A process is provided for the chlorination of aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms using hydrogen chloride as the source of chlorine. The process comprises reaction steps operated in tandem in separate zones. First, an unsaturated aliphatic fluorocarbon is oxychlorinated to give the corresponding saturated perchlorofluorocarbon and water, and second, the saturated perchlorofluorocarbon is reacted in the vapor phase with a hydrocarbon to produce the desired chlorinated hydrocarbon, hydrogen chloride and the unsaturated aliphatic fluorocarbon, third, hydrogen chloride and unsaturated aliphatic fluorocarbon are separated from the chlorinated hydrocarbon and recycled to the first step, and fourth, the chlorinated hydrocarbon is further purified by subjecting it to addition chlorination to convert traces of unsaturated aliphatic fluorocarbon to the corresponding saturated perchlorofluorocarbon, which is separated and recycled to the second step.

Processes have been disclosed for the chlorination of hydrocarbons using hydrogen chloride as the source of chlorine in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,899,000; 4,990,696; 5,097,083; 5.099,084; and 5,185,479. These processes have several features in common. They all rely on the oxychlorination of perchloroethylene with hydrogen chloride and oxygen to produce hexachloroethane. In a separate reaction zone, the hexachloroethane so produced is reacted with a hydrocarbon to yield a chlorinated hydrocarbon, hydrogen chloride and perchloroethylene. By recycling the hydrogen chloride and perchloroethylene produced in the second step to the oxychlorination reaction, a continuous process can be achieved.
The advantages of these processes over the prior art are significant. By conducting the chemical reactions in two segregated zones, the hydrocarbon feed is chlorinated in the absence of oxygen or air. Thus, combustion is avoided and the production of unwanted byproducts minimized. Furthermore, these processes rely on the use of conventional equipment, the characteristics of which are well known.
Notwithstanding the advantages of these existing processes, certain drawbacks are apparent. Hexachloroethane sublimes at about 187.degree. C., which requires that it must be heated above this temperature to transport it, or a solvent such as perchloroethylene is needed. Furthermore, even though the hexachloroethane is sealed within the system, its relative toxicity is a potential hazard.
Finally, the equilibrium between the dehalogenation of hexachloroethane and its regeneration from perchloroethylene may constrain the operating conditions of the process. The oxychlorination reaction temperature must be maintained sufficiently low in order to favor the formation of hexachloroethane. At higher temperatures, the hexachloroethane will decompose to perchloroethylene and chlorine.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a new chlorinating agent or family of compounds that do not possess the disadvantages of hexachloroethane. These compounds can function as chlorine carriers enabling the transfer of chlorine from one reaction zone to another. These compounds must be convenient to handle and be effective in the process. They cannot sacrifice any of the positive features of hexachloroethane.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

Process for the chlornation of hydrocarbons


A composite fiber of at least two different polymers, one of which is water-insoluble and selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide and copolymers therefrom and the other is water-dissipatable, having a plurality of at least 19 segments of the water-insoluble polymer, uniformly distributed across the cross-section of the fiber and being surrounded by the water-dissipatable polymer, a process for the manufacture of such a fiber and a process for the manufacture of microfibers therefrom.

Composite fibers and microfibers made therefrom as well as different processes for their manufacture are well known in the art.
The composite fibers are manufactured in general by combining at least two incompatible fiber-forming polymers via extrusion followed by optionally dissolving one of the polymers from the resultant fiber to form microfibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,700,545 discloses a multi-segmented polyester or polyamide fiber having at least 10 fine segments with cross sectional shapes and areas irregular and uneven to each other.
The spun fibers are treated with an alkali or an acid to decompose and at least a part of the polyester or polyamide is removed.
Described is a complex spinnerette for the manufacture of such fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,305 discloses a process for the formation of microfibers having an average diameter of 0.01 to 3 micron by blending two incompatible polymers and extruding the resultant mixture into filaments and further dissolving one of the polymers from the filament. The disadvantage if this process is that the cross section of these filaments is very irregular and uneven and the islands, which form the microfibers after the hydrolysis, are discontinuous, which means that they are not continuous over the length of the composite fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,598 describes ultra-fine polymeric fibers for cleaning up oil spills. The fibers were produced by mixing an polyolefin with poly (vinyl alcohol) and extruding the mixture through a die followed by further orientation. The poly (vinyl alcohol) is extracted with water to yield ultra-fine polymeric fibers. A disadvantage of this process is the limitation of the polymers to the polyolefin family because of their relative low melting point. At higher temperatures which are necessary for the extrusion of polyamides or polyesters, the poly (vinyl alcohol) decomposes.
EP-A-0,498,672 discloses microfiber generating fibers of island-in-the-sea type obtained by melt extrusion of a mixture of two polymers, whereby the sea polymer is soluble in a solvent and releases the insoluble island fiber of a fineness of 0.01 denier or less. Described is polyvinyl alcohol as the sea polymer, which limits the application to the polyolefin polymer family because of their relative low melting point. Another disadvantage is that by the process of melt mixing the islands-in-the-sea cross section is irregular and uneven and the islands, which form the microfibers after the hydrolysis, are discontinuous, which means that they are not continuous over the length of the composite fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,355 discloses a separable unitary composite fiber comprised of a polyester or polyamide which is insoluble in a given solvent and a copolyester of ethylene terephthalate units and ethylene 5-sodium sulfoisophthalate units, which is soluble in a given solvent. The composite fiber was treated with an aqueous alkaline solution to dissolve out at least part of the soluble polymer component to yield fine fibers. The cross sectional views of the composite fibers show an "islands-in-a-sea" type, where the "Islands" are the fine fibers of the insoluble polymer surrounded by the "sea" of the soluble polymer. The highest described number of segments or "islands" are 14 and the lowest described fineness were 108 filaments having a total fineness of 70 denier which corresponds to 0.65 denier per filament.
Object of the present invention is to provide a composite fiber with a cross-section having at least 19 segments of a water-insoluble polymer, surrounded by a water dissipatable polymer, which is not limited to polyolefins as the water-insoluble polymer and which is applicable to polymers with a higher melting and processing temperature and wherein the segments of water insoluble polymer are uniformly distributed across the cross-section of the composite fiber and are continuous over the length of the composite fiber.
Another object was to provide a process for the manufacture of such a composite fiber.
Another object was to provide a process for the manufacture of microfibers of a fineness of not greater than 0.3 denier from the composite fibers.

Composite fiber and microfibers made therefrom


In a method of adjusting image processing conditions for use in processing of final read-out image signals obtained by final read-out carried out for detecting the image signals used in reproduction of a visible image from a recording medium carrying a radiation image recorded thereon by limitation of an irradiation field, a histogram of the final read-out image signals obtained by the final read-out is created. Prospective edge point signals which are considered to be signals representing edge portions of the irradiation field are detected from the final read-out image signals. A region of a lever lower than the level of a characteristic value representing the prospective edge point signals is removed from the histogram, and the image processing conditions are adjusted on the basis of the histogram outside of the lower level region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of adjusting image processing conditions for use in the processing of the image signals for reproduction of a visible image which are detected from a recording medium such as a stimulable phosphor sheet carrying a radiation image recorded thereon by limitation of the irradiation field of the radiation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When certain kinds of phosphors are exposed to radiation such as X-rays, .alpha.-rays, .beta.-rays, .gamma.-rays, cathode rays or ultraviolet rays, they store a part of the energy of the radiation. Then, when the phosphor which has been exposed to the radiation is exposed to stimulating rays such as visible light, light is emitted by the phosphor in proportion to the stored energy of the radiation. A phosphor exhibiting such properties is referred to as a stimulable phosphor.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,264 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56(1981)-11395, it has been proposed to use a stimulable phosphor in a radiation image recording and reproducing system. Specifically, a sheet provided with a layer of the stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet) is first exposed to radiation passing through an object such as the human body to have a radiation image of the object stored thereon, and is then exposed to stimulating rays such as a laser beam which cause the stimulable phosphor sheet to emit light in proportion to the stored radiation energy. The light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet upon stimulation thereof is photoelectrically detected to obtain final read-out image signals for use in reproduction of a visible image, image processing is carried out on the final read-out image signals, and the radiation image of the object is reproduced as a visible image by use of the processed final read-out image signals on a recording material such as a photographic film, a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), or the like.
In this specification, detection of the image signals for use in reproduction of the visible image is referred to as the final read-out, and the image signals obtained by the final read-out are referred to as the final read-out image signals. The terms "final read-out" and "final read-out image signals" are used in the same senses also in the case where the recording medium is of the type different from the stimulable phosphor sheet.
In general, the image processing in the aforesaid radiation image recording and reproducing system is carried out by use of image processing conditions adjusted for each image in accordance with the image recording portion of the object and/or the image recording method to obtain a visible image suitable for viewing, particularly for diagnostic purposes. However, it may be considered that the image processing conditions be adjusted on the basis of, for example, a histogram of the final read-out image signals (i.e. a histogram of the levels of the image signals), instead of the image recording portion of the object and/or the image recording method, or on the basis of both the final read-out image signals and the image recording portion of the object and/or the image recording method.
In the case where the image processing is carried out by use of the image processing conditions adjusted on the basis of the histogram of the final read-out image signals which directly represent the nature of each radiation image, it becomes possible to obtain a visible image always having an improved image quality, particularly a high diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, i.e. a visible image wherein the necessary object image information is always expressed within the density range suitable for viewing, particularly for diagnostic purposes, regardless of any fluctuation in the level of the radiation energy stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet, which is caused by changes in the object, the image recording portion thereof, radiation dose, or the like.
On the other hand, in the case where the aforesaid radiation image recording and reproducing system is used for medical diagnosis, and generally in the case where a radiation image of the human body is recorded, portions of the human body not related to diagnosis should not be exposed to the radiation since it is harmful to the human body. Further, when the human body portions not related to diagnosis are exposed to radiation, the radiation is scattered by such portions to the portion related to the diagnosis, and the contrast and resolution are adversely affected by the scattered radiation. Therefore, the irradiation field is often limited in the course of the recording of a radiation image.
However, in the case where a radiation image is recorded by limiting the irradiation field as mentioned above, it is not always possible to obtain such appropriate image processing conditions as originally expected to be obtained by the adjustment based on the histogram of the final read-out image signals, even though the image processing conditions are adjusted on the basis of the histogram of the final read-out image signals detected from the stimulable phosphor sheet.
This is because, in the case where image recording is carried out by limitation of the irradiation field as mentioned above, the radiation scattered by the object within the irradiation field normally passes outside of the irradiation field. The scattered radiation is absorbed and stored on the stimulable phosphor sheet which exhibits high sensitivity, and therefore the histogram of the levels of the final read-out image signals includes the image signal level caused by the scattered radiation. Accordingly, in the case where the image processing conditions are adjusted on the basis of the histogram of the final read-out image signals, it follows that the image processing conditions are adjusted based on the histogram including image signals (noise) caused by the scattered radiation, instead of the histogram of the image signals representing the true image inside of the irradiation field.
Therefore, in the case where image recording is carried out by limiting the irradiation field and the image processing conditions are to be adjusted based on the histogram of the final read-out image signals as mentioned above, the image processing conditions should preferably be adjusted based on the histogram of noise-free image signals obtained by eliminating the information caused by the scattered radiation, instead of being adjusted directly based on the histogram of the image signals detected by the final read-out.
Besides the case of image recording utilizing the stimulable phosphor sheet, the aforesaid problems with regard to the adjustment of the image processing conditions arise generally in the case where a radiation image is recorded on a recording medium by limitation of the irradiation field.
By the term "image processing conditions" as used herein are meant various conditions affecting the relationship between the input to the image processing means and the output thereof, for example, gradation processing conditions and frequency response processing conditions.

Method of adjusting image processing conditions


A data communication apparatus to be coupled to a first network and a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, includes a receiving unit which receives a data including header information indicating a destination and first header information used to identify a first Virtual Private Network (VPN) in the first network. The apparatus also includes a transmitter which transmits data having added thereto a MPLS header information used to identify one of the plurality of second VPNs in the MPLS network, the MPLS header information corresponding to both the header information indicating the destination and the first header information used to identify the first VPN in the first network included in the received data.

The present invention relates to a method of composing a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on the Internet and an interwork router used to connect Internet service providers to each other.
Various applications such as E-mail and WWW (World Wide Web) programs can be used on any Internet Protocol (IP) networks. In addition, such IP networks can be composed at lower costs than the conventional switching networks that use are associated with telephones. This is why the Internet has rapidly come into wide use in recent years. Under such circumstances, intracompany networks (intranets) composed on the IP level are now indispensable for facilitating the activities of those companies.
Companies are often distributed unevenly in local areas. In such a situation, therefore, there will appear a demand that the intranets in those local areas should be connected into one network as a logical consequence. In such a case, there are the following two methods possible for connecting those intranets to each other in local areas.
Firstly, private lines are used for connecting those intranets in local areas. In this case, each of those intranets can be isolated from external networks for ensuring security.
Secondly, the IPsec (IP security protocol) technique is used to provide each terminal with a function for identifying packets of its own company's network, so that those packets are transferred on the Internet as IP packets using global addresses. This identifying function, when combined with an encoding technique, can make up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) so as to be protected from the attacks of malicious users.
If such private lines are used; however, some problems arise; for example, the network cost is increased, and furthermore, the VPN realized by the IPsec method cannot be protected from the attacks and invasions of malicious users who can crack the codes. In addition, the encoding processing becomes a bottleneck of increasing the speeds for fast networks and terminal costs are increased.
Along with the rapid spread of the Internet, as well as the cost reduction of using the Internet, there have appeared strong demands for forming virtual private networks on the Internet using the functions of lower layers than the IP layer provided by networks, while suppressing the cost and isolating each of those virtual private networks from external networks so as to assure the security and quality thereof.
In order to meet such demands, the following VPN is proposed. A packet is encapsulated at the inlet of the object network of an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides the VPN. On the ISP network, each packet is transferred according to the capsule header, then the capsule header is removed at the outlet of the network. According to this VPN composing method, since a packet is encapsulated peculiarly to the VPN, the VPN is isolated from external networks, thereby assuring the security of the VPN. More concretely, for such an encapsulation protocol various methods are available, such as IP encapsulation, MPOA (Multi-Protocol over ATM), MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching), etc. Since February of 1999, those methods have been under examination in such standardization groups as ITU-T SG13 (International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunications Standardization Section, Study Group 13), IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), etc. In addition, ITU-T SG13 is also examining the Core Protocol of the Global Multi-media Network Connection Less (GMN-CL) for transferring packets encapsulated according to E.164 addresses in the object network.
"Access Network Systems and Edge Nodes Systems for the Next-Generation Computer Network", pp. 425-434, NTT R&D vol. 47 No. 4, 1998 (issued on Apr. 10, 1998) has also proposed a method for composing an edge node in an accessing system used to interwork between each of a plurality of user networks and the core network in the GMN-CL.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

VPN composing method, interwork router, packet communication method, data communication apparatus, and packet relaying apparatus


In a night vision device for motor vehicles having at least one night vision camera, a control unit and a display unit for displaying a night vision image, the control unit is designed to ascertain and display assister markings for longitudinal and/or lateral guidance while driving the motor vehicle.

Night vision devices for motor vehicles are described, for example, in PCT Patent Publication No. WO 02/36389. They have night vision cameras, which, for example, on the basis of near infrared with active illumination (NIR) or on the basis of head radiation (FIR) take a picture of the surroundings of the vehicle with a visual range that normally exceeds the visual range of the human eye. The image of the surroundings of the vehicle is displayed to the driver via a display unit. The display unit may be a conventional display in a dashboard or a head-up display, which projects the image onto the windshield with the aid of a projector. Head-up projectors are described, for example, in German Patent Application No. DE 101 31 720.
Driving according to a display with the aid of the pure night vision image is relatively difficult since it is hard to estimate relative positions in the traffic lane by the displayed night vision image. Even on very well-constructed roads such as highways and superhighways, which have very good lane markings and large radii of curvature, driving according to a display of the night vision image is possible only with difficulty. In addition, the distance to other objects, particularly to preceding vehicles, is very hard to estimate. Even with great practice of driving according to a displayed night vision image, maintaining a suitable safety distance is possible only with difficulty since the night vision image was often shot using a different aperture angle than the picture perceived by the human eye through the windshield.
From German Patent Application No. DE 199 40 723, a method for displaying a perspective image is known, in which image elements are changed in at least one variable as a function of the travel path ahead, of at least one operating parameter of the vehicle and/or of at least one parameter of an object identified in the region of the travel path.


A pivoting ball bearing. The ball bearing includes a first race and a second race and one or more rows of balls disposed therebetween. The first race includes a groove configured to have at least one row of balls track therein at a continuously variable circumferential tracking path while the first race rotates with respect to the second race. Pivoting of the first race with respect to the second race can occur by the balls shifting their circumferential tracking path within the groove of the first race. A collar on either the first race or the second race limits pivoting of the first race with respect to the second race.

Conventional ball bearings typically include an outer race, an inner race, and balls interposed between the outer and inner races in a configuration that permits each race to rotate about a rotational axis. Conventional ball bearings are pivotally fixed such that the rotational axis of the outer race is collinear with the rotational axis of the inner race. Pivoting of the outer race with respect to the inner race, i.e., angling of the rotational axis of the outer race with respect to the rotational axis of the inner race, cannot occur without damaging the bearing. While the pivotal rigidity of conventional ball bearings is beneficial for many applications, it can also be limiting.


A piston for use in forming a gas spring assembly includes a longitudinally extending axis, a first end wall extending approximately transverse to the axis, and an outer side wall extending longitudinally from adjacent the first end wall. The outer side wall includes a first side wall portion that forms a fully circumferential outer surface and a second side wall portion that forms a partially circumferential outer surface that extends longitudinally beyond the fully circumferential outer surface. A gas spring assembly including such a piston is also included.

The subject matter of the present disclosure broadly relates to the art of gas spring devices and, more particularly, to a gas spring piston that includes one or more partial bellows support areas for supporting a portion of a flexible wall and a gas spring assembly including the same.
The subject matter of the present disclosure finds particular application and use in conjunction with suspension systems of wheeled vehicles, and will be shown and described herein with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiments are also amenable to use in other applications and environments. For example, the subject matter of the present disclosure could be used in operative association with structural supports, height adjusting systems and/or actuators associated with industrial machinery, components thereof and/or other such equipment on which lateral load conditions may be encountered. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to use associated with vehicle suspensions and it is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are merely exemplary.
Gas spring assemblies of various kinds and constructions are well known and commonly used in vehicle suspension systems, industrial machinery as well as other equipment and devices to provide dynamic load support between sprung and unsprung masses associated therewith. A typical gas spring assembly includes two opposing end members with a flexible wall or sleeve secured between the two end members that at least partially define a spring chamber. A quantity of pressurized gas, usually air, is contained within the spring chamber and acts on the spaced end members as well as opposing portions of the flexible wall to support the load of the sprung mass or a force that is otherwise applied to the gas spring assembly.
It is commonly understood that gas spring assemblies are well suited for supporting loads acting axially (i.e., longitudinally between the opposed end members thereof), but that only a minimal lateral load, if any, can be supported by a typical gas spring assembly. Thus, applications that are normally identified as being well suited for the use of gas spring assemblies primarily involve the transfer of axially applied loads. As a result, there is a considerable body of art that is directed to arrangements for securing the gas spring assembly to a corresponding structural member in a way that provides sufficient axial support. Such arrangements commonly include the use of threaded fasteners, fixed mounting studs with threaded nuts and/or snap together-type connections.
It has been recognized, however, that in some applications the action of the gas spring assembly itself can generate lateral load conditions on one or more of the end members thereof. For example, in an application in which one end member is disposed at and/or moved through an angle relative to the other end member, the flexible wall is urged outwardly toward the open end of the included angle between the end members. This action can generate a lateral load acting on one or both of the end members. Unfortunately, many known securement arrangements, having been designed to withstand axially-applied loads, as discussed above, are less well suited for use under lateral or shear loads. Therefore, a need exists for an improved arrangement for engaging an end member of a gas spring assembly with a corresponding structural member such that the interface can withstand the aforementioned lateral load conditions, such as may be encountered by a vehicle suspension system, for example.
Various arrangements have been proposed to overcome the above-described difficulties. One example of such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,139, which discloses an attachment device for mounting an end member of an air spring assembly on a corresponding support component. Another example of such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,407, which discloses a multi-component and mounting plate arrangement for securing an air spring along a structural component. Still another example of such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,548, which discloses a spacer that is adapted to engage the air spring assembly and includes a winged portion that engages a slot in the corresponding structural component. Yet another example of such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0055094, which discloses an air spring with end members having snap-in attachments for engaging the corresponding structural members.
While the above-described arrangements have met with some degree of success, numerous difficulties and/or disadvantages have been identified with the same, which have undesirably impacted the widespread adoption and use of the same. Such difficulties and/or disadvantages include the use of additional components, such as extra fasteners, retention pins, mounting brackets and/or other components, which undesirably increase inventory and production costs and can also raise installation and maintenance issues. What's more, certain design configurations, such as snap-in type designs, for example, may be insufficiently robust to withstand both the axial and lateral load conditions, particularly those associated with heavy-duty applications. Furthermore, some known arrangements utilize features that extend radially-outwardly beyond the periphery of at least a portion of the gas spring assembly, which can result in space constraints for other components.
Additionally, attachment and/or other features of suspension components of vehicles are often disposed within approximately the same area in which a gas spring assembly of a suspension system also resides. As such, accommodations are often provided on one or more components of gas spring assemblies to help avoid interference with the attachment and/or other features while permitting the component of the gas spring assembly to be mounted or otherwise secured to a suspension component in that same area.
Such accommodations are commonly used in association with gas spring assemblies of the rolling lobe-type, which typically include a piston that has an outer side wall and flexible sleeve that is secured along the piston such that a lobe formed thereby can roll along the outer side wall as the gas spring assembly undergoes displacement. As one example of such an accommodation, the outer side wall of the piston can be supported or otherwise disposed in vertically spaced relation to the associated structural component along which the piston is secured. This accommodation can be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, the piston of the gas spring assembly can include a bottom or end wall that the abuttingly engages the associated structural component with the nearest end of the outer side wall being disposed in spaced relation to the bottom wall. As another example, a spacer or other suitable component can be positioned and secured between the piston of the gas spring assembly and the associated structural component to space the end of the outer side wall a distance from the associated structural component.
In any case, such an accommodation often results in a gap or space being formed between the end of the outer side wall of the piston and the associated structural component to which the gas spring assembly is mounted. Under certain circumstances and conditions of operation of the gas spring assembly, the lobe of the flexible sleeve can begin to roll off of the edge of the outer side wall and into the aforementioned gap or space. Such situations are generally undesirable, as the same can result in decreased performance (e.g., a reduction in spring rate) of the gas spring assembly. Additionally, it has been recognized that as the gap or space increases in size, even greater decreases in performance can occur.
Therefore, it is believed desirable to develop a piston and gas spring assembly using the same that overcomes the foregoing and other issues and disadvantages.

Gas spring piston with partial bellows support feature and gas spring assembly including same

Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC


The device consists of a rotor (4) which is arranged in a suction pipe (1) and rotatably supported. The rotor (4) includes a hollow jacket body (5) on the outer wall of which vanes (2, 3) are arranged. A nozzle holder (26) is guided through the end (10) of the jacket body (5) directed against the air stream, which holder bears the injection nozzle (9) and is connected at the rear end with the fuel feed line (8). The fuel jets (24, 25) coming out of the injection nozzle (9) are directed against the inner wall (20) of the jacket body (5). This forms, at the same time, the jacket surface of the core hollow space (6) which widens toward the open end (11) of the jacket body (5). At the open end (11) is a centrifuge ring (14) with a spray edge (23). The rotor (4) is set in rotation by the stream of air flowing in the direction of the arrows (30, 31), and mixes the fuel centrifuged from the spray edge (23) homogeneously with the air. A measuring probe (28) determines the rpm of the rotor (4) and controls the influx of fuel through a pump to the fuel feed line (8) and thus to the injection nozzle (9).

In mix preparation and the measuring out of fuel for internal combustion engines, very high requirements are set for both a carburetor and an injection unit as to the content of the exhaust in harmful substances. As we known, high proportions of harmful substances in the exhaust are traced to an insufficient quality of mix, that is, mixing of fuel and combustion air. To obtain a good quality of mix, an optimal mixing of fuel and suction air, a homogeneous distribution of the fuel in the stream of air, and a homogeneous drop size are especially important. Especially in lean engine concepts where one works with a high excess of air, these factors attain still greater importance.
Known means for attaining a good quality of mix are central injection units, such as those described in Kraftfahrttechnische Taschenbuch, 19th edition, VDI Verlag GmbH, Dusseldorf, on Pages 374 and 375. In these devices, an air mixing meter is installed between an air filter and a mix former. In this air amount meter, there may be a damper, a heating wire, or an ultrasonic measuring location. After flowing through the air amount meter, the suction air is led to the mix-forming point. Here, an injection valve is arranged in the suction pipe to which fuel is fed under pressure. The injection valve is equipped with a nozzle, and the fuel is injected through this latter into the suction air stream. In the flow direction of the suction air stream, below the injection valve, is a known choke valve for the regulation of the stream of air or mixture. The feeding of the fuel to the injection valve takes place through a fuel pump. The delivery amount of this pump is determined by a control. The air amount meter serves as sensor for the control.
In addition to the injection valves, spiral scoops, supersonic vibrators, pulsating systems and other devices are sometimes used for improvement of the quality of mix. Injection nozzles for pulsating or air-jacketed systems are technically elaborate in construction and production, and are relatively expensive. The injection valves and nozzles known today cannot assure an ideal thorough mixing of the fuel with the air stream. Moreover, the droplet size of the injected fuel is distributed over a wide spectrum, which in addition to poor mix formation, favors the danger of deposition of fuel on the parts of the mix former. The known difficulties such as the increase of fuel consumption and of harmful substances in the exhaust result from this.
From U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,081 is known a mix-improving device in which an injection valve is combined with a rotary atomizer. A flywheel is arranged in the suction pipe of this device, and namely, before the choke valve in the flow direction of the suction air stream. The flywheel is connected with a rotor and drives the latter. The stream of air flowing through the suction pipe sets the flywheel, and thus the rotor, in rotation. An air line for hot air as well as a pressure line for fuel are introduced into the rotor. In the zone where the two lines discharge into the rotor, one or more eddy chambers are arranged inside in which an intensive mixing of the hot air with the injected fuel should take place. In the peripheral zone of the eddy chamber, nozzle bores are arranged which make possible an outflow of the fuel-air mixture in the direction of the suction air stream. The outflow of the fuel-air mixture through the nozzle bores is promoted by the centrifugal effect of the rotating rotor, while additional openings are also arranged in the suction pipe to obtain an improvement of the thorough mixing of fuel and air. The arrangement of the additional mix improvement devices in the suction pipe makes it clear that even in this device, the same difficulties occur as in the known injection valves without additional rotating mix improvers. The mix formation in the eddy chamber and also the outflow through the nozzle channels are quite difficult to control, and an ideal mix formation can hardly be obtained. The construction design of the device is expensive and hinders the flow of air in the suction pipe.
From German Disclosure No. 2,133,134 is known another carburetor for internal combustion engines with a rotating atomizer. An atomizer pot is set in rotation mechanically from outside. In the center of the atomizing pot is an in-flow opening for fuel and an inset body with a regulating needle. Between the inner wall of the atomizer pot and the inset body is formed a ring-shaped suction channel from which the fuel is sucked into the stream of air. The measuring in of the fuel is difficult here, and very inexact. The additional mechanical rotary drive is expensive and prone to disturbances. This device is intended for a suction carburetor and is not suitable for mixing devices with an injection pump and an injection nozzle. The quality of mix is, in particular, insufficient for the operation of lean engines.

Mix improvement device for internal combustion engines


A method of archiving data from a logstream includes determining a begin time parameter earlier in time than a last record obtained from the logstream of data. A request is sent for records from the logstream of data starting at the begin time parameter. Records are received from the logstream of data and selected records are archived.

In some systems, data can be optionally logged to a logstream using a system logger versus a traditional method of logging the data to multiple discrete files. When traditional logging is used, multiple discrete files are used, and when one fills up, a switch occurs. The full file is dumped and archived, ensuring that needed data is retained. The process of dumping the file may also clear the file so that it can be reused by the system to write data in the future. What is also provided by dumping the files is a clear demarcation of what data has been archived since each file represents a discrete set of data.
Logstream recording is different in that instead of individual files, there is a continuous stream of data that does not necessarily have a discrete demarcation of the start and end of the data. The logstream is not cleared when dumped; instead the older data is emptied from the logstream as it ages, while new data is added. Rather than being a set of data records, it is more like a queue of records that is emptied from the beginning as more are added to the end. Due to this method of processing, it is up to the archival process to manage which data has been archived.

System and method for logstream archival


A database management system (DBMS) runs on scalable production system. The DBMS includes a first operating mode, wherein the scalable production system runs on a first set of computing resources, and a second operating mode, wherein the scalable production system runs on a second set of computing resources. The DBMS in the first mode determines that with respect to the first set of resources a first query access plan for executing a query satisfies optimization criteria. A determination is made that with respect to the second set of resources the first plan fails preliminary criteria. In response to this failure determination, a second query access plan for executing the query is generated. Prior to having the DBMS receive a request to execute the query while in the second mode, a determination is made that with respect to the second set of resources the second plan satisfies the optimization criteria.

The present disclosure relates to database query processing and, more specifically, to generating new query access plans to account for changes in computing resource availability.
Databases are well known systems for storing, searching, and retrieving information stored in a computer. One type of database used today is the relational database, which stores data using a set of tables that may be reorganized and accessed in a number of different ways. Relational databases are able to represent relationships between fields within separate tables, facilitating the retrieval of relevant information. Users may access information in relational databases using a relational database management system (DBMS).
Each table in a relational database may include a set of one or more columns with each column typically specifying a name and a data type. A query of a relational database may specify which columns to retrieve data from, how to join the columns together and conditions that must be satisfied for a particular data item to be included in a query result table. Current relational databases may require queries be composed in query languages. A widely used query language is Structured Query Language (SQL). However, other query languages are also used.
Once composed, a query is executed by the DBMS. Typically, the DBMS interprets the query to determine a set of steps that must be carried out to execute the query. These steps are together referred to as a query access plan (e.g., query execution plan). Statistics may be kept pertaining to data stored in a database. Such statistics provide data for building the query access plan. The DBMS may include a query optimizer (such as an SQL optimizer) which may select the query access plan that is likely to be the most efficient. When generated, a query access plan may contain the information necessary to retrieve rows for a query. This may include such details as the tables, indexes, parallelisms, join orders, and temporary tables, as well as the operations (e.g., transforms, sorting, grouping) to perform on each value in a column or TOW.

Generating multiple query access plans for multiple computing environments

International Business Machines Corporation


A method is described for the formation of high purity thin films on a semiconductor substrate. In the preferred embodiment of the invention a thin film is formed on a semiconductor substrate in a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition system. Energized silicon ions are obtained by mass analysis and are accelerated into a hydrogen-free plasma. A reaction occurs between energized atoms within the plasma and the energized silicon ions resulting in the deposition of a thin film on the semiconductor substrate.

This invention relates in general to a process for depositing thin films in the fabrication of semiconductor devices and more specifically to a process for depositing high purity dielectric and passivation thin films on a semiconductor substrate.
The processing of semiconductor devices often requires the deposition of dielectric and passivation films. The dielectric and pasivation films are used to electrically isolate two or more conductive layers from each other and from a conductive substrate. Integrated circuits often use insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFETs) having a conducting gate electrically isolated from a semiconductor substrate by a thin dielectric material. For instance, in CMOS semiconductor devices this conducting gate may be polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) overlying a silicon oxide dielectric. Dielectrics are also used in capacitors, such as for DRAM memories, and to separate first and second polysilicon layers overlying a semiconductor substrate. As integrated circuits have been scaled down to accommodate ever increasing densities of semiconductor devices a corresponding decrease in dielectric film thickness is necessary. The reduction of film thickness into the range of 100 angstroms or less has reduced the acceptable defect tolerance level of these films. The VLSI environment in which the dielectric films must function requires that these films be of high dielectric strength, have a high breakdown voltage, be radiation resistant, and provide a diffusion barrier to contaminants such as sodium and dopants used to adjust the electrical conductivity of adjacent conductive layers.
In the case of VLSI MOS device fabrication, the dielectric and insulating films are commonly composed of silicon dioxide or silicon nitride, dielectric films can also be composed of a composite structure consisting of oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO). Silicon nitride, in addition to having suitable dielectric properties is an excellent barrier to sodium diffusion. The diffusion barrier property of silicon nitride has increased the application of this material for use as a dielectric structure in semiconductor devices both singularly and in combination with silicon dioxide.
Silicon nitride for application as a dielectric or a passivation material can be deposited by reacting silane with ammonia at a temperature of about 700 to 900 degrees centigrade in an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. For example, silicon nitride is formed according to the following reaction, EQU 3SiH.sub.4 +4NH.sub.3 .fwdarw.Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 +12H.sub.2 (1)
A more uniform nitride deposition on a given substrate may be obtained by the reaction of dichlorosilane with ammonia at a reduced pressure (0.25 to 2.0 torr) and a temperature range of 700 to 800 degrees centigrade. For example, silicon nitride is formed at low pressure according to the reaction, EQU 3SiCl.sub.2 +4NH.sub.3 .fwdarw.Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 +6HCl+6H.sub.2 (2)
The formation of a high quality film by either CVD or low pressure CVD (LPCVD) requires that the constituents be incorporated in the film in approximately stoichiometric proportions. However, excess ammonia is normally used in order to avoid the formation of a silicon-rich nitride film. The incorporation of excess silicon in the nitride film has the deleterious effect of reducing electrical resistance of the silicon nitride thereby diminishing its dielectric properties. The introduction of excess ammonia in the reactor is effective in preventing the incorporation of excess silicon in the silicon nitride film, however, the use of excess ammonia results in the formation of a silicon nitride film which can have a hydrogen content of up to about 8 gram-atomic %. The presence of hydrogen is undesirable because hydrogen enhances the diffusion of contaminants into and through the silicon nitride dielectric.
A similar contamination problem occurs when a silicon dioxide film is deposited in and LPCVD reactor. For example, a silicon dioxide film is formed by reacting silane with oxygen at about 400 to 500 degrees centigrade according to the reaction, EQU SiH.sub.4 +O.sub.2 .fwdarw.SiO.sub.2 +2H.sub.2 (3)
Alternatively, silicon dioxide may be formed in an LPCVD reactor by the reaction of dichlorosilane with nitrous oxide at about 900 degrees centigrade according to the reaction, EQU SiCl.sub.2 H.sub.2 +2N.sub.2 O.fwdarw.SiO.sub.2 +2HCl (4)
The formation of a silicon dioxide film by LPCVD deposition yields a film containing silicon hydroxide (SiOH) in the range of about 1 to 4 weight percent. As in the case of silicon nitride, the presence of hydrogen in the silicon dioxide results in an enhancement of the films ability to transport contaminants.
From the foregoing it is apparent that all of the methods described above yield a hydrogenated film. The presence of hydrogen seriously compromises the sodium barrier characteristics of a nitride film and leads to the inclusion of contaminants in a silicon dioxide film. The deleterious effects of contamination induced defects in dielectric and passivation films used in semiconductor devices is well known in the semiconductor process sciences. Defects form interface charge traps which can shift the threshold voltage of an MOS transistor and reduce the charge storage capability of a DRAM capacitor. VLSI devices can incur serious reliability problems due to the presence of interface states originating from contamination in a dielectric film. Accordingly, a need existed for a method of producing contamination free dielectric and passivation films for use in semiconductor device fabrication.

Process for forming high purity thin films


An apparatus includes a first platform, a second platform disposed above the first platform, a scaffolding connecting the first and second platforms including an upper support beam, a middle support beam, and a lower support beam, and a cable attached to the upper support beam. The lower support beam supports the first platform. The middle support beam supports the second platform. The upper support beam is disposed above the second platform.

Bridges include towers to support the weight of roadways supported by the bridge. The towers can be positioned to absorb the weight of the roadways and cars moving along the roadways. The towers can extend away from the roadway, preventing access by workers on the bridge.
Workers perform maintenance on the towers. For example, the workers may paint the towers, remove debris from the towers, clean the towers, etc. Moving the workers along the towers presents a challenge because the towers may extend far away from the roadway. For example, the towers may extend more than 300 feet above the roadway and more than 200 feet below the roadway without corresponding structures to support the workers away from the roadway.
Furthermore, the towers typically extend into water, requiring structures to support the workers to extend beneath the surface of the water. Installing structures underwater can be difficult and expensive. Exposure to weather presents another challenge. In particular, wind may make performing maintenance difficult for workers, especially if the winds are greater than 40 miles per hour (mph).
While the maintenance is performed, one or more roadway lanes of the bridge may be closed, increasing traffic delays on the bridge. The increased traffic delays reduce the flow of cars on the bridge, decreasing toll collections. Delays in the maintenance result in longer roadway lane closures and thus longer traffic delays. Thus, it is desirable to complete the maintenance quickly and to reduce delays in the maintenance wherever possible.
Typically, a stationary scaffolding can be attached alongside the tower to support the workers, their equipment, and maintenance supplies while performing maintenance. For example, the scaffolding may support paint and painting tools, e.g., brushes, rollers, sprayers, etc. Because the scaffolding is stationary, the equipment and the supplies are moved manually along the scaffolding, increasing the time required to perform the maintenance.
The scaffolding can extend to the bottom of the tower beneath the surface of the water. For example, the scaffolding can extend 200 feet below the surface of the water and 500 feet above the surface of the water. The additional scaffolding below the surface of the water, where workers may not perform maintenance, may be expensive to build and to install. The time to install and to uninstall the stationary scaffolding can further delay the maintenance.
Furthermore, wind can jostle the scaffolding, increasing the difficulty of the maintenance for the workers. For example, wind speeds greater than 40 mph may jostle the scaffolding enough that the workers cannot perform maintenance at all, delaying the time necessary to perform maintenance on the towers. There remains an opportunity to design a system for a bridge tower that addresses these concerns.


An apparatus is provided that quickly elevates and maintain a construction equipment engine coolant to operating temperature in order to lower the dwell time for the operator's cab to reach a comfortable temperature level during a period when the engine is in idle and main crane functions are not operated. The apparatus includes an auxiliary hydraulic circuit for rapidly bringing engine coolant temperature up to operating temperature. Engine coolant operating temperature is achieved by inducing a hydraulic load to the engine. By inducing a hydraulic load, a horsepower load is exerted on the engine causing the engine to generate heat sufficient to raise the engine coolant to operating temperature for heating the cabin. A pressure reducing relieving valve and a pilot operated relief valve result in precise hydraulic horsepower load to the construction equipment engine. Operation of the pilot operated relief valve also warms hydraulic fluid for a hydraulic reservoir.

1. Field of the Invention
The application is directed to a heating system for an operator cab in mobile hydraulically operated construction equipment, where the engine coolant circuit provides heat to the operator's cab. In particular, the application is directed to an auxiliary hydraulic circuit that rapidly warms the operator cab in an idle period when main crane functions are not being operated.
2. Background Art
Heavy construction equipment, such as a mobile hydraulic crane, for outdoor use are provided as a superstructure unit having an engine and a cab on a common platform, or a carrier unit having an engine and a superstructure unit having the cab. In the later case, the superstructure unit is usually rotatable upon the carrier unit. In either configuration, the superstructure unit consists of the hydraulic crane. Also, depending on the configuration, either the carrier unit or the superstructure unit may include a pair of crawlers or axles and tires.
The cab is an enclosed area where an operator can control the crane. The operator's cab is heated using a heater located in an engine coolant circuit.
The power system for the crane is hydraulic. In the hydraulic system, an engine powers a hydraulic pump that in turn drives an actuator (such as a motor or cylinder) associated with various mechanical subsystems. The actuators translate hydraulic pressure forces to mechanical forces thereby imparting movement to the mechanical subsystems of the crane.
The hydraulic system can be one of two types—open loop and closed loop. Most hydraulic cranes primarily use an open loop hydraulic system. In an open loop system, hydraulic fluid is pumped (under high pressure provided by the pump) to the actuator. After the hydraulic fluid is used in the actuator, it flows back to a reservoir before it is recycled by the pump. The loop is considered "open" because the reservoir intervenes on the fluid return path from the actuator before it is recycled by the pump. An open loop system having a single pump maintains pressure sufficient to drive the fully loaded mechanical subsystems. An efficient type of open loop system is a load sensing, open loop system.
In conventional heavy construction equipment for outdoor use, when the engine is started then idled for an extended period of time, the engine coolant will be below a temperature necessary to heat the operator's cab. Subsequently, for operation in cold climates, typically auxiliary heaters fueled by propane or diesel fuel are used to provide heat to the cab. Some conventional heavy construction equipment heat the cab using heat generated from operation of the hydraulic equipment. However, propane or diesel fueled heaters pose safety hazards, and hydraulic heaters are large, inefficient and expensive. Also, heating systems that obtain heat from the hydraulic system are complex.
Prior art examples that disclose heating the cab directly from the hydraulic circuit are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,318,100; 5,085,269; 4,352,456; 4,432,493; 4,192,456. Another prior art example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,377, provides heat from an automatic transmission. A further prior art example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,269, provides heat by a dedicated heat pump.
However, none of the prior art examples provide heat to a cab during periods when the construction equipment engine is in idle and main crane functions are not being operated, and without stand-alone propane or diesel heaters.

System for supplying heat to construction equipment cab


Use of (3R)-4-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propoxy]carbonylamino}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)butanoic acid for treating urinary incontinence is disclosed.

Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine and can be categorized into five types based on the pattern of symptoms including urge incontinence, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence, and mixed incontinence. Current pharmacological management of urinary incontinence includes muscarinic receptor antagonists such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium, solifenacin, and darifenacin. Lam and Hilas, Clinical Interventions in Aging (2007), 2(3), 337-345. However, these anticholinergic drugs are contraindicated in patients with urinary retention, gastric retention, or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma, and have possible anticholinergic side effects such as heat prostration, dry mouth, constipation, dry eyes, urinary retention, dizziness and blurred vision.
(±)-4-Amino-3-(4-chlorophenyl)butanoic acid (baclofen) is an analog of gamma-aminobutyric acid (i.e., GABA) that selectively activates GABAB receptors, resulting in neuronal hyperpolarization. GABAB receptors are located in laminae I-IV of the spinal cord, where primary sensory fibers end. These G-protein coupled receptors activate conductance by K+-selective ion channels and can reduce currents mediated by Ca2+ channels in certain neurons. Baclofen has a presynaptic inhibitory effect on the release of excitatory neurotransmitters and also acts postsynaptically to decrease motor neuron firing. Bowery, Trends Pharmacol. Sci. (1989), 10, 401-407: and Misgeld et al., Prog. Neurobiol. (1995), 46, 423-462. In a double blind crossover trial baclofen administered at a dose of 5 mg four times per day was shown to significantly improve diurnal and nocturnal of frequency of micturition and the severity of incontinence in patients with unstable bladder syndrome. Taylor and Bates, British J Urology (1979), 51, 504-505.
Recently, prodrugs of (R)-baclofen that are well absorbed in the large intestine/colon, and hence suitable for oral sustained release formulations, have been developed. Gallop et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,109,239, 7,227,028, 7,300,131, and 7,572,830; Leung et al., US 2008/0206332: Cundy, US 2009/0041806: and Sastry et al., US 2009/0197958: each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For example, (3R)-4-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propoxy]carbonylamino}-3-(4-chlorophenyl)butanoic acid, (1),
a prodrug of (R)-baclofen, exhibits high bioavailability as (R)-baclofen when dosed either orally or directly into the colon of a mammal. Gallop et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,239: and Lal et al., J Pharmacol Experimental Therapeutics (2009), 330(3), 911-921.

Use of (3R)-4-{[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(2-methylpropanoyloxy)propoxy]carbonylamino}-3-(4-chlorophenyl) butanoic acid for treating urinary incontinence


A network box is described. In one embodiment, the network box comprises multiple card slots. Each of the slots has multiple ports. The network box also includes a full mesh interconnect backplane coupling each of the cards slots to each other using point-to-point serial links. The network box includes at least one card inserted into one of the slots. This card has a controller to maintain information specifying a mapping of connections between each of the ports on each of the card slots in order to configure connections between the card ports of the plurality of card slots.

The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications; more particularly, the present invention relates to backplanes that enable communication between cards in an enclosure such as a network box.
In telecommunications, cabinets are used at the switching office. Each of these cabinets includes one or more rack mountable enclosures, or network boxes. These enclosures typically contain a number of slots into which cards, or blades, are inserted. The cards are often dedicated to providing a particular communication interface. For example, one card may provide an interface to send and receive SONET data streams, while another card may have an interface to send and receive TDM data streams.
Cards may communicate with each other. However, not all such communication is direct. For example, in order for some cards to communicate with each other, they must go through one or more intermediate cards. This clearly slows down communications. The card-to-card communications occurs over a backplane. Furthermore, the backplanes are often very large, which affects the speed of communications going over the backplane.
Another problem with prior art network boxes is that the slots are usually dedicated to specific types of cards. Therefore, a card of one type cannot be put in every slot. This is usually due to the backplane being configured with ports on certain cards having dedicated, fixed connection to certain card slots.
A network box is described. In one embodiment, the network box comprises multiple card slots. Each of the slots has multiple ports. The network box also includes a full mesh interconnect backplane coupling each of the cards slots to each other using point-to-point serial links. The network box includes at least one card inserted into one of the slots. This card has a controller to maintain information specifying a mapping of connections between each of the ports on each of the card slots in order to configure connections between the card ports of the plurality of card slots.

Full mesh interconnect backplane architecture


A containment system may include four different widths of panel assemblies, at least four different types of corner assemblies, various types of door assemblies, multiple types of three-way corners or ‘T’ intersections, multiple types of exhaust panel assemblies, multiple types of wall seal assemblies, and other components that form a modular system capable of adapting to various configurations using a minimal number of fasteners, brackets, and/or clamps. Each panel assembly includes a lower assembly, an upper assembly slideably attached to the lower assembly, at least one adjustment mechanism that interfaces with both the lower assembly and the upper assembly, and a sealing member extending between the upper assembly and the lower assembly.

Similar to virtually any building, healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, require construction, renovations, and maintenance including tasks necessitating access to areas that cannot be regularly cleaned, such as within walls, below floors, or above a ceiling. However, unlike many other facilities, healthcare and other facilities include requirements related to cleanliness and minimizing the risk of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) caused by hazardous airborne contaminants. There is a need to protect patients and employees from exposure to construction particles that can potentially transmit airborne infectious diseases.
The design of products, such as containment systems, that limit airflow into or out of specific areas, quarantine sites, and/or facilitate access to potentially contaminated areas in sensitive environments is challenging because there are a large number of demanding requirements and desired features, some of which compete with each other. For instance, in addition to isolating the non-sanitized construction, renovation, or maintenance environment from the sanitary healthcare environment, it is desirable that such products be compact, lightweight, easily transported, easily operated, easily maintained, aesthetically pleasing, simple to clean, simple/compact for storage, and reusable. It is desirable that they be durable and able to function in numerous different environments, as well as economical to purchase and operate.
Containment systems have been implemented in the past, but typically include inherent disadvantages. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,839,592 (the '592 patent) describes a containment system having upper and lower panels that slide relative to one another where the upper and lower panels are constructed with frame members and a sheet (such as polycarbonate) spanning between the frame members. The system described in the '592 patent requires at least one of the upper and lower panels have the sheet attached to an outer/external surface of the upper or lower panel frame to facilitate sealing. Arranging the sheet on the outer surface of the frame is disadvantageous for several reasons. For example, the sheet (which is often the most fragile component) is more exposed to potential impacts and abrasion with adjacent objects. The '592 patent also shows other panels with different arrangements for the sheet such that panels with surface-mounted sheets would not be compatible/interchangeable with the panels that do not include surface-mounted sheets. In addition, relying on the very large surface of the panel (where the sheet is mounted) for a seal is inherently unreliable as the seal depends on a perfectly flat surface during movement, adjustment, and operation of the system. In other words, the slightest surface imperfection, bend in a frame member, deflection or offset of the sheet caused by a fastener, or impact during assembly or operation of the system, may create an inconsistent surface (due to deflection, damage, or other changes to the components) that would be inappropriate for sealing.
The '592 patent describes additional inefficient features. For example, the '592 patent shows a single guide block for controlling movement between adjacent frame members during movement of panels relative to one another, which requires that all forces relevant to aligning each pair of frame members. The '592 patent also teaches a sealing arrangement where the panels are pressed against one another along a threaded joint extending perpendicular to the sliding direction of the panels, which would focus forces associated with sealing the interface with deflecting the panel members. In addition, the '592 patent teaches struts with channels on all four sides, which increases the likelihood of users catching or inserting objects into the channels. Furthermore, the '592 patent does not provide any solution for arranging adjacent panels to compensate for floors and ceilings that are non-horizontal and/or non-planar.

Rigid panel containment system and related methods


A vacuum suction device including a suction pad having a concave inner surface. The vacuum suction device also includes a vent hole penetrating from the concave inner surface of the suction pad to an outer surface of the suction pad. The vacuum suction device also includes a valve member disposed on the outer surface of the suction pad. As a pressure of a space, formed by an inner space of the suction pad, decreases, the valve member closes the vent hole from the outer surface of the suction pad.

A vacuum suction device has a semi-spherical or conical suction pad of synthetic rubber or flexible plastic which is sucked to a tile wall or a glass surface. As the internal pressure of the suction pad decreases, the suction pad may be kept sucked to a plane (for example, a tile wall, a glass surface, or a floor). Such a vacuum suction device may be useful in the bathroom or the kitchen in daily living, and may also be used to carry various parts such as large-sized glass in industrial sites.
A variety of electronic devices or goods are used in households or offices, inclusive of audio or video players, and devices for building a wireless communication environment. For example, a standing screen used along with a projector, multi-channel speakers, a small-sized Bluetooth speaker, a wireless frequency relay (for example, a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) router), a desktop charger or cradle for a mobile communication terminal, and a small-sized desktop computer are devices commonly used indoors.
Such devices as placed in an indoor space or on a desk may be changed in position or fall down due to contact or collision with other objects. The vacuum suction device may be useful in stably positioning these devices (for example, a standing screen or speaker, a Bluetooth speaker, or a small-sized desktop computer).
Although such a device(s) may be stably placed by means of the vacuum suction device, the use of the vacuum suction device may make it inconvenient to carry the device(s). For example, in order to remove the suction pad from the floor, an edge of the suction pad should be raised up. In certain embodiments the suction pad may be hidden by the device(s). While a part of the edge of the suction pad may be protruded outward from the device(s), this may not be pleasing in outward looks. Moreover, a device such as a Bluetooth speaker may be moved often to the living room or the bedroom even in an indoor space, and when needed, a user may carry the Bluetooth speaker. For example, although a device(s) may be stably placed by means of the vacuum suction device, the vacuum suction device makes it difficult to remove the device placed on a plane, thus causing inconvenience to a user who often moves a device to which the vacuum suction device is mounted.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Vacuum suction device and electronic device including the same


An image forming apparatus, including: an image forming unit configured to form toner images on an image bearing member and toner patterns for detecting a relative position of the toner images; a detection unit having a light emission unit and a light receiving unit configured to receive reflection light from the image bearing member and the toner patterns to output an analog signal; a conversion unit configured to convert the analog signal into a digital signal based on a threshold value; a correction unit configured to correct a misregistration between the toner images on a recording medium based on the digital signal; and a control unit configured to control, when values of the analog signal includes a value lower than the threshold value, light intensity of the light emission unit so that the values of the analog signal become higher than the threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which corrects a misregistration between a plurality of toner images transferred onto a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is known an electrophotographic color image forming apparatus in which toner images formed on a plurality of photosensitive members are transferred onto a recording medium so that a color image is formed on the recording medium. Because it is very difficult to eliminate manufacturing variations of components and an assembly error of the color image forming apparatus, there may occur a color misregistration (out of color registration) between images formed on the recording medium. Therefore, the image forming apparatus is equipped with a structure configured to correct the color misregistration.
As one method of correcting the color misregistration, the following color misregistration correction control is known. In order to detect the color misregistration, a toner pattern for position detection purpose (toner patch) is formed on each of the plurality of photosensitive members. The toner pattern for position detection purpose formed on each of the plurality of photosensitive members is transferred onto an image bearing member such as an intermediate transfer member or a recording medium transport member. A position of the toner pattern for position detection purpose which is transferred onto the image bearing member is detected, and an amount of color misregistration is obtained on the basis of the detection result. On the basis of the obtained amount of color misregistration, the color misregistration correction control is performed so as to correct each position at which each color toner image is formed. An optical sensor is used for detecting the position of the toner pattern for position detection purpose (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-96744). The optical sensor detects the position of the toner pattern for position detection purpose by irradiating the image bearing member and the toner pattern for position detection purpose with light and by detecting reflection light.
If the toner patterns for position detection purpose are formed to be overlapped at a portion having locally low reflectance due to a flaw or dirt which occurs in a manufacturing process of the image bearing member such as the intermediate transfer member or the recording medium transport member or occurs due to deterioration over time, a correct formation position of the toner pattern for position detection purpose may be detected incorrectly. The image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-96744 can prevent an influence of the flaw or dirt on the color misregistration correction by performing a masking process of correcting intensity of the reflection light from the flaw or dirt so that the flaw or dirt is not recognized as the toner pattern for position detection purpose.
Further, if the reflectance of a surface of the image bearing member is decreased by deterioration of the image bearing member such as the intermediate transfer member or the recording medium transport member, the light intensity of a light emitting portion is controlled to be increased for reliably detecting the toner pattern for position detection purpose (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-78874).
However, the masking process described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-96744 cannot be performed on a detection result in a vicinity of a position where the toner pattern for position detection purpose is formed. Therefore, the following problem occurs. Specifically, if the toner patterns for position detection purpose are formed to be overlapped on a part of the flaw or dirt on the image bearing member in the transport direction of the image bearing member, a width of the toner pattern for position detection purpose in the transport direction of the image bearing member is detected to be larger than the real width. If the width of the toner pattern for position detection purpose is detected to be larger than the real width, detection accuracy of the position at which the toner pattern for position detection purpose is formed is decreased.


A magnetic recording medium may have a stacked structure including a first soft magnetic layer, an orientation control layer, a lower recording layer, an intermediate layer, and an upper recording layer that are sequentially stacked, and a second soft magnetic layer provided between the lower recording layer and the intermediate layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium and a magnetic storage apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Applications of the magnetic storage apparatus such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) are increasing, and importance of the magnetic storage apparatus is increasing. In addition, in the magnetic recording medium such as a magnetic disk, the recording density is increasing at a rate of over 50% per year, and this trend may be expected to continue in the future. With this trend of increasing recording density, magnetic heads and magnetic recording media suited for the high recording density are being developed.
The magnetic storage apparatus may be provided with the so-called perpendicular magnetic recording medium in which an axis of easy magnetization within a recording layer is mainly oriented in a perpendicular direction. In the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, the effects of demagnetization is small in a boundary region between recorded bits, and a sharp bit boundary may be formed, to thereby suppress increase of noise, even when the recording density is high. In addition, in the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, the decrease in the recording bit volume caused by the high recording density is small, and the thermal stability of written bits (or characteristic to withstand heat fluctuation) may be improved. The thermal stability of written bits may also be simply referred to as "thermal stability".
In order to cope with the demands to further improve the high recording density of the magnetic recording medium, studies are being made to use a single-pole head having a desirable write performance with respect to the perpendicular recording layer. More particularly, a proposed magnetic recording medium is provided with a back layer made of a soft magnetic material between the perpendicular recording layer and a nonmagnetic substrate, in order to improve the input and output efficiency of magnetic flux between the single-pole magnetic head and the magnetic recording medium.
In addition, a Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-250223 proposes providing a soft magnetic layer under a magnetic recording layer, in order to draw leakage magnetic field from a magnetization transition region of the magnetic recording layer or magnetic field from the magnetic head into the soft magnetic layer, stabilize the magnetization recorded in the magnetic recording layer, and more effectively utilize the write magnetic field from the magnetic head.
However, in the conventional magnetic recording medium and the conventional magnetic storage apparatus, it may be difficult to simultaneously improve the recording capacity and the recording and reproducing characteristic.

Magnetic recording medium and magnetic storage apparatus


A method of providing a color identification display includes accessing color data associated with a pool of candidate colors, wherein a first color metric and a second color metric are associated with each candidate color. Color data associated with a reference color is accessed, wherein the color data associated with the reference color includes values for the first color metric and the second color metric. A display is provided, wherein the display includes a first filter control associated with the first color metric and a second filter control associated with the second metric, wherein the first filter control and the second filter control are each selectable in two directions relative to the first color metric value and the second color metric value of the reference color. A selection of a first color metric direction relative to the reference color is received via the first filter control.

Providing high quality color recommendations for clients is often a high stakes endeavor that relies heavily on expert personnel who have experience and abilities well suited for meeting customer expectations. Such persons have an ability to anticipate colors that will look good for the type of project at hand that will meet client desires. Because colors have several different parameters that can be adjusted (e.g., hue, saturation, lightness), it can be time consuming to manually adjust parameters to identify a desirable color. Systems and methods as described herein provide mechanisms for automating color identification based on stored user preferences and other mechanisms for streamlining desired color location.

Systems and methods for filtering colors in a color management system


In one embodiment, a computer system creates a first template VM that includes a first OS VMDK and a first software binary VMDK, and clones the first template VM to create a linked clone VM. The linked clone VM executes a guest OS by accessing the first OS VMDK and a software application by accessing the first software binary VMDK. The computer system further creates a second template VM that includes a second software binary VMDK, where the second software binary VMDK includes one or more upgrades to the software application that are not included in the first software binary VMDK. The computer system then detaches the first software binary VMDK from the linked clone VM and attaches the second software binary VMDK to the linked clone VM. The linked clone VM thereafter executes the software application by accessing the second software binary VMDK.

Software-as-a-Service, or "SaaS," is a software delivery model in which a service provider hosts a software application online (e.g., "in the cloud") for remote access by one or more users. Examples of software applications that are commonly offered via this model include databases, enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications, document/content management systems, and so on. A virtual infrastructure that supports SaaS includes a number of virtual machines (VMs) that are each configured to run an instance of the offered software application. One aspect of managing such a virtual infrastructure involves upgrading the software application in each VM on a periodic basis to, e.g., patch bugs or add new features.
In current implementations, this software upgrade process is typically handled by an update agent resident in each VM. The update agent communicates with a central update server and searches for updates (also referred to as "patches") that are applicable to the software application running in the VM. When the update agent finds a relevant patch on the central update server, the update agent downloads the patch and applies it within the VM.
While the foregoing approach works well for relatively small VM deployments, it can be problematic for large-scale VM deployments that are becoming increasingly common in virtual infrastructures that support SaaS. For instance, in a large-scale VM deployment, many VMs may attempt to download patches from the central update server concurrently. This significantly increases the network load on the central update server and can result in slow downloads, dropped connections, and other issues. Further, since the approach above requires each VM to download and apply a separate instance of a given patch, this approach can cause storage "bloat" due to multiple patch copies stored in backend storage, as well as host-side performance issues in scenarios where many VMs attempt to apply a resource-intensive patch at substantially the same time. Yet further, the application of a patch may fail for various reasons, such as a network or storage outage, configuration errors, etc. When a large number of VMs are in the process of applying a patch, it can be difficult to track the status of each VM in order to identify and address patch failures.

Techniques for performing virtual machine software upgrades using virtual disk swapping


Composite flexible multilayer insulation systems (MLI) were evaluated for thermal performance and compared with currently used fibrous silica (baseline) insulation system. The systems described are multilayer insulations consisting of alternating layers of metal foil and scrim ceramic cloth or vacuum metallized polymeric films quilted together using ceramic thread. A silicon carbide thread for use in the quilting and the method of making it are also described. These systems are useful to provide lightweight thermal insulation for a variety of uses, particularly on the surface of aerospace vehicles subject to very high temperatures during flight.

A prime consideration in the thermal protection of subjects exposed to extremely high temperatures, such as for example, aerospace vehicles or firemen's suits and tools, is the requirement for highly efficient lightweight thermal insulations. Aerospace vehicles, in particular, are subject to aeroconvective and radiative heating, launch acoustics and rain during atmospheric entry and consequently require extremely efficient thermal protection systems capable of protecting the metal or composite substructures from reaching temperatures above their operating limit.
Even though existing silica fibrous insulations, such as the Space Shuttle Orbiter's Advanced Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (AFRSI), provide an excellent thermal protection for large portions of the Orbiter, as reported previously in AIAA; 82-0630 (May 1982) or Ceramic Eng. Sci. Proc., 6:793 (1985), there is a need to develop more efficient lightweight high temperature flexible insulations.
AFRSI is a quilt-like material made of two layers of silica and glass cloth with one layer of fibrous silica felt between them. The quilt is sewn together with silica and glass threads and has thickness between 1-5 cm. It has a temperature capability in excess of 650.degree. C. The AFRSI external cover is a silica fabric. A fiberglass is used on the internal surface which is then bonded to the shuttle skin with silicone adhesive. The AFRSI quilt is treated with a silane water repellant so that it will remain waterproof prior to launch. It has a density of approximately 9-10 lb/ft.sup.3, depending on its thickness.
This type of insulation evolved into another insulation called Tailorable Advanced Blanket Insulation (TABI), which is described in NASA CP:3001: 135-152 (Nov., 1987). TABI has a higher temperature capability and greater tolerance to aerodynamic loads than AFRSI. Although these insulations are progressively more durable, they all have comparable thermal conductivities of the order of 5.times.10.sup.-2 W/meter.multidot..degree. Kelvin (m.multidot.K) at room temperature at pressure of 0.01 atmosphere. It does not seem likely that this value could be reduced significantly with conventional materials. Thus, the main disadvantage of the prior art is its limitation to possess lower thermal conductivity which may be a critical factor for aerospace vehicles exposed to high aeroconvective thermal environments and which require a lightweight insulation.
However, certain improvement has been achieved with multilayer insulation (MLI) blanket, which has a much lower thermal conductivity. This MLI blanket is commonly used for thermal control within spacecraft. When the MLI blanket is combined with an all ceramic fibrous insulation such as the AFRSI or TABI, much lower effective thermal conductivities can be achieved.
A very lightweight MLI has commonly been used for spacecraft thermal control. For example, in 1982, NASA C.P., 2229:101-111 (May 1982), described a passive design for the thermal control of the Galileo Entry Probe. The design utilized radio-isotope heater units, multilayer insulation (MLI) blankets and a thermal radiator. The MLI blanket had 2 mm thick VDA Kapton.RTM. inner and outer layers and 11 layers of Dacron mesh alternated with 10 layers of 0.006 mm VDA Mylar.RTM., all these layers being electrostatically grounded to local conductive shield. The MLI's function for the Galileo probe was essentially to provide a low temperature insulation with primary aim to maintain certain temperature within the probe rather than having to function as insulator against outside heat.
A significant advance in thermal insulation for cryogenic applications was the development of multilayer insulation technology described previously in Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, 5:209 (1959), Plenum Press, and AFFDL TR-68-75 (April 1968). Cryogenic insulation technology is an important consideration for hypervelocity cruise vehicles which involve long-term propellant storage requirements. However, this type of insulation has been studied primarily at lower temperatures, and relatively little data and little practical experience have been reported for insulations in the temperature range of 900.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C.
It would, therefore, be advantageous to have available an insulation having a temperature capability of AFRSI around and above 1000.degree. C. and the lightweight of MLI which would be suitable for repeated use at these temperatures.
Recently, an insulation was developed which combined AFRSI and MLI into a single blanket. These multilayer insulations operating from 500.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. temperatures were described in J. Fire Sci., 6:313 (1988). The insulations described consisted of ceramic aluminoborosilicate fabrics used for top and bottom surfaces, silica, aluminoborosilicate (ABS) or alumina insulations, and multilayers of stainless steel foils separated by ABS scrim, all quilted together using ceramic thread. The multi-layer configurations were made up of multiple stainless steel foil radiation shields layers separated by ABS scrim cloth layers. Fibrous ceramic insulation was laid on top of the multifoil configuration and the whole assembly was quilted in a lightweight ABS fabric and sewn with ABS thread.
While this type of insulation seems to be adequate and suitable for insulation at temperatures up to 800.degree. C., the oxidation of stainless steel occurring after multiple heating and cooling cycles effect negatively the spectral reflectance, and therefore made this insulation quite impractical for use in situations where the durability for repeated use at high temperatures is of importance.
Thus, it would be advantageous to have available a lightweight insulation having the thermal insulating capability for up to 2000.degree. C. suitable to be subjected to repeated heating and cooling.
From the above description of problems connected with design and fabrication of the insulation blankets suitable for high temperature insulations, the importance of the thread used for quilting of the blanket is apparent.
As pointed out above, AFRSI quilted ceramic blankets functioning as part of the thermal protection system (TPS) for the Space Shuttle Orbiter vehicle is an assembly of ceramic materials consisting of a fibrous silica batting sandwiched between a silica fabric and a glass fabric, sewn together in a 2.54 cm by 2.54 cm stitch pattern with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sized silica thread. Since AFRSI provides thermal protection in temperatures only up to 650.degree. C., the thermal design requirements for advanced spacecraft exceed the temperature limits of the silica-type AFRSI used. For example, the Aeroassisted Space Transfer Vehicle (ASTV) will produce temperatures greater than 650.degree. C. as a result of an aeromaneuvering technique used to reenter low Earth orbit and the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) is also expected to generate high temperatures, in some cases above 1100.degree. C., as a result of hypersonic flight speeds.
Thus, there is a need for other ceramic materials suitable to be used at higher temperatures than 750.degree. C. As one of these materials, the high temperature resistant threads are very desirable for fabrication of these ceramic insulation blankets.
Previous studies described in NASA C.P., 3001:135-152 (1988) have shown that silicon carbide (SiC) fabric surfaces can survive higher heating loads than silica fabric. For example, exposure to a heating rate of 37 W/cm.sup.2 resulted in no observable deterioration of the SiC fabric surface, whereas a silica fabric became brittle after exposure to 10 W/cm.sup.2. The higher emissivity of SiC over silica was found to be another advantage for high-temperature environments.
Thus, a high-temperature sewing thread of SiC yarn would be very desirable. This SiC thread would have to possess the capability of being machine-sewn into a quilted blanket using a construction process similar to that used for AFRSI. The outer mold line (OML) fabric and OML sewing thread used would be made of SiC instead of silica.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a lightweight, durable, flexible, reusable blanket-like multilayer insulation quilted with high temperature-resistant threads, such as SiC, zirconia, silicon nitride, TYRANNO FIBER.RTM. (composed of silicon-titanium-carbon-oxygen derived from organometallic precuror), and the like, which have the thermal insulation capability well above until now used insulations for use in the spacecraft industry, for furnace curtains, fire tools and equipment or for any other use where the temperature capability, the insulation efficiency and weight are all important.
Advantages of such insulation are partially described in AIAA-89-paper 1772 (June 1989) and in paper entitled "Composite Multilayer Insulations for Thermal Insulation," presented at Clemson University's Third Annual Conference on Protective Clothing on May 23-25, 1989. Development of SiC sewing thread is described in SAMPE Quart., 3-8 (1989).
The U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,007,596, 3,018,016, 3,152,003 and 3,274,788 are of general interest:
All of the references, patents, articles, standards, etc., cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference.

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A collection of data includes a plurality of records having values assigned to different fields, each field corresponding to an attribute of the data. The data is manipulated by importing the data into an application that displays the data and generating a first table via the application, the first table including content which summarizes at least a portion of the data based on one or more of the fields. A second table is generated from the first table, and content of the second table is modified independent of the first table. The data imported into the application is automatically revised based on the modifications made to the content of the second table so that the data imported into the application incorporates the modifications.

Project plans associated with a resource planning process in a multi-project environment are highly complex and typically hosted in a multi-dimensional database. For example, the plans may include fields such as organizational unit, project name, work package, skill, location, resource pool, employee, month, etc. and values associated with the fields for each record contained in the database. Each field in the database corresponds to a particular level of the project plan data. As such, the low-level source data can be presented at different levels using an appropriate software tool such as a spreadsheet to provide various aggregate views to the user. The low-level source data is manually entered and stored in the database and provides only a bottom-level view of the data. The data can be imported into the spreadsheet for viewing the data at a higher level.
A pivot tool is one such tool for enabling a user to view spreadsheet data in arbitrary aggregate views, i.e. at a higher level. 'Pivot tool' in this context refers to a data summarization tool which can sort, count, and total data stored in the spreadsheet and create a so-called pivot table for displaying the summarized data. Pivot tables are useful in presenting high level aggregate views of data such as project planning data or other types of data. However, the lower-level source data imported into the spreadsheet typically must be manually edited if changes are desired based on an analysis of the pivot table content. Manually editing highly detailed low-level data such as complex project planning data can require many hours of manual data manipulation. Also, several iterations of viewing the source data at a higher level using a pivot table and then manually re-editing the low-level data based on the summary provided by the pivot table may be required so that the low-level source data yields the desired high-level aggregate result.
For example, project managers typically manage low-level project planning data by alternating between two different tools in the planning and re-planning process. A data analysis tool is applied, to present a grouped (aggregated) top-down view of the low-level source data loaded from a database. A spreadsheet with a pivot tool add-in is conventionally used to generate an aggregate view of the data. The content of a pivot table can be analyzed with the goal of determining a top-down plan which is consistent with the boundary conditions of the project. A data editing tool such as a web-based editor utility is then applied to the low-level source data, enabling the user to manually enter all bottom-up plan details in a way that the total sums are consistent with the top-down plan view generated using the pivot tool. The editor utility allows data entering on the lowest detail level only. These steps are typically repeated several times to ensure data consistency, increasing cost and delay.

Method, software and computer system for manipulating aggregated data