment, particularly metal components. Adverse changes in wellbore fluid composition can affect the quality of the of the well, the drilling speed, cost to drill to depth, sticking of a drill bit, cave in potential, and the overall yield of the well. Corrosive gases, such as H2S and CO2, and abrasive particulates can degrade metal equipment, which can lead to reduced equipment performance and eventual failure. Degraded performance and unexpected equipment failure can lead to undesirable downtime of drilling operations and costs associated with repaired affected equipment.
To mitigate changes in wellbore fluid composition and corrosivity, wellbore fluids are collected upon return to the surface and reconditioned in stages to remove contaminants, including solids, fines, and gases. Wellbore fluids can also be treated with additives to remove emulsions and flocculate solids, and to replenish brines and other materials depleted downhole or removed with unwanted contaminants. Treated fluids are then transferred to suction tanks to be circulated back downhole.
Wellbore fluid reconditioning requires analysis of fluid properties to identify the presence of contaminants, and to verify that reconditioning methods are effective in maintaining fluid characteristics within desired performance limits. However, traditional wellbore fluid measurement techniques involve manual sampling at inconsistent time intervals in laboratories that are on site or remote, or through the use of specialized and expensive equipment integrated into downhole equipment. For example, wellbore fluid measurements can involve the use of tethered logging tools lowered into a wellbore suspended on a cable or pushed into the wellbore using, for example, coiled tubing, or pushed or pulled along the wellbore using a tractor, or other similar driving mechanism. Conventional tethered logging tools and the cable or wiring attached thereto are generally bulky, requiring specialized vehicles or equipment and a specialized crew of technicians to deploy and operate. The need to mobilize specialized vehicles and/or other large equipment and to provide a crew of technicians to remote well sites increases the expense associated with well logging and can introduce undesirable delays in obtaining needed data.
Thus, there is a need for improved monitoring and fluid property measurement devices capable of monitoring locations within a surface wellbore fluid circulating system in real-time to track changes in fluid composition during wellbore operations.

Probe arrays for monitoring wellbore fluid composition and methods of using the same


Particles of an interconnected three-dimensional network of bar-like topaz crystals are used as a reactant (with added silicon dioxide, or a mixture with added silicon dioxide and hydrated aluminum fluoride or added silicon dioxide, hydrated aluminum fluoride and alumina) to form mullite whisker honeycomb articles suitable as catalyst supports.

This invention relates to ceramic articles based on a three-dimensional interconnected mullite whisker crystal network and is specifically directed to the use of topaz crystals as a reactant in an in situ synthesis of mullite whiskers to densify and strengthen mullite whisker articles produced without conventional sintering. In particular, the invention relates to the reaction in situ of interconnected topaz crystals and silicon dioxide or topaz crystals, silicon dioxide and hydrated aluminum fluoride in shaped green bodies, especially extruded honeycombs.
Shaped ceramic articles which exhibit a high degree of thermal shock and creep resistance have a number of commercially important applications, for example, as diesel particulate traps, hot gas filters, molten metal filters, substrates for exhaust catalysts, catalytic substrates for ozone conversion, catalytic substrates for precious metal combustors (Catcom) used to power gas turbines and in metal matrix composites. Several major problems, however, hinder such uses of ceramics. First, ceramics are susceptible to damage, such as cracking, caused by thermal shock and/or creep. Another problem results from the fact that ceramic structures frequently are difficult to machine or to join, making it difficult to manufacture ceramic articles having complex shapes. This is especially true of thin-walled structures such as honeycombs.
Mullite is widely used in numerous ceramic applications and is a crystalline aluminum silicate of the approximate empirical composition 3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2. Mullite is characterized by a distinctive diffraction pattern, but mullite occurs in distinctly different crystalline shapes, the most common being prismatic cigar-shaped crystals, sometimes referred to as "acicular" form. This form of mullite occurs as "clumps" and may be obtained, for example, by firing clays. Mullite can also be synthesized as smooth elongated single crystals (whiskers). Whiskers have a significantly higher aspect ratio than the prismatic crystals in conventional mullite materials. Mullite can also be synthesized as highly elongate fibers. Generally, all forms of mullite have many of the known valuable properties of alumina, such as a high melting point and, in addition, exhibit other valuable physical and chemical properties. However, when mullite is formed as whiskers, the unusual strength associated with single crystals is PG,5 obtained. Topaz (AL.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 F.sub.2) is usually obtained as stocky, bar-like crystals which have a significantly lower aspect ratio than mullite whiskers. Topaz is characterized by a unique x-ray diffraction pattern and can be converted to various forms of mullite by reactions with silicon dioxide.
The art is replete with suggestions to use various whiskers, including mullite whiskers, to reinforce ceramics. Generally, in such use the whiskers are employed as discrete, nonagglomerated crystals which are formed into composites by conventional sintering technology. This inherently limits the content of mullite in the ceramic articles so produced and introduces potentially fluxing materials. Thus mullite articles based on composites including addition of discrete single whiskers cannot be used at temperatures as high as those that pure mullite can survive, and production of such composites necessitates handling fibrous material.
Various methods have been suggested in the prior art for the production of mullite in whisker form. Generally, these involve solid-solid reactions at high temperatures with evolution of gaseous by-product. Formation of mullite whiskers from the reaction of anhydrous aluminum trifluoride (or aluminum trifluoride and alumina) and silicon dioxide with a topaz intermediate is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,910,172, 4,911,902, and 4,948,766, all to Talmy et al. The reactants pass through a topaz crystalline phase before mullite crystals are formed. According to the teachings of the patents, the solid reactants must be anhydrous and an anhydrous silicon tetrafluoride atmosphere must be present to form the mullite whiskers. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,766 a porous shaped preform containing the reactants and an organic binder is converted to a highly porous felt, exemplified in examples as small discs, the green bodies going through a topaz intermediate stage without isolation of the topaz intermediate. The initial green bodies are highly porous as are the felts.
Our copending application, U.S. Ser. No. 07/386,186, and now abandoned, is directed to an in situ chemical route for making porous mullite ceramic parts in near net shape from preformed precursors. The invention permits the formation of highly complex shapes such as thin-walled honeycombs, and it entails heating coherent green bodies containing a mixture of finely powdered hydrated aluminum fluoride and silicon dioxide in a molar ratio of approximately 12:13, along with a fugitive binder, while sweeping the volatile reaction products including silicon tetrafluoride and water from the bodies. The reactants form mullite according to the following equation: EQU 12AlF.sub.3.xH.sub.2 O+13SiO.sub.2 =2 (3Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.2SiO.sub.2)+9SiF.sub.4 +xH.sub.2 O (1)
X is suitably about 3 and can be as high as 9. At temperatures of about 600.degree. C.-800.degree. C. a topaz intermediate (Al.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 F.sub.2) is formed and above 890.degree. C. this reaction results in the formation of mullite whiskers. The topaz intermediate is not recovered in this process.
Mullite whiskers products obtained by reaction (1) are highly porous, typically about 80% porous, and thus they are relatively weak. However, many of the important potential commercial applications for high mullite whisker content shaped articles require higher strength while still possessing desirable micro and macro-structures.

Thermal shock and creep resistant porous mullite articles prepared from topaz and process for manufacture


Systems, methods, apparatuses, and software for data storage systems are provided herein. In one example, a data storage apparatus includes a processor configured to assign service levels in a queue for handling storage operations directed to one or more data storage drives. The processor can pre-allocate resources in the queue for selected ones of the service levels before ones of the storage operations associated with the selected ones of the service levels are received by the processor. The processor receives the storage operations, and based at least on the service levels, services the storage operations from the queue with the one or more data storage drives.

Computer systems typically include bulk storage systems, such as magnetic disc drives, optical storage devices, tape drives, or solid state storage drives, among other storage systems. In these computer systems, a host system, such as a network device, server, or end-user computing device, communicates with external bulk storage systems to store data or to access previously stored data. These bulk storage systems are traditionally limited in the number of devices that can be included per host and also have large physical space requirements due to the separate physical packaging of individual storage drives, which can be problematic in storage environments where higher capacity, redundancy, and reliability is desired.
Networked computer systems typically include network interface equipment, such as network interface cards, which provide physical access to one or more packet or frame-based networks, such as Ethernet. This interface equipment can be controlled by software, such as operating systems, drivers, and the like, to handle the various network traffic that traverses the network interfaces and an associated network stack. Front-end buffering and queue systems are inefficient for storage transaction handling with respect to associated storage devices. These shortcomings can be especially pronounced with the increasing data storage and retrieval needs in networked, cloud, and enterprise environments.

Front-end quality of service differentiation in data systems


A transmission utilizes oscillating torque to vary the mechanical power transmitted to a load. The transmission has a rotatable input member and a rotatable mass. The transmission also has a member with an eccentric offset, with the rotatable mass rotatably coupled to the offset and being eccentric with respect to the offset. The input member is coupled to the rotatable mass by a linkage so that the rotation of the input member causes the rotatable mass to rotate and apply centrifugal force to the member with the eccentric offset. First and second one-way clutches are coupled between the eccentric offset member and an output member. The first one-way clutch drives the output member in one direction and the eccentric offset member is driven in the one direction and the second one-way clutch prevents the output member from rotating in the other direction.

Transmissions are used in a variety of applications to change the speed and torque provided by an engine or prime mover. One popular application of transmissions is in an automobile. In an automobile, the transmission is connected between the engine and the drive wheels or tires.
Prior art automobiles utilize fixed ratio transmissions. These transmissions have a set of gears that provide a few fixed and discrete speed ratios between the input from the engine and the output to the tires. Engine rpm (revolutions per minute) varies over a wide range for each speed ratio. Because the engine must operate over a wide range of speeds, its overall efficiency is reduced.
Continuously variable transmissions offer a way to boost engine efficiency. Unlike fixed ratio transmissions, continuously variable transmissions offer a wide range of speed ratios between the input from the engine and the output to the tires. This allows the engine to operate over a narrow range of optimum rpm's, wherein the engine efficiency can be increased. By varying the speed ratio, the engine speed can be maintained in its optimum range, even for a variety of driving conditions, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
My previous patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,062,096 and 6,044,718, disclose a continuously variable transmission that utilizes rotating eccentric masses to produce an oscillating torque. The oscillating torque is converted into one-way torque by one-way drives or clutches.
Since those patents, I have continued to refine my design. The present invention builds on my previous work and presents a more simplified design, particularly in the apparatus that rotates the masses.

Continuously variable transmission using oscillating torque and one-way drives


An apparatus comprises an electrically active layer having a first plurality of substantially parallel electrodes and a second plurality of substantially parallel electrodes, wherein the first plurality of electrodes are not parallel to the second plurality of electrodes, such that there exists a matrix of intersection points between the electrodes. A signal generator is configured to generate excitation signals and is connected to the first plurality of electrodes, and a signal detector is configured to detect output signals from the second plurality of electrodes, wherein an output signal from one of the second plurality of electrodes is indicative of the degree of capacitive coupling to one of the first plurality of electrodes on application of an excitation signal thereto. A flexible top layer is sealed to the electrically active layer to define at least one hermetic void between portions of the top layer and portions of the electrically active layer.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sensing changes in air pressure and in pressure applied directly to the apparatus.
It is often necessary to measure the air pressure around an object, particularly in the field of aerodynamics. For example, the design of an aerofoil requires understanding of the airflow around it, so that the lower pressure above the aerofoil creates lift. Similarly, in the design of cars it is essential to understand which parts of the car are causing lift, drag or turbulence.
It is therefore known to provide sensors to measure air pressure at various places on an object, particularly in a wind tunnel. One such method uses tubes connected at one end to surface taps (small holes) in the object, and at the other end to pressure transducers, often located outside the wind tunnel. There are considerable disadvantages with this method, for example the need to drill holes at precise points on the object, and the need to route the pressure tubes without placing strain on them. Further, this method can only be used with models in a wind tunnel, rather than with the genuine article. For example, it is not possible to use this method with a moving car in order to measure drag in the real world.
A second known method is the use of pressure-sensitive paints, which fluoresce under a specific illumination wavelength in differing intensities depending upon the air pressure being applied. This is easier to apply than the pressure taps but relies on accurate photography of the paint to provide pressure measurements. Further, it can only be used in specific environments that have the required light, and therefore cannot be used in the real world.
A third known method is computational fluid dynamics, which uses a computer to mathematically model the air flow around the object. While this is useful in the design stage, it cannot provide real world information.
There is therefore a need for an air pressure sensor that is easy to apply to an object and can be used on a moving object as well as in a wind tunnel.
Further, it would be advantageous if such a sensor were also able to sense pressure applied directly to it.
French Patent Application No. 3 001 800 discloses a sensor having a lower part integrating conductive and coplanar lower electrodes and an upper part integrating a flexible, conducting and floating upper electrode. Spacer abutments intercalated between the parts maintain spacing between them. The upper electrode is positioned with respect to the lower electrodes at a predetermined distance. The lower electrodes include conductive ink layers deposited on an upper face of a lower substrate. The upper electrode has a conductive ink layer deposited on a lower face of an upper substrate.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2014142193 discloses a load distribution detector capable of performing highly accurate detection regardless of application even with a simple configuration. A load distribution detector includes a plurality of fixed electrodes arrayed along a detection plane, movable electrodes provided in a manner to face the fixed electrodes, a plurality of capacitance detection parts constituted by pairs of the fixed electrodes and the movable electrodes, and a screening electrode provided on the side of the fixed electrodes relative to the movable electrodes. The fixed electrodes which abut each other in a predetermined direction are electrically connected.
Neither of these sensors can be used to sense pressure applied to it.


The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one ISCOM complex and at least one ectodomain from at least one hemagglutinin (HA) domain and at least one ectodomain from at least one neuraminidase (NA) domain from one or more influenza virus, wherein the extodomains represent ectodomains isolated from the influenza virus. The invention also regards a kit. The composition may be used as an immune stimulating medicine, immune modulating pharmaceutical or a vaccine e.g. against influenza for vertebrates, e.g. birds and mammals.

The recent emergence of the pandemic swine-origin 2009 A(H1 N1) influenza virus strongly emphasises the potential of influenza viruses to cause morbidity and mortality in the human population on a global scale. Worldwide over 200 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory-confirmed cases of the pandemic virus including more than 16,000 deaths [1]. Vaccination is the primary method to prevent or lower the burden of influenza disease. However, as illustrated again by the 2009 pandemic, a rapid response during the early phase of an outbreak is hampered by the time-consuming vaccine strain preparation and vaccine manufacturing process currently used. This, combined with the notorious capacity of influenza viruses to escape from existing immunity by antigenic drift and shift, stresses the need for novel, safe and preferably broadly effective vaccines that can be produced rapidly and in flexible response to newly emerging antigenic variants.
The currently licensed influenza virus vaccines are composed of the viral envelope glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Antibodies elicited by these two large glycoproteins have distinct properties in immunity against influenza virus. Antibodies to HA generally neutralise viral infectivity by interference with virus binding to sialic acid receptors on the target cells or, subsequently, by preventing the fusion of the viral and cellular membrane through which the viral genome gains access to the target cell. Antibodies to NA disable release of progeny virus from infected cells by inhibiting the NA-associated receptor destroying enzymatic activity. The HA-mediated humoral immunity has been characterised most extensively and shown to prevent virus infection. The contribution of NA antibodies to preventing disease has been studied less well. They appeared to produce a kind of permissive immunity [2] characterised by a decrease in infectious virus release from apical surfaces of infected epithelia [2-8], reducing the probability of virus shedding and spread into the environment.
Immunisation with the combination of HA and NA provides enhanced protection against influenza [5, 9, 10]. Although HA and NA are equivalently immunogenic [2], the humoral immune response towards conventional inactivated vaccines or virus infection is naturally skewed towards HA since HA and NA occur on the viral surface at an approximately 4:1 ratio [11]. In addition, in intact virions the HA immunologically outcompetes NA in B and T cell priming as shown in mice [12]. This antigenic competition is not seen in vaccinated animals when HA and NA are administered separately [10, 13]. The currently licensed pandemic vaccines as well as the seasonal trivalent vaccines are generally prepared from whole viruses and are hence biased to contain more HA than NA antigen. Adapting the HA-NA ratio in vaccine formulations in favour of NA may provide a more balanced humoral immune response resulting in higher NA antibody levels and increased protection against disease [3, 14].
Since the current inactivated influenza virus vaccines are standardised only for the amount of HA, the NA content is variable as is, consequently, the frequency and level of seroconversion to NA, which is often rather poor [28, 29].
Typical for influenza A viruses, antigenic variants of HA and NA within a certain virus subtype able to escape from existing immunity are gradually selected in the human population. This process of antigenic drift calls for the almost annual adjustment of the seasonal vaccine composition in response to newly arising variants. In view of the threat of future influenza pandemics, caused for instance by an avian H5N1 virus, there is a need for vaccines inducing broadly protective immunity.


This specification generally relates to methods and systems for applying network policies to devices based on their current access network. One example method includes identifying a proxy connection request sent from a particular client device to a proxy server over a network, the proxy connection request including a hostname and configured to direct the proxy server to establish communication with the computer identified by the hostname on behalf of the client device; determining an identity of the client device based on the proxy connection request; identifying a domain name system (DNS) response to a DNS request including the hostname from the proxy connection request; and updating DNS usage information for the particular client based on the identified DNS response including the hostname from the proxy connection request.

This specification generally relates to methods and systems for detecting malware in proxy server networks.
In corporate and other networks, computers may communicate with hosts on external networks, such as the Internet, which may render the computer and other computing resources vulnerable to malicious activity and attackers, such as botnets and spyware. In some cases, the computers may communicate through a proxy server that communicates with external network hosts on behalf of the computers.

Malware detection for proxy server networks


The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for determining the transmission ratio of a continuously variable transmission having a drive end and an output end. A signal, which represents the transmission ratio, is computed in dependence upon a primary rpm of the drive end and a secondary rpm of the output end which are transmitted to the arrangement. A fault signal is generated which is dependent upon the instantaneous primary rpm and/or the instantaneous secondary rpm and indicates whether a value for the transmission ratio is to be outputted as the signal representing the transmission ratio. This value is computed from the detected instantaneous values for the primary rpm and the secondary rpm.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,913 discloses a control circuit for adjusting the tension of the belt part of a belt transmission. The belt part has a drive end and an output end. Sensors detect various operating parameters of the vehicle. The known control circuit includes a circuit component which computes the value for the transmission ratio by division of the primary rpm by the secondary rpm. The value computed in this way is needed by the control circuit for additional computations and therefore, for example, for the control of the tension of the belt part or for the adjustment of the transmission ratio. In this way, a value representing the transmission ratio is computed from the signals for the primary rpm of the drive end and the secondary rpm of the output end which signals are transmitted to the control circuit. However, this value need not correspond in each case to the actual transmission ratio.
With the invention, it is advantageously avoided that the signal, which represents the transmission ratio, is still computed from the instantaneous primary rpm and the secondary rpm when such a computation is unsatisfactory or would lead to results deviating greatly from the actual transmission ratio. In order to avoid the output of a signal for the transmission ratio which is not suitable for further processing, check means are advantageously provided which generate a fault signal which indicates whether a value for the transmission ratio, which is computed from the detected instantaneous values for the primary rpm and the secondary rpm, is to be outputted as the signal which represents the transmission ratio. This fault signal is dependent on the instantaneous primary rpm and/or the instantaneous secondary rpm.
In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the signal, which represents the transmission ratio, is read out of a read-only-memory or a stored characteristic line, in the event that the fault signal indicates that the value for the transmission ratio, which is computed from the instantaneously detected values for the primary rpm and the secondary rpm, should not be outputted as the signal representing the transmission ratio.
It is especially advantageous when the fault signal is generated in dependence upon a comparison of the instantaneous rpm and/or the secondary rpm to pregivable parameter ranges.
In this way, especially the rpm ranges having low rpms are precluded for the computation for which a computation of the transmission ratio from the instantaneous detected values for the primary rpm and the secondary ram could lead to results deviating greatly from the actual transmission ratio.
In an especially advantageous embodiment, the value for the transmission ratio, which is computed from the instantaneously detected values for the primary rpm and the secondary rpm, is outputted as the signal, which represents the transmission ratio, provided the instantaneous primary rpm lies within a third parameter range and, simultaneously, a value, which is computed from the instantaneous primary rpm, for the amount of a gradient of the primary rpm lies within a further pregivable parameter range. Accordingly, if the primary rpm would fall within a transition range, in which the computation of the transmission ratio only leads to an unsatisfactory result when the primary rpm changes greatly over time, then, in dependence upon the time-dependent change of the primary rpm, a decision is made as to whether the transmission ratio can still be computed from the values for the primary rpm and the secondary rpm.

Arrangement and method for determining the transmission ratio of a continuously variable belt transmission


A substrate and a display panel are provided, which relate to the technical field of display apparatus. The substrate includes an active area and a bonding area located outside the active area and close to an edge of the substrate, wherein a bonding electrode is disposed within the bonding area, a first lead extending toward the edge of the substrate is connected to one side of the bonding electrode toward the edge of the substrate, and the first lead includes a curved section close to the bonding electrode and a straight section close to the edge of the substrate.

In some large-size display panel products, detection leads of bonding electrodes of an array substrate are designed to be straight lines. An adhesion area between electrode leads of this design and the substrate is smaller, and a corresponding adhesion force is weaker. At an edge of the array substrate, the adhesion force is lower due to breakage of the electrode lead, and it is easy for a phenomenon of falling off of the bonding electrodes to occur (frequently in non-cutting products) when an operation such as removing of a Chip On Film and an Anisotropic Conductive Film (COF&ACF) is performed.
In order to improve bad peeling of the bonding electrode, a Zigzag design is usually adopted for the electrode leads, that is, by using bending wiring, the adhesion area between the electrode leads and the substrate is increased and the adhesion force is improved. However, with the improvement of technology and the reduction of cost, data lines arranged in a single Chip On Film (COF) are increased, and accordingly a space between bonding electrodes becomes smaller and smaller, that is, a space between electrode leads becomes smaller. The space between the electrode leads will be further reduced if Zigzag is used. After processes such as cutting and grinding, it is extremely easy to cause short circuit of adjacent electrode leads and an occurrence of Dataline Dataline Short (DDS).

Substrate comprising a first lead having a curved section close to a bonding electrode and a straight section close to an edge of a substrate and display panel

Fuzhou BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.

Beijing BOE Technology Development Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides chiral 2-(benzylsulfinyl)thiazole derivatives and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]thiazole derivatives of the formula (I) and their salts

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to 2-(benzylsulfinyl)thiazole derivatives and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]thiazole derivatives. The present invention furthermore provides mixtures of the thiazole derivatives mentioned above with other herbicides and/or safeners. In addition, the present invention relates to processes for preparing the thiazole derivatives mentioned above and to the use of these compounds as plant growth regulators alone and in combination with safeners and/or in mixtures with other herbicides, in particular to their use for controlling plants in specific crop plants or as crop protection regulators.
2. Description of Related Art
It is already known from the prior art that certain 2-(benzylsulfinyl)thiazole derivatives and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]thiazole derivatives have herbicidal properties. Thus the Japanese patent application JP 2003/096059 describes herbicidally active thiazole derivatives which carry a benzylthio or benzylsulfonyl group as substituents at the 2-position of the thiazole ring.
WO 2006/123088 describes various 2-[(pyrazolylmethyl)thio]-, 2-[(pyrazolylmethyl)sulfinyl]- and 2-[(pyrazolylmethyl)sulfonyl]thiazole derivatives, their preparation and their use as herbicides.
However, on application, the active compounds already known from the publications mentioned above have disadvantages, be it    (a) that they have no or else insufficient herbicidal activity against harmful plants,    (b) that the spectrum of harmful plants that can be controlled with an active compound is not wide enough, or    (c) that their selectivity in crops of useful plants is insufficient.
In particular, the herbicidally active thiazole compounds known from the prior art have unsatisfactory herbicidal activity against certain weed grasses and at the same time unsatisfactory crop plant compatibility in certain crops.

Chiral 2-(benzylsulfinyl)thiazole derivatives and 2-[(1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethyl)sulfinyl]thiazole derivatives, processes for their preparation and their use as herbicides and plant growth regulators

Abstract: processes for their preparation and their use as herbicides and plant growth regulators, in particular as herbicides for the selective control of harmful plants in crops of useful plants.


A method and system of displaying and rotating a 3d numeric model. Upon pausing, or completing the rotation by releasing the mouse button, a raster image loads and displays thereby improving the sharpens or allowing the user to zoom in on additional detail. The raster images may be created by photographing the real life version of the object represented by the 3d numeric model. The raster images may otherwise be created by long duration renderings of the 3d numeric model at very high quality settings and mesh size then saving the result to a raster image file. The benefit is smooth rotation inherent to 3d numeric models with the detail and sharpness of photographs after the rotation is completed.

The present invention relates to software applications that display images of physical objects from a finite number of angles, and more particularly to a method for increasing the amount of rotation as well as sharpening the image displayed.
In addition the present invention relates to software applications that display 3d numeric models, and more particularly to a method for increasing the realism or quality displayed to the user.
Internet multi-media viewers, such as Quicktime from Apple Computer, provide the experience of rotating a physical object by allowing a user to control which view, of a finite number of views taken from different angles, is to be displayed. Typically, the user will select the rotation mode then press and drag within the application.
Dragging horizontally displays a sequence of views of the object from angles where the value of the longitude coordinate varies. If there is enough data for 360 degree rotation then upon reaching one limit, the sequence continues from the opposite limit giving the appearance of continuous rotation around and around the object.
Dragging vertically displays a sequence of views of the object from angles where the value of the colatitude coordinate varies and stops rotation at an upper limit and a lower limit such that the object always appears right-side-up.
Dragging in a diagonal direction varies the values of both longitude and colatitude coordinates, as one would expect.
There remains a need to improve the user experience by providing both 360 degree rotation where the value of the longitude coordinate varies, and extended rotation where the value of the colatitude coordinate varies such that the object is able to be displayed up-side-down, right-side-up, as well as around and around at the same time.
There remains a second need to improve the user experience by sharpening the image of the object after the rotation is complete or the user performing an additional action.
There remains a third need to improve the user experience of 3d numeric models by increasing the quality or realism of the 3d numeric model after the user completes a rotation operation, after the user pauses a rotation operation, after the user zooms in, or the user performing an additional action.


Provided herein are aptamers for binding lipoproteins, systems for binding lipoproteins, and methods of detecting lipoproteins in a sample. The aptamers are useful for detecting the levels of lipoproteins in a biological sample and selectively detecting LDL particles in the presence of HDL particles. The aptamers can also be used as therapeutic agents against various diseases.

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide today. To tackle this important issue, medical personnel frequently measure blood analytes to help with the monitoring and prediction of heart disease. In many scenarios, a blood sample is taken at a date much earlier than the meeting with medical personnel so that laboratory testing may occur in time to facilitate a discussion of results at the meeting between the patient and medical personnel. However, because of this workflow, patient adherence often suffers because of the multiple necessary visits. In numerous cases, however, this overhead time and the associated costs can be eliminated by using point of care testing thus helping with adherence and increasing the number of conducted tests.
Furthermore, recent developments in research related to heart disease have determined that certain blood analytes may be more relevant to the prediction and monitoring of heart disease than the traditional biomarker panels. Typically, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is thought to cause cardiovascular disease (CVD) by transporting cholesterol to the artery wall. Numerous studies exist showing the cholesterol carrying capacity of such molecules. However, it has been recently determined that LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) is only one property of LDL related particles and that LDL particle count (LDL-P) also affects the progression of CVD due to the differential diffusion properties of particles based on size, density and concentration.
In fact, in some scenarios, it has been determined that the measurement of LDL-P is more instructive in determining heart disease risk than measuring LDL-C. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a point-of-care (POC) test that would test for LDL-P in conjunction with the traditional lipid panel (i.e. total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides). Despite the strong evidence supporting frequent testing of LDL-P, its widespread use has been limited due to the costs and limitations of the current assay techniques. Currently the existing methods for measuring LDL-P include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultracentrifugation and ion mobility—all of which require expensive and bulky instrumentation along with a separate blood sample for analysis. By providing a POC test for LDL-P, the significant portion of the population suffering from LDL-C/LDL-P discordance will have access to comprehensive CVD risk screening thus helping reduce CVD and decrease its associated costs.

Aptamers for measuring lipoprotein levels


A vehicle seat control apparatus is equipped in a vehicle capable of travelling by automated driving and is configured to set a position and attitude of a seat of the vehicle to a driving position in low automated driving and to set the position and attitude of the seat to a relaxing position in high automated driving. The vehicle seat control apparatus includes an alertness detecting device configured to detect an alertness level of a driver seated on the seat, a computation control device configured to drive the seat driving device to perform an alerting operation if the alertness level is lower than a predetermined level when driving of the vehicle transitions from the high automated driving to the low automated driving, and a seat driving device configured to displace the seat at a higher speed than at a transition from the driving position to the relaxing position.

The disclosure relates to a vehicle seat control apparatus and particularly relates to a vehicle seat control apparatus that alerts a driver at a transition from high automated driving to low automated driving.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2008-170404 discloses an automated driving support apparatus capable of performing automated driving which does not depend on an operation performed by a driver and in which a vehicle-control electronic control unit (ECU) controls all of an accelerator operation, a brake operation, and a steering wheel operation, which are operations related to vehicle behaviors. The automated driving support apparatus disclosed in JP-A No. 2008-170404 drives and controls an engine device, a brake device, an electric power steering device, and so forth, thereby performing automated driving until a stop timing on a guiding route.
Furthermore, a technique of bringing a seat into a relaxing mode during automated driving has been developed for the purpose of, for example, reducing fatigue of a driver in the above-described automated driving. In one example, when a vehicle enters an automated driving state, a seat is moved backward and a seatback is tilted backward. This makes it possible to move the driver away from a steering wheel and reduce fatigue of the driver without hindering steering and so forth in automated driving.
Furthermore, a technique of coping with a decrease in alertness level of a driver during automated driving has been developed (for example, JP-A No. 2017-094899). In the technique described in JP-A No. 2017-094899, an armrest controller repeats an up-and-down motion of a supporter of an armrest when a driver alertness determiner determines that the alertness level of the driver is in a decreased state. This makes it possible to increase the alertness level of the driver when the alertness level of the driver is in a decreased state.