A secondary battery including an electrode assembly having a top and a bottom, a case containing the electrode assembly and comprising a bottom plate, wherein the bottom of the electrode assembly is proximate the bottom plate, a cap assembly coupled to the case, and a short induction plate between the electrode assembly and the case, the short induction plate adapted to fracture when the case is compressed to induce a short of the electrode assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
An aspect of the present invention relates to a secondary battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, unlike a primary battery that cannot be recharged, a secondary battery can be discharged and recharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely employed in high-technology electronic apparatuses such as cellular phones, laptop computers, camcorders, and the like. In particular, the use of a lithium secondary battery having a high energy density per unit weight and a driving voltage of 3.6V, which is three times larger than that of a nickel-cadmium battery and a nickel-hydrogen battery, is becoming increasingly popular as the power source of electronic apparatuses.
In a lithium secondary battery, a lithium-based oxide is used as a first electrode active material and a carbon material is used as a second electrode active material. The lithium secondary battery is manufactured to have various shapes such as a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, and a pouch shape.
In general, the lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly coupled with the can. The lithium secondary battery may present a safety hazard due to a fire or explosion caused by external pressure or shock. Therefore, a lithium secondary battery having an improved safety structure is continuously being developed.

Secondary battery having a short induction plate


The disclosure relates to a device for supplying to at least one integrated circuit a high voltage for erasing and/or programming of a memory. The device includes at least one contact terminal linked to at least one contact terminal of the integrated circuit, a monitor for monitoring a data signal received by the integrated circuit and detecting in the data signal a write command of the memory, and a voltage supplier for applying the high voltage to a terminal of the integrated circuit when a write command of the memory has been detected by the monitor.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an integrated memory circuit comprising a memory erasable and/or programmable electrically by means of a second voltage greater than the supply voltage.
The present disclosure also relates to a device for supplying an erase program high voltage to an integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
The integrated memory circuit market is currently experiencing a demand for programmable integrated circuits at very low prices, small sizes, and having a minimal number of interconnection terminals (contact pads). Such integrated circuits generally offer a limited memory size, sometimes only several tens or hundreds of bits. They may be reprogrammable by the user, or be programmed once and for all in the factory. The memory is generally of the electrically erasable and programmable (EEPROM) type.
Indeed, numerous applications exist for such integrated memory circuits, such as electronic tags containing a serial number programmed in the factory, calibration circuits with various components (sensors, light-emitting diodes LEDs, . . . ) containing calibration data programmed in the factory and possibly reprogrammable during use, etc.
To write data in their memories, such integrated circuits use an erase program voltage with a high value, conventionally between 10V and 15V, clearly larger than their supply voltage, which is on the order of 3V to 5V.
During the 1980's, this erase program high voltage was supplied to integrated circuits by means of a dedicated connection terminal. This connection terminal was later removed and replaced by an embedded charge pump capable of supplying the erase program voltage from the supply voltage of the integrated circuit. At this time however, it is no longer conceivable to return to the previous solution because the addition of such a connection terminal is contrary to the current specifications for a reduction of the number of integrated circuit connection terminals.
The architecture of a conventional integrated circuit of the type considered here is shown schematically in FIG. 1. The integrated circuit IC1 comprises an EEPROM type memory MEM1, a control circuit CCT1, a charge pump CP, a circuit PPCT, a ground terminal P0 (GND), a terminal P1 receiving a supply voltage Vdd, a connection terminal P2 to receive and/or emit a data or clock signal S1, and a connection terminal P3 to receive or emit a data or clock signal S2.
The control circuit CCT1 is configured to execute memory read or write commands received by the intermediary of terminals P2, P3. As an example, FIGS. 2A, 2B show the forms of the signals S1, S2 during the reception of a write command via a bus I2C. The signal S1 is in this case the data signal "SDA" ("Serial DAta") provided by the protocol I2C and the signal S2 is the clock signal "SCL" ("Serial CLock") provided by this protocol.
The command is received during a phase E1 by the intermediary of signal S1 that carries the bits at 1 and at 0. The circuit CCT1 then starts an erase phase E2 of a memory target zone designated by the command, then a program phase E3 of memory cells in the erased target zone. To this end, the circuit CCT1 activates the charge pump CP and the circuit PPCT. The charge pump CP supplies a high voltage HV to the circuit PPCT. This latter shapes this high voltage HV and supplies to the memory MEM1 an erase program high voltage Vpp with a regulated amplitude and a controlled duration, for example a voltage ramp followed by a voltage plateau with a value close to the voltage HV. The ramp-plateau signal may be supplied two times to the memory, first during the phase E1 and then during the phase E2.
The provision of an embedded charge pump however is detrimental in terms of cost price and of silicon surface area occupied by the integrated circuit. A charge pump includes several capacitors on the order of several Pico farads pF each, occupying a non-negligible silicon surface area. In addition, the regulation of the voltage HV by means of the circuit PPCT to obtain the voltage Vpp relies on a stable reference voltage and a specific circuitry that also occupies a non-negligible silicon surface area.
Thus, it may be desirable to simplify the structure of an integrated memory circuit using an erase program high voltage to write data in its memory.
Independently of this, it may also be desired to provide a device to supply an erase program high voltage to one or more integrated circuits.

Device for supplying a high erase program voltage to an integrated circuit


A gearbox assembly comprising of at least one planetary gear set comprising one or more ring gears, one or more sun gears and a planet carrier. The planet carrier supports two sets of circumferentially spaced planet gear bearings, pins and planet gears. The bearings, pins and gears are able to self adjust in an angular direction relative to the carrier supporting disc whereby the rotation axis of the planet gears may remain perpendicular to the plane of the planet carrier or skewed from said plane.

The present invention relates to a planet carrier assembly.
Traditional wind turbine gearboxes involve the use of one or more planetary gear sets to reduce the torque and increase the speed of the power supplied by the rotor. One disadvantage of using a planetary gear set in high power applications is the load that planet gears and bearings must take is quite large. A current solution to this problem is to increase the number of planets in the gear set however this has the consequence of limiting the ratio achievable out of the set.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,465 (FIG. 1) suggests a method whereby additional planets are added to the system by the use of a double sided carrier (or bogie plate). This has the advantage of reducing the load on the planet gears and bearings while allowing higher ratio's to be achieved. The design claimed however has the disadvantage of requiring a common pin 44 for each opposing pair of planet gears 47. Consequently the planet gears on each side of the carrier are not completely independent and loads on one planet gear will affect the gears utilizing the common pin, this is of particular concern in flexible pin applications.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2006/016055A1 (FIG. 1) discloses how an external force will cause a shaft of the so-called flexpin type, such as described in GB1101131, to bend as a result of a bending moment. A. The use of the flexible pin, or flexpin, 44 is advantageous for load distribution over the tooth flanks (KHβ) as well as load sharing between the planets in the planetary cell (Kγ). The equality of loads between the planets (Kγ) will be inversely proportional to the stiffness of the planet shafts and it is thus preferred to make the planet shafts as flexible as possible.


A multi-stage switch fabric (SF) is provided. The multi-stage SF includes a line card chassis (LCC) and a fabric card chassis (FCC). The FCC includes a stage-1 switch element (S1), a stage-2 switch element (S2), and a stage-3 switch element (S3), where the S3 corresponds to the S1, and the S2 is coupled to the S1 and S3 respectively. The LCC includes an interface component and a line card (LC) coupled to the interface component, where the interface component is coupled to the S1 and S3 in the FCC respectively. Through the technical solution under the present invention, when a switch element generates flow control information and requires another switch element or an LC to respond to the flow control information, a timely response can be received.

An SF may include one or more stages of switch elements, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4. The SF shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 includes a stage-0 switch element (S0) and multiple line cards (LCs). The SF shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 includes three stages of switch elements and multiple LCs. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the LC that sends uplink data flows (ingress LC) is located on one side of the switch element, and the LC that receives downlink data flows (egress LC) is located on the other side of the switch element. The LC in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 can send uplink data flows and receive downlink data flows. In FIG. 4, the S1/3 includes two parts: a stage-1 switch element (S1), and a stage-3 switch element (S3). The packets sent by a source LC carry destination LC information. The packets pass through the S1, a stage-2 switch element (S2), and S3, and arrive at the destination LC. The packets include variable-length packets and fixed-length cells.
In a common multi-stage SF, both the LC and the S1/3 are generally located in a line card chassis (LCC). The S1/3 includes two parts: the S1, and the S3, where the S1 corresponds to the S3. In this case, the S1 and S3 may be located on the same physical component or on different physical components. The 81 may be coupled to the S3 through a specific interface; the S2 is generally located in a fabric card chassis (FCC), and the FCC is coupled to the LCC through fibers or cables, as shown in FIG. 5. According to a specific algorithm such as a load balancing algorithm, the S1 in the LCC selects an S2, and forwards the packets sent by the source LC to the FCC through fibers, and a repeater (RPT) in the FCC forwards the packets to the S2. The S2 switches the packets to the S3 in the LCC according to the destination LCC information carried in the packets. Finally, the S3 in the destination LCC switches the packets to the destination LC according to the destination LC information carried in the packets. The FCC may have no RPT.
The defects of the prior art are as follows:
In a multi-stage SF provided in the prior art, flow control information is not responded to in time. For example, when congestion occurs at the S3, and the S3 wants to notify its upstream switch element (such as the S2) to suspend the sending of packets, the physical path of flow control information fed back by the S3 to the S2 is as follows: The S3 transmits the flow control information to the S1 which is corresponding to the S3, and the S1 sends the flow control information to the S2. When congestion occurs at the S2, the physical path of flow control information fed back by the S2 to the upstream switch element (such as the S1) is as follows: The S2 transmits the flow control information to the S3, and the S3 sends the flow control information to the S1. Therefore, the flow control information fed back by a downstream switch element to an upstream switch element needs to pass through fibers between the FCC and the LCC, the transmission of flow control information in the fibers incurs a great delay, and the fed back flow control information is not responded to in time.


This invention includes: an obstacle detection unit 400 that detects obstacles present around the working machine, by use of an image acquired by a camera 13; a position calculating unit 500 that calculates positions of each of the detected obstacles; a hazard zone calculating unit 700 that calculates a hazard zone based upon an attitude and motion of the working machine; a determining unit 800 that determines whether further obstacles are present in the calculated hazard zone; a risk level setting unit 2000 that sets a contact risk level for each of any obstacles present in the hazard zone; an image generating unit 600 that converts the camera image into a bird's-eye image centering upon the working machine, and then generates an image inclusive of all elements of the working machine and hazard zone on the bird's-eye image by further imaging the bird's-eye image diagonally from above an obstacle for which the highest contact risk level has been set by the risk level setting unit; and a display device 1300 that displays the generated image.

Peripheral monitoring devices for working machines such as hydraulic excavators monitor the periphery of the working machine by means of a camera and/or the like to prevent the machine from coming into contact with any obstacles (persons and objects) present around the machine during work. Techniques relating to devices of this type are intended to allow an operator to easily and readily recognize the relationship in position between the working machine and the obstacles existing around it. Among these techniques is one that achieves its intended purpose by displaying three images in superimposed form on a display device. One depicts an attitude and working zone of the working machine during the work, one is obtained by converting a camera-acquired image of the working machine periphery into a bird's-eye image of the machine as viewed diagonally from above, and one depicts an obstacle appropriately detected by the camera or other means. JP-2008-248613-A, for example, discloses the technique.

Peripheral monitoring device for working machine

Abstract: This configuration makes an operator instantly recognize a position of the most potentially hazardous obstacle relative to the working machine, and thus improves working efficiency of the machine.

HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.


A polymeric blend comprising a polypropylene resin and very low density polyethylene are particularly suited for preparation of films which are readily adhered to metal surfaces. Sheet metal laminates according to the foregoing design are usefully employed in the manufacture of components for aerosol containers.

The present invention relates to a polymeric blend having improved properties and particularly suited for the use in the preparation of films. More particularly the present invention relates to such a polymeric blend having improved melt strength and particularly adapted to the preparation of blown films which may subsequently be laminated to metal substrates.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,157 there are disclosed metal containers especially aerosol dispensing containers containing top can end members and valve cup members formed from a metal sheet material comprising a thin polymeric layer overlaid on the metallic substrate. Particularly suitable polymeric materials include polyesters and polypropylene (col. 4, lines 30-32). In U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,823 a similar metal can is disclosed wherein at least one component thereof is comprised of a metal sheet containing a laminate of polypropylene which is cast thereon.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,132 a carboxyl modified polypropylene resin is proposed for adhering to enamel coated metal substrates.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,686,152 a metal packaging foil comprising an iron foil and a polymeric resin coating is disclosed. Suitable polymeric resins including polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutene-1, a propylene/ethylene copolymer, etc. are disclosed at columns 11 and 12.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,303 a laminate comprising an iron or steel foil having a plastic film layer adhered thereto with an adhesive force of at least 600 grams/15 millimeters of width is disclosed. The list of suitable films are those previously disclosed in 4,636,152 and are adhered by the use of an adhesive resin including isocyanate type and epoxy type adhesives (col. 10, lines 30-34).
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,020 a metal substrate having a plastic film adhered thereto is employed to prepare cold formed objects. Suitable plastics include oriented or nonoriented polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide resins, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and blends.
For the teachings contained therein the foregoing United States patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference thereto.
Highly desirable resin films comprising polypropylene or modified polypropylene are employed in the foregoing laminated structures due to the inherent chemical resistance of such resins. Disadvantageously however, presently available polypropylene and modified polypropylene resins are not well suited for the preparation of films, particularly by the use of the blown film technique. The alternative of employing casting technology to prepare such films does not readily permit the use of randomizing procedures to prepare a film of uniform gauge that is free of defects. Consequently, laminates prepared utilizing cast films of polypropylene may possess undesirable variations of thickness or other defects which may render such laminates unsuited for the intended use. In the formation of sealed metal containers as disclosed in certain of the foregoing prior art references, it is highly desirable to provide a film of uniform dimension such as may be prepared by the blown film technique.
The blown film technique involves use of air to expand a molten bubble of polymer. The technique is well known in the art and taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,650,649, 3,801,429 and 3,354,506, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Polypropylene resins have also been found to be particularly difficult to adhere to various metallic substrates particularly by the use of thermoplastic adhesive resins. Various commercial embodiments of the foregoing laminates and structures comprising such laminates have utilized solvent born adhesives such as lacquers to laminate the cast polypropylene film to the metallic substrate. The use of such solvent-based adhesives involves unnecessary complexity in the preparation of laminates and is undesirable from the standpoint of environmental degradation due to solvent emissions.
It would be desirable if there were provided an improved polypropylene containing resin for use in the preparation of laminated structures
Furthermore it would be desirable if there were provided such a resin having improved melt strength thereby allowing its use in the preparation of blown films therefrom without the loss of solvent resistance and other resin properties normally attributable to polypropylene resins.
It would additionally be desirable if there were provided a polypropylene containing resin having improved compatibility with thermoplastic adhesive resins for use in the preparation of laminated structures comprising a layer of such polypropylene containing resin and a layer of thermoplastic adhesive resin.
Finally it would be desirable if there were provided an improved metallic laminate containing a metallic substrate having laminated thereto an improved polypropylene based resin which could be readily formed into components for containers.

Polymeric blend and laminated structures prepared therefrom


An active molecule delivery system whereby active molecules can be released on demand and/or a variety of different active molecules can be delivered from the same system and/or different concentrations of active molecules can be delivered from the same system. The invention is well-suited for delivering pharmaceuticals to patients transdermally. In some embodiments, the system includes two separate reservoirs and a mixing area thereby allowing precursors to be mixed immediately before transdermal delivery.

Digital microfluidic devices use independent electrodes to propel, split, and join droplets in a confined environment, thereby providing a "lab-on-a-chip." Digital microfluidic devices are alternatively referred to as electrowetting on dielectric, or "EWoD," to further differentiate the method from competing microfluidic systems that rely on electrophoretic flow and/or micropumps. A 2012 review of the electrowetting technology was provided by Wheeler in "Digital Microfluidics," Annu. Rev. Anal. Chem. 2012, 5:413-40, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The technique allows sample preparation, assays, and synthetic chemistry to be performed with tiny quantities of both samples and reagents. In recent years, controlled droplet manipulation in microfluidic cells using electrowetting has become commercially viable; and there are now products available from large life science companies, such as Oxford Nanopore.
Most of the literature reports on EWoD involve so-called "passive matrix" devices (a.k.a. "segmented" devices), whereby ten to twenty electrodes are directly driven with a controller. While segmented devices are easy to fabricate, the number of electrodes is limited by space and driving constraints. Accordingly, it is not possible to perform massive parallel assays, reactions, etc. in passive matrix devices. In comparison, "active matrix" devices (a.k.a. active matrix EWoD, a.k.a. AM-EWoD) devices can have many thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions of addressable electrodes. The electrodes are typically switched by thin-film transistors (TFTs) and droplet motion is programmable so that AM-EWoD arrays can be used as general purpose devices that allow great freedom for controlling multiple droplets and executing simultaneous analytical processes.
Because of the restrictive requirements on the electric field leakage, most advanced AM-EWoD devices are constructed from polycrystalline silicon (a.k.a. polysilicon, a.k.a. poly-Si). However, polysilicon fabrication is substantially more expensive than amorphous silicon fabrication, i.e., the type used in mass-produced active matrix TFTs for the LCD display industry. Polysilicon fabrication processes are more expensive because there are unique handling and fabrication steps for working with polysilicon. There are also fewer facilities worldwide that are configured to fabricate devices from polysilicon. However, because of the improved functionality of polysilicon, Sharp Corporation has been able to achieve AM-EWoD devices that include propulsion, sensing, and heating capabilities on a single active matrix. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,419,273, 8,547,111, 8,654,571, 8,828,336, 9,458,543, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. An example of a complex poly-Si AM-EWoD is shown in FIG. 1.
Transdermal delivery of bioactive materials is well-established technology. In the most straightforward embodiments the biologically-active component (typically a molecule having molecular weight below about 1000) is incorporated into a polymeric matrix or gel that is placed into contact with a patient's skin. Penetration of the molecule occurs by passive diffusion, often over a period of several hours. The initiation of drug delivery is by application of the patch to the skin. In the current state of the art it is difficult to modulate the rate of delivery of the active ingredient, however, from one particular patch.


Disclosed is a fixing apparatus which includes a first rotatable member having an endless configuration, and a second rotatable member in pressure contact with the first rotatable member which causes a recording material bearing an image to be nipped and conveyed at a pressure contact portion between the first and second rotatable members. A temperature raising unit is provided for raising temperature of a local portion of the first rotatable member by reception of electric power supply, and a temperature detecting unit detects a temperature of a location different from the pressure contact portion with respect to a rotational direction of the first rotatable member. A first control unit is provided for feedback-controlling electric power to be supplied to the temperature raising unit, and a second control unit is provided for temporally supplying electric power corresponding to a set value set by a setting unit to the temperature raising unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and particularly to image forming apparatuses, such as electrophotographic copying machines, printers, and facsimile apparatuses, and fixing apparatuses usable therein.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, coloring has been advancing in image forming apparatuses, such as copying machines and printers. In connection with an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus, a so-called in-line image forming apparatus has been proposed in which an array of photosensitive drums are arranged corresponding to respective colors, and toner images of respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums are sequentially superimposed on a transferring medium such that a color image can be formed.
As a fixing apparatus to be used in such a color image forming apparatus, a thermal roller fixing apparatus with a fixing member having an elastic layer is well known. In such a thermal roller fixing system using the elastic layer, there is posed a problem that thermal capacity of the thermal roller itself tends to be large, and it likely takes a long time (warm-up time) to heat the fixing roller up to temperature suitable for fixation of a toner image. This problem causes a user to wait for start-up of the apparatus for an unnecessarily long time, and is also undesirable in the light of consumption of electric power. Further, cost of the fixing apparatus is liable to increase.
As a fixing apparatus capable of achieving a short warm-up time, a fixing apparatus of a belt fixing type is well known. This type is often used in a monochromatic (black and white) printer. FIG. 14 schematically illustrates the structure of a model of such a belt fixing apparatus.
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 201 designates an entire structure of the belt fixing apparatus. Reference numeral 202 designates a fixing belt unit which is an assembly including a trough-shaped heater holder 207 having an approximately semicircular arcuate cross section, a fixing heater fixed to a lower surface of the heater holder 207 along its extension direction (a direction perpendicular to a sheet of FIG. 14), a thin fixing belt 203 of an endless belt configuration (a cylindrical shape) externally wound loosely around the heater holder 207 with the fixing heater 204, and so forth.
Reference numeral 205 designates an elastic pressure roller which is arranged with opposite ends of its metal core being freely rotatably supported by side plates of the fixing apparatus.
The fixing belt unit 202 is disposed above and parallel to the elastic pressure roller 205 with a side of the fixing heater 204 facing downward. And, the heater holder 207 is pressed downward with predetermined pressure created by a biasing unit (not shown) which acts on opposite ends of the heater holder 207. Accordingly, the lower surface of the fixing heater 204 is brought into pressure contact with the upper surface of the elastic pressure roller 205 against its elasticity with the fixing belt 203 being sandwiched therebetween. A fixing nip portion 206 with a predetermined width is thus formed.
The elastic pressure roller 205 is driven and rotated at a predetermined circumferential rate in a counterclockwise direction of an arrow by a driving mechanism (not shown). Due to the rotational driving of the elastic pressure roller 205, friction force between the elastic pressure roller 205 and the fixing belt 203 occurs at the fixing nip portion 206, and hence rotational force acts on the fixing belt 203. The fixing belt 203 is accordingly rotated around the outer surface of the heater holder 207 in a clockwise direction of an arrow at a circumferential speed approximately corresponding to the circumferential speed of the elastic pressure roller 205, while the inner surface of the fixing belt 203 is in close contact with and is slid on the lower surface of the fixing heater 204 at the fixing nip portion 206.
The fixing belt 203 is an endless belt of heat resisting resin with a thickness of about 50 microns, for example. A separating layer (fluorine coating resin, or the like) with a thickness of 10 microns is formed on the surface of the heat resisting resin. Further, no elastic layer is used in the fixing belt 203 to decrease its thermal capacity.
The fixing heater 204 is a ceramic substrate with a resistance heating body formed thereon. A temperature detecting unit 209 is disposed in contact with the fixing heater 204 such that temperature of the fixing heater 204 can be detected. Electric power supply to the fixing heater 204 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) such that its temperature can be controlled and reach a desired temperature.
Under a condition under which the elastic pressure roller 205 is driven and rotated, the fixing belt 203 is accordingly rotated, and the fixing heater 204 is heated up and adjusted to a predetermined temperature, a recording material P bearing unfixed toner images t is guided into the fixing nip portion 206 between the fixing belt 203 and the elastic pressure roller 205. An unfixed toner image bearing surface of the recording material P is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the fixing belt 203, and the recording material P is nipped at and conveyed through the fixing nip portion 206 simultaneously with the rotation of the fixing belt 203. During the nipped conveyance of the recording material P, heat of the fixing heater 204 is transmitted to the recording material P through the fixing belt 203, and the recording material P is subjected to pressure of the fixing nip portion 206. The unfixed toner image t is thus fixed on the recording material P as a permanent fixed image by those heat and pressure. Upon passing of the recording material P through the fixing nip portion 206, the recording material P is self-stripped from the surface of the fixing belt 203 by curvature, and discharged.
In the thus-constructed fixing apparatus 201, thermal capacity of the fixing belt 203 is made so small that the fixing nip portion 206 can be heated to temperature for enabling fixation of the toner image in a short time immediately after supply of electric power to the fixing heater 204.
However, when such a belt fixing apparatus 201 using the fixing belt 203 without the elastic layer is used as the fixing apparatus of the color image forming apparatus, the following situation occurs since no elastic layer is provided on the fixing belt 203 serving as a fixing member. The surface of the fixing belt 203 cannot follow unevenness of the surface of the recording material P, unevenness resulting from presence and absence of the toner layer, and unevenness of the toner layer itself, and hence a difference in heat transmitted from the fixing belt 203 appears between a concave portion and a convex portion on the recording material P. Sufficient heat is transmitted from the fixing belt 203 at the convex portion in close contact with the fixing belt 203, while only less heat is transmitted from the fixing belt 203 at the concave portion in less contact with the fixing belt 203 than at the convex portion. Thus, the toner layer reflects a difference in its melt condition due to the unevenness, and hence the fixed image is likely to be affected.
Particularly, in the color image forming system, toner images of plural colors are superimposed and mixed, so that its unevenness of the toner layer is larger than that in the monochromatic image forming system. Therefore, when no elastic layer is provided on the fixing belt 203, unevenness of gloss of the fixed image increases, and image quality is hence lowered. Further, in the event that the recording material P is an OHP sheet, when the fixed image is projected, light scattering occurs due to microscopic unevenness of the surface of the fixed image, and permeability is resultantly lowered.
Further, in the event that the fixing belt 203 is coated with silicone oil or the like such that sufficient heat can be fully transmitted to the fixing belt 203 without the elastic layer, the recording material P, and the uneven portion of the unfixed toner image t, the cost is likely to increase, and the fixed image and the recording material P are liable to be sticky due to the oil.
In such a situation, an inexpensive color on-demand fixing apparatus using a fixing belt with an elastic layer as the belt fixing apparatus has been proposed (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-15303, for example).
FIG. 15 schematically illustrates the structure of the belt fixing apparatus using a fixing belt 203 with an elastic layer as the fixing member. In FIG. 15, members and portions common to those in FIG. 14 are designated by like reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
When this fixing apparatus is used, heat conductivity of a silicone rubber layer used as the elastic layer of the fixing belt 203 is small. Accordingly, temperature response of the fixing belt 203 is poor, and temperature of a sleeve following the temperature of the fixing heater 204 is largely delayed in response. Further, a difference in temperature between the fixing heater 204 and the fixing belt 203 is very large, say several tens degrees (° C.), even in a stationary state, and the temperature difference largely varies between idling rotation time and sheet passing time. Accordingly, it is very difficult to control the temperature of the fixing belt.
Therefore, a temperature controlling method as illustrated in FIG. 15 is proposed in place of the method using the fixing heater portion as in the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 14. In the temperature controlling method of FIG. 15, a temperature detecting unit 209 is provided on the surface or inner surface of the fixing belt 203 to detect the temperature of the fixing belt 203 itself, and the temperature of the fixing heater 204 is controlled by feedback control, such as PID control (Proportional-Integral-Differential), such that the temperature of the fixing belt can be adjusted. When such a construction is used, the temperature of the fixing belt 203 can be controlled more precisely.
This fixing apparatus, however, has the following disadvantages.
1) Heat conductivity of the silicone rubber layer used as the elastic layer of the fixing belt 203 is small, and many members are present in a location from the fixing heater 204 to the surface of the fixing belt. Accordingly, a so-called heat response, i.e., a time speed from the start of supply of electric power to the fixing heater 204 to rise of the temperature, is slow.
2) Location of the temperature detecting unit 209 for detecting the temperature of the fixing belt 203 is away from the fixing nip portion 206, and hence detection timing of the fixing nip portion is likely to be delayed.
Thus, dead time (time lag) is comparatively long for those two reasons. The feedback control represented by the PID control is accomplished by detection of variations in a control amount, and supply of an operation amount corresponding thereto. Therefore, it takes much time for the temperature of the fixing belt 203 to reach an appropriate temperature from the start of supply of electric power subsequent to the detection of variations in the control amount. As a result, overshoot and undershoot are likely to occur, and large hunting (temperature ripple) is likely to appear.
The above problems are especially outstanding (1) immediately after the start-up, and (2) at the time of start of sheet passing. As a method for coping with those problems, it is known that the following methods are very effective.
(1) In a first method, a first electric power level for speedily starting up the temperature of the fixing apparatus and a second electric power level for stabilizing the temperature of the fixing apparatus are prepared at the time of the start-up of the fixing apparatus, and operation is advanced to feedback control after a necessary electric power value set by considering a heat storage condition of the fixing apparatus is supplied for a predetermined time of period.
(2) In a second method, PID control is not executed for a predetermined time of period in synchronization with the rush-in timing of the recording material P at the time of start of the sheet passing, and when electric power to be supplied to the fixing heater 16 is corrected to a predetermined value and then input, the electric power is corrected to an approximately necessary electric power value set by considering the thermal characteristic of the recording material P and the heat storage condition of the fixing apparatus.
When the above-discussed control is executed, it is necessary that the predetermined electric power value of the second power level at the start-up time, and the predetermined power value to be corrected at the time of starting the sheet passing are approximately equal to the electric power value necessary for stabilization of the temperature of the fixing apparatus at a target temperature at the start-up time, and the electric power value needed at the time of sheet passing, respectively. In the event that the predetermined power value is greatly different from the necessary electric power value, temperature is likely to be remote from the target temperature, and hence the temperature ripple is liable to increase.
In the above fixing apparatus, wave-number control or phase control is used as the output control of electric power, in which the electric power is controlled in a manner that the output is determined by a percentage (%) of the maximum supply power (full power), but not in a manner that the output is determined by a value of watt. In other words, it is necessary to control the electric power value needed for control of the temperature by using the percentage (%) of the maximum supply power.
On the other hand, the maximum supply power fluctuates due to variations in input voltage into the fixing heater 204 and resistance value of the fixing heater 204. Table 1 shows variations in voltage, resistance and electric power in this fixing apparatus to be used in a region of 120 V. In this table, the range of the input voltage is 85% to 110% of a rated voltage, and variation in the resistance is ±7%.
TABLE 1Variations in voltage, resistance and electric power in thisfixing apparatus to be used in a region of 120 VLower limitUpper limit120-V regionof powerTypicalof powerVoltage102 V120 V132 VResistance13.91 Ω13 Ω12.09 ΩElectric747 W1,107 W1,441 Wpower
Here, the variation in the maximum supply power to the fixing apparatus 204 ranges from 747 W to 1,441 W, i.e., the maximum value is about twice the minimum value. When the above-discussed control (1) or (2) is executed, a center value of the maximum supply power is 1,107 W, and hence power of 332 W is output where 30% thereof is output as a predetermined electric power. In contrast, the predetermined power is 224 W where the lower power limit of 747 W is used, and the predetermined power is 432 W where the upper power limit of 1,441 W is used. Accordingly, under a condition under which supply of the predetermined power of 332 W is optimum, for example, a large temperature ripple is liable to occur at the time of input of the predetermined power due to the variation in the predetermined electric power accompanying the variation in the above maximum supply power.
Specifically, the temperature ripple becomes about 12° C. at upper and lower limits of the maximum supply power. In an in-line electrophotographic color image forming apparatus used in a test, gloss of an output printed matter fluctuates about seven (7) in monochrome, and the gloss fluctuates about eleven (11) in secondary color. Quality of the image is thus lowered (see Table 2). Further, poor fixation, such as hot offset and degradation of fixing characteristic, is likely to appear accompanying a large fluctuation in temperature, depending on a recording material and an image pattern.
TABLE 2Variation in gloss at upper and lower limits ofthe maximum supply power in a region of 120 VPrior artGloss averageVariation widthMonochrome(M/S = 0.55)Yabout 13about 7Mabout 13about 7Cabout 12about 7Kabout 9about 6Secondary color(M/S = 1.2)Rabout 19about 11Gabout 18about 11Babout 18about 11
In the event that the maximum supply power is large, overshoot at the start-up time becomes excessively large. Accordingly, if use is repeated, operations at higher temperatures are repetitively performed, and hence life of the fixing apparatus is liable to be short.
Further, excessive overshoot causes a large loss even in the light of consumption of electric power, and electric power is likely to be unnecessarily consumed wastefully.
Here, the resistance of the fixing heater 204 in the 120-V region is assumed to be 13.0 Ω. In a region where the rated voltage is 127 V, however, when a fixing heater having the same resistance is used, it is necessary to consider that the maximum supply power to the fixing heater 204 can be up to 1,614 W if variation up to 110% and variation in the resistance value are taken into consideration.
Further, when use in a 100-V region is considered, it is necessary to consider that the maximum supply power to the fixing heater 204 can be up to 519 W if variation in the rated voltage up to 85% of 100 V and variation in the resistance value are taken into consideration.
To sum up, the variation in the maximum supply power to the fixing heater 204 ranges from 519 W to 1,614 W, which is about three times larger than 519 W.
In such a case, control of the temperature becomes more unstable for similar reasons. Accordingly, quality of the image is further lowered due to variation in gloss, and worse fixation, such as hot offset and degradation of fixing characteristic, is likely to occur depending on the recording material and the image pattern. Further, when the maximum supply power is large, overshoot at the start-up time becomes larger. Accordingly, if use is repeated, operations at still higher temperatures are repetitively performed, and hence life of the fixing apparatus is liable to be further shortened. In addition, consumption of electric power further increases.
To cope with the above problem, there has been proposed a method in which the resistance value of the fixing heater 204 is selectively set in conformity with the rated voltage in each region. In this case, however, costs of the fixing heater and management increase. Further, if the apparatus is used in a different region other than its destination region, or if the apparatus is erroneously destined to a different region, the above problem occurs, and accordingly there occur a fear that the user becomes unsatisfied, and a fear that expenditure for service resultantly increases.
Here, even when the heater is selectively set for each destination as discussed above, the problem in connection with upper and lower limits of the maximum supply power in each region itself still remains. In other words, a region where an electric power source is considerably unstable exists among regions where the fixing apparatus is used, and a case where a range of input electric power greatly differs from the rated voltage occurs. Also in such a case, similar problem arises consequently.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Fixing apparatus, and image forming apparatus


A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode. The solid oxide fuel cell stack also comprises at least one interconnect disposed in fluid and thermal communication with at least a portion of the electrochemical cell, the interconnect comprising an electrical supply connector.

A fuel cell is an energy conversion device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. The fuel cell generates electricity and heat by electrochemically combining a fluid fuel, such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or a hydrocarbon, and an oxidant, such as air or oxygen, across an ion-conducting electrolyte. The fuel cell generally consists of two electrodes positioned on opposite sides of an electrolyte. The oxidant passes over the oxygen electrode (cathode) while the fuel passes over the fuel electrode (anode), generating electricity, water, and heat.
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is constructed entirely of solid-state materials, utilizing an ion conductive oxide ceramic as the electrolyte. A conventional electrochemical cell in a SOFC comprises an anode and a cathode with an electrolyte disposed therebetween. In a typical SOFC, a fuel flows to the anode where it is oxidized by oxygen ions from the electrolyte, producing electrons that are released to the external circuit, and mostly water and carbon dioxide are removed in the fuel flow stream. At the cathode, the oxidant accepts electrons from the external circuit to form oxygen ions. The oxygen ions migrate across the electrolyte to the anode. The flow of electrons through the external circuit provides for consumable or storable electricity.
A SOFC stack operates at temperatures of about 600xc2x0 C. to 1,200xc2x0 C. Since the SOFC stack operates at high temperatures, it requires a large amount of time to heat up to efficient operating temperatures. In order to have a faster and more efficient startup, the SOFC stack can be pre-heated to reduce the time required to reach operating temperatures. However, the conventional methods of heating the SOFC do not evenly heat the SOFC stack. Conventional methods can include directing heated gases through the SOFC stack prior to startup. However, this method of pre-heating does not evenly heat the SOFC stack creating wide temperature gradients. The materials of the SOFC stack cannot handle the wide temperature gradients and thus, performance is hindered and damage to the SOFC stack can result.
The drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the heated thin interconnect.
A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode. The solid oxide fuel cell stack also comprises at least one interconnect disposed in fluid and thermal communication with at least a portion of the electrochemical cell, the interconnect comprising an electrical supply connector.
A solid oxide fuel cell stack is disclosed. The solid oxide fuel cell stack comprises an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte disposed between and in ionic communication with a first electrode and a second electrode. The solid oxide fuel cell stack also comprises at least one interconnect disposed in fluid and thermal communication with at least a portion of the electrochemical cell, the interconnect comprising an electrical supply connector. A power supply is disposed in electrical communication with the electrical supply connector.
A method for heating a solid oxide fuel cell stack includes comprising disposing at least one interconnect in physical contact with at least a portion of an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte disposed between, and in ionic communication with, a first electrode and a second electrode. The at least one interconnect is independently heated.
The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description.


Efficient dehumidification is provided by directing air flow through a coil (30, 60) to cool the air below the dew point such that water vapor in the air is condensed to liquid to dehumidify the air, and then directing air flow through the coil to heat the air to a temperature below the incoming air to the coil and above the dew point of the air. Air flow is directed along a first set of coil sections (42, 64) giving up heat to refrigerant in the first set of coil sections to evaporate refrigerant in the first set of coil sections, and then directing the air flow along a second set of coil sections (44, 66) absorbing heat from refrigerant in the second set of coil sections to condense refrigerant in the second set of coil sections. The coil sections are connected to alternately evaporate and condense refrigerant in the coil differentially such that less refrigerant is condensed in condensing coil sections than is evaporated in evaporating coil sections. Heat is transferred from air flow along a first air flow path leg (48, 72) through the evaporating coil sections (42, 64) to air flow along a second air flow path leg (50, 74) through the condensing coil sections (44, 66) through the media of the refrigerant, to put heat back into the air flow along the second air flow path leg from the first air flow path leg, reducing the net cooling effect of the coil, to reduce the net load on the compressor by the coil such that the compressor will consume power based on the net cooling load, while the coil provides the greater cooling capacity of the evaporating coil sections (42, 64), which allows more moisture to be condensed from the air with less energy.

The invention relates to dehumidifier systems, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for improved efficiency.
Dehumidifier systems are known in the prior art. A compressor delivers hot compressed refrigerant gas. A condenser receives the refrigerant gas and condenses same to hot refrigerant liquid. An expansion device receives the refrigerant liquid from the condenser and expands same to drop the temperature and pressure of the liquid. An evaporator receives the cool liquid refrigerant from the expansion device and evaporates same to cold gas refrigerant, which is returned to the compressor to complete the refrigeration cycle. Air flow is directed across the evaporator to cool the air below the dew point such that water vapor in the air is condensed to liquid to dehumidify the air. The dehumidified air is then directed across the condenser to warm the air. A typical prior art dehumidifier will yield about 2 to 3.5 pints of water from the air per kilowatt hour of electricity used by the compressor.
The present invention yields about 5 pints of water from the air per kilowatt hour of electricity used by the compressor, providing a significant increase in efficiency. This is accomplished in the present invention by reducing the net cooling effect of an evaporator coil, to reduce the net load on the compressor such that the compressor will consume power based on the net cooling load, while providing the coil with some sections of greater cooling capacity, which allows more moisture to be condensed from the air with less energy.


A method is disclosed for balancing the requirements of high availability achieved by redundant active components and power saving achieved by less active components. The requirement for high availability can be expressed by the recovery time objective (RTO) which specifies the amount of time it takes to recover from a failure in the system. Based on the configured RTO, the system configures the most appropriate power mode.

The present invention relates generally to availability versus the number of active redundant components in an information technology system or subsystem.
One way of expressing the requirement for high availability in an information technology system or subsystem is through a recovery time objective (RTO), which specifies the amount of time it takes to recover from a failure in the system. The prior art makes use of power consuming, redundant components to improve the recovery time objective of systems and subsystems. Thus the cost of providing high availability in a system or subsystem involves an increase in power consumption.
As an example, one method of providing high availability is illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 7,043,650 (patent application Ser. No. 10/000,703, filed on Oct. 31, 2001), which discloses a system and method for intelligent control of power consumption of distributed services during periods when power consumption must be reduced. Distributed services are provided by computer systems and the system and methods pertaining to this invention selectively shutdown services.

Balancing power consumption and high availability in an information technology system

International Business Machines Corporation


A process for the purification of propanediol-1,3, especially when produced by hydration of acrolein with water, including extracting the diol with cyclohexane. Preferably, from 2 to 10 parts by weight of cyclohexane per part by weight of diol is used. The purification is usually carried out below 60.degree. C.

Propanediol-1,3 is a valuable intermediate product which is used particularly in connection with solvents and plastics.. Industrial scale production is mainly carried out by the catalytic hydration of acrolein with water (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,434,110). An aqueous solution of acrolein is mixed with enough acid to achieve a pH value of from about 0.5 to about 7. In the presence of an anti-oxidant, e.g. hydroquinone, the mixture is heated for 0.5 to 8 hours to temperatures not exceeding 100.degree. C. The reaction mixture is then hydrogenated in the presence of Raney nickel. Variations or further developments of this process relate to the use of ion exchangers as catalysts for the addition of water (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,536,763) and the hydrogenation of the 3-hydroxypropanal in an organic solvent, e.g. isobutanol, in the presence of nickel carrier catalysts (see DE-PS 20 54 601). Through repeated distillation, propanediol-1,3 with a degree of purity of more than 99% is obtained from the hydrogenation product.
However, even after careful distillation turbidity may occur in the pure propanediol-1,3. It is believed to result from the quality, of the acrolein used. By diene synthesis, 2-formyl-2,3-dihydro-gamma-pyrane (dimeric acrolein) can form from 2 molecules of acrolein, the former reacting with propanediol-1,3 forming the hemiacetal and acetal. These aldehyde derivatives are the cause of the turbidity. In some cases, they even impair the further processing of the diol.


Techniques are described for a de-obfuscation framework that utilizes image recognition of text. A word input by a user is received by the de-obfuscation service. Visual feature data associated with an image corresponding to each character of the word is generated. Word embeddings are generated using the visual feature data and each character of the word using a character encoder layer. Feature vectors are generated from the word embedding by combining the generated word embeddings and a provided word embedding using a second neural network. The generated feature vector is classified. Potential text obfuscation is detected from the classified generated feature vector using a lexicon to determine de-obfuscated text closet to the user text.

As a general class of computer vision, image recognition of text can be implemented using image processing and machine learning. Machine learning relies on patterns and inferences used to make predictions. Machine learning is based on algorithms and statistical models executed by computer systems and can be found in applications such as data encryption, virtual personal assistants, and online customer support among others.

Text de-obfuscation with image recognition of text


Provided is a field emission X-ray tube. The field emission X-ray tube includes a cathode electrode provided on one end of a vacuum container, including a field emission emitter; a gate electrode provided inside the vacuum container to be adjacent to the cathode electrode, including a first opening; a focusing electrode electrically connected to the gate electrode and provided on one surface of the gate electrode to be farther from the cathode electrode than the gate electrode while including a second opening with a greater width than that of the first opening; and an anode electrode provided inside the vacuum container on another end thereof in a direction where the vacuum container is extended. A height of the focusing electrode is identical to the width of the second opening, and wherein the width of the first opening is ⅓ or less of the second opening.

The present invention disclosed herein relates to an X-ray and a method of focusing electronic beams, and more particularly, to a field emission X-ray tube and a method of focusing electronic beams using the same.
X-rays generally used for medical purposes, industrial purposes, and research purposes are obtained by colliding electrons on an anode electrode of a metal target, in which, as an electron source used for this, there are a thermionic source including electron discharge by heating a metallic material and a field emission source using nano materials.
Thermionic sources have a relatively short lifespan, are difficult to reduce a size thereof. Also, since electron discharge is performed as a dipole, it is difficult to control the strength of an X-ray and difficult to perform integration, and miniaturization thereof. On the contrary, in case of field emission sources using nano-materials, it is possible to discharge electrons as triode structures, to have various electric, physical shapes, to generate X-rays with relatively higher outputs than thermionic sources, and to easily perform controlling the strength of X-rays, integration, and miniaturization thereof. There have been many researches to apply field emission sources to industrial defect and quality inspection systems, medical brachytherapy systems, and three-dimensional digital diagnosis system using such merits of field emission sources.
However, there are some limitations on nano-material-based field emission sources in aspect of technologies up to now. When field emission occurs, there is a limitation of present electron beam focusing, which should be priorly solved. As the limitation occurring due to omission of electron beam focusing, there is electric charge accumulation occurring on a sidewall of ceramic used for insulation in such a way that electron beams are not transmitted to an anode electrode, thereby preventing generation of X-rays, an electronic source is damaged and demolished due to arcing, and it is impossible to form focal spots in sizes of micro meter μm or nano-meter nm to obtain an X-ray image with high output and high resolution.
To overcome such limitation, it is needed to provide a gate electrode structure including electron beam focusing of a new concept and to provide a vacuum seaming technology for manufacturing an X-ray generator such as an X-ray tube.

Field emission X-ray tube and method of focusing electron beam using the same

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A heat sink assembly of the present invention includes a printed circuit board (10), a retention module (20), four pins (30), a heat sink (40) and a clip (50). The printed circuit board (10) has an electronic package (100) mounted thereon. The retention module (20) is integrally formed, substantially rectangular, and has a symmetrical configuration. The retention module (20) defines an opening (26) therein for surrounding the electronic package (100). Four positioning holes (28) are defined in four corners of the retention module (20). In assembly of the heat sink assembly, the pins (30) are interferentially positioned in the positioning holes (28) of the retention module (20). Portions of the pins (30) extending out beyond the retention module (20) are welded to the printed circuit board (10). The clip (50) cooperates with the retention module (20) to press the heat sink (40) against the electronic package (100).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to heat sink assemblies, and more particularly to a heat sink assembly for removing heat from an electronic package.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, a heat sink assembly for an electronic package comprises a pair of retention modules cooperating with a pair of heat sink clips to position the heat sink on the electronic package. The retention modules are separately attached onto a printed circuit board by fasteners, at opposite sides of a socket on which the electronic package is mounted.
An example of such heat sink assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,026. Each retention module forms catches for engaging with corresponding clip to secure the heat sink to the electronic package. Each retention module comprises a frame having a substantially U-shaped cross-section, and a locating portion perpendicular to the frame. The two retention modules face each other and cooperatively surround the electronic package. A pair of through holes is defined in the locating portion of each retention module, for insertion of two fasteners therethrough. Each fastener defines a central hole for insertion of a pin thereinto. An end of each fastener forms a hood, and defines a central cutout spanning alongside the central hole. It is unduly difficult to manufacture the fasteners having the central holes with the above-described configuration. In addition, the retention modules have relatively complicated structures.
An improved heat sink assembly is desired to overcome the above-described disadvantages of the related art.

Heat sink assembly with retention module and clip

Fu Zhun Precision Ind. (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


The active system for the wide area suppression of a ground vortex generated by the engine of an aircraft includes an actuator assembly in fluid communication with a fluid source; and, at least one nozzle assembly, including at least one movable nozzle. The movable nozzle is in fluid communication with the actuator assembly for receiving fluid from the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly controls the motion of the movable nozzle, wherein fluid is injected over a desired region relative to an inlet of the engine to disrupt the flow structure of a ground vortex, thus mitigating ground vortex ingestion. This ensures the operational health of the engine during airplane maneuvering on the ground.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gas turbine engines (turbo-prop or turbo-jet) used for aircraft propulsion and is particularly directed to an active control method and apparatus for the alleviation of the ground vortex ingested by the engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Aircraft with engines mounted relatively close to the ground develop vortex activity during high-power, low speed and/or static ground operation. The ground vortex can generate high velocities near the ground, capable of dislodging foreign objects from the surface. This debris can become entrained in the airflow drawn into the engine inlet. The abrasion resulting from dust and dirt ingestion cause engine performance deterioration and reduced service life. Moreover, if the ingested debris includes large objects, engine failure with catastrophic consequences may result. The vortex can also create severe enough distortion to the core flow of the engine to result in engine surge.
The problems stemming from ground vortex ingestion are especially acute for large, heavy transport airplanes. Vortex ingestion greatly hinders the ability of these aircraft to land in austere fields and to perform essential ground maneuvers on unimproved terrain. Consequently, this can pose a severe limitation on their global reach.
In addition, some of the new commercial airplane concepts developed in recent years have a higher propensity for engine vortex formation due to unique propulsion-airframe configurations.
As will be disclosed below, the present invention provides the means to annihilate the ground vortex. Consequently, it prevents damage and/or premature engine removal caused by foreign object ingestion or engine surge.
The ground vortex phenomenon is schematically described in FIG. 1 (Prior Art). At low speeds the suction generated by the engine 1 results in the formation of a stagnation point 2 on the ground (like a vacuum cleaner effect). Usually, the ambient flow contains significant amounts of vorticity 3 (turbulence) due to gusts, ground turbulence, wake flow of neighboring aircraft components (i.e., wing, fuselage) and mixing of engine reverser plumes (when thrust-reversers are deployed). The mechanism of ground vortex formation is the amplification of the seed vorticity in the ambient flow due to the stretching of the contracting streamlines 4 approaching the engine inlet. This interaction results in a concentrated vortex 5 originating at the ground plane 6 and terminating inside the engine. Flow visualization indicates that the flowfield is unsteady, and the movement of the point of origination of the vortex on the ground is sporadic. Consequently, the vortex filament fluctuates over a significant portion of the lower inlet sector. The rotational flowfield induced by the ground vortex is the cause for kicked up dust and dirt, and it is a major source of engine compressor erosion. In addition, the tornado-like flow is capable of dislodging sizable foreign objects off the ground, causing Foreign Object Damage (FOD) to the engine. Another major concern is the inlet distortion created by the ground vortex, which may result in engine surge. As can be further seen in this figure, as the head wind velocity increases the streamlines become less stretched until there is little interaction between the engine inlet and the ground plane.
There have been several attempts to solve the engine problems stemming from ground vortex ingestion. In some of these approaches compressor bleed air is being used as a source for jets of air directed down and forward of the engine. The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,915,262, issued to H. J. Klein, uses a blow away jet that impinges on the ground, fans out forward of the engine and prevents the formation of the ground vortex. Other devices that utilize aft blowing jets underneath the engine cowl have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,429, issued to Bigelis et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,827, issued to Vanfleet et al. These jets produce entrainment underneath the engine, thus blocking the airflow from moving forward in the space between the bottom of the nacelle and the ground. These devices are used on commercially operated transports having wing mounted engines hung close to the ground which are generally operated over relatively clean surfaces.
A protective screen concept for alleviating engine FOD is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,637, issued to Shao-Tang Lee. It requires the modification of the engine at the intake to include an encircling enlarged hollow conduit containing a series of holes around its circumference. Pressurized air is discharged through the holes to create an air screen to restrain or block dust that would tend to be thrown up by the engine at high power setting. This protective screen arrangement is a continuous flow system that creates a curtain of air to prevent the stagnation point from forming, requiring a large amount of bleed air and consequently draining the engine power. The creation of the air curtain will also cause a large amount of debris to become airborne, potentially causing more FOD problems. The configuration also requires a series of channels and doors to duct and direct the airflow, increasing the complexity and cost of the system.
A more recent attempt to solve the ground vortex is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,651, issued to Asaki et al. This device is operational in conjunction with the thrust reverser of a turbofan engine. During thrust reverser deployment the flow from a fan air bypass duct is being redirected downward and aft in order to create an air curtain for preventing inlet suction from underneath the engine. However, it has been demonstrated that in order for this device to obviate vortex activity, excessive amounts of airflow are needed, thus compromising the engine performance. Additionally, the high velocity air impinging on the ground blows dust and heavier objects up off the ground. This defeats the purpose of eliminating engine FOD, and also impairs crew""s visibility.
Another system to prevent ground inlet vortices is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,309, issued to Smith, et al. This system uses pulsating high pressure air to alternatively eject a control flow from two stationary nozzles mounted underneath the engine nacelle. The injection nozzles are directed towards the vortex stagnation point. The amount of air required to affect the inlet vortex is well within the bleed limits of the engine. However, tests have shown that steady blowing can have the same level of vortex alleviation as pulsing the jets. Additional testing would be required to determine if the pulsing jets would be more effective during crosswind conditions. This system also has the same potential problem as the previous mentioned systemxe2x80x94impingement on the ground may create FOD. However, the amount of flow is lower and relative distance from the ground is much higher which may limit the amount of FOD generated.
None of the prior techniques has proven to be entirely satisfactory in an operational sense. Many airplanes operate in a manner and environment where the engines are exposed to continuous operation at high power, at low speeds and statically, over ramp surfaces which are not clean. In particular, some airplanes use thrust reverse powerback for parking and ground maneuvering. Thrust reverser operation is a condition that is even more susceptible to ground vortex formation. One of the salient features of flows with increased propensity to ground vortex activity is the unsteady characteristic of the air motion. There are numerous factors contributing to the apparent randomness of the flow in a realistic and an uncontrolled environment. These include gusts with varying strengths and direction (time-variation of ambient flow), ensuing structural response of aircraft components (i.e., the flexing of the entire wing/engine assembly) and the unsteady turbulent mixing of the thrust reverser plumes.
The existing techniques target specific flow situations and they do not provide effective solutions for real life applications. Specifically, they constitute xe2x80x98point designxe2x80x99 solutions since they provide localized treatment of a ground vortex without consideration to the inherent problem of sporadic vortex motion. It is therefore highly desirable to develop a robust technique that addresses the underlying problem associated with vortex ingestion.
The present invention is an active system for the wide area suppression of a ground vortex generated by the engine of an aircraft. In a broad aspect it includes an actuator assembly in fluid communication with a fluid source; and, at least one nozzle assembly, including at least one movable nozzle. The movable nozzle is in fluid communication with the actuator assembly for receiving fluid from the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly controls the motion of the movable nozzle, wherein fluid is injected over a desired region relative to an inlet of the engine to disrupt the flow structure of a ground vortex, thus mitigating ground vortex ingestion. This ensures the operational health of the engine during airplane maneuvering on the ground. The fluid source is preferably the compressor of an engine of an aircraft.
Inlet vortices have plagued propeller and jet powered aircraft since their inception. Many solutions have been put forward with limited success in real life situations. Typically they have failed due to the complexity of the invention or by their limited capability to eliminate the inlet vortex. The present invention has addressed these shortfalls by: (a) considering the fundamental problem of unsteady characteristics of realistic inlet vortex flows, (b) keeping the invention simple by minimizing the number of moving parts, and (c) eliminating FOD due to the active system itself by preventing ground impingement of the control jet.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Active system for wide area suppression of engine vortex


In one aspect, a device includes at least one processor and at least one display accessible to the at least one processor. The at least one display includes a left eye portion and a right eye portion. The device also includes storage that is accessible to the at least one processor and that has instructions executable by the at least one processor to present first content on one of the left eye portion and the right eye portion so that the first content is viewable respectively using one of a user's left eye and the user's right eye but not the other of the user's left eye and the user's right eye.

Augmented reality (AR) headsets, so-called "smart" glasses and other types of augmented and virtual reality devices are becoming increasingly prevalent in today's technology marketplace. However, as recognized herein, in certain settings it may be desirable for a user to have different contents presented to different eyes, e.g., while wearing a headset. For example, if a physician were performing surgery while wearing a headset and wanted to see certain a live video feed from the camera on an endoscope that is being used, but the physician only wanted to see it using his/her right eye since the physician may also want to see surgery instructions using his/her left eye, there are currently no adequate solutions to this computer-related, technological problem that would allow the physician to do so.

Presentation of content on left and right eye portions of headset


This invention relates to a composition comprising a mixture of herbicidal compounds and a method for controlling the growth of undesired vegetation in upland cereal and rice crops by applying to the crop after transplantation or emergence an effective amount of certain sulfonylurea herbicides, alone or the above composition comprising a mixture of herbicidal compounds.

This invention relates to novel compositions comprising mixtures of two herbicides and to a method of controlling undesired vegetation in the growth of upland cereal and rice crops by the application of an effective amount of one of the herbicides that comprise the mixture, alone or the composition comprising the mixture.
New compounds effective for controlling the growth of undesired vegetation are in constant demand. In the most common situation, such compounds are sought to selectively control the growth of weeds in useful crops such as cotton, rice, corn, wheat and soybeans, to name a few. Unchecked weed growth in such crops can cause significant losses, reducing profit to the farmer and increasing costs to the consumer. There is especially a need for finding compounds that selectively control the growth of undesired vegetation in growing rice. Rice is a staple crop for millions of people of the world whose diet depends on its availability. There are many products commercially available for such purposes, but the search continues for products which are more effective, less costly and environmentally safe.
The "sulfonylurea" herbicides are an extremely potent class of herbicides discovered within the last few years. A multitude of structural variations exist within this class of herbicides, but they generally consist of a sulfonylurea bridge, --SO.sub.2 NHCONH--, linking two aromatic or heteroaromatic rings.
Rice and upland cereals such as wheat, barley, oats etc. satisfy the food need of a large portion of the world's population. The continued population increase and concomitant food shortage increase the need for improvements in the production of such crops. Improving the efficiency of producing such crops by controlling undesirable weeds through the application of herbicides is continually being sought. Along with this improvement the application of herbicides to crops such as rice and wheat without injury thereto is also being sought.
The compound N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) propionamide (propanil) has been found very effective for controlling weeds in rice crops. U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,280 discloses herbicidal propanil.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,506 discloses compounds within the scope of Formula I of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,113 also discloses compounds within the scope of Formula I of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,527 discloses the use of certain sulfonamides to protect cereal crops from injury by compounds within the scope of Formula I of the present invention where X is CH.sub.3, Y is OCH.sub.3 and Z is N.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,092 discloses a method for applying propanil to obtain a herbicidal effect.
There is, however, no disclosure in any of the above references of the use of the compounds they describe for control of vegetation with safety to rice or in the combination disclosed herein.


A portable cellular telephone system including a stationary transceiver for radio communication with a plurality of mobile transceivers within a geographic cell, a mobile transceiver within said geographic cell and having sufficient power to communicate with said stationary transceiver, and a portable transceiver of limited size for personal transport and use. The portable transceiver communicates with the mobile transceiver by spread spectrum techniques, and the mobile transceiver communicates with the stationary transceiver by frequency modulated radio transmission or by digital radio transmission.

This invention relates generally to cellular telephone systems, and more particularly the invention relates to a portable cellular telephone with increased transmission power and interference immunity while retaining a small compact size.
Cellular radio telephone systems have become commonplace in most metropolitan areas in the United States. Car phones include transceivers for communicating by FM radio with a stationary transmitter and receiver within the geographic area (cell) in which the car is located. The stationary transceiver provides a link between the mobile car phone and the local public telephone system.
Hand-held portable cellular telephones are available which can be carried by an individual for communication with the local telephone system via the stationary transceiver. Batteries are provided in the hand set, thus power is limited to a few hundred milliwatts. A transportable cellular telephone with three watts of power is also available. Typically the transceiver and batteries are housed in a hand-held satchel to which a telephone handset is connected by a cord.
The present invention is directed to providing a portable cellular telephone which can be accommodated in a handset without the requirement for a separate satchel for the transceiver and power package but with increased transmission quality and higher transmission power.

Portable cellular telephone using spread spectrum communication with mobile transceiver


An LED backlight in which deterioration in in-plane uniformity of brightness is prevented, whose thickness, frame width, and wire length are reduced, and in which wiring can be carried out easily, includes an LED provided on one surface of an LED substrate; the LED substrate is mounted on a chassis panel so that a surface of the LED substrate opposite to the one surface contacts the chassis panel; and the chassis panel has a connection hole provided in a portion of a region of the chassis panel in which region the LED substrate is mounted, which passes through the chassis panel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an LED backlight including LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and a liquid crystal display device using the LED backlight.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a backlight has been widely used to illuminate a display panel which is not self-luminous. For example, since a liquid crystal panel used in a liquid crystal display device is not self-luminous, a backlight is used to illuminate a back surface of the liquid crystal panel. The term "backlight" used herein refers to a device which has a function of illuminating a display panel with the use of a light source.
In recent years, an LED backlight including LEDs (light-emitting diodes) has been used as a light source of a backlight.
Generally, the LED backlight mainly includes (i) LEDs, (ii) an LED substrate on which the LEDs are mounted, (iii) an LED driver substrate which generates a power supply and a signal for driving and controlling the LEDs, respectively, (iv) a chassis panel on which the LEDs, the LED substrate, the LED driver substrate are fixed with respect to one another so as to define one LED backlight, and (v) wires used for, for example, connecting the substrates.
Various techniques have been proposed for the LED backlight. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2006-128125 A discloses a technique in which an LED and an LED driving element are mounted on a light-emitting unit printed board.
Further, as shown in FIG. 6, Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2005-353498 A discloses a technique in which a light-emitting block 100 including a back panel 105 (corresponding to the above-mentioned chassis panel) on which LEDs 110 have been mounted is arranged such that connectors 115 for connecting the LEDs 110 to a control circuit package (not shown, corresponding to the above-mentioned LED driver substrate) are provided on that surface of the back panel 105 on which the LEDs 110 have been mounted. According to this technique, the control circuit package is provided on a rear surface of the back panel 105, and is connected to the LEDs 110 by lead wires 120 (corresponding to the above-mentioned wires) connected to the connectors 115. The lead wires 120 connect both surfaces of the back panel 105 through an extraction hole 125 formed in the back panel 105 so as to be positioned in a place where substrates 119 are not mounted.
Note that FIG. 6, showing a conventional device, illustrates an arrangement of the light-emitting block 100 disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2005-353498 A.

LED backlight and liquid crystal display device


An apparatus for producing a microporous plastic film comprising a pair of vertical columns; a pair of stationary frames each fixed to each vertical column such that they are positioned inside the vertical columns; a pair of movable frames rotatable under the stationary frames; a pattern roll rotatably supported by the stationary frames at a fixed position; an anvil roll movable up and down along first vertical guide rails of the stationary frames; and a lower backup roll movable up and down along second vertical guide rails of the movable frames; the pattern roll being in parallel with the anvil roll; the first and second vertical guide rails being distant from the vertical columns on one side, such that rotating movable frames and lower backup roll do not come into contact with the vertical columns; with the lower backup roll inclined to the anvil roll in a horizontal plane, large numbers of fine pores being formed on the plastic film by the high-hardness, fine particles of the pattern roll.

Breads, cookies, vegetables, fermented foods such as fermented soybeans and kimchi, etc. have been conventionally sold in a state wrapped in paper or plastic bags. Though paper bags have high air permeability and moisture permeability, they are disadvantageous in not permitting their contents to be seen. On the other hand, plastic bags permit contents to be seen, but they are disadvantageous in not having sufficient air permeability and moisture permeability, and extremely deteriorating the flavor and texture of foods.
To obtain a plastic film permitting contents to be well seen, while having high air permeability and moisture permeability, apparatuses for forming large numbers of fine pores in a plastic film are known. For example, JP 6-71598 A discloses an apparatus for producing a microporous film comprising a means for supplying a long plastic film, a pattern roll having large numbers of high-hardness, fine particles having sharp edges and Mohs hardness of 5 or more fixed to its rolling surface, an anvil roll (metal roll) having a flat rolling surface and rotatable in an opposite direction to that of the pattern roll, a pressure-adjusting means disposed near both ends of either one roll for adjusting a pressing force to the long plastic film, and a means for applying high voltage to the pattern roll, either one or both of the pattern roll and the anvil roll being movable in their arrangement direction. The pattern roll and the anvil roll are arranged in parallel, and the long plastic film passing through a gap therebetween is provided with large numbers of fine pores by large numbers of high-hardness, fine particles on the pattern roll.
However, when large numbers of fine pores are formed in a plastic film (not shown) as thick as about 8-100 μm passing through a gap between the pattern roll 10 and the anvil roll 20, a large load is applied to the pattern roll 10 and the anvil roll 20, so that both rolls 10, 20 tend to be bent, resulting in a gap G, which is wider in a width-direction center portion than in both side edge portions, as shown in FIG. 13. Fine pores formed by an uneven gap G have different characteristics (opening diameters, depths, areal density, etc.) between a width-direction center portion and both side edge portions of the film, failing to obtain a microporous plastic film having transversely uniform air permeability.
To prevent the bending of a pattern roll 10 and an anvil roll 20, it may be considered to arrange backup rolls above the pattern roll 10 and/or under the anvil roll 20. However, it has been found that such backup rolls fail to prevent the bending of the pattern roll 10 and the anvil roll 20 sufficiently. In addition, because of large numbers of high-hardness, fine particles attached to a rolling surface of the pattern roll 10, a backup roll arranged above the pattern roll 10 should be a soft-surface rubber roll, etc., failing to sufficiently prevent the bending of the pattern roll 10.
JP 6-328483 A discloses an apparatus for calendaring a film of a thermoplastic polymer or rubber by six rolls arranged in substantially parallel, a sixth roll being arranged just under first to fifth rolls; and comprising a crossing means for inclining the fifth roll by a small angle. However, the angle of the fifth roll inclined by the crossing means is constant, and the calendaring apparatus does not have a driving means for obtaining a desired inclination angle. Accordingly, even if this calendaring apparatus were used to form fine pores in a plastic film, fine pores having various sizes and distributions cannot be formed uniformly in a width direction.
To solve the above problems, the present inventor previously proposed by Japanese Patent 6125707 an apparatus for producing a microporous plastic film, which comprises a pattern roll rotatably supported by a pair of laterally arranged stationary frames; an anvil roll movable up and down along a pair of laterally arranged movable frames, such that the anvil roll is brought into contact with the pattern roll via a plastic film; a conveying means for passing the plastic film through a gap between the pattern roll and the anvil roll; a first driving means for rotating a pair of the movable frames; a second driving means each mounted to each of the movable frames for moving up and down the anvil roll; a third driving means for rotating the pattern roll; and a fourth driving means for rotating the anvil roll; in a state where the anvil roll is inclined to the pattern roll in a horizontal plane by the operation of the first driving means, the plastic film passing through a gap between the pattern roll and the anvil roll, so that the high-hardness, fine particles form large numbers of fine pores in the plastic film.
The above apparatus can form fine pores having various sizes and distributions uniformly in a width direction, but it has been found that it suffers in actual production the following problem: A long microporous plastic film having insufficient width-direction uniformity of fine pores is inevitably formed until reaching the optimum inclination angle of the anvil roll, because the optimum inclination angle of the anvil roll to the pattern roll is determined by repeating slight change of the inclination angle of the anvil roll and the measurement of transverse distribution of fine pores. Accordingly, an apparatus capable of quickly making uniform the width-direction distribution of fine pores is desired.
In the rolling of a steel sheet S as shown in FIG. 14, a pair of work rolls 210, 220 are inclined, with backup rolls 211, 221 arranged for both work rolls 210, 220, there is no inclination angle between each work roll 210, 220 and each backup roll 211, 221. Accordingly, a slanted force is applied to the steel sheet S in the structure as shown in FIG. 14. Though the steel sheet S having sufficient strength can withstand the slanted force, a lower-strength plastic film likely suffers wrinkling and rupture, failing to conduct quick inclination of the work rolls 210, 220. Such simple arrangement of backup rolls on both sides of inclined pattern roll and anvil roll cannot achieve quick optimization of the inclination angle of one work roll, failing to produce a microporous plastic film efficiently.
Dry foods such as instant coffee, powdered milk, tea, etc. are contained in bags of aluminum-vapor-deposited plastic films, etc. having good sealability for protecting them from oxygen and moisture. The aluminum-vapor-deposited plastic film is composed of, for example, a high-strength polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film, a print layer, a vapor-deposited layer, and a heat-sealing layer. Most aluminum-vapor-deposited plastic film bags are provided with notches for tearing.
However, because of a vapor-deposited aluminum layer, a heat-sealing layer and a print layer laminated with a PET film, it is sometimes not easy to tear the aluminum-vapor-deposited plastic film even with a notch. Particularly a heat-sealed portion of the aluminum-vapor-deposited plastic film bag is as thick as two times, tearing from the notch is often stopped by the heat-sealed portion.
In view of the above circumstances, as a film easily tearable from any point without a notch, the present inventor previously proposed by JP 7-165256 A, an easy-to-tear plastic laminate film comprising a porous film of polyester, nylon or oriented polypropylene having penetrating pores or unpenetrating pores having an average opening diameter of 0.5-100 μm at a density of 1000/cm2 or more on the entire surface, and a heat-fusible polymer film laminated to one surface of the porous film. However, this easy-to-tear plastic film having penetrating pores cannot be used for applications which must have completely no permeation of oxygen and moisture.
As a plastic film having only unpenetrating fine pores, JP 10-193454 A discloses a tubular film as thick as 5-150 μm, which is made of a polyolefinic resin composition containing inorganic fillers, one or both of its inner and outer surfaces being corona-discharged, and at least part of it being embossed. Embosses are as deep as ½ to 1/10 of the film thickness (measured according to JIS B 0601), and usually as wide as 0.5-300 mm. However, these embosses are too large, failing to make the tubular film easy to tear, and deteriorating the appearance of the tubular film. If fine embosses were to be formed for easiness to tear, an extremely expensive emboss roll having large numbers of fine projections would have to be used, inevitably resulting in an expensive embossed film.
Also, even when only unpenetrating fine pores are formed on a plastic film, it suffers uneven distribution of unpenetrating pores. To solve this problem, a pressing force applied to the plastic film by a pattern roll and an anvil roll should be uniform in a transverse direction, but the structure described in Japanese Patent 6125707 is not necessarily optimum to quickly make the pressing force uniform in a transverse direction.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,313 discloses, as shown in FIG. 15, a rolling mill comprising a pair of work rolls 301, 302, backup rolls 303, 304 each pushing each work roll 301, 302, and an immediate roll 305 disposed between the upper work roll 301 and the upper backup roll 303, a pair of work rolls 301, 302 and a pair of backup rolls 303, 304 being all in parallel, and only the immediate roll 305 being inclined to a pass line. The rolling mill of U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,313 can prevent the transverse deviation (strip walking) of a thin metal strip, but it is difficult to make this rolling mill smaller because it has a structure in which all rolls are supported by the laterally arranged frames.

Apparatus for producing microporous plastic film


A modified epoxy resin provided with improved flexibility and curing properties is prepared by subjecting a bisphenol type epoxy resin (a) to steps (i) and (ii):. (i) the step wherein the epoxy group is reacted with a primary amine (b), and PA1 (ii) the step wherein secondary hydroxyl group is at least partly esterified by a reaction with a lactone.

Field of the Invention
This invention is directed to a modified epoxy resin, and more specifically, to a novel modified epoxy resin having improved flexibility and curing properties which can be effectively utilized in a powder coating, and a process for making such a modified epoxy resin.
Powder coatings are finding a wider use because of their good hygienic qualities and economical advantages. Powder coatings of epoxy resin type, however, had only limited applications since they had poor flexibility.
Generally, it is relatively easy to impart flexibility to solvent type coatings since various flexibilizers and softeners, which are usually liquid, can be employed in this type of coatings. These liquid flexibilizers and softeners as such can not be employed in powder coatings.
Solid type flexibilizers are also known. These solid type flexibilizers, however, are incompatible with high molecular weight epoxy resin while they are compatible with liquid type epoxy resin. There is thus a need for a flexible epoxy resin.
On the other hand, a reduction in baking time of the powder coatings is desired for improving the productivity, although baking at high temperature is undesirable for an economical reason. An addition of an increased amount of curing agent is also undesirable since the resulting increased amount of free components in the coating after its curing may adversely affect the chemical resistance of the coating.
After an investigation to overcome the above-described defects, the inventors of the present invention have found that, by subjecting the epoxy resin to a reaction with a primary amine, the chain may be extended to thereby improve the curing properties, and by reacting the epoxy resin with a lactone, some of secondary hydroxyl groups may undergo a ring opening polymerization by which an appropriate flexibility is imparted to the hard, fragile epoxy resin.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel modified epoxy resin which has both appropriate flexibility and curing properties.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a process for preparing the novel modified epoxy resin.
Other objects and advantage of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

Lactone-primary amine modified epoxy resin and process for preparing the same