To provide a dispersing apparatus that can stir media in a vessel uniformly, and by increasing the shearing power at stirring, can perform quality constant dispersion with high dispersing efficiency. In a dispersing apparatus wherein a basket-shaped vessel 2 containing dispersing medium consisting of ceramic balls, zirconia balls, and the like is submerged in a tank 8 filled with a compound, and stirrer vanes 28 are rotated in the above vessel to stir the above dispersing medium, and the compound that goes through the inside of the above vessel 2 is dispersed, a rotation driving mechanism 11 for rotating the above vessel 2 in the opposite direction to the above stirrer components.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dispersing apparatus for stirring and dispersing a liquid compound or semi-liquid compound with dispersing media (hereinafter referred to as "media") such as zirconium balls, glass beads, ceramic beads, steel balls and the like, and more particularly, to a dispersing apparatus for dispersing that blend through the shear force generated by passing the compound as a dispersing target through a vessel that is a basket-shaped container wherein the above media are charged and stirred.
In the present specification, a "compound" means a mixture of two or more kinds of materials, and "dispersing" includes stirring or mixing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the manufacture of compositions containing solid materials, for example, dispersion of these solid materials into elemental substances of respective particles is performed in the manufacture of paints, inks, and medicines, and the other manufacturing fields of various goods.
For example, the manufacturing of a composition containing solid materials such as paint, ink and the like is made through a premixing process for mixing resin varnish with pigments and obtaining paste. A dispersing process for dispersing the paste obtained in the above premixing process involves the use of a dispersing apparatus, whereby obtaining mill base pigments are dispersed uniformly in the resin varnish, and a dissolution process wherein the mill base obtained in the above dispersing process is mixed and dissolved with solvent, resin varnish and additives as needed by use of a dissolver or the like.
In the case when secondary particles formed by condensing elemental substances of non-dispersed particles such as pigments or the like are formed in manufactured paint or so, the application surface to be obtained by application of such a paint becomes rough and unattractive. Accordingly, the dispersing process in the above process is performed in order to disperse the secondary particles of pigment particles remaining in the paste obtained in the premixing process into the elemental substance particles at nano level.
In such a dispersing process, in order to carry out dispersion more efficiently, a sand grind mill is used as a dispersing apparatus using media, that can continuously disperse the paste obtained from the premixing process.
This sand grind mill, as shown in FIG. 7, is equipped with a vertical vessel 2 wherein for example glass beads with a diameter of about 1 to 2 mm as media are charged, and a shaft 3 that rotates in the vessel 2, and the above stirrer shaft 3 is provided with discus-shaped disks 50 protruding in the outer peripheral direction of the stirrer shaft at specified intervals.
At the lower end of the above vessel 2 a guide inlet 24 is provided for guiding the paste obtained in the premixing process into the vessel 2, while at the upper portion of the vessel 2 a discharge outlet 25 is provided for discharging mill base whose dispersion is completed, and is further provided with a separation means 26 reborn by a screen or the like for separating media from the mill base discharged from this discharge outlet 25.
Further, in the sand grind mill shown in FIG. 7, the outer circumference of the vessel 2 is surrounded with a jacket 5 via specified space, and a flow route 51 of a cooling medium is formed in the space formed between the outer wall surface of the vessel 2 and the inner wall surface of the jacket 5, and a cooling media such as cool water or is guided into the flow route 51, whereby the heat produced at the moment of dispersion can be cooled by heat exchange with the above cooling medium.
In the sand grind mill comprised as mentioned above, when the stirrer shaft 3 is rotated in the vessel 2, media are stirred at high speed in the vessel 2 by the rotation action of the disk 50 being provided with the stirrer shaft 3, and the paste guided from the guide inlet 24 is dispersed by the shearing power of the above media.
The mill base obtained by dispersion of the paste as mentioned above moves upward in the inside of the vessel 2, and is discharged from discharge outlet 25, after media is separated through a screen 26, and is sent to following processes such as a melting process and so on.
Further, as an improved type of the above sand grind mill, there is a sand grind mill provided with the vessel horizontal, wherein pin-shaped projections are being provided with the disk surface so as to enhance throughput. (Refer to Japanese Patent KOKAI (LOPI) No. 2001-120976.)
Moreover, in an example of another dispersing apparatus using media, as shown in FIG. 8, stirrer pins 50′ are attached onto the end of a stirrer shaft 3 that is rotated by a driving source such as a motor or the like, and the periphery of the stirrer pins 50′ is surrounded by a basket-shaped vessel 2 wherein holes 7 such as small holes or slits are formed on at least the side wall thereof, whereby comprising a dispersing apparatus 1, and media are charged into the vessel 2 of the dispersing apparatus 1, then the media are stirred by rotating the stirrer pins 50′ in the vessel 2 when submerged in a compound filling the tank 8. Large particles of the solid materials in the above compound are broken into further finer particles by the shearing power produced by the media stirred in the above vessel 2, and pigment particles that are made into further finer particles flow out from the holes 7 prepared in the side wall or the like of the vessel 2, and are circulated by convection in the tank 8 and flow through guide inlet 24′ opened at the top of the vessel 2 into the vessel 2 again, and are dispersed by breaking into still further finer particles. (Refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,372 and Japanese Patent KOKAI (LOPI) No. 2000-350930.)
The dispersing apparatus disclosed in the above 2000-350930 has the benefit that the above dispersing process and dissolution process can be performed simultaneously, and these dispersing apparatuses are used selectively according to applications.
Among the above dispersing apparatuses shown in the prior art, in the dispersing apparatus shown in FIG. 7, namely, in the sand grind mill, it can be used in the dispersing process for dispersing the paste obtained in the premixing process and obtaining a mill base wherein pigments are dispersed uniformly in resin varnish. However, in order to obtain a final product such as a paint from the mill base obtained as mentioned above, it is necessary to go through a dissolution process wherein the mill base obtained in the above dispersing process is mixed and dissolved with a solvent, resin varnish and additives as needed by use of a dissolver or the like.
On the other hand, in the batch-type dispersing apparatus shown in FIG. 8, the paste obtained in the premixing process can be dispersed and dissolved with a solvent, resin varnish, additives and the like, therefore, it has an advantage that the dispersing process by the above sand grind mill, and the dissolution process can be performed in a single process simultaneously. However, because the compound in the tank as the object of the dispersing process is to be guided into the vessel by the convection produced in the tank, the processing time thereof appears to be long in comparison with the sand grind mill wherein a compound is forcibly guided into the vessel by use of a pump or the like.
In such a batch-type dispersing apparatus, if the throughput thereof is to be improved, the rotation speed of pins 50′ may be accelerated, but for that purpose, it is necessary to make the driving source such as a motor or the like that rotates the stirrer shaft 3 larger in order to generate a high output. Moreover, it is also necessary to make the transmission mechanism for transmitting driving force, and the stirrer shaft 3, pins 50′ stronger in order to operate under the high driving output. Thus, there are limits in improvement for high speed processing.
Moreover, in the batch-type dispersing apparatus, because comparatively large particles in a compound filling the tank 8 tend to collect at the bottom of the tank 8, in order to circulate those particles that tend to collect on the bottom of the tank 8 and to guide them into the vessel 2, it is necessary to provide vanes for flowing fluid 9 for generating a flow of the compound in the tank 8 in the outside of the vessel 2, and also to prepare stirrer shafts, driving sources and the like for rotating these vanes for flowing fluid 9. Therefore, in this kind of dispersing apparatus, the structure thereof becomes comparatively complicated.
Furthermore, in the dispersing apparatus of the above structure, particles in a compound are likely to collect in vessel 2 most likely under the vessel 2 in the tank 8, while in the dispersing apparatus of the structure shown in FIG. 8, the vanes for flowing fluid 9 cannot be provided under the vessel 2, whereby making it difficult to sufficiently stir the contents of the tank 8 under the vessel 2.
In order to solve the above problem, for example, the lower end of the stirrer shaft 3 inserted into the vessel 2 may be expanded downward through the bottom plate 22 of the vessel 2, and the vanes for flowing fluid 9 may be provided on the lower end of the above stirrer shaft. However, in such a structure, with some kinds of media, fragments of media and the like crushed during stirring get in a space or gap between a shaft hole formed in the bottom plate 22 of the vessel 2 and the stirrer shaft 3 whereby being defaced, shortening the service life of the bottom plate 22 of the vessel 2 and the stirrer shaft 3.
Further, in both the sand grind mill in the prior art described above and the batch type apparatus shown in FIG. 8, in the dispersing apparatus wherein dispersing of media is made by the disks 50 provided on the stirrer shaft 3, the plate-shaped disks 50 have small resistance at the moment of contacting media. This is because the power to stir media provided only by the vanes 50′ is weak and consequently the shearing power produced by stirring of the media should be weak.
Moreover, although media are comparatively easily stirred around the disks 50, because intervals around 100 mm are generally prepared between each one of the disks 50, the media at the intervals of each one of the above disks 50 are difficult to stir. Therefore, not all the space in the vessel 2 is used effectively for dispersion, and as a result, the dispersing efficiency thereof is not preferable.
As mentioned above, the problems that the sand grind mill has occur in same ways when adopting the same structure in the batch-type dispersing apparatus show in FIG. 8. Moreover, as shown in the above 2001-120976, even if pin-shaped protrusions are provided on the disks, although the stirring property of the media around the portions where the pin-shaped protrusions is improved, it cannot be denied that portions that cannot be used effectively for stirring media in other portions still exist. Therefore, the above problems cannot completely be solved.
On the other hand, apart from the disks 50 mentioned above, in the dispersing apparatus wherein media are stirred by vanes 50′ being provided with the stirrer shaft 3, media that collide with the rotating vanes 50′ can be flipped off in the rotation outer peripheral direction, whereby media can be stirred.
However, although media can be flipped in this manner by their collision with the vanes 50′, the movement direction of the above media is constant in the direction of the circumference, and the shearing power is weak.
Moreover, because the moving speed of the roots (toward the stirrer shaft side) of the vanes 50′ is slower than that of the ends (toward the vessel side) of the vanes 50′, the shearing power produced at the root portions of the vanes 50′ is weaker than that at the end portions thereof.
For this reason, it has the problem that there is unevenness in conditions after dispersion between the compound that is dispersed by passing through the portion around the center of the vessel 2 and the compound that is dispersed by passing through the portion near the wall surface of the vessel 2.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems in the prior art. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a batch-type dispersing apparatus wherein a basket-shaped vessel is submerged in a tank filled with a compound, and media charged in the vessel is stirred by stirrer vanes, whereby particles in the compound are dispersed, and the above dispersing apparatus can improve stirring capability without accelerating the rotation speed of the stirrer vanes.
Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a dispersing apparatus using the above vessel that prevents particles in the compound from piling up under the vessel in the tank by use of a comparatively simple structure.
Furthermore, still another object of the present invention is to provide a dispersing apparatus that can stir uniformly the media charged in the vessel, and accordingly can use the entire space of the vessel for dispersion, and can have high dispersing efficiency by stirring components thereby increasing the shearing power produced by stirring of media, and accordingly can be made into a smaller size than the dispersing apparatus according to the prior art, and can perform quality constant dispersion with high dispersing efficiency.

Compound dispersing method and apparatus


Surge arrestor assemblies for railroad and like circuits utilize a high surface area to cross-sectional area, broadband equal potential grounding plane which is in the form of a loop. Surges are electrically coupled to the broadband equipotential grounding plane through surge arrestors. The assembly ensures that each arrestor "see's" the same impedance so that the voltage seen at the equipment is controlled. The grounding member is supported in recesses in mounting blocks which maintain its planar condition, and which also facilitate the connections to ground, lines, arresters and equipment.

Voltage excursions are frequently encountered which may damage or destroy sensitive electronic equipment and components. Examples of these voltage excursions are, but not limited to, electrical surges, voltage transients, over voltages, lightning energy, induced voltages, current surges, switching transients, etc. These will be referred to generally as electrical surges.
In a railroad installation which contains electrical equipment, such as a signal bungalow or case, it is a common practice to protect critical electrical control circuits such as those controlling the track signals from electrical surges. These surges may be attributable to lightning or other known or unanticipated sources which create an unusually high voltage on the circuit. Surge protection is important because high voltage surges may destroy electrical components or contribute excessive electrical noise to a circuit causing it to malfunction or otherwise perform unpredictably.
To prevent damage from electrical surges, over-voltage or lightning arrestors are used to couple the energy from the circuit to ground when an electrical voltage surge is detected on the circuit exceeding a predetermined voltage with respect to a reference point. This effectively bleeds the energy of the electrical surge to ground and protects the sensitive electrical circuit components. Currently, when it is necessary to protect more than one circuit, a surge arresting device is coupled to each circuit and attached to a ground bus. There may be several devices employed in this manner. The ground bus is then connected to an outside reference ground.
While these configurations have provided some protection, it has been found that due to impedances of the ground lead some of the arrestors (particularly those farthest from the connection to the reference ground) would see a higher impedance.
Consequently, instead of an arrester coupling most of the energy of the electrical surge to ground, the line potential will be much higher due to the inductance of the ground lead. When additional arresters are used the voltage difference between two lines will be mainly determined by the difference in the impedance of their ground leads. If this difference is large, the potential voltage between the two lines may result in damage to or malfunctioning of sensitive electronic equipment and components.
The deleterious effects of electrical voltage surges are especially troublesome at high frequencies. This is because the impedance of the ground path is a function of not only resistance, but also inductance and capacitance. At relatively low frequencies, such as 60 hertz, the impedance is sometimes due primarily to the dc resistance. Conversely, at high frequencies, such as 30 megahertz, the inherent inductance and capacitance of the ground path may elevate the impedance to such a degree that the path is essentially open. In this case the impedance to ground apparent to the arrestor might be so high that it would not couple the electrical surge to ground and instead it would be conducted to the circuit sought to be protected.
It is desirable to provide a surge arrestor assembly in which all the arrestors in the assembly see the same low impedance to ground, and wherein the assembly is effective at high frequencies as well as at low frequencies.


Aspects of the present invention disclose a system, method and computer program product for focused real time collaboration. In an example, a computer receives an electronic message from a first user, the electronic message being addressed to an intended recipient. The computer determines that a posted status of the intended recipient indicates that the intended recipient is not available to actively receive electronic messages from users. The computer analyzes whether the first user is on a list of users in a collaborative event with the intended recipient. The computer stores the electronic message in local storage. The computer determines that a natural breakpoint is reached in the collaborative event by the intended recipient indicating that the intended recipient is available to actively receive electronic messages from users regardless of the status of the intended recipient. The computer transmits the electronic message to a computer of the intended recipient.

Technology in the field of communicating electronically has existed and been expanded upon for some time. There have been strides made to make communicating electronically more convenient and personal, allowing users participating in an electronic communication to set preferences for use. Users have had the ability to declare their status if they are available to communicate and/or receive information. Typically, the declared status provides only an indication to other users and does not prevent other users from sending messages or information. In some instances, however, messages and information can be prevented from being sent based on a declared status, or can even be routed through email. For example, if a user wants to avoid any interruptions, the user can set their status of availability to "do not disturb" where any messages being sent to the user are sent in an email form.

International Business Machines Corporation


In a wireless communication system, a method includes monitoring an error condition on an active communication channel, establishing a simultaneous communication channel, and searching the simultaneous communications channel while continuing to monitor the active communication channel.

The present invention generally relates to call recovery in a mobile communications system.
Handoff is a general term describing the function of transferring a communication signal for a mobile subscriber from one base station transceiver to another base station transceiver as a subscriber negotiates the wireless territory. There are two general methods of conducting handoff in a wireless communication system, soft and hard handoff. Quality may suffer using either handoff method as the mobile subscriber switches between base stations for individual cells.
Hard handoff typically occurs near the boundaries between cells. Through continuous measurements of received signal power from a mobile subscriber, the base station where the subscriber has established communication determines if the power is reduced below a nominal value near the cell boundary. The hard handoff to a candidate cell's base station occurs instantaneously without disrupting the call in progress. At handoff, the received power at the candidate cell's base station is much greater than required to ensure an ideal handoff. The difference between the current cell's power and the candidate cell's power; however, significantly reduces system capacity by interfering with other users.
A soft handoff occurs throughout a given range of distances from the current and candidate cells' base stations. In the soft handoff method, a mobile subscriber is connected to both base stations as the subscriber travels near the common cell boundary. The decision to switch is made depending upon the reception of the mobile subscriber's pilot signal. A central switching center, often referred to as a mobile switching center, decides at what point one of the base stations should be dropped. Shared communication is performed for a finite period of time, during which time transmission from the current and candidate cells is required.
In a typical wireless communication system, the plurality of signals are transmitted within the same frequency band. This not only applies to mobile subscribers in the same cell, but also to those in all other cells. Since the same frequencies are used, the transmitted power levels from the mobile subscriber and the base station must be monitored closely. If power control is not strictly adhered to, the overall transmission interference and the total number of usable channels is adversely affected. Therefore, the number of signals which can be successfully transmitted and received is associated with the total power of all users.
Both soft and hard handoff methods have shortcomings. Hard handoff can potentially suffer from high drop-out rates. The soft handoff method requires a duplication of transmission resources from the current base station and a base station from at least one candidate cell. The mobile subscriber must establish two concurrent communication links, thereby requiring twice the transmission power which would otherwise be required. The increase in transmission power wastes power, capacity of the air interface to carry transmissions, and contributes to total system interference while the handoff is taking place. The power or energy transmitted in a wireless system by each mobile subscriber should be kept at the minimum necessary to convey information and to minimize interference with the other users. Careful control of transmission power also contributes to extended use of portable devices relying on battery power. Furthermore, diversity combining of the duplicate signals at the central switching center is cumbersome unless the delay from both cell base stations is nearly identical.

Wireless communication system enhanced call recovery


A method and structure for an improved DRAM (dynamic random access memory) dielectric structure, whereby a new high-k material is implemented for both the support devices used as the gate dielectric as well as the capacitor dielectric. The method forms both deep isolated trench regions used for capacitor devices, and shallow isolated trench regions for support devices. The method also forms two different insulator layers, where one insulator layer with a uniform high-k dielectric constant is used for the deep trench regions and the support regions. The other insulator layer is used in the array regions in between the shallow trench regions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to integrated storage devices and more particularly to an improved dynamic random access memory dielectric structure, and the method for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
DRAM, the dynamic random access memory, is known to have a much higher memory density than the SRAM, or the static random access memory. Usually, in order to achieve a high integration density, either a deep trench-capacitor or a high-k dielectric stack-capacitor cell is employed. Although the deep trench capacitor has a planar surface topography, the depth of the trench has become the limiting factor in preventing the scaling of DRAM exceeding 4 gigabytes. However, the high-k dielectric stack-capacitor cell is limited by the material stability as well as the topography. Here, the stack-capacitor is built on top of the silicon surface. Thus, the resulting non-planar surface has created problems for metallization as well as lithographic patterning. Conversely, the performance of the DRAM that is determined by the MOS device parameters, such as the gate dielectric thickness, channel length and width are now facing physical limitations. For example, MOS devices using conventional thermal oxide as the gate dielectric cannot be thinner than 3 nanometers in order to avoid a reliability concern. Moreover, if the device channel length is shorter than 0.1 micrometers, the result will be suffering from the short channel effect as well as the occurrence of a high-level leakage current.
As the channel width is limited by the chip area, the device performance degrades when the Vdd, the power supply, is reduced below 1 volt. Therefore, in order to replace DRAM with SRAM for cache applications, it is important that the device performance be maintained at its initial level, while the chip size is continuously reduced. In other words, DRAM access time, or cycle time must be in the range of 3 to 5 nanoseconds at low-power conditions. Thus, there is a need to reduce the cost and improve performance of DRAM.
In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, and drawbacks of the conventional DRAM structures, the present invention has been devised, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure and method for an improved DRAM structure.
The goal of this invention is to (1) improve the performance of DRAM, and (2) reduce the process cost. A new high-k material is implemented for both the support devices used as the gate dielectric as well as the capacitor dielectric. It is the first time that a high-k dielectric is used for a deep trench capacitor as well as the support devices. This will not only reduce the trench depth, but also improve the performance of the support devices because the high-k dielectric gate support device will enable a reduction in the equivalent gate oxide thickness, and hence an increase in the gage electrode control of the MOSFET channel, without degrading the reliability and gate leakage current of the thin dielectric device.
Since the high-k dielectric is applied at once, process steps are greatly reduced compared to the case when they are separately applied. The thermal budget is also reduced accordingly, since only one dielectric anneal is needed. The transfer gate of the array devices intentionally use the conventional dielectric to avoid any possibility of charge leakage that is commonly associated with high-k materials. The support devices, which require having a large drivability such as the wordline drivers, the OCDs (off-chip-driver), and the clock drivers, can improve their drivability without using a large device size due to the improved transistor performance of the high-k devices. This gives more room for higher-level and density of integration.
In order to attain the objects suggested above, there is provided, according to one aspect of the invention a method for producing a dynamic random access memory device with a high-k dielectric constant. More specifically, the method deposits a first insulator oxide layer and a passive insulator nitride layer on a substrate. Then, the invention forms multiple deep trench regions on the substrate. The deep trench regions each have exposed surfaces to allow for coating of conductive material. Furthermore, a pair of collars extend from the upper portions of the deep trench regions, and are diametrically opposed to each other. An n+ diffusion region extends on the lower portion of the deep trench region. The n+ diffusion layer for each trench is linked together by an n+ buried layer and is used as the plate node of the capacitor array.
Then, the nitride layer and the oxide layer from the support area of the substrate are removed by dry or wet etchings. Next, a second insulator layer in the form of a high-k dielectric is deposited on the composite, including in the deep trench channel, where the dielectric is used as the trench dielectric as well as the gate dielectric for the support devices. After that, a first conductive layer is deposited above the second insulator layer. Then, a planarization process occurs where the composite is recessed in order to form a planar surface followed by a second recess which lowers the level of the first conductive layer located in the deep trench region.
Next, a second conductive layer in the form of n+ doped polysilicon is deposited above the first conductive layer in the deep trench region to a level flush with an uppermost portion of the composite. Another insulator layer such as nitride is then deposited on top of the composite. Then, several shallow channel isolation regions are formed in the composite such that an upper portion of the shallow trench is above the second conductive layer.
Following that, the exposed first and second insulator layers in the form of nitride layers are removed using a dry or wet etching process. Next, a third conductive layer in the form of doped polysilicon is deposited on top of the composite. Then, a fourth conductive layer in the form of tungsten, or any proper refractory metal is deposited on top of the third conductive layer. The composite gates are then formed to create transfer devices and support devices. This is done by removing any exposed first and third conductive layers from the composite. Next, portions of the substrate are doped to form source and drain regions. Then, contacts are formed on top of the second insulator layer. Finally, a third insulator layer is deposited on top of the composite.

High dielectric constant materials forming components of DRAM such as deep-trench capacitors and gate dielectric (insulators) for support circuits

International Business Machines Corporation


An emblem for a vehicle comprises: (a) a light source configured to emit visible light; (b) a cover assembly disposed over the light source, the cover assembly having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a transparent portion that is transparent to the visible light, the visible light being incident to the inner surface, and the visible light that the light source emits transmitting through the transparent portion out of the outer surface to an external environment beyond the emblem; and (c) one or more surface relief patterns disposed on the cover assembly, the one or more surface relief patterns configured to manipulate (i) the visible light that the light source emits, (ii) visible light from the external environment, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).

The manufacturer of a vehicle sometimes places an emblem on the vehicle to identify the manufacturer as the source of the vehicle to another person that sees the vehicle. The emblem has historically been a stylized piece of metal or plastic, typically including the name or logo of the manufacturer or the particular model of the vehicle. There is a general need for emblems that have distinguishing visual effects.

Visible light manipulating emblem for a vehicle


A physiotherapeutic device has a waist tensioning system and a spine support system that enable correction and/or maintaining postural stance for individuals suffering from poor posture and/or neurodegenerative disease. The device provides a posture support and retention system during episodes of postural instability to enable individuals to maintain posture and balance while performing functions. The device includes a garment with shoulder straps extending from the tensioning system to generate force vectors in a direction opposite of those generated by traditional shoulder straps. A rigid support member is disposed in the garment to run parallel with the spinal column. The shoulder straps and waist straps tie into an anchor located on a portion of the garment directly over the support member. The connected components work in concert to actively and passively adjust tension and apply pressure to straighten shoulders and improve the upper back support.

Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a physiotherapeutic device, and in particular to a vest to assist individuals having ambulatory and other mobility disabilities.
Background of the Related Art
Persons with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases often experience issues with muscle rigidity, as well as problems with their posture and balance. At later stages of Parkinson's disease 90% of patients suffer from postural instability, and many would benefit from a device that would assist them with proper support and posture, especially during daily activities.
One form of providing support and maintaining proper posture is through a brace or a vest, such as a gait vest. Some existing back braces consist of an elongated triangular configuration for the spine system, along with adjustable shoulder straps mounted onto a lightweight waist support to allegedly assist with posture by providing a compressive force to the wearer's lower waist area. Other existing brace devices use a waist cord that can be pulled about the wearer's waist to adjust tensioning of the wearer's upper back and shoulders. Some braces provide straightening forces in the mid-torso section rather than at the shoulder.
While these prior art devices provide a means to force an individual to exhibit proper posture, none provide support and proper force vector tensioning to assist a user to maintain balance and posture while performing daily activities and functions. Moreover, prior art devices fail to offer a system allowing proper range of motion due to the rigidity and awkwardness of the devices. Furthermore, such devices provide crude and unsophisticated means of correcting posture that may even cause additional harm.

Physiotherapeutic, ambulatory, and mobility vest


A water dispensing system for a refrigerator comprising a refrigeration compartment includes a manifold assembly, a monitoring device coupled to the manifold assembly and including at least one sensor, and a filter assembly including a filter housing removably mounted to the manifold assembly. The filter assembly is configured to be compatible with a plurality of suitable filter media. At least two indicators are in signal communication with the at least one sensor when the filter housing is mounted onto the manifold assembly. A controller is operatively coupled to the monitoring device. The controller is configured to identify the filter assembly and the filter medium based on a signal received from the at least one sensor and operate the water dispensing system based on the identification of the filter assembly and the filter medium.

This invention relates generally to water filter identification systems and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for identifying a filter assembly for a refrigerator water dispensing system.
Several conventional refrigerators include water storage tanks for cooling and storing water to be dispensed. In one conventional water dispensing system, a serpentine water storage tank includes a water filter. Conventional water dispensing systems may include a water filter in fluid communication with a water storage tank located in a fresh food or freezer food compartment of the refrigerator.
The water filter is provided in the water dispensing system to remove undesired particles from the water. Different filters vary in filtering capacity and/or filtering functions. However, at least some water dispensing systems for conventional refrigerators are compatible only with one sized water filter. Therefore, the water filter cannot be changed to meet specific water quality and/or water capacity concerns of the customers, which may discourage some consumers from purchasing a refrigerator having such a water dispensing system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for identifying a filter assembly


A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and method for addressing a defective pixel of the liquid crystal display (LCD) device, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes forming a black resin film on at least one LCD panel; operating the LCD panel to selectively harden a portion of the black resin film corresponding to a spot where a defective pixel is present; and removing the black resin film, except for the hardened portion of the black resin film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for addressing bad (defective) pixels of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and particularly, to a method of compensating for the bad pixels of an LCD device, which is capable of removing a bright point from the LCD panel by attaching a photosensitive black resin and then hardening the black resin by the light from the bright point.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device generally denotes a transmissive type flat-panel display device, which is being broadly used in various electric devices such as mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), notebook computers, etc. The LCD devices can extensively be used owing to their compact construction, light weight, and low power-consumption characteristics, and to their superior ability to display images. In addition, as digital TVs, TVs with high qualities for images, TVs mounted on a wall, and the like, are in increasing demand, researches for large LCD devices capable of being applied to TVs are actively being conducted.
In general, the types of LCDs may depend on methods for operating liquid crystal molecules. In recent times, active matrix thin film transistor (TFT) LCDs are often used in view of their fast reaction speed and rare ghosts.
FIG. 1 shows a structure of a TFT LCD panel 1 according to a related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the TFT LCD panel 1 includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines which are arranged vertically and horizontally to thus define a plurality of pixels. A switching device, namely, a TFT 7 is arranged within each pixel. When a scan signal is inputted through the gate line 3, the TFT 7 is switched to thus apply a signal inputted through the data line 5 to a liquid crystal layer 9. In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes a storage capacitor which maintains an inputted data signal until the next scan signal is applied.
The structure of the LCD panel 1 having such construction will now be explained with reference to the sectional view shown in FIG. 2. Here, one pixel of the plurality of pixels is shown in the drawing.
As shown in FIG. 2, a gate electrode 24 formed of a metal is formed on a lower substrate 20 which is formed of a transparent insulating material such as glass. A gate insulating layer 22 is deposited on the entire lower substrate 20 on which the gate electrode 24 is formed. A semiconductor layer 26 is formed on the gate insulating layer 22. Source/drain electrodes 28 formed of a metal are formed on the semiconductor layer 26. A passivation layer 32 is formed on the source/drain electrodes 28. A pixel electrode 30 which is formed of a metal such as Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is formed on the passivation layer 32. Here, the pixel electrode 30 is electrically connected to the drain electrode 28 via a contact hole formed in the passivation layer 32.
The LCD device having such construction is completely fabricated by undergoing a testing process. The testing process is typically performed by being divided into an appearance test and a lighting test. The lighting test is performed such that a test signal is applied to the fabricated LCD device to test (detect) whether there are any bad (defective) pixels in the LCD device. If a gate line or data line is inferior, pixels formed on the corresponding line become inferior or defective. Also, if a TFT formed on a pixel is inferior, the corresponding pixel also become inferior.
In general, the LCD device having inferior pixels is discarded as inferior products. If a series of pixels formed along a gate line or data line are inferior, it is preferable to discard the LCD device. However, it is wasteful to discard the LCD device in case that the small number of pixels are inferior.

Liquid crystal display device without bad pixel and method for removing bad pixel therefrom


The invention relates to a compound of general formula (I) for use in a pharmaceutical composition for treating infectious diseases caused by Helicobacter pylori. R1 and R2 are O, S or N, and can be identical or different; R3 is O or S; R4 is H or a C1-C6 alkyl group; n represents a value between 0 and 3; and R5 is an NO2, COOR′ or SO3R′ radical, where R′ is a H or a C1-C6 alkyl group.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a compound capable of inhibiting flavodoxin, of the general formula shown in (I), for its use as a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of infectious diseases, more specifically those caused by Helicobacter.

2. Background
Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of today's most common chronic diseases; in fact this bacterium is found to colonise the gastric mucosa of more than 50% of the human population.
H. pylori is a gram-negative bacillus that causes chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers and is a risk factor in the development of MALT lymphoma and adenocarcinoma (one of the most frequent and lethal types of cancer).
The conventional treatment used to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection consists of two broad spectrum antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor. Therefore there is no specific treatment for this condition nor is the current treatment particularly effective as the proportion of successfully treated patients does not exceed 80%. In addition, the high mutational variability is causing a decline in conventional treatment efficiency due to a growing increase in resistance to conventional antibiotics.

Composition for treating infectious diseases caused by


An excavation rod of a ground improvement apparatus is provided with an excavation blade and plural steps of agitation blades above the excavation blade. A corotation prevention blade which does not rotate during the excavation vertically and rotationally, is provided between the excavation blade and the agitation blade and plurality of downwardly projecting fingers are secured to the corotating prevention blade.

This invention relates to a corotating preventor in a ground improvement apparatus for performing the agitation mixing of the ground efficiently in the ground improvement wherein soils and fillers are mechanically mixed to solidify cylindrically.
A conventional soil improvement apparatus comprises a excavation rod provided with an excavation blade at the tip end thereof and plural steps of agitation blades at the upper portions thereof, said excavation rod being allowed to excavate the soil rotatively by means of an excavating mechanism and performing the solidification of the soil by fillers such as sodium silicate or cement milk fed from a liquid passage provided within the excavation rod with reinforced agitation at low pressure at the time of the excavation or of the drawing out of the rod.
However, although such kind of soil improvement apparatus is effective to the soil such as sand soil or silt since the soil is once cut by a mixing head and the fillers are fed to the clearance between the cut soils at low pressure to mix and agitate the fillers with excavated soils, in case of a clay, particularly in a hard clay or a peat layer, the soil to be improved tends to be corotated with the agitation blades which makes it impossible to mix and agitate both cut soils and fillers effectively. As a means to solve this problem, there exist patent laid open No. 58(1983)-29374 and patent laid open No. 58(1983)-29375 developed by the same Applicants. The former technique is, as shown in FIG. 6, a mixing agitation blade apparatus for cut soils characterized in that corotating preventors 4 are positioned between an excavation blade 2 of an excavation rod 1 and an agitation blade 3 and/or between the respective agitation blades 3, the corotation preventing blade 6 having a larger diameter than the excavation diameter of the above excavation blade 2 rotatively to the excavation rod 1 by means of boss 5.
The latter patent discloses a mixing agitation blade apparatus for cut soils characterized in that a corotating prevent-or which comprises a cylindrical body having an approximately equal diameter to the excavation diameter is positioned above an excavation blade of the excavation rod, and is rotatively attached to said rod by means of a boss and arm. A resistant plate projects outwardly from the periphery of the corotating preventor body and a corotating prevention blade is extended inwardly on from the cylindrical body.
However, in the above apparatus the distance between the excavation blade 2 and the corotating prevention blade 6 may not be small enough to prevent the soil between the lower end of the corotating prevention blade 6 and of the excavation blade 2 may still adhere to the excavation blade 2 which causes the corotation. This trend is particularly evident in a ground having a very strong adhesion such as hard clay and the like.

Corotating preventor of excavated soils in a ground improvement apparatus


A combined mechanical and centrifugal clutch for a motor driven vehicle which has several original equipment manufacturer's components including an inside and an outside pressure plate (70), also frictional material for transmitting torque through the clutch. A lock-up housing (84) is attached to the outside pressure plate and contains a number of pivotally connected camming fingers (100) that force the outside pressure plate into tensional contact wit the frictional material by the camming force of the fingers caused by rotational centrifugal force. The operational portion of the mechanical clutch is unaltered permitting mechanical release of the clutch with the centrifugal portion added to lock-in the torque transmitting capabilities permitting increased capacity and positive engagement. Selecting the optimum rotational engagement speed is achieved by the use of weights and altering the springs or changing spring compressibility.

In the sport of drag racing motor vehicles, centrifugal clutches have dominated motorcycles and specialized mechanical clutches are normally employed in dragsters. Developments to improve either type of clutch have been continually pursued in the industry and adaption is made very rapidly to eliminate any competitive advantage. Conventional clutches normally utilized in motorcycles are operated manually by a lever mounted on the handlebar with cable and rack and pinion operator. The coordination of increasing speed with the accelerator and releasing the clutch at the appropriate engine rotational speed has proven by itself to be ineffective and somewhat erratic. Centrifugal clutches have dominated the field due to their superiority in regulated speed engagement and slip control. Dry types of clutches have been tried in the past using materials with a high coefficient of friction specifically for this purpose, however, extensive modification to the vehicle, particularly a motorcycle, makes this approach expensive and time consuming.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however, the following U.S. patents are considered related:
______________________________________ U.S. PAT. NO. INVENTOR ISSUE DATE ______________________________________ 5,033,598 Tipton Jul. 23, 1991 4,989,711 Schultz et al Feb. 5, 1991 4,986,403 Tipton Jan. 22, 1991 4,856,637 Gebhart Aug. 15, 1989 4,732,251 Tipton Mar. 22, 1988 4,566,577 Tsuboi Jan. 28, 1986 4,111,291 Horstman Sep. 5, 1976 1,743,170 Vail Jan. 14, 1930 1,035,535 Coleman Aug. 13, 1912 ______________________________________
Tipton in patent '598, issued to the present inventor, teaches an improvement in motorcycle slider clutches that utilizes several original equipment manufacturer's components and an aftermarket basket assembly. An enclosure surrounds the basket and fingers operated centrifugally that compress the clutch discs and plates in the first stage of operation. The second stage is electrically timed in sequence utilizing pressurized fluid to control the action of the cammed fingers in a positive actuating mode of operation.
Schultz et al, patent '711, discloses a controller for a centrifugal clutch with weighted arms. The controller has a fluid actuated cylinder and piston engaging a throw out bearing. The controller is pre-programmed to restrain pivoting the arms and weights to slow and control the rate of increase of actuating pressure in the clutch.
Tipton's patent '403, issued to the present inventor, is for a motorcycle slider clutch that utilizes a pair of pneumatic cylinders and pistons to restrain the movement of centrifugally actuated fingers creating multi-stage control. Solenoid valves and timers allow a timed starting sequence with the centrifugal slider clutch utilizing a number of original equipment manufacturer's components and aftermarket modifications.
Gebhart, in patent '637, teaches a centrifugal clutch with a frusto-conical friction surface with drum and levers adapted to bias the conical surface at a predetermined speed of rotation. Stall speed screws adjust the speed of rotation for engagement and drive torque is transmitted by a sprocket attached to the pressure drum. The shape of the pressure plate creates an increased mechanical advantage permitting a reduced physical size.
Patent '251, also issued to the present inventor, utilizes a portion of the original equipment manufacturer's components, however, it is directed to an entirely centrifugal actuated clutch using new elements to change over from the mechanical type. Fingers and a pressure plate are added to force the plate into contact with the original discs and plates making a union between the rotating elements due to the centrifugal force applied by the fingers. The clutch is wet being oil lubricated in the same manner as originally designed by the manufacturer.
Tsuboi, in '577, discloses a clutch release device for motorcycles using a manual actuated hydraulic system in which a push rod is arranged to extend through the main shaft with a pressure plate on each end. One end is arranged to interface with a hydraulic cylinder and the other with the clutch disc pressure plate. It is noted, however, that no centrifugal action is used by this invention and it is assigned to the motorcycle original equipment manufacturer.
Horstman, in '291, teaches a centrifugal clutch for go-carts and employs weights or stampings that pivot against a plate compressing discs together for engagement, depending upon rotational speed.
Vail, in '170, uses centrifugal weights forcing separable plates together against adjustable spring pressure, further allowing manually operated means to relieve the pressure on the weights forcing them into an inoperable position allowing shifting of gears.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates reference may be made to the patent issued to Coleman.


The present invention provides a decoding system and method for an optical disk storage device to receive and decode the data of the disk. The present invention does not need to increase the clock frequency and the bus width of the decoding system, it can effectively decrease the access times to the data buffer and the system response time by changing the structure of the conventional decoding system, in this way the present invention increases the parallel processing capability and the decoding speed of the system, thus, it can enhance the entire device to become a high speed optical storage device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a decoding system and method, and more particularly to a decoding system and method in an optical desk storage device with high decoding speed by decreasing the access times to a data buffer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring now to FIG. 1, it is a block diagram of a conventional decoding system in a DVD storage device. As shown in FIG. 1, a demodulator 102 reads the data stored in the disk 100 for converting 16 bit code words into 8 bit data symbols. Then, the demodulator 102 generates an ECC(Error Correction Code) block 107 and transmits the ECC block 107 to a data buffer 106 through a bus 104. The ECC block 107 comprises main data 108, a PO(parity of outer-code) 110 and a PI(parity of inner-code) 112. Main data 108 appended with the PO 110 forms an outer-code of RS(Reed Solomon), and main data 108 appended with the PO 110 and the PI 112 forms an inner-code of RS. ECC decoder 114 reads the ECC block 107 from the data buffer 106 to perform the error correction decoding along the PI direction (i.e. X direction) and PO direction (i.e. Y direction) of the ECC block 107 in turn. Then, the ECC decoder 114 writes the corrected part of the ECC block 107 into the data buffer 106. The de-scrambler and EDC(Error Detection Code)check 116 reads the corrected main data 108 stored in the data buffer 106 for de-scrambling the main data 108 and checking whether errors in the main data 108 are corrected. When the host needs the main data 108, an ATAPI(Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface) 118 reads the main data 108 in the data buffer 106, then de-scrambles and transmits the main data 108 to the host.
Referring to FIG. 2, it illustrates a flow chart of the conventional decoding system accessing to the data buffer in a DVD storage device. At a step 201, after performing demodulation, a demodulator 102 writes an ECC block 107 into a data buffer 106. Next, at a step 202, an ECC decoder 114 reads the ECC block 107 of the PI direction to perform the error correction decoding, then writes the corrected part of the ECC block 107 into the data buffer 106. Continuing the step 202, it flows to a step 203, the ECC decoder 114 reads the ECC block 107 of the PO direction to perform the error correction decoding, then writes the corrected part of the ECC block 107 into the data buffer 106. After finishing the step 203, the system can repeat the steps 202 and 203 to enhance the error correction capability according to the setting of the system. Then at a step 204, the de-scrambler and EDC check 116 reads the corrected main data 108 stored in the data buffer 106 for de-scrambling the main data 108 and checking whether errors in the main data 108 are corrected. When the host needs the main data 108, at a step 205, an ATAPI 118 reads the main data 108 stored in the data buffer 106, then de-scrambles and transmits the main data 108 to the host. In the preceding prior art, each module of the decoding system needs to run the above-mentioned steps in turn to finish the decoding process in a DVD storage device.
Referring now to FIG. 3, it illustrates a flow chart of decoding RS code in a conventional ECC decoder. At a stage 301, original code words in the data buffer 106 enter the stage of syndrome generation, wherein the ECC decoder 114 calculates the PI syndrome or the PO syndrome. Next, at a stage 302, the ECC decoder 114 calculates the xe2x80x9cerasure location polynomialxe2x80x9d according to the known erasure location, then calculates the xe2x80x9cForney""s modified syndrome polynomialxe2x80x9d and gets the initial value of the next stage according to the calculated syndromes and erasure location polynomial. Continuing the stage 302, at a stage 303, the ECC decoder 114 calculates the xe2x80x9cerror-erasure locator polynomialxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cerror erasure evaluator polynomialxe2x80x9d according to the initial value produced by the previous stage 302. Then, at a stage 304, a Chien search unit finds the error locations and error magnitudes. Finally, at a stage 305, the ECC decoder 114 corrects the errors in the original code words to get the correct code words and writes them into the data buffer 106.
According to FIG. 1, when the conventional decoding system performs the decoding process, each module of the system needs to access to the data buffer. If each module of the decoding system can access to the data buffer synchronously, the system can increase the decoding speed to become a high speed DVD. However, according to FIGS. 2 and 3 the ECC decoder 114 in the conventional decoding system must access to the data buffer when it performs the error correction decoding along the PI and PO directions of the ECC block each time, thereby it takes a lot of time and limits the speed of the entire DVD system for many accesses to the data buffer. Now there are several solutions for the above bottleneck: enhancing the clock frequency of the decoding system, increasing the bus width of the decoding system, and decreasing the access times to the data buffer, etc.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a decoding system and method for an optical disk for decreasing the access times to the data buffer. In this way, it can enhance the parallel processing capability of the decoding system and increase the decoding speed to become a high speed DVD.
In one embodiment, a demodulator reads the data from a disk to perform the demodulation and transfers the generated ECC block to an ECC decoder. Next, the ECC decoder writes the ECC block into a data buffer, then calculates the PI syndrome and the PO syndrome and writes the calculation results into a memory after reading the ECC block from a data buffer. Further, the ECC decoder performs the error correction decoding according to the syndromes stored in the memory. After the ECC decoder finishes the error correction decoding of the ECC block, a de-scrambler and EDC check reads the main data stored in the data buffer to de-scramble the main data and check whether errors are corrected. After finishing the preceding processes, the main data is transferred to the host through ATAPI when the host needs data.
In anther embodiment, a demodulator performs the demodulation and transfers the generated ECC block to an ECC decoder. Next, the ECC decoder writes the ECC block into a data buffer, then calculates the PI syndrome and the PO syndrome and writes the calculation results into a memory after reading the ECC block from a data buffer. When the ECC decoder reads the main data from the data buffer, the main data is also transferred to the first de-scrambler and EDC check. Thus, the ensuing error correction decoding along the PI and PO directions of the ECC block can ignore the part of the main data, which the EDC checking is finished. After finishing the ensuing error correction decoding, the second de-scrambler and EDC check will de-scramble the main data and check again whether errors are corrected. After finishing the preceding processes, the main data is transferred to the host through an ATAPI when the host needs data.
The foregoing is a brief description of some deficiencies in the prior art and advantages of this invention. Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Decoding system and method in an optical disk storage device


A flexible display device and a method for changing shape of the flexible display device are provided. The flexible display device includes a flexible display panel and a shape memory structure on the flexible display panel and including a shape memory component. The shape memory component includes a first memory layer, a first thermal insulation layer and a second memory layer stacked sequentially in a direction away from the flexible display panel, the first and second memory layers each have shape memory function, the first memory layer has a first memory shape and the second memory layer has a second memory shape different from the first memory shape. The shape memory structure is configured to switch shape of the shape memory component between the first and second memory shapes by controlling temperatures of the first and second memory layers, thereby driving the flexible display panel to change shape.

Flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices (e.g., display screens) are bendable and foldable, and can display images normally without breakage after being bended, so they have gained popularity in the current market. In addition, even when the display devices are flat in use, these display devices still can be folded or curved for storage.

Flexible display device and method for changing shape of the same

CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A disc brake is arrangeable in a space that accommodates a brake caliper having an application device. The brake caliper is held slidably with guiding elements on a brake carrier, which is fastened with screws to an axle connection at the vehicle. The caliper straddles a brake disc, against which brake pads can be pressed on either side while braking. At least the brake pad on the application side is mounted movably in the direction of the brake disc in a pad shaft of the brake carrier. A device for the visual identification of the wear of a brake pad and/or brake disc is constructed so that for identifying wear, a pointer element, extending in the opposite direction to the brake disc, is connected at least at one screw.

The invention relates to a disc brake, particularly for a commercial vehicle, having a brake caliper in which is accommodated an application device. The brake caliper is held slidably by way of guiding members on a carrier, which is fixed with screws to an axle connection on the vehicle side.
Especially for reasons relating to the operational reliability of a disc brake and ultimately also of the vehicle in which the disc brake is installed, it is necessary to monitor the wear of the brake pads to ensure that necessary replacement of the respective brake pad takes place at the best possible time. In this case, the state of wear of the brake pads, i.e. the abrasion of the respective brake pad, which is connected to a pad carrier plate, should be determined as accurately as possible beforehand.
Particularly from an economic point of view, there is a requirement for optimum timing of the exchange of the brake pads. The aim here is to perform an exchange only when the friction pad has worn down to a permitted minimum thickness. Earlier exchange would conflict with optimizing the application-related operating costs, while exchanging the pad too late would entail impairment of the functional reliability of the disc brake overall.
Various measures are known for detecting the state of wear of the brake pads. For example, the wear of the friction pad can be determined electronically, with a current-carrying cable being passed through the pad carrier plate. The cable is severed when the friction pad wears and emits a detectable signal to a signal transmitter located, for example, in the driver's cab of the motor vehicle.
Apart from this, there are known wear indicators which use a rotary potentiometer to determine a distance moved by an adjusting device during adjustment of the brake pads to compensate for wear travel, and it is likewise possible for this distance to be recognized by the driver of the vehicle, for example, by means of an appropriate indication device.
For visual recognition of the state of wear of the brake pads and/or of the brake disc, DE 36 12 166 C2 discloses the practice of providing the brake support with a marking which, in combination with a correspondingly modified pad carrier plate, is used for wear detection.
Here, the markings on the brake support are produced by appropriate forming, in particular by means of U- or V-shaped recesses in the form of notches.
By their very nature, such recesses, and indeed other necessary formations, have an effect on the strength of the brake support, and notches, in particular, lead to a reduction in fatigue resistance.
Common to all the devices for wear detection is the fact that they can only be seen essentially with the vehicle wheel removed, and this conflicts with optimized use of the device.
It is the underlying object of the invention to develop a disc brake such that it allows simpler visual wear detection with a low outlay in terms of construction.
This and other objects are achieved by a disc brake having a brake caliper in which is accommodated an application device. The brake caliper is held slidably by way of guiding members on a carrier, which is fixed with screws to an axle connection on the vehicle side. The disc brake includes a brake disc, against which brake pads can be pressed from both sides during a braking operation. At least the brake pad on the application side is mounted in a pad well of the carrier in such a way that it can be made to slide in the direction of the brake disc. A device for the visual wear detection of the brake pad and/or brake disc wear is characterized in that, for detecting wear, a pointer element extending in an opposite direction to the brake disc is connected to at least one screw.
An advantage of the invention is that wear detection is now possible without modifying the carrier (brake support) or any other components of the disc brake. In this arrangement, the pointer element, which, according to the invention, extends in the opposite direction to the brake disc, is designed as a separate part and is fixed to the brake support.
This is preferably accomplished at fixing screws, by which the brake carrier is connected to the axle connection on the vehicle side. The term fixing screws is intended to encompass any connector whether a screw, bolt, or the like.
The pointer element can be fixed on one or more of the screws by a frictional and/or positive engagement and, in the first case, the pointer element has a press-fit sleeve, which is pressed onto a screw head of the screws.
The pointer element corresponds visibly to a guide sleeve held in the brake caliper, which moves together with the brake caliper relative to the pointer element, depending on the degree of wear of the brake pad and/or brake disc.
The change which this involves in the distance between a boundary edge of the pointer element and the free end of the guide sleeve can be detected visually from the outside without having to remove the vehicle wheel. This circumstance is a significant improvement over the prior art since it is possible to carry out a wear check at virtually any time and this, of course, leads to an increase in operational reliability.
According to an advantageous aspect of in the invention, provision is made for the pointer element to be provided with at least one marking, preferably a striped marking, which allows particularly simple wear detection and is applied in a permanent manner, thus ensuring that it does not become unrecognizable, even due to the effects of weather.
Instead of being fixed to the single press-fit sleeve mentioned, it is also possible for the pointer element to be fixed to two press-fit sleeves that are mutually adjacent and are each pressed onto a screw head, thereby ensuring that the screws are secured against twisting, preventing the screws from coming loose owing to shocks due to operation.
According to another aspect, the pointer element can be formed by a pointer sleeve, which is pushed onto a screw head and is held captive there, e.g. by means of a lateral fixing screw which is screwed into the pointer sleeve and presses the latter against the screw head.
Still another aspect of the invention is that the pointer element can be produced at a particularly low price and, in principle, can be used universally. In particular, retrofitting to an already installed disc brake is possible without problems, and the pointer element is designed in such a way that it can be connected to either one or the other side of the fixing of the brake support to the axle connection.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Disc brake, particularly for a commercial vehicle

KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH


A precision yarn (14) delivery system for the delivery of yarn from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point, comprising a temporary yarn store (22) intermediate the supply and the utilisation point in which the yarn (14) is held under low tension and is fed from the store as required by the utilisation point.

This invention relates to yarn delivery systems, and in particular to a delivery system for the delivery of precise lengths of yarn from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point at a rate required by that utilising point.
It is known in relation to various yarn processes to store a length of yarn in a storage device or accumulator disposed between a yarn supply and a yarn processing station or utilisation point. Such devices generally comprise a chamber into which the yarn is fed, generally by compressed air, and from which the yarn is withdrawn by the yarn processing or utilising devices. Within the chamber the yarn may accumulate in a succession of folds or layers. For many applications such arrangements may well be satisfactory. However, in the case of supplying yarn to a knitting machine, a primary aim in producing a high quality knitted product, i.e. as regards dimensions, pressure characteristics, stiffness and shape retention, is that of defined stitch length throughout the knitted fabric. Heretofore, yarn has been withdrawn from the supply or from the store by the knitting needles as required, but the problem of ensuring precision stitch length control has not been solved wholly satisfactorily in either case. This problem is particularly acute in the cases of fabrics knitted on flat-bed knitting machines and in the use of elastomeric yarns, which can extend by over 600%. Furthermore accumulation of fine, high modulus or elastomeric knitting yarn in layers or folds can lead to twisting or snarling of the yarn, which provides that the feed to the knitting machine is unsatisfactory or even breaks down.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a yarn delivery system from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point at a precise rate required by that utilising point, which does not have the abovementioned disadvantages of known storage or accumulator devices. It is also an object of the invention to provide a yarn delivery system capable of delivering precise lengths of yarns such as elastomeric yarns, particularly to flat bed knitting machines.
The invention provides a precision yarn delivery system for the delivery of yarn from a yarn supply to a yarn utilising point, comprising a temporary yarn store intermediate the supply and the utilisation point in which the yarn is held under low tension and is fed from the store as required by the utilisation point.
The yarn in the store may allowed to relax at a tension less than that at which it is withdrawn from the supply, and may be held under a uniform substantially zero tension. The system may comprise a chamber in which the yarn is stored, and the yarn may be stored in the chamber under pneumatic control. The pneumatic control may be provided by suction applied to the chamber. The chamber may comprise an elongate tube, which may have a width to prevent twisting of the yarn therein. A yarn inlet to and a yarn outlet from the chamber may be at one end of the chamber, and the yarn may be constrained to form a single loop in the chamber. The suction may be applied to the chamber at the other end thereof.
The system may comprise an output feed device, which may be disposed spaced from the yarn outlet from the chamber. The output feed device may comprise a pair of feed rollers. The system may also comprise an input feed device, which may be disposed adjacent the yarn inlet to the chamber. The input feed device may comprise a pair of feed rollers. The input feed device and the output feed device may be driven by a common drive arrangement, and the input feed device may be driven at a higher speed than the output feed device. The drive arrangement may comprise gearing operable to determine the ratio of the speed of the input feed device to that of the output feed device. The gearing may be selectable dependent on the elasticity of the yarn to be stored. A motor may be disposed to drive the gearing, and the motor may be a precision servo motor or a stepper motor.
The invention also provides a knitting machine having a precision yarn delivery system for the delivery of yarn from a yarn supply to a knitting point, comprising a temporary yarn store intermediate the supply and the knitting point in which the yarn is held under low tension and fed from the store as required by the knitting point. The knitting machine may be a flat bed knitting machine.
The knitting machine may comprise a carriage operable to engage a selected carrier and to move the carrier along a rail of the machine in accordance with a signal from a control arrangement. The carrier may have the precision yarn delivery system mounted thereon. The carriage may have a motor and a coupler mounted thereon. The coupler may be operable to engage a shaft of the motor with gearing of the precision yarn delivery system when the carriage is engaged with the carrier. The coupler may be operated by means of electro pneumatic cylinders or by solenoids. Suction may be applied to the store whilst the carriage is in engagement with the carrier.
The system may comprise two stores and respective input feed devices, whereby two yarns may be fed to the knitting point.

University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology


Devices and methods are provided for optimized spinal fixation using additive manufacturing techniques to create implants with optimized structure for various surgical approaches, anatomies, etc. One exemplary embodiment includes a cage having an X-shaped connection that can bear a load during cage impaction. The cage can be additively manufactured to incorporate features such as variable wall thickness or material density to adjust properties of the cage, including load bearing capability, flexibility, radiolucency, etc. The cage can further include one or more of the connectors disposed between upper and lower endplates. In some embodiments, the cage can include a feature for coupling an insertion device thereto for introducing the cage into the body of a patient. In some embodiments, a plate can be appended to or integrally formed with a proximal end of the cage to assist with securing the cage to vertebral bodies.

The human spine includes vertebrae and joints that work together to protect the spinal cord from injury during motion and activity. The spinal cord generally includes nerve elements that travel from the brain to other portions of the body so that the brain can command the other portions of the body to respond in particular manners based on bioelectrical and biochemical signals transmitted by the brain, through the spinal cord, and ultimately to the portion of the body being commanded by the brain. In the event of deformity, injury, and other spinal abnormalities, implants and other instruments are often inserted into the spine to coerce the spine into proper alignment and ease tension on the surrounding nerves to alleviate pain. These implants aim to strengthen the body's ability to avoid further injury while assisting the body to work to repair the injury using the body's own healing techniques.
Existing implants and methods for treating and correcting spinal problems have several shortcomings. After implants are inserted into the spine, a variety of factors can contribute to low spinal fusion rates, which can result in patient complications. For example, mass production of implants can fail to take into account the differences between the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine, as well as the variations in vertebral levels that occur between patients of different ages and sizes. As a result, implant migration can occur, which may slow healing time or require corrective surgery to repair. Further, misalignment between the implant and certain areas of the spine can cause further damage by improperly distributing impaction forces over the spine. Still further, inserted implants may not be sufficiently elastic or otherwise strong so as to allow the implants to withstand forces exerted thereon by spinal structures, causing unwanted deformation or breaking that may require further corrective surgery.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide devices and methods that can be used for treatment and/or fixation of spinal structures that can be optimized for the anatomical geometry and needs of a subject.

Devices and methods for optimized spinal fixation


A system includes a carrier, one or more printheads coupled with the carrier in a defined spatial relation, and alignment information associated with the carrier and identifying the defined spatial relation of one or more printheads.

Printing systems may employ carriers that include one or more printheads configured to deliver ink to media. To achieve placement of such delivered ink, printhead alignment may be determined, and appropriate adjustments to the firing patterns can be made. Printhead alignment may include, among other things, alignment of printheads relative to one another, and alignment of printheads relative to the carrier or media. Achieving printhead alignment may be time consuming.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An open-faced spin-casting reel utilizes a weighted member which in response to a casting motion will automatically release the line from the spool, and drag control mechanism is incorporated directly into the reeling mechanism off of the crankshaft to control the amount of drag on the line as it is reeled onto the spool.

It has been proposed to employ a drag mechanism in fishing reels which will automatically restrain or resist movement of the line when the line is being reeled in. Representative of this approach are U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,217 to Blackwell and U.S. Pat. No. 3,326,492 to Murval. In the patent to Blackwell, for example, the drag is increased or decreased according to the increase or decrease in the reeling radius of the line and also requires the use of a star wheel to control the amount of drag. Similarly, in the patent to Murval, the initial drag setting is established by a star wheel and the drag can be controlled by backing off the crank arm for a spool which is mounted directly on the crank arm or shaft. Other patents of interest in this field are U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,474 to Kovalovsky and U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,374 to Kaneko.
Casting reels present somewhat different problems in order to impart a drag automatically in response to cranking or reeling in of the line, since the spool is not directly associated with the crankshaft and requires an intermediate drive mechanism between the crankshaft and spool to selectively impart rotation to the spool. Moreover, it is desirable that the adjustable or manual drag mechanism be directly associated with the drive shaft for the spool but not affect the manner in which automatic drive is imparted by the crankshaft when reeling in the line. In this respect, minimal rotation of the crankshaft should impart sufficient drag to the spool to effectively lock it against rotation and require but a limited amount of rotation of the crank in the reverse direction to completely release the drag so that the nose is controlled by the conventional drag mechanism. In this way, automatic drag can be applied independently of the conventional or adjustable drag mechanism and can be released by the operator with a simple motion associated with cranking when necessary.
It is also desirable to incorporate into a casting reel a line release which will automatically remove any drag on the line in response to the casting motion so that it is not necessary for the operator to coordinate release of the line with the casting motion or throw and therefore can concentrate entirely on the delivery and direction of the cast without separate manipulation of the line release.
Another desirable feature is to provide an automatic drag mechanism as well as an automatic casting mechanism as described which can be incorporated into conventional reels, such as, those described in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,013 and my copending application for patent Ser. No. 714,689, filed 13 Jun., 1991 for OPEN FACE SPIN CASTING FISHING REEL.

Casting reel with automatic drag and casting mechanism


An internally geared hub is provided with a hub axle, a hub shell, a driver, a planetary gear mechanism and a gear changing mechanism. The hub shell rotates freely about the hub axle. The driver rotates freely relative to both the hub axle and the hub shell. The planetary gear mechanism is operatively connected between the hub shell and the driver. The planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of driver rotation transmission paths that transmits rotation of the driver in a prescribed operating direction to the hub shell, and a hub shell rotation transmission path that transmits rotation of the hub shell in the prescribed operating direction to the driver. The gear changing mechanism is operatively connected the planetary gear mechanism for selectively establishing one of the driver rotation transmission paths or the hub shell rotation transmission path.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a geared hub. More specifically, the present invention relates to an internally geared hub for a bicycle that is configured to be mounted on a rearward portion of a bicycle frame and used as a rear wheel hub.
2. Background Information
Bicycles are typically provided with a chain drive that includes a rear drive sprocket mounted to a rear hub that is mounted to a rear portion of a frame of a bicycle. Some bicycles are provided with a rear hub that includes an internal gearing mechanism for shift among a plurality of gears to change an output gear ratio from a drive sprocket. This type of rear hub is often called an internally geared hub. One example of an internally geared hub is disclosed in Japanese Registered Utility Model Publication No. 3146138. The internally geared hub disclosed in this publication has a hub axle that is mounted to a rear portion of a bicycle frame, a hub shell that is arranged to rotate freely about the hub axle, a driver, a rotation transmitting mechanism with a planetary gear mechanism and a gear changing mechanism. The driver is mounted between the hub axle and the hub shell such that it can rotate freely relative to both the hub axle and the hub shell. The planetary gear mechanism of the rotation transmitting mechanism transmits rotation of the driver to the hub shell through one of a plurality of gears (gear ratios). The gear changing mechanism shift among (i.e., select one of) the gears of the rotation transmitting mechanism.
In the conventional internally geared hub presented in the aforementioned publication, a high gear among the plurality of gears transmits rotation of the driver directly to the hub shell. As a result, particularly in assisted bicycles having a motor to assist with pedaling, the service life of the high gear (which is used frequently) is increased, and thus, the service life of the entire internally geared hub can be increased. Additionally, the conventional internally geared hub is provided with a one-way clutch serving to transmit rotation of a carrier of the planetary gear mechanism to the hub shell only in a drive direction. As a result, when a rider is coasting without pedaling (e.g., on a downhill slope), the rotation of the hub shell is not transmitted to the driver and a torque is not transmitted to the pedals.