A multi-use configurable raking system may have a first rake and a second rake. The first rake may have a first handle and a first rake head connected to the first handle. The second rake may have a second handle and a second rake head connected to the second handle. A connector may be affixed to the first rake and the second handle may be mounted on the first handle via the connector. The second rake may be variably positioned relative to the first rake. An orientation of the second rake relative to the first rake may be adjusted by rotation of the second rake relative to the first rake and a longitudinal position of the second rake relative to the first rake may be adjusted by movement of the second rake relative to the first rake along a longitudinal axis of the second handle.

A typical outdoor task of collecting debris such as leaves and sticks, and even littered debris, may require more than one type of collecting implement. Thus multiple types of rakes are available, differentiated most distinctly by their rake heads and respective tine arrangements. A typical work session may involve using multiple rakes, and losing time walking back and forth to reacquire a rake used just moments ago and set down.
An improved raking system serving multiple uses is needed.


The invention relates to a monitoring system, having an output module for generating a control signal in response to an input signal, a monitoring module for generating the input signal for the output module, an output device for outputting an output signal in response to the control signal, and a feedthrough device for preventing outputting of the output signal. According to the invention, the monitoring module is designed to instruct the feedthrough device to prevent outputting of the output signal when there is a deviation between the control signal and a control signal which is expected on the basis of the input signal.

A field bus is a known industrial communication system, used for data transfer systems, which connects numerous linked field devices, such as sensors, control elements, and/or actuators to a control device, wherein the devices which provide the actual connection to the bus are referred to as "bus users."
For a number of applications, the deterministics, i.e., the predetermination and immutability in the transfer of process data, are more important than the actual transfer speed itself. For example, field buses having users connected thereto are known, in which process data are cyclically transferred via a shared transmission channel for transferring process data between individual users, and thus for transmitting and receiving process data, in particular process input data, process output data, and control data. For this purpose, during predetermined data cycles it is common for a user which functions as a master to read protocol-specific data from field devices which are connected to slave users, and during each subsequent data cycle to write to field devices which are connected to slave users.
In many system applications, the data to be transferred are also safety-relevant data, at least in part, so that data transfer errors must be recognized as soon as possible, and upon recognition of an error a timely response must be made; for example, a field device, user, or (sub)system must be converted to a safe state. For transfer of safety-relevant data via a bus, essentially six error classes must be considered: repetition, loss, insertion, incorrect sequence, deletion, and delay of safety-relevant data. The transfer of these data must therefore be secure.
To ensure secure transfer of data, in particular safety-relevant process data, at least in such a way that the listed error classes may also be recognized when they are present, it is basically common practice to supplement the transferred data with additional control data, for example time stamps, user information, and/or check information such as cycle redundancy checks (CRCs). However, a major disadvantage is that the overhead to be transferred greatly increases compared to the user data to be transferred, thus reducing the protocol efficiency. This weakness is particularly serious when the number or frequency of safety-relevant user data items per user which must be transferred is low. Another disadvantage of previously known monitoring systems for safety-related data is that, in order to implement user-specific processes having safety-oriented outputs, at least two microcontrollers or complex hardware circuits are always necessary for processing complex protocol tasks.


A lithium ion secondary battery which includes: a power generation element including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte; a case accommodating the power generation element and having an opening; and a sealing plate sealing the opening of the case is charged. The sealing plate has an external terminal of the positive or negative electrode, and an internal terminal electrically connected to the positive or negative electrode. The external and internal terminals are connected to each other and have an electrical resistance therebetween of 0.1 to 2 mΩ. Two or more constant-current charging steps in each of which the secondary battery is charged at a constant charge current until a charge voltage reaches an end-of-charge voltage are performed. In the two or more constant-current charging steps, the secondary battery is subjected to constant-current charging at a current Ic(1) of 1 to 5 C until the charge voltage reaches a target voltage Ecs(1). After the charge voltage reached the target voltage Ecs(1), the secondary battery is subjected to constant-current charging at a current Ic(k) satisfying Ic(k)<Ic(1) until the charge voltage reaches a target voltage Ecs(k) higher than the target voltage Ecs(1).

Conventionally, lithium ion secondary batteries with high voltage and high energy density have been widely used as a power source for electronic equipment, such as notebook personal computers, cellular phones and audiovisual devices, electric powered tools, and the like. Lithium ion secondary batteries typically use a carbon material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium as a negative electrode active material. As a positive electrode active material, a lithium-containing composite oxide (e.g., LiCoO2) is typically used.
In recent years, as electronic equipment has been reduced in size and improved in performance, there is an increasing need for lithium ion secondary batteries to have higher capacity and longer life. In addition, as the frequency of use of electronic equipment increases in association with the development of ubiquitous network society, there is a strong need for shortening the charging time.
Conventionally, lowering the charge current has been proposed in order to improve the cycle characteristics of secondary batteries. At present, an active material with higher density is used in secondary batteries in order to improve the capacities thereof. If the charge current for such secondary batteries is raised, the acceptance of lithium ions tends to deteriorate, and as a result, the life of the secondary batteries is shortened. Therefore, lowering the charge current to be equal to or less than a predetermined value is effective in improving the cycle characteristics of secondary batteries. However, lowering the charge current in turn decreases the quantity of electricity that can be stored in a secondary battery per unit hour, which prolongs the charging time as a natural result. With regard to the charging time of secondary batteries, shortening the charging time is needed in various fields, and merely lowering the charge current cannot meet the needs.
Under these circumstances, in order to shorten the charging time without sacrificing the charge/discharge cycle life characteristics of secondary batteries (hereinafter simply referred to as "cycle characteristics"), various charge/discharge methods have been proposed. For example, Patent Literature 1 proposes that a secondary battery be charged at a comparative large current initially, and every time when the battery voltage reaches a predetermined cut-off voltage, the charge current be switched to a lower current and, simultaneously, the cut-off voltage be set to a lower voltage.
Patent Literature 2 proposes that constant-current and constant-voltage charging be performed until the battery voltage reaches a predetermined voltage (4.15 V) close to the rated voltage (4.2 V) of a secondary battery, followed by constant-current and constant-voltage charging at a comparatively small current of 0.2 to 0.5 C. Here, 1 C is a current at which the quantity of electricity corresponding to the nominal capacity of a secondary battery can be charged in one hour. Specifically, 0.2 C is one fifth of 1 C, and 0.5 C is one half of 1 C.
Patent Literature 3 proposes that, in a power source system comprising two sets of assembled battery, one of the assembled battery be configured by using a negative electrode having a lithium intercalation potential which is high and be charged and discharged to a depth of charge of 20 to 80%, thereby to make rapid charging possible.

Lithium ion secondary battery charging method and battery pack


The invention relates to a display device (100-300) that comprises an image display unit (IDU) for displaying a visual image in combination with an adjacent topology display unit (TDU) that can controllably change the topology on a tactile display surface (TDS). Hence both visual and tactile information can be represented and can be related to each other by a control unit (CU).

Means for representing or displaying visual information are well known and comprise static pictures (e.g. printings) as well as electronic display devices like LCD screens for a dynamic display of images. The physical surface of such display devices is static and usually not related to the image that is displayed.


A drilling method and apparatus for directional drilling of a borehole. The apparatus includes a retrievably mounted downhole monitor for sensing parameters of the drill rod to which a drill bit is attached. A bent-sub is connected with said drill rod behind the drill bit to position the drill bit to extend angularly with respect to the drill rod. An actuator such as a hydraulic ram is provided for exerting thrust along the axis of the drill rod on said drill bit. The drill rod and drill bit is not rotated with the use of a downhole motor. Based upon the signals received from the downhole monitor, the drill rod and bit are pulsed to effect the desired trajectory of the drilling.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the guidance of the advance of a rotary drillstring, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for maintaining or controlling the trajectory of a rotating drill bit by modulating the :thrust on the drill bit in synchronization with the rotation of the drill rod. The present invention is contemplated for use in coal mine drilling and in oil field directional drilling.
The primary factors affecting the direction of rotary drilling are drill bit thrust, or weight-on-bit (WOB), and the rotational speed of the drill bit. Generally, with regard to a horizontal drillstring, increasing the thrust and increasing the rotational speed tend to cause a downward effect on the trajectory, while increasing the thrust and reducing the rotational speed tend to cause an upward trajectory.
2. The Prior Art
Heretofore, there have been several approaches taken to maintain a rotary drill bit trajectory along a desired path and upon which the present invention improves. It is known that positioning a stabilizer or centralizer on the drill rod near the drill bit increases the tendency of the bit to move upwardly, and positioning the stabilizer a greater distance behind the bit tends to cause a downward trajectory of the bit. Using prior art procedures, it was necessary, upon encountering a downward dip in a coal bed, for example, to remove the drillstring from the hole and remove or add a stabilizer adjacent the bit. It is also known that, in a horizontal bore, the drill bit will turn downward when there is low thrust and no hard interface below the drillstring, and it will turn upward when there is high thrust and no hard interface or layer above the drillstring.
In another procedure, directional drilling is achieved by inserting, at the downhole end of a drillstring, a small section of pipe called a sub which has been bent, i.e., a bent-sub, such that the longitudinal axis of one of its ends is at a slight angle to the other end. In practice, a borehole is drilled to a predetermined length and the drillstring is then withdrawn and a bent-sub having the desired offset angle is inserted between the end of the drillstring and a downhole motor. The drillstring is then inserted back into the borehole and, since the longitudinal axis of the drill bit is then at an angle to the original borehole due to the bent-sub, the direction of the borehole is altered. The bent-sub may be replaced any number of times in order to provide a borehole of the desired shape and configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,651 to Thomas B. Dellinger discloses such a bent-sub with a downhole drill motor and a monitoring device.
The use of downhole motors, however, tends to increase the cost of any given drilling operation due to the significant chance of loosing a drillstring. With such a loss, the cost of both the downhole motor and the instrument package would be incurred.
Another method of guiding the drill bit along the designated path is by means of a deflection operation carried out at a second location spaced longitudinally along the drillstring from the drill bit. This deflection operation involves repeatedly deflecting the drillstring from its axis in a radial direction during rotation of the drillstring. This guidance system comprises a segment member adapted to be inserted into the bore hole as a portion of the drillstring. This segment is provided with deflectors which are cyclically actuated between projected and retracted positions to change direction of the drill bit. Examples of this are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,461,349 and 4,471,843 to Emrys H. Jones, Jr. and Ronald W. Umphrey, and British patent application No. 2,066,878 to Heinz Wallussek et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4.305,474 to Nathandale Farris et al. discloses a guidance system with deflectors that also includes a downhole motor in which the deflectors are actuated when a lower than normal thrust is imposed on the drillstring and an opposite perpendicular force is exerted when a higher than normal thrust is imposed on the drillstring. When normal thrust is being used, the device does not cause deflection in either direction.
It is also known to provide monitoring devices to control the trajectory while drilling as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,733 to William B. Bradley et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,843 to Jones et al., mentioned above.

Rotary drillstring guidance by feedrate oscillation


Methods and apparatus for long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum computation are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are based on probabilistic ion-photon mapping. Scalable quantum computation is achieved by forming deterministic quantum gates between remotely located trapped ions by detecting spontaneously emitted photons, accompanied by local Coulomb interaction between neighboring ions. Long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum communication networks formed by employing a number of remote nodes that each include an ion trap and by employing probabilistic photon-mediated entanglement between the ions in each ion trap.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
One of the obstacles of long-distance quantum communication is that the degree of entanglement generated between two distant quantum systems coupled by photonic channels decreases exponentially with the length of the connecting channel due to optical absorption and noise in the channel. Exponential decay of entanglement as a function of channel length requires an exponentially increasing number of partially entangled states to obtain one highly entangled state. Similar problems exist in the proposals of scalable quantum computing. As an example, trapped ions constitute one of the most promising systems for implementing a quantum computer. It appears unlikely, however, that this system can be scaled by simply adding ions to a single trap due to the growing complexity of the vibrational mode spectrum and the inefficiency of laser cooling of the collective motion of a large ion crystal to near the ground state.
To overcome the problems of scalability of quantum computing and long-distance communication, the idea of using quantum repeaters has been proposed. A key aspect of quantum communication involves using quantum repeaters to divide a long communication channel into a sufficiently large number of short segments of length L0 that are less than the attenuation length Lat. Information is then transferred between adjacent segments via entanglement swapping.
Unfortunately, the proposals for quantum repeaters are ostensibly theoretical and do not address the practical aspects of implementing quantum repeaters in a manner suitable for a commercially viable quantum computer or long-distance communication system.

Long-distance quantum communication and scalable quantum computation

The Regents of the University of Michigan


A repetitively pulsed, high energy, closed cycle photolytic atomic iodine lasers operates at 1.315 microns. Using an iodine (I.sub.2) removal system for the photolyzed C.sub.3 F.sub.7 I laser fuel, more than 70 joules/pulse is output in the fundamental mode from a M=3 confocal unstable resonator at a 0.5 Hz repetition rate. The closed cycle iodine (I.sub.2) removal system consisted of a condensative-evaporative section, two Cu mesh I.sub.2 sections, and an internal turbo-molecular blower. This closed cycle system uses C.sub.3 F.sub.7 I gas at 10-60 torr absent of I.sub.2. The turbo-molecular blower is able to push high molecular weight gases at high velocities. The turbo-molecular blower is able to produce longitudinal flow velocities greater than 10 m/s through the 150 cm long by 7.5.times.7.5 cm.sup.2 cross sectional photolytic iodine gain region. In addition to the high energy output, the resulting 7-12 .mu.sec laser beam has a beam quality less than 1.5 times diffraction limited with a coherence length greater than 45 meters, and a polarization extinction ratio better than 100:1. The laser beam was observed to jitter less than 1 microradian. In order to produce high energies, higher repetition rates, and variable pulse widths, a transverse flow gain cell is employed along with electro-optical switches for the flashlamps.

The present invention is directed at gaseous laser, and, particularly, at photolytic atomic iodine laser, and in greater particularity, at a closed cycle, repetitively pulsed, high energy iodine laser. One prior laser system used an open cycle, gaseous fuel system in a cw iodine laser. Because of loss of fuel and buildup of photolytic by-products, a closed cycle system was used. Both longitudinal and transverse lasers were developed. The fuel flow to these lasers resulted from boiling liquid C.sub.3 F.sub.7 I. Although these systems provided a baseline performance, higher energy and pulsing are desired.
Several systems attempting improvements are Germany's Asterix pulsed photolytic iodine laser which produced energies of 1.0 kilojoules per single shot and another using compressed inert gas flashlamps.

Repetitively pulsed, closed cycle, photolytic atomic iodine laser

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force


Lower leg support apparatuses can include: a member extending from a first end to a second end; opposing sidewalls of the member extending from a floor of the member above a base of the member; the sidewalls being tapered to be thicker about the first end in at least one cross section and thinner about the second end in at least another cross section; and the floor defining at least three levels of thickness in relation to the base, each of the three levels being different from any of the other levels. Methods for supporting a lower leg can include: embracing a lower leg with a support member extending between above the ankle to the mid-calf; the member providing tapered sidewalls that engage the length of the supported lower leg; and the member providing discrete support elevations that embrace the Achilles tendon, the lower leg, and the mid-calf.

Many patients spend long hours on bedrest during recovery from various accidents and from various forms of trauma, accidents, or illnesses. During this bedrest, patients can develop what are commonly known as bedsores. The present disclosure provides an apparatus and method for preventing, treating, and/or healing bedsores in the heel region of the patient.

Lower leg support apparatuses and methods


A battery pack and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. In one aspect, the battery pack includes a charge/discharge control switch connected between the battery cell and a terminal of the battery pack and configured to control charge and discharge current of the battery cell. The battery pack also includes a battery management system configured to generate an operating signal to control the charge/discharge control switch, wherein the operating signal comprises a first operating signal having a varying level or a second operating signal having a constant level. The battery pack further includes a monitoring unit configured to control an on/off state of the charge/discharge control switch based at least in part the operating signal received from the battery management system, and a blocking unit configured to turn off the charge/discharge control switch based at least in part a blocking signal received from the battery management system.

Field
The described technology generally relates to a battery pack and a controlling method thereof.
Description of the Related Technology
As portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, and laptops are in wide use, a demand exists from more efficient rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, research has been directed to a large capacity battery system for an electric vehicle, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or an energy storage system.
The standard commercial battery is configured as a battery pack of battery cells together with a protection circuit configured to control the charging and discharging of the battery. The protection circuit should efficiently and safely charge or discharge the battery.

Battery pack and controlling method thereof


A method of transmitting a combined audio signal to at least one of a plurality of participants in a communication event comprising; receiving an audio signal from each of said plurality of participants together with audio activity information associated with each of said received audio signals; analysing a measure of audio activity for each received audio signal based on the audio activity information associated with each of said received signals, wherein said measure of audio activity allows audio signals comprising audio activity to be compared; selecting a set of audio signals from said received audio signals based on the analysed measure of audio activity for each signal; decoding said set of audio signals; and combining said set of audio signals to generate said combined audio signal to be transmitted to said at least one of said plurality of participants.

In a communication system a communication network is provided, which can link together two communication terminals so that the terminals can send information to each other in a call or other communication event. Information may include speech, text, images or video.
Modern communication systems are based on the transmission of digital signals. Analogue information such as speech is input into an analogue to digital converter at the transmitter of one terminal and converted into a digital signal. The digital signal is then encoded and placed in data packets for transmission over a channel to the receiver of another terminal.
One type of communication network suitable for transmitting data packets is the internet. Protocols which are used to carry voice signals over an Internet Protocol (IP) network are commonly referred to as Voice over IP (VoIP). VoIP is one of the protocols used for routing of voice conversations over the Internet or through any other IP-based network.
It is known to connect more than two terminals via a communication system in a conference call. In a conference call, a group of participating terminals may be connected together via a host. The host is arranged to collect incoming signals from each participating terminal and combine the signals before sending the combined signals to the participating terminals.
Reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows a group of participating terminals 110, 112, 113, 114 and 116 connected via the internet 104. In this arrangement a host 115 resides in a participating terminal 116. Alternatively the host may be provided by a host sever.
In order to combine the signals it is necessary for the host to decode the signals and mix the decoded signals before transmitting the combined signals to each of the participating terminals.
When hosting a conference call the number of signals that are decoded is proportional to the number of participating terminals. For conference calls with a large number of participating terminals decoding each signal provided from the participating terminals places a large burden on the resources of the host.
A participating terminal may be a personal computer or a mobile phone with limited processing resources. Therefore the burden placed on the resources of the host can be a particular problem if the host resides in one of the participating terminals. For example if the CPU (Central Processing Unit) usage of the host is too high this will result in poor sound quality during the conference call.
In order to reduce the burden on the resources of the host it is known to select only some of the incoming signals to be decoded. In most cases only some of the signals provided from the participating terminals will need to be mixed as in general the only some of the signals will contain speech.
One known method of reducing the number of signals that the host is required to decode is achieved by transmitting a bit in each data packet to indicate whether the signal contains speech. In this case the host is arranged to examine the bit in the packet before fully decoding the packet. Only packets that are indicated to include speech are then decoded by the host.
However this method is of limited benefit as the host is still required to decode each packet that contains speech. The host may determine that the decoded packet of a signal is not required in the mixed signal if for example the speech contained in the packet is too quiet. As such the number of signals that have been decoded will exceed the number of signals included in the mixed signal.
An alternative method of reducing the number of signals that are decoded by the host requires each signal to be encoded with the same encoding scheme. In this case the host may use knowledge of the encoding scheme to analyse the encoded bit stream to estimate the speech strength in each signal. The host may then determine which signals should be decoded from the relative speech strengths of the signals.
However this method is limited as it requires each participating terminal to use the same encoding scheme. Furthermore it is necessary for the host to apply a detailed analysis to the encoded bit stream which also uses significant resources.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to overcome the above identified limitations of the prior art. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of efficiently processing signals in a conference call without the use of complex computational methods.

Method of transmitting data in a communication system


To provide an electrically conductive material excellent in electrical conductivity and capable of exhibiting p-type electrical conductivity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrically conductive material suitably used for a flat panel display (FPD) and a current drive type light emitting device (LED).
2. Discussion of Background
Heretofore, for a FPD such as a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display and an organic LED and for a solar battery, a substrate provided with a transparent electrode film as a transparent electrode has been used. As a material for the transparent electrode film, indium oxide type, zinc oxide type and tin oxide type are known. ITO (tin-doped indium oxide) which is of indium oxide type is particularly famous and widely used As reasons why ITO is widely used, its low resistance and favorable patterning properties are mentioned, but in view of effective utilization of resources, development of a material which will replace indium is desired at present.
As a material of the transparent electrode film, as two element i.e. two-dimensional crystals other than the above material, a TiO2 type material has been known. For example, by doping anatase-form TiO2 with several % of Nb, a material having a specific resistance in a figure in 1E-4 (1×10−4) Ω·cm can be prepared (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Further, as three element i.e. three-dimensional crystals, ZnSnO3 and Zn2SnO4 have been known to be a transparent electrode film, and materials having specific resistances in a figure in 1E-3 Ω·cm and 1E-2 Ω·cm, respectively, can be prepared by preparation under appropriate film formation conditions.
However, most of these materials are materials only exhibiting n-type electrical conductivity. In the field of an organic LED and a solar battery, there is a need for improvement of power generation efficiency or luminous efficiency by injecting holes to a film made of a material having p-type electrical conductivity directly from a transparent electrode. However, many materials including the above materials exhibit only n-type electrical conductivity, and it has been difficult to prepare a material exhibiting p-type electrical conductivity. Further, a three-dimensional transparent electrically conductive tin oxide film containing tin oxide and tungsten oxide has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). The transparent electrically conductive tin oxide film contains tin as the main component and tungsten as an additive, and is formed by applying a solution of a mixture prepared by adding a tungsten compound to a tin compound, to a heated transparent substrate by spraying. Although it may be possible to obtain favorable electrical conductivity by such a method, n-type and p-type materials cannot selectively be formed.
Non-Patent Document 1: The 65th Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics, Abstract Papers No. 2, p. 530, "New transparent metals: Nb-doped anatase TiO2"
Patent Document 1: JP-A-8-64035

Abstract: An electrically conductive material containing Sn, W and oxygen, characterized in that when its chemical composition is expressed as Sn(x)W(y)O(z), x, y and z satisfy the following formulae (1) to (4):0.7<x<1.3  (1)0.7<y<1.3  (2)3.2<z<4.5  (3)0.001≦(x−y)≦0.1 or 0.001≦(y−x)≦0.1.  (4)


A backlight device includes a light source (21) arranged in a casing (23) opened in a light radiating surface (20a), so that the light source faces the light radiating surface (20a) and radiates light towards the light radiating surface (20a), a light transmitting reflecting plate (25) arranged in the casing for delimiting a space inclusive of the light source (21) and adapted for transmitting a fraction of the incident light and for reflecting another fraction of the incident light, and a light transmitting diffusing plate (41) arranged on the light radiating surface (20a) of the casing (23) for diffusing the light transmitted through the light transmitting reflecting plate (25) and for causing surface light radiation. A light reflecting surface (24) is formed on the inner surface of the casing (23). A portion of light radiated by the light source (21) is internally reflected by the light transmitting reflecting plate (25) and by the light reflecting surface (24), in a space delimited in the casing (23) by the light transmitting reflecting plate (25), after which the light portion is transmitted through the light transmitting reflecting plate (25).

Television receivers of very thin thicknesses, such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or a plasma display panel (PDP), have been devised and put to practical use to take the place of the cathode ray tube (CRT) which has long been used since the start of television broadcasting. In particular, the liquid crystal display device, employing a liquid crystal display panel, is a highly promising display type and is expected to become widespread in time to come because it permits driving at low power usage and a large size liquid crystal panel may be offered at a reasonable cost.
The mainstream of the liquid crystal display device is that of the backlight system in which a light transmitting liquid crystal display panel, fitted with a color filter, is illuminated from its back side with a backlight device. As a light source for the backlight device, a fluorescent lamp, radiating white light using a fluorescent tube (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp), has predominantly been in use.
On the other hand, in consideration that the CCFL uses silver contained in the fluorescent tube and hence may be pollutant to the environment, a light emitting diode (LED) is thought to be auspicious as a light source to be used in place of the CCFL. With the development of the blue light emitting diode, the three sorts of the light emitting diodes, radiating the light for three prime colors, namely green light, red light and blue light, are now in order, and white light of high color purity may be obtained by mixing the green light, red light and blue light, radiated by these three sorts of the light emitting diodes. With use of these light emitting diodes, as the light source of the backlight device, the color light beams, obtained from the liquid crystal display panel, may be improved in color purity, thereby appreciably broadening the gamut of color reproduction as compared to the case of using the CCFL.
Patent Publication 1 Japanese Patent Application laid-Open No. H07-191311
FIG. 1 shows a backlight box 50, as a backlight device employing a fluorescent lamp, as a light source. FIG. 1A depicts a front view of the backlight box 50 and FIG. 1B depicts a cross-sectional view of the backlight box 50 taken along line X-X of FIG. 1A. Meanwhile, a light transmitting/diffusing plate 53, shown in FIG. 1B, is not shown in FIG. 1A for illustrating how the fluorescent lamps 1 are arrayed.
Referring to FIG. 1, the backlight box 50 includes a casing 50a, opened at an upper end, a plural number of fluorescent lamps 51, arranged parallel to one another in the casing, and a light transmitting diffusion plate 53, provided for closing the opened end of the casing 50a. On the inner surfaces (inner lateral surfaces and inner bottom surface) of the casing 50a, there are formed reflecting surfaces 52 for scattering and reflecting the white light emitted from the fluorescent lamps 51.
On top of the light transmitting diffusion plate 53 of the backlight box 50, a light transmitting liquid crystal display panel, not shown, is provided to form a liquid crystal display device. The light transmitting diffusion plate 53, provided to the backlight box 50, diffuses the direct light from the fluorescent lamps 51 or light reflected from the reflecting surfaces 52, to generate white light of uniform light volume free from variations in color or in brightness. The so generated white light is radiated by surface light emission. The backlight box 50 illuminates the liquid crystal display panel with the white light radiated by surface light emission.
Specifically, the light transmitting diffusion plate 53 is subjected to processing for enlarging the angle of diffusion of incident light, or to preset patterning, such as to prevent variations in brightness from being produced to produce irregular brightness due to formation from the direct light emitted by the fluorescent lamps 51 of blurred plural images of a light source by the plural fluorescent lamps 51 on the light transmitting/diffusing plate 53. The light transmitting/diffusing plate 53 may also be increased in thickness for enhancing the effect of diffusion.
However, even if ideal perfect scattering is realized by the light transmitting diffusion plate 53, as a result of the aforementioned processing for adjusting the angle of diffusion or for patterning, there still persists the problem that an image of a light source on the light transmitting diffusion plate 53 cannot completely be erased, in case the distance between the fluorescent lamps 51, emitting the white light, and the light transmitting diffusion plate 53, is short, that is, if the backlight box 50 is not of a sufficient thickness.
Moreover, if the light transmitting diffusion plate 53 is of an enlarged angle of diffusion, or is subjected to preset patterning, as described above, there may be raised a further problem that the light volume of the component in the vertical direction of the white light from the backlight box 50 with respect to the liquid crystal display panel is excessively attenuated, thus drastically lowering the front-surface brightness.
FIG. 2 shows a backlight box 60, as a backlight device employing a fluorescent lamp, as a light source. FIG. 2A depicts a front view of the backlight box 60 and FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of the backlight box 60 taken along line X-X of FIG. 2A. Meanwhile, a light transmitting/diffusing plate 63, shown in FIG. 2B, is not shown in FIG. 2A for illustrating how red light emitting diodes 61R, green light emitting diodes 61G and blue light emitting diodes 61B are arrayed.
Referring to FIG. 2, the backlight box 60 includes, within a casing 60a, opened at an upper end, a plural number of the red light emitting diodes 61R, a plural number of the green light emitting diodes 61G and a plural number of the blue light emitting diodes 61B, arranged at a preset sequence and with preset separation from one another. In an opened end of the casing 60a, the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63, having the same function as that of the backlight box 60, is mounted. On inner surfaces (inner lateral surfaces and inner bottom surface) of the casing 60a, there are provided reflecting surfaces 62 for scattering and reflecting red light, green light and blue light, radiated from the red light emitting diodes 61R, green light emitting diodes 61G and the blue light emitting diodes 61B, in the inside of the casing 60a, respectively. Meanwhile, if, in the explanation to follow, the red light emitting diodes 61R, green light emitting diodes 61G and the blue light emitting diodes 61B, are referred to collectively, they are simply referred to as light emitting diodes 61.
A liquid crystal display device is architected by arranging a light transmitting liquid crystal display panel, not shown, on the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63 of the backlight box 60. The backlight box 60 mixes the red light, green light and the blue light, emitted from the light emitting diodes 61, by reflection by the reflecting surfaces 52 and by diffusion by the light transmitting diffusion plate 63, into white light, which is then radiated to the liquid crystal display panel, not shown, by surface light emission and light illumination.
Referring to FIG. 2A, light emitting diodes 61 are arrayed in the casing 60a of the backlight box 60 at a preset spacing from one another. The light emitting diodes 61, thus arrayed in the casing 60a of the backlight box 60, operate as point light sources, and hence the light beams of the respective colors are not emitted from the same points. It is therefore extremely difficult to mix the colors evenly on the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63 such as to preclude variations in color or in brightness.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the casing 60a of the backlight box 60 is reduced in thickness, such that a sufficient distance from the light emitting diodes 61 as far as the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63 may not be obtained, the light beams of the respective colors, getting to the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63, exhibit the light distribution shown in FIG. 3A, with the consequence that sufficient color mixing cannot be achieved.
FIG. 3A depicts a front view of the backlight box 60, showing the state of light distribution of the light emitting diodes 61, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the backlight box 60, taken along line X-X in FIG. 3A. Meanwhile, the light transmitting diffusion plate 63 is not shown in FIG. 3A for illustrating the state of light distribution of red, green and blue light beams, radiated from the light emitting diodes 61.
For eliminating variations in color and brightness of the white light, obtained on color mixing by the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63, the light beams of the respective colors, getting to the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63 from the light emitting diodes 61, need to be superposed together sufficiently, as shown in FIG. 4A. This is made possible by sufficiently increasing the thickness of the casing 60a to provide for a sufficient distance between the light emitting diodes 61 and the light transmitting/diffusing plate 63, as shown in FIG. 4B. Thus, the backlight box 60, employing the light emitting diodes 61 as the light source, is of a marked thickness, even as compared with the backlight box 50 employing the fluorescent lamps 51 as the light source, because the casing 60a has to be of an increased thickness. Hence, the backlight box 60, employing the light emitting diodes 61 as the light source, suffers from the problem that it is further deterrent to reducing the thickness of the liquid crystal device.

Backlight device and liquid crystal display device


A fluid supply system includes: a coupling manifold disposed in parallel to mutually facing end portions of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other; a first fluid control device connecting one of the end portions of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other to the coupling manifold; and a second fluid control device connecting the other one of the end portions of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other to the coupling manifold, in which the coupling manifold has a communication passage that establishes communication of combined flow passages of the multiple-unit manifolds that are adjacent to each other via the first and second fluid control devices.

FIG. 4 in Patent Document 1 discloses a fluid supply system in which two manifolds with fluid control devices connected are disposed in parallel. The two manifolds disposed in parallel are coupled to each other with short pipes projecting from end portions thereof welded to each other, thereby establishing communication in a mutually combined flow passage.


The present invention is to provide a method for blasting employing bar-like charge, having a pure blasting coefficient for maximum fracturing performance without causing danger of flying rock or so forth. At first, digging a random length H of a blast hole consisting of a charge length N and a least resistance distance W from the upper end of the charge length N to a free surface G. Secondly, defining a first and second distances D1 and D2, as limitation of fracture force acting on the free surface G, of each length corresponding to the least resistance distance W and corresponding to each other from an opening end E of the blast hole. Finally, defining a charge amount L under the condition of which a blasting coefficient c, namely, a proportion of the charge amount L to a fracture rock volume V=H.times.D1.times.D2 is within from 0.25 to 0.45.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for blasting in bar-like charge, more particularly, relates to a method for blasting employing bar-like charge being capable of ensuring a blasting under safety condition without causing danger of flying rock.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of accidents by blasts for construction works in Japan from 1979 to 1989 are counted 261, in which accidents by flying rock resulting from blasts are counted 160 cases, which are 61.3%.
In the prior art, in a single point concentrated charge system for blasting as shown in FIG. 1, a charge amount (L) of an explosive is expressed by Hauser's equation: EQU L=cW.sup.3 ( 1)
wherein
L: charge amount (kg) PA1 c: blasting coefficient PA1 W: line of least resistance (m) PA1 D1: distance between the blast holes E and A; PA1 D2: distance between the blast holes E and B; PA1 L: charge amount of explosive; and PA1 v: fracture rock volume "H.times.D1.times.D2" corresponding to the charge amount L.
From the foregoing Hauser's equation of blasting, the blasting coefficient c can be expressed by: EQU c=L/W.sup.3 ( 2)
The foregoing Hauser's equation of blasting is established under the following conditions:
1. Full charge amount L is charged in the single point concentrated charge system;
2. The blasting is a single freedom surface blasting. and
3. The proper charge amount, namely the charge amount for obtaining maximum fracture effect within a safety range, in which flying rock or scattering stone will not be caused, is determined with respect to funnel shape blasting configuration of W=r, in which the fracture radius r on a free surface G is equal to the line of least resistance W.
Accordingly, the volume V of the funnel hole is expressed by: EQU V=1/3.times..pi.r.sup.2 .times.W
Here, from the condition of W=r as set forth above, and since .pi..apprxeq.3, the foregoing equation (3) can be modified as: EQU V=W.sup.3 ( 3)
By replacing W.sup.3 in the foregoing equation (2) with V in the equation (3), the equation (2) can be expressed by: EQU c=L/V (4)
As can be appreciated herefrom, the blasting coefficient c is a ratio of the single point concentrated charge amount L versus the fracture volume of the rock with the charged explosive. The blasting coefficient c as set forth above can be established when the three dimensions Wr.sup.2 forming the fracture volume V are equal to each other. (see Japan Industrial Explosive Association, "NEW INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSIVE", Oct. 1, 1985, pages 198 to 200)
On the other hand, in simultaneous blasting with bar-like charging system as shown in FIG. 2, the charge amount L is expressed by: EQU L=c.times.H.times.D1.times.D2 (5)
By modifying the foregoing equation (5), the blasting coefficient c is expressed by: EQU c=L/(H.times.D1.times.D2)=L/V (6)
Here, the relationship between the distances D1 and D2 between blast holes and the blast hole length H has to be: EQU (D1=D2)<H
wherein
(see, "Explosive Safety Text Series 17, Application of Explosive in Occasions" edited by Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Ground Emission Division, published by Shadan Hojin Zenkoku Kayakurui Hoan Kyokai, January, 1991, pages 45 to 46)
This inventor's viewpoint is as follows; namely, the blasting coefficient c represents the fracture force acting on free surface G. In other words, the blasting coefficient c represents the degree of upward force along the least resistance line W toward the free surface from the upper end of the charge length N.
Accordingly, when the charge amount L is to be determined, in excessive consideration is given for safety so as not to cause flying rock or scattering stone, the fracture force becomes excessively small to degrade efficiency of the blasting operation. Conversely, when excessively high efficiency is attempted by increasing the charge amount, it may cause flying rock to cause danger. Therefore, in order to optimize blasting operation, it is essential to properly determine the blasting efficient c in view of the balance of the safety and efficiency of the blasting operation, so that the maximum rock fracture can be obtained within a safety range, in which the flying rock may not be caused.
In reviewing of the blasting coefficient c derived through the conventional method in viewpoint set forth above, it should be true that, in the single point concentrated charge system, for which the Hauser's equation of blasting is applicable, since all of the fracture force necessary for fracturing the rock volume V=r.sup.2 W is a fracture force acting on the free surface, the volume V per se is the pure value forming the denominator of the value c of the blasting coefficient. (see foregoing equation (4))
However, in case of the blasting with bar-like charge system, it is not true that the fracture force necessary for fracturing total rock volume V=H.times.D1.times.D2 is the fracture force acting on the free surface. (see the foregoing equation (6))
Namely, the total fracture rock volume V=H.times.D1 and D2 is a sum of the rock volume fractured by the upward force toward the free surface G and the rock volume fractured by the force which contributes only force fracturing lower rock without contributing upward fracturing toward the free surface G. Therefore, the pure blasting coefficient c has to be determined with the denominator corresponding to the rock volume fractured only by the upward fracturing force toward the free surface. In this regard, the rock volume to be fractured by the downward fracturing force which does not contribute for upward fracturing, has to neglected.
Therefore, in the foregoing equation (5), the value c called as the blasting coefficient in the blasting operation with bar-line charge system, cannot be a pure value, but, in practice, a fracturing rock unit indicative of the ratio of the total fracturing rock volume V. Assuming this value as k for the illustration, the foregoing equation (5) can be expressed by: EQU L=k.times.H.times.D1.times.D2 (5a)
and similarly, the foregoing equation (6) can be expressed by: EQU k=L/(H.times.D1.times.D2) (6a)
As set forth above, the blasting coefficient c derived through the conventional method, contains an error in determination of the volume forming the denominator value. Namely, since the calculation is performed with including the element which should not be associated with derivation of the blasting coefficient c, reference values are set at 0.10.about.0.30 (see page 46 of foregoing "Explosive Safety Text Series 17, Application of Explosive in Occasions") which are much smaller than typical proper blasting coefficients 0.25.about.0.45.
However, if those skilled in the art who is not knowledgeable about the uncertain element in derivation of the blasting coefficient c in the bar-like charge system in the conventional manner, applies the typical proper value of the blasting coefficients 0.25.about.to 0.45 as element for deriving the charge amount of the explosive, it can be feared on causing flying rock to make blasting operation dangerous.

Method for blasting employing bar-like charge


One or more computer processors compile a list of asynchronous web calls associated with a retrieved webpage. The one or more computer processors map each asynchronous web call in the list of asynchronous web calls with one or more respective HTML snippets. The one or more computer processors identify content associated with the one or more mapped HTML snippets. The one or more computer processors dynamically suspend one or more asynchronous web calls utilizing a trained model and the identified content, wherein suspending the web call prevents the web call from modifying the retrieved webpage.

The present invention relates generally to the field of web browsing, and more particularly to dynamic browsing management.
Asynchronous web programming is a set of web development techniques using many web technologies on the client side to create asynchronous web applications. With synchronous web programming, web applications can send and retrieve data from a server asynchronously (in the background) without interfering with the display and behavior of the existing page. By decoupling the data interchange layer from the presentation layer, asynchronous web programming allows web pages and, by extension, web applications, to change content dynamically without the need to reload the entire page. The webpage can then be modified to dynamically display, and allow the user to interact with, the new information.
Artificial neural networks (ANN) are computing systems inspired by biological neural networks. The ANN itself is not an algorithm, but rather a framework for many different machine learning algorithms to work together and process complex data inputs. Such systems "learn" to perform tasks by considering examples, generally without being programmed with any task-specific rules. For example, in image recognition, ANNs learn to identify images that contain cats by analyzing example images that are correctly labeled as "cat" or "not cat" and using the results to identify cats in other images. ANNs accomplish this without any prior knowledge about cats, for example, that cats have fur, tails, whiskers, and pointy ears. Instead, ANNs automatically generate identifying characteristics from the learning material. ANNs are based on a collection of connected units or nodes called artificial neurons, which loosely model the neurons in a biological brain. Each connection, like the synapses in a biological brain, can transmit a signal from one artificial neuron to another. An artificial neuron that receives a signal can process the signal and then transfer the signal to additional artificial neurons.
In common ANN implementations, the signal at a connection between artificial neurons is a real number, and the output of each artificial neuron is computed by some non-linear function of the sum of its inputs. The connections between artificial neurons are called 'edges'. Artificial neurons and edges typically have a weight that adjusts as learning proceeds. The weight increases or decreases the strength of the signal at a connection. Artificial neurons may have a threshold such that the signal is only sent if the aggregate signal crosses that threshold. Typically, artificial neurons are aggregated into layers. Different layers may perform different kinds of transformations on their inputs. Signals travel from the first layer (the input layer), to the last layer (the output layer), possibly after traversing the layers multiple times.
A recurrent neural network (RNN) is a class of artificial neural network where connections between nodes form a directed graph along a sequence allowing the network to exhibit temporal dynamic behavior for a time sequence. Unlike feedforward neural networks, RNNs can use internal states (memory) to process sequences of inputs allowing the RNN to be applicable to tasks such as unsegmented connected handwriting recognition or speech recognition. Long short-term memory (LSTM) units are alternative layer units of a recurrent neural network (RNN). An RNN composed of LSTM units is referred as a LSTM network. A common LSTM unit is composed of a cell, input gate, output gate, and forget gate. The cell remembers values over arbitrary time intervals and the gates regulate the flow of information into and out of the cell. Gated recurrent units (GRU) are a gating mechanism in recurrent neural networks. GRU performance on polyphonic music modeling and speech signal modeling was found to be similar to LSTM. However, GRUs exhibit better performance on smaller datasets. LSTMs can be bidirectional (BLSTM) consisting of two LSTM networks where each contained layer is unrolled forward and backward in time.

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention provides a protein comprising hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) with a sugar attached to an e1 loop. The protein may comprise a first and a second copy of HBcAg in tandem, wherein one or both copies of HBcAg has a sugar attached to the e1 loop. The first copy may have a sugar attached to the e1 loop and the second copy may comprise a peptide epitope in the e1 loop. The protein may be used to induce an immune response against the sugar and hence act as a vaccine.

The Hepatitis B virus core (HBc) protein has a somewhat unique structure comprised of two anti-parallel α-helices which form a characteristic "spike" structure. Two HBc molecules then spontaneously dimerise to form a twin spike bundle. This bundle is the building block of a virus like particle (VLP). VLPs are attractive vaccine systems since their highly repetitious sequence delivers multiple copies of the antigen. Furthermore, the lack of viral nucleic acid makes them a particularly safe vector. HBc is particularly interesting as a vaccine carrier since it has several sites into which antigenic sequences may be inserted. The extreme immunogenicity of HBc is then also imparted to the inserted sequence, thus making that too immunogenic. The optimal insertion site is the Major Insertion Region (MIR). However, it was shown previously that when a large or hydrophobic sequence is inserted into the MIR, then monomeric HBc fails to dimerise and a VLP does not form. This resulted in a massive loss of immunogenicity.
Currently there is no licensed vaccine available for the bacterial biothreat agents Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei, the causative agents of melioidosis and glanders respectively.

Vaccines based on hepatitis B core antigens


An integrated circuit that performs data demodulation on partially despread symbols includes a despreading unit, a channel compensation unit, and a symbol combiner. The despreading unit despreads input samples and provides despread symbols for a first code channel with a first spreading factor. The channel compensation unit multiplies the despread symbols with channel estimates and provides demodulated symbols. The symbol combiner combines groups of demodulated symbols to obtain recovered data symbols for a second code channel with a second spreading factor that is an integer multiple of the first spreading factor. The channel compensation and symbol combining are dependent on whether or not transmit diversity is used. For a TDM design, despread symbols for multiple first code channels are processed in a TDM manner, one channel at a time, to obtain recovered data symbols for multiple second code channels. The channel compensation unit and symbol combiner can be operated in a pipelined manner.

I. Field
The present invention relates generally to communication, and more specifically to techniques for performing data demodulation in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system.
II. Background
In a CDMA system, a base station transmits data on "code" channels to wireless terminals. Each code channel is associated with a respective orthogonal code. The base station channelizes data for a code channel by multiplying each data symbol to be transmitted on the code channel with all L chips of an L-chip orthogonal code assigned to the code channel to obtain L channelized data symbols, which are then transmitted. L is the spreading factor (SF) or length of the orthogonal code and is equal to four or greater (i.e., L≧4). A recipient terminal recovers the data sent on the code channel by first multiplying received samples with the L chips of the same orthogonal code to obtain de-patterned samples. The terminal then accumulates groups of L de-patterned samples for the entire orthogonal code to obtain recovered data symbols, which are estimates of the data symbols sent on the code channel by the base station.
The channelization achieves orthogonality among all of the code channels transmitted concurrently by the base station. For Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA), the channelization is referred to as "spreading", the code channels are referred to as "physical" channels, and orthogonal variable spreading factor (OVSF) codes are used for the orthogonal codes. For IS-95 and IS-2000, the channelization is referred to as "covering", the code channels are referred to as "traffic" channels, and Walsh codes and quasi-orthogonal functions (QOF) are used for the orthogonal codes. Thus, different CDMA standards may use different terminology for the channelization process. For clarity, W-CDMA terminology is used for the following description.
A base station may transmit data on multiple physical channels to a single terminal in order to achieve a higher data rate. The base station may also perform other processing on the data symbols prior to transmission to the terminal. For example, the base station may utilize space time transmit diversity (STID) and transmit the data symbols from multiple antennas to obtain spatial diversity, which can combat deleterious path effects. The terminal performs data demodulation to recover the data symbols sent on the multiple physical channels. As part of the data demodulation, the terminal typically performs despreading for each physical channel to obtain despread symbols for that physical channel. The terminal then performs other processing (e.g., channel compensation and STID decoding) on the despread symbols for each physical channel to obtain recovered data symbols for the physical channel. The processing for data demodulation greatly increases as the number of physical channels increases.
There is therefore a need in the art for techniques to more efficiently perform data demodulation in a CDMA system.

Data demodulation for a CDMA communication system


An aircraft takeoff process may include applying a pitch command deflecting an adjustable horizontal tailplane of the aircraft by a predetermined angle. Thereafter, the pitch command is corrected in accordance with the deviation between a takeoff rotation speed and a stall reference speed VRref of the aircraft.

It is known that certain aircraft comprise a stabilizing horizontal tailplane that can be adjusted in inclination. An adjustable horizontal tailplane such as this is, in the art, designated by one or other of the abbreviations PHR (standing for Plan Horizontal Reglable (i.e., adjustable)) or THS (standing for Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer). Just like a fixed horizontal tailplane, an adjustable horizontal tailplane is provided with elevators forming the trailing edge of said adjustable horizontal tailplane.
An adjustable horizontal tailplane can be deflected in the nose-up or nose-down direction and it is used in certain flight phases. For example, during the takeoff of the aircraft and prior to rotation, it is customary to deflect said adjustable horizontal tailplane through action of the pilot or of an automatic system, by an angle of deflection of predetermined value. The theoretical optimal value of the angle of deflection of the adjustable horizontal tailplane depends on several parameters of the aircraft, such as the longitudinal position of the center of gravity, the total weight on takeoff, the configuration of the leading edge slats and of the trailing edge flaps, the thrust, the speed of rotation, etc.
The actual value of the angle of deflection is significant since it conditions the behavior of the airplane during the rotation phase, which begins when, the aircraft having through its run reached a predetermined value of speed, the so-called rotation speed, the pilot pulls on the stick so as to actuate said elevators in the nose-up direction and which finishes when the attitude of the aircraft is stabilized around a predetermined value, for example equal to 15°. If the actual value of this angle of deflection is too nose-up, it may lead to spontaneous takeoff without intervention from the pilot or a possible tail touch or else, on the contrary, if it is too nose-down, an arduous takeoff penalizing the performance of the aircraft.
As a general rule, on takeoff, the value of the angle of deflection of the adjustable horizontal tailplane corresponds to a nose-up moment, this being the case in particular when the center of gravity of the aircraft occupies a forward longitudinal position toward the nose of the aircraft: specifically, in this case, the aircraft is difficult to turn at the moment of rotation and the adjustable horizontal tailplane must create a high nose-up moment. However, when the center of gravity of the aircraft is in a rear longitudinal position, the aircraft tends to turn very easily and the adjustable horizontal tailplane must create only a small pitching moment, which may be nose-up, or even nose-down.
As recalled hereinabove, the optimal theoretical value of the angle of deflection, on takeoff, of the adjustable horizontal tailplane depends on numerous parameters. Hence, for an accurate adjustment of the inclination of said adjustable horizontal tailplane, it is necessary to take account of the totality, or at least a large number, of these parameters, thereby leading to complicated adjustment devices.

Process for aiding the takeoff of an aircraft


An evaluation apparatus for display arbitration control or a generation apparatus for a rule definition file includes a model generation portion that models the display arbitration control and generates a rule-based arbitration specification model that includes a content definition that defines a content, an area definition that defines a display area, and a constraint expression that shows a constraint related to display of the content; and a rule definition file generation portion that generates the rule definition file for software that is installed in a product and is related to the display arbitration control.

There are various contents displayed in an interior of a vehicle. Due to diversification of the displayed contents, various display devices for displaying the contents are mounted. Under such a circumstance, display arbitration control for arbitrating which content is displayed in which display area of which display device is important.

Evaluation apparatus for display arbitration control and generation apparatus for rule definition file


An ink cartridge has a first portion having a plurality of chambers formed therein; a second portion attached to the first portion and having at least one opening into each of the plurality of chambers, and wherein for each opening the second portion further includes at least a portion of a fluid directing channel; and a third portion attached to the second portion and configured to receive a plurality of fluids and direct each of the plurality of fluids into one of the respective fluid directing channels such that each of the plurality of fluids flows into a respective one of the plurality of chambers.

The present invention relates to a multiple-chambered inkjet cartridge and more specifically to an arrangement which enables the transport and regulation of multiple different and separate inks, from an inkjet printer, to separate chambers in the ink cartridge.
In prior arrangements, ink is stored in the cartridge in different chambers. However, these arrangements are such that the different chambers in the printer cartridge are not configured to support refill.
Prior solutions have found ways to transport and regulate one ink to a single chambered body. However, numerous intricacies exist in creating a printer cartridge that can transport and regulate multiple inks to a multiple chambered body.

Ink cartridge with multiple chambers aligned along an axial length

Hewlett-Packard Develpoment Company, L.P.


An apparatus and method to automate the process of measuring and verifying trace gas levels such as oxygen and dewpoint inside a retort used to coat or heat treat substrates are provided. The apparatus may include an integrated measuring system, and an operator interface. The method may include coupling the apparatus to the retort in which the substrate is coated or heat treated, activating the integrated measuring system to measure and verify atmospheric conditions within the retort, and providing operator access to process parameters and status through the operator interface. The measurement and verification system may be completely autonomous.

In manufacturing many industrial parts, coatings of a particular material to the parts need to be applied to exacting standards. In others, heat treatments of the parts has to be undertaken to precise standards as well. Any deviation away from those standards or thresholds can result in malfunctioning components. If those components are used, the overall machine in which they are employed may under-perform. Accordingly, they are often rigorously tested prior to installation. If they are not sufficient, the parts are either scrapped or remachined. Either way, the result is added cost and lessened efficiency.
One example where this is currently problematic is in the manufacture of turbines and other components used in gas turbine engines and other aircraft components. With turbines, for example, aluminide or other coatings often need to be applied. Currently, prior to application of such coatings, the retort or chamber environment in which the component is coated needs to be purged with argon or another inert gas to establish proper coating conditions. An operator not only needs to manually do this, but then manually verify it with dewpoint and oxygen measurements. These measurements require the operators to manually connect a dewpoint and oxygen meter to the retort and follow a specific procedure to assure all process parameters are achieved before proceeding. If they are not adhered to, it may cause deficiencies in the processed parts as well as damage to the measuring equipment.
Not only is this manual verification labor intensive, but prone to human error. For example, the repetition of the task throughout the day may lead to tedium and mistakes. Moreover, the manual purging and verification process occupies the operator, often precluding him or her from performing any other task, thus slowing production. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have an automated measuring system to eliminate scrap/rework due to improper coating or heat treating environments, and to prolong the life of the process measuring equipment by avoiding human error in the manual operation. Moreover, it would be beneficial to allow for increased productivity and reduced costs by allowing the operator to monitor multiple stations and by minimizing human intervention in the manufacturing process.

Automated dewpoint oxygen measurement system


A plastisol composition comprising polyvinyl chloride as a main component, a plasticizer and a blocked compound of diisocyanate polymer with styrenated phenol as an adhesion-improver, and optionally a powdery curing agent having a melting point of 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. which is surface-treated, said composition having improved adhesion properties when gelated under low temperature conditions such as at 110.degree. to 130.degree. C. for 15 to 30 minutes and being useful as an adhesive, a sealant, or a coating agent, particularly as a sealant for the body of automobiles, and a novel blocked polyisocyanurate compound useful as an adhesion-improver for the above plastisol composition and also as an adhesive, a coating agent, a sealant, and an crosslinking agent for an active hydrogen-containing high molecular weight compound.

A plastisol composition comprising polyvinyl chloride as a main component has been employed as adhesive, sealant or coating material in various fields. As such a type of plastisol composition, there is known, for example, a composition which comprises a polyvinyl chloride, a plasticizer and a blocked compound of a diisocyanate polymer with a long-chain alkylated phenol as an adhesion-improver (cf. Japanese Patent First Publication No. 41278/1987). This plastisol composition, however, has been found to have less adhesion properties under low temperature conditions such as 110.degree. to 130.degree. C., though it has an excellent storage stability under conditions of high temperature and high humidity without foaming and discoloration and is capable of forming a gelated compound with an excellent adhesion strength under high temperature conditions.
As an adhesion-improver, there are known some blocked polyisocyanurate compounds, including the above blocked compound of diisocyanate polymer with a long-chain alkylated phenol disclosed in Japanese Patent First Publication No. 41278/1987. Japanese Patent First Publication No. 53975/1987 further dicloses a blocked compound of diisocyanate polymer with an o-, m-, p-benzoic acid ester, which is used as coating agents, adhesives (or crosslinking agents therefor), or agents for modifying an active hydrogen-containing high molecular weight compound.

Blocked polyisocyanurate compound and plastisol composition containing same


A drive system for providing multiple output speeds in a single direction based upon a reversible input is disclosed. The drive system provides a dual drive path from an input to an output such that each separate drive path is capable of an overall gear ratio different from that of the other drive path. The drive path is selected by the direction of rotation of the input and is configured such that regardless of the drive path selected, the rotation of the output of the drive system will be in a single direction. The drive system utilizes two parallel auxiliary shafts disposed perpendicularly to a single drive shaft and an output shaft disposed parallel to the two auxiliary shafts. Both auxiliary shafts engage the drive shaft such that they are driven by the rotation of the drive shaft in directions opposite each other. Both auxiliary shafts have one way roller clutches disposed thereon so that the output will only be driven by one or the other of the auxiliary shafts depending on the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. The drive system of the present invention may be used in items such as commercial appliances to provide flexibility in selection of output speeds while maintaining a compact and easily serviced drive system.

The use of gear boxes to provide four output speeds in a single direction of rotation from a two-speed reversible drive input has been known in the commercial appliance art. Generally, most prior art gear boxes provide for one direct drive path from a drive shaft to an output shaft and one alternate drive path from a drive shaft to an auxiliary shaft to an output shaft. Generally, two rotational speeds are provided by the two forward speeds of the motor driving through the drive shaft to the output shaft and two additional speeds are provided by the two reverse speeds of the motor driving through the drive shaft and auxiliary shaft to the output shaft. This system provides for the desired four output speeds. However, such a system has drawbacks.
First, since the drive shaft directly drives the output shaft in one motor direction, any desired speed reduction or increase between the drive shaft and output shaft must be accomplished by a single gear pair. Thus, if a substantial reduction or increase is desired, a very large gear must be present on one of the two shafts, a design element which may be limited by the physical dimensions of the gear box. Additionally, since there is typically only a single gear pair in one drive path the flexibility to design various overall gear ratios through that drive path is extremely limited.
A second major drawback to such prior art drive systems is that the prior art design necessitates that all three shafts be parallel and thus, in a typical arrangement these shafts and the motor are provided in a vertical position. This vertical positioning results in a tall arrangement which requires considerable head room, a limiting factor when the placement of a commercial appliance in a crowded kitchen or manufacturing facility is necessary.
A third drawback of the prior art devices is that in the typical arrangement, the engagement of the drive shaft with either the output or auxiliary shafts induces a radial force on the drive shaft which tends to displace the drive away from the shaft it is driving. Therefore, the shafts and their supporting structures must be sufficiently strong to overcome this radial force which increases the costs of manufacturing and operating such a design.
A further drawback of such prior art designs is that they necessitate the placement of some type of clutch assembly on the drive shaft so that the drive shaft will drive the output shaft when rotated in one direction but will drive the auxiliary shaft when rotation is reversed. Typically, clutches are parts which are subject to increased wear and reduced lifespan and must occasionally be replaced. The placement of such a component on the drive shaft makes its replacement more difficult as the drive shaft is connected to the motor. In fact, servicing a clutch disposed on a drive shaft may necessitate removal of the motor as well as the shaft itself. In such prior art devices, if the clutch is relocated from the drive shaft, it must be placed on the output shaft which is frequently connected to other gearboxes or devices thus making removal of the output shaft as problematic as removal of the drive shaft.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a four-speed gearbox having multiple unidirectional output speeds based upon a reversible input.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a four-speed gear box which will provide increased flexibility in the selection of initial, intermediate and final drive ratios.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a gearbox which reduces the vertical profile of an appliance utilizing the present gearbox designs and to provide a compact gear-box design without reducing the flexibility in selecting gear ratios for the drive paths.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a four-speed gearbox which reduces the need for a strengthened, or heavier, drive shaft and supporting structure as a result of radial force on the shaft as a result of the engagement of gears in the drive path.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simplified gearbox which avoids the placement of clutches on the primary drive or output shafts to facilitate the service or replacement of components which typically have a lifetime shorter than that of the appliance.

Drive system for providing a multiple speed outlet in a single rotational direction from a reversible input


A tracked vehicle (e.g., a tracked carrier vehicle) comprising a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle. Each of the track assemblies supports a portion of a weight of the tracked vehicle when the tracked vehicle is in use. Each track assembly comprises: a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; a number of support wheels arranged in an in-line configuration between the first wheel and the second wheel; and an endless track disposed around the first wheel, the second wheel, and the support wheels. The support wheels may comprise at least five (5) support wheels mounted such that, when the tracked vehicle is in use, the portion of the weight of the tracked vehicle supported by the track assembly is never applied to only one of the support wheels.

Various types of industrial tracked vehicles exist. One type of tracked vehicle, sometimes referred to as a "tracked carrier vehicle", is used to carry heavy industrial equipment, such as a crane, a ladder, a lift, a drill, and/or any other apparatus to be carried, on various terrains, including rugged terrain.
It is often desirable for a tracked carrier vehicle to have a carrying capacity as large as possible but yet be sized such that the vehicle can fit existing public roads. For example, the tracked carrier vehicle should not be too long; otherwise, it may not be able to negotiate turns on public roads. As another example, the tracked carrier vehicle should be low enough to fit below an underpass (e.g., when the tracked carrier vehicle is transported on a double drop deck trailer).
Current tracked carrier vehicles comprise track assemblies provided with a suspension having four (4) support wheels. The four support wheels are carried by a pair of bogies each carrying two of these wheels. This arrangement usually meets the public roads clearance requirements; however, it has a limited carrying capacity. The carrying capacity limit results from the limited number of support wheels that are used. If the carrying capacity is to be increased, the load per support wheel may exceed a maximal structural limit and reduce the useful life of the wheel or cause a breakage of the wheel in use.
Accordingly, there is a need for a tracked vehicle having a larger payload capacity while being sized such that it can fit on public roads.


An expanded content label including independently accessible information fields. In one embodiment, the label includes an overlaminate and an expanded content device having fan-folded panels and first and second information fields. Optionally, the information fields are in different languages. The overlaminate is secured over the panels so that margins extend beyond opposing edges. Each margin is releasably and resealably adhered to a base label and/or an article. The panels fan-fold open when one margin is released to provide a user with a view of the first information field, but not the second information field, and vice versa when the other margin is released. A related method includes: providing a fan-folded device; placing an overlaminate over the device to form margins, and securing the device to a label base, wherein the margins are independently releasable and resealable to fan-fold open the device and selectively access either information field.

The present invention relates to labels, and more particularly to an expanded content labels (ECLs) and a method for making the same.
Generally, an ECL is a label that provides an increased amount of printed information for inclusion with a product or its packaging. ECLs are increasingly used to replace leaflets, booklets, manuals, tags and other materials otherwise packaged with products to provide information about those products.
A conventional ECL includes a booklet or leaflet that is secured directly to the product or to a base label which secured to the product. Information about the product is printed on or in the booklet. Sometimes, information is printed in different languages so that the product can be distributed in countries where different languages are used, or to provide product information to a multilingual consumer base.
To provide multi-lingual information, many ECLs include a multi-paged booklet. On the first few pages of the booklet, information is provided in a first language, for example, English. In the remaining pages of the booklet, identical information is provided in a second language, for example, Spanish.
Although a common ECL can provide increased information, it suffers several shortcomings. As one example, to access information recorded in one language, the user must thumb through multiple pages of the ECL booklet to the find the foreign text that they require. This can be time consuming, and sometimes frustrating. As another example, some consumers may be offended when the information in their language is on the last pages of the booklet, rather than on the first pages. This can alienate the consumer, and possibly prevent them from purchasing the associated products.

Expanded content label and related method of manufacture


A grommet comprising a generally planar portion having less than a complete 360 degree circumference, thereby exposing at least a first and a second surface with an angular gap therebetween. A conical section is connected to the generally planar portion, the conical section including a flap located approximately adjacent the angular gap. The flap overlaps a remainder of the conical section when the generally planar portion is radially compressed for installation into a firewall such that at least portions of the first and second surfaces are in contact with one another, thereby eliminating the angular gap. Thus, the flap is adjustable to accommodate various size wiring harnesses.

The present invention relates to grommets for the installation of wiring harnesses through a truck firewall. More specifically, the present invention relates to a variable diameter grommet which is capable of accepting wire harnesses which range in diameter from 1/2 to 11/4 inch.
The use of grommets as a second conduit for passing wiring harnesses through a truck firewall is generally well known in the art. A grommet is basically a rubber device (although other materials can be used) through which a plurality of wires, referred to as a "wiring harness," are passed. A sealer such as putty is utilized in prior art embodiments to form a complete seal between the wiring harness and the grommet. The placement of a grommet in a firewall is generally illustrated in FIG. 3.
The function of a grommet is to pass the main electronic wires from the engine to the interior of a truck cab. As modern technology advances, more and more aspects of a truck engine are becoming electronic and, therefore, require signal lines passing through a truck firewall to the truck cab where operating conditions are displayed on the dash panel. Another factor affecting the volume of wires passing between the engine and cab of a truck is the fact that a substantial number of truck cabs are custom built and, therefore, although the chassis are constructed on the same assembly line, a different wiring configuration will be needed for different trucks. This presents a problem with the use of prior art grommets which have only a fixed opening and, therefore, necessitate the use of extraneous materials to produce a tight fit between a wiring harness and a grommet.
In addition to having a fixed opening, prior art grommets suffer from several other shortcomings. These grommets resemble a donut in that they are configured of a solid piece of material with a hole therethrough. This requires all electrical wires between the engine and the cab to be grouped in one location and fed through the grommet into the truck cab after which the grommet is inserted in the firewall. The grouping of all electrical wires to a singular location before entering into the grommet is a cumbersome task on an assembly line. Ease and economy would be furthered by connecting a wire through the firewall during initial installation of a part from which a wire extends.
Since the prior art grommets have a fixed opening therethrough, putty is used to plug the extra space created between a wiring harness and a grommet. The putty also suffers from several shortcomings. For example, putty deteriorates and falls out completely with time. Additionally, the putty is unsightly and difficult to work with, necessitating a considerably longer time to install. Moreover, there is no objective control of putty installation on an assembly line. It is not only easily forgotten, but creates a quality control problem in that one assembly line worker may put on a little putty and the next a lot of putty.

Rubber grommet for various size wiring harnesses


A process for joining the surface of one preferably metallic member to another at a joint, and using solder to create the joint at a joining temperature, includes applying a medium to the joint which evaporates by microexplosion at below the joining temperature. The microexplosive evaporation of the medium advantageously cleans the surfaces of the members and reduces surface tension to allow solder to flow and wet the surfaces. The medium is advantageously glycerin or a mixture of glycerin and detergent so that no residue remains after the joining operation.

The present invention relates in general to the joining of members using heat in a soldering, brazing or welding operation, and in particular to a new and useful process which utilizes a medium that undergoes evaporation by microexplosions at or below the joining temperature for cleaning, protecting and reducing surface tension at the surfaces of members to be joined to each other
Heat can be used to join members to each other whether they are of metallic or non-metallic materials The process of soldering includes a third material which has a lower melting temperature than that of either of the members to be connected to each other. The solder creates an intermetallic alloy with the base materials to mechanically connect them to each other Without the formation of these alloys, the solder simply lies on the surface between the members Soldering is generally divided into soft soldering which takes place at up to 300.degree. C. and usually involves solders made of tin and lead. Hard soldering which is also known as brazing uses temperatures above 400.degree. C. Solders for brazing are usually alloys of copper, silver or gold.
Welding is a joining operation which does not use a third solder material but which relies on the fusing of the members at their surfaces for connecting the members together.
Flux is commonly used for all types of thermal joining. Fluxes commonly have a solid base such as resin which is in a liquid solvent so that the flux can be sprayed or brushed onto the surfaces to be joined. The solvent evaporates at the beginning of the soldering cycle leaving only the solid flux at the joint surfaces. The flux usually fuses before reaching the joining or soldering temperatures and is at this point active for cleaning and protecting the surfaces to be joined.
The flux thus satisfies two important requirements for an effective joining. The first of these is that the surfaces to be joined are free of any contaminants such as grease, dirt or oxide. The second is that once cleaned, the surfaces must remain clean throughout the joining operation.
Even if the surfaces are cleaned by mechanical means such as scraping or machining, the heating of the joint produces new oxides and other contaminants which must be controlled. The cleaning and maintenance of clean conditions at the surfaces are required to reduce surface tension. High surface tension prevents the smooth wetting and flowing of the fused materials at the joint, whether they are the surface portion of the members to be joined together or a solder. Without an effective wetting, a solder or weld joint will not be created.
Flux is thus needed for most thermal joining operations.
During the fusing process, the flux tends to stay at the surfaces of the solder and the members to be joined. Some of the flux may invade the body of the solder, however. Some enclosure are even present after the end of the solder process. Any flux which remains around the joint must be removed either by mechanical or chemical means to avoid any subsequent solder activity even at ambient temperatures. The cleaning process is critical and expensive. Despite this, however, flux may remain within the cavities in the joint which results in the creation of unwanted holes an channels. These reduce mechanical strength. In addition, since fluxes are chemically agressive, these may act as a sight for corrosion and water absorption.

Flux effect by microexplosive evaporation


A cable connector having a receptacle connector, the receptacle connector includes a receptacle body which is made of an insulating material and into which a cable is inserted; a plurality of contacts which are provided in the receptacle body; a spacing member which separates the cable inserted into the receptacle body from the contacts by an elastic force of the spacing member to thereby provide an electrically disconnected state; and a biasing member which biases the cable toward the contacts against an elastic force of the spacing member. A movement restricting portion which restricts the movement of the cable toward the contacts so that the cable is brought into conductive contact with the contacts by the biasing force of the biasing member only when the cable is inserted to the predetermined position in the receptacle body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cable connector for holding a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a flexible flat cable (FFC), or other flat and flexible cables.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most conventional cable connectors for holding a flat and flexible cable include an insulating housing into which a cable is inserted, a plurality of contacts placed inside the insulating housing, a pressing member for pressing the inserted cable against the contacts, and an actuator having a cam portion for moving the pressing member (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-87361).
However, in such conventional cable connectors, a continuity test after insertion of the cable into a receptacle body may give a result that indicates electrical continuity between the cable and the contacts in the following cases: if the closing operation of the actuator is omitted even though the cable has been inserted into the receptacle body; if the insertion of the cable or the closing operation of the actuator is incomplete; or even in the case where the cable is connected to non-target contacts to cause unexpected electrical continuity. In such conditions, the cable may disconnect from the receptacle body upon shipment, often causing continuity failure in spite of the fact that test results have initially indicated electrical continuity. Furthermore, even when the cable is correctly inserted and the closing operation of the actuator is performed, the electrical continuity between the contacts and the cable may not be maintained if an external force is accidentally applied to the actuator during, for example, an application assembly process, shipping, or during other processes.
Moreover, if the cable is inserted into the receptacle body while an application is in an energized state, it is difficult to reliably maintain an electrically disconnected state since the cable is not securely held in place before the closing operation of the actuator is performed. If an electrically disconnected state were not to be maintained, and only part of the signal line is brought into conductive contact or a touch (instantaneous conduction) occurs, a short circuit in the application or fracture of a protection circuit, or the like, may occur in the worst case scenario, causing a malfunction.


A cooling device for an electromagnetic interference filter is disclosed. The cooling device includes a housing. The housing includes a main body having a cavity shaped to receive the electromagnetic interference filter and one or more cooling channels surrounding at least a portion of the cavity in the main body of the housing. The one or more cooling channels define one or more flow paths that are contained completely within the housing. The housing also includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The one or more cooling channels fluidly connect the inlet port to the outlet port, and a cooling medium is configured to flow into the inlet port, through the one or more cooling channels, and exit the housing through the outlet port.

Electromagnetic interference represents an electric or magnetic field acting on an electronic device to disrupt operation. Electromagnetic interference is a broad term that encompasses all frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum such as direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). When the interference falls within the radio frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum, then the interference may be referred to as radio frequency interference. It is to be appreciated that any device having electronic circuitry may be susceptible to electromagnetic interference. While electromagnetic interference may be generated from any electronic device, some devices such as, for example, AC motors, microprocessors, and power switching supplies are more likely to create disturbances.
An electromagnetic interference filter is a passive electronic device for suppressing electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic interference filters include passive components such as capacitors and inductors that are connected together to form a resonant circuit. The inductors allow for lower frequency current to pass through to the load but block higher frequency current. However, the inductors dissipate the higher frequency current as heat. Therefore, in some instances, a cooling system may be required to reduce the operating temperatures of the electromagnetic interference filter. For example, in one approach to reduce the operating temperatures, cooled air is blown over the filter. However, it may be challenging to provide sufficient cooling using this approach, especially when packaging space is limited. Although other approaches for cooling the electromagnetic interference filter exist, these approaches may also have drawbacks. For example, some types of cooling devices may be complex or costly to manufacture. Furthermore, some of cooling devices may be prone to leakage.

Self-contained cooling device for an electromagnetic interference filter


A detector and methodology for inspecting a sealed nuclear storage container is described. The detector includes a collimated gamma-ray radiation detector which is moveably borne over the sealed nuclear storage container, and which detects gamma-ray radiation which is emitted by each of a plurality of spent nuclear fuel sources which are enclosed within the sealed nuclear storage container for purposes of detecting the illicit or unauthorized removal of spent nuclear fuel from the nuclear storage container.

Heretofore, spent nuclear fuel has been placed in fuel storage casks which are typically stored above ground, at various locations in the continental United States. These storage areas are typically in restricted areas, and security is provided to protect the casks from possible tampering or the removal of any spent nuclear fuel. At present, the only indication of possible reactor spent fuel diversion from a storage cask is provided by means of tamper-indicating tags and seals which are provided with each of the storage casks.
With the increasing risk of terrorist acts within the United States, and the possibility that spent nuclear fuel sources might by sought after and diverted for possible terrorist acts, a renewed effort has been undertaken to identify means by which spent nuclear fuel storage casks may be readily inspected to determine whether spent nuclear fuel which has been stored within same has been removed improperly from the storage cask.

Detector and method for inspecting a sealed nuclear storage container