An anomalous arc discharge detection apparatus, including multiplicity of ultrasonic detectors placed at different sections of a plasma processing chamber such that an ultrasonic wave accompanying an anomalous discharge is detected by the ultrasonic detectors at different propagation times or with different delay times. The detected signals are compared with each other on the same time axis to obtain the maximum range of variation of the detected waveforms and the differences in delay time of the respective ultrasonic detectors. From the comparison of the maximum range of variation and the delay times of the ultrasonic detectors, the position of the source point, and the level as well, of the anomalous arc discharge are determined, which can be displayed on a monitor and utilized to issue an alarm if necessary. The position of the anomalous discharge may be obtained by an asymptotic approximation based on recursive calculations of the distances from the source point to the respective ultrasonic detectors using formulas which define the distances in terms of the delay times. This can be done using only four ultrasonic detectors arranged on the wall of the processing chamber. An AE sensor hold case is provided to accommodate an AE sensor. The hold sensor has a lower cover which has one end to be glued onto an appropriate position of the processing chamber, and an upper cover which pushes the AE sensor against the lower cover with an adequate pressure.

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method therefor for detecting anomalous discharges accompanying a plasma discharge generated by a high-frequency voltage across a pair of electrodes supplied by a dc power source or a high-frequency power source. The invention also relates to an acoustic emission (AE ) sensor hold case.
Today""s semiconductor manufacturing industries widely use plasma discharge processing in chemical vapor deposition (CVD), ashing, etching, and sputtering of semiconductor substrates, as well as in surface processing thereof. Anomalous plasma discharges take place in a plasma processing equipment, which cause for example creation of dusts, damaging and/or contamination of semiconductor substrates, and electric breakdown of the electronic components on the substrates. In order to deal with these problems associated with anomalous discharges, accurate detection of occurrence and accurate determination of the location of an anomalous plasma discharge is necessary. There have been made extensive researches for a method to detect such anomalous discharges, which include detection of a change in the intensity of light emitted by the plasma, a change in the voltage and/or the current through a power supply, a change in plasma impedance, and a change of harmonic across the electrodes.
However, when monitoring the fluctuation in a plasma radiation for an anomalous discharge in a plasma processing equipment, relevant portions generating the plasma are covered with deposit shields if the frequency of the plasma is high. Therefore, it is necessary to modify many of the mounting equipment for the optical fibers. On the other hand, if the optical fiber is successfully mounted on the apparatus, characteristics of the plasma can be altered by the optical fiber. Process chambers having a viewing window also have a drawback in that accurate determination of the location of an anomalous discharge is difficult, since the entire plasma region cannot be observed through the viewing port.
A method of detecting an anomalous discharge through monitoring changes in the supply voltage of an RF power supply and/or the current though it, and in the plasma impedance, fails complete detection of the anomalous discharge. Furthermore, in this method, complete locations of the anomalous discharge cannot be known, since anomalous discharges can take place outside the electrodes. Although generation of an anomalous discharge can be attained by detecting changes in the harmonics modes of the plasma, the method cannot determine the positions of the discharges. Thus, presently there is no method known which is capable of both detecting anomalous discharges and determining the locations thereof.
In addition, there is a need for a method and means therefor for allowing easy mounting and dismounting of ultrasonic detection means (e.g. AE sensors) during maintenance, and preventing destruction and deterioration of the AE sensors caused by the stresses during mounting/dismounting of the sensors, thereby attaining a high precision ultrasonic detection of anomalous discharges by the AE sensors.
In search of adequate physical parameters which can be of good indication of an anomalous plasma discharge in a plasma discharge processing equipment, the inventors found a fact that ultrasonic waves accompany such anomalous plasma discharges and that they can be used as an indication of anomalous plasma discharges.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus therefor for detecting anomalous plasma discharges in a plasma processing equipment by detecting an ultrasonic wave emitting from an anomalous discharge by means of ultrasonic detectors.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus therefor for accurately determining the position (hereinafter also referred to as source point) of an anomalous discharge in a plasma generating apparatus by means of multiple ultrasonic detectors placed at predetermined positions in the apparatus.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus which can estimate the level of the anomalous discharge by measuring the energy of an accompanying ultrasonic wave; display the location of the anomalous discharge detected; and generate an alarm if the level of the anomalous discharges exceeds a predetermined threshold level.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide convenient means for installing ultrasonic detectors on a plasma processing equipment.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing objects, there is provided an anomalous plasma discharge detection apparatus in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apparatus comprising:
ultrasonic detection means, in the form of acoustic emission (AE) sensors for example, for detecting an ultrasonic wave accompanying an anomalous plasma discharge in a plasma processing equipment and for generating signals indicative of the ultrasonic wave detected (hereinafter referred to as ultrasonic signals;
data processing means for processing said ultrasonic signals; and
monitor means for displaying the signals.
The anomalous plasma discharge detection apparatus may comprise
a multiplicity of ultrasonic detection means, such as AE sensors, mounted on different components of a plasma processing equipment such as a vacuum chamber and electrodes for forming a plasma, for detecting the location of the anomalous plasma discharge in the vacuum chamber for example, the anomalous plasma discharge detection apparatus adapted to locate the source point by comparing on the same time axis the waveforms of an ultrasonic wave detected by these detection means to calculate delays in detection time (hereinafter referred to as delay times) by the respective ultrasonic detection means with respect to the first detection time by one of the detection means.
The anomalous plasma discharge detection apparatus may have only four ultrasonic detection means installed on the walls of a plasma processing chamber of the plasma processing equipment, such that the source point of the anomalous plasma discharge can be determined by an asymptotic approximation thereof through recursive calculations of the distances from the source point to the respective detection means in relation to the differences in delay time of the ultrasonic wave detected by the respective ultrasonic detection means.
The anomalous plasma discharge detection apparatus can be adapted to determine the level (or intensity) of an ultrasonic wave accompanying an anomalous plasma discharge, and also adapted to issue an alarm when the level is excessively high.
It is noted that the ultrasonic detection means may be provided with electrically insulated mounting means for mounting the ultrasonic detection means on the plasma processing equipment in an electrically insulated condition.
In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting an anomalous plasma discharge in a plasma processing equipment by detecting an ultrasonic wave accompanying the anomalous plasma discharge.
In a still further aspect, the invention provides a method of locating the source point of an anomalous discharge in a plasma processing equipment by recursive calculations of the distances between the source point and four ultrasonic detection means based on the differences in delay time for the four ultrasonic detection means, the method using an asymptotic approximation of the source point through the recursive calculations thereof.
In a further aspect of the invention, the invention provides a dedicated hold case for accommodating and securing in position an acoustic emission (AE) sensor so that the AE sensor is in forced abutment against the lower case by an adequate pressure, thereby allowing an ultrasonic wave generated by an anomalous discharge to be transmitted to the AE sensor across their contacting surfaces. The hold case has a removable upper cover. With this apparatus, AE sensors can be glued on several positions of a processing chamber of a plasma processing equipment, especially on an existing apparatus, much easier than mounting them on the processing chamber without forming mounting bores. In addition, gluing the AE sensors on the processing chamber provides a better acoustic coupling between them. Further, when the sensors need to be removed from the apparatus for maintenance purposes for example, they can be easily removed by hitting them. Accordingly, the hitting may result in destruction of the AE sensors and deterioration of the internal structure, thereby failing to improve reproducibility of mounting the AE sensor.

Method and apparatus for detecting anomalous discharge in plasma processing equipment using weakly-ionized thermal non-equilibrium plasma

Japan Science and Technology Corporation


A fluid controlling apparatus including an inlet through which a fluid is introduced, a channel portion connected to the inlet, an outlet that is connected to the channel portion and through which the fluid is discharged, and at least one fluid resisting portion disposed between the inlet and the outlet, as well as a filter and a biochip including the fluid controlling apparatus.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to fluid controlling apparatuses, and filters and bio-chips including the fluid controlling apparatuses. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a fluid controlling apparatus including a fluid resisting unit to control a speed of a fluid and a filter, and a biochip both including the fluid controlling apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microfluidic devices are used to perform biological or chemical reactions by manipulating a small amount of fluid. Microfluidic devices may include microfluidic structures arranged within any of variously shaped platforms, such as a chip or a disc. A microfluidic structure may include, for example, a chamber that stores a fluid, a channel through which the fluid flows, and a valve that controls fluid flow. The chamber, channel, and valve may be disposed in various combinations within a platform. A hydrodynamic filter is a system for capturing target materials included in a fluid by using a flow of the fluid created by microfluidic structures. A biochip is formed by arranging such microfluidic structures on a chip-type platform so as to perform various assays, including biological reactions.

Fluid controlling apparatus and filter and biochip including the fluid controlling apparatus


A method for forming a part layer by layer using an additive manufacturing apparatus. The additive manufacturing apparatus includes a resin support, a stage, a measuring system, and an actuator configured to change the relative position of the stage and the resin support. The method includes the steps of: performing an additive manufacturing cycle including the following steps: depositing an uncured layer of resin; moving the stage to a target location; curing the uncured layer of resin; and moving the stage away from the target location; repeating the additive manufacturing cycle; performing a measuring process wherein the measuring process includes the following steps: using the measuring system to take a measurement indicative of an actual position of a structure; comparing the actual position of the structure to an expected position of the structure to determine an error; and using the error to modify the target location.

This invention relates generally to additive manufacturing, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for determining build layer thickness in additive manufacturing and adjusting a build profile to achieve predetermine final dimensions for a part.
Additive manufacturing is a process in which material is built up layer-by-layer to form a component. Each layer is made in a cycle that includes multiple steps. One prior art method is a tape casting process. In this process, a resin is deposited as a layer having a desired thickness onto a flexible radiotransparent tape that is fed out from a supply reel. A stage, or upper plate, lowers onto the resin, such that a working surface defined by one of a surface of the stage or a surface of the work in process part is positioned such that the working surface either is just touching the resin or compressing it between the tape and the upper plate and defining a layer thickness. Radiant energy is used to cure the resin through the radiotransparent tape. Once the curing of the first layer is complete, the upper plate is retracted upwards, taking the cured material with it. The tape is then advanced to expose a fresh clean section, ready for additional resin to be deposited in a subsequent, new cycle.
Another prior art method employs a vat of liquid radiant-energy curable photopolymer "resin" and a curing energy source such as a laser. Similarly, DLP 3D printing employs a two-dimensional image projector to build components one layer at a time. For each layer, the projector flashes a radiation image of the cross-section of the component on the surface of the liquid or through a transparent object which defines a constrained surface of the resin. Exposure to the radiation cures and solidifies the pattern in the resin and joins it to a previously cured layer to create a build layer. Other types of additive manufacturing processes utilize other types of radiant energy sources to solidify patterns in resin.
The relative positions of the working surface and the resin surface are conventionally defined relative to a component of the additive manufacturing apparatus having a generally fixed location. For example in tape casting the relative positions can be defined by the position of a support platform for the resin layer. However the relative position of the working surface can vary due to variations in build a layer thickness of the cured work in process part. Further variations can be introduced by changes in thickness of the resin layer.
Thus, one problem with conventional methods of additive manufacturing is that the relative positions of the working surface and the surface of the resin can vary from cycle to cycle.
Another problem with conventional methods of additive manufacturing is that errors can accumulate such they adversely affect the final dimensions of a part.
Another problem is that a starting position of the stage might be incorrect.
Another problem is that the thickness of the layer of resin to be cured might be incorrect.

Method and apparatus for build thickness control in additive manufacturing


The system may include a bottle to contain a liquid, a drinking tube, and a bottle adapter. The bottle adapter may couple to the bottle to position the drinking tube within the bottle. The bottle adapter may include a body, an aperture, an engagement interface, a central channel, and a vent structure. The body may have a cylindrical geometry. The aperture is disposed at an end of the body and sized to receive the drinking tube to allow the drinking tube to pass through the bottle adapter. The engagement interface is disposed at another end of the body opposite the aperture to couple the bottle adapter to the bottle. The central channel extends through the bottle adapter along a central axis of the body. The vent structure is formed in the body to intake air into the central channel along an exterior of the drinking tube within the bottle adapter.

Water is a critical resource for support of life. Hydration is a primary concern in a wide variety of activities both indoor and outdoor. The intake of a proper amount of water at a corresponding frequency can support good health and reduce the chance of temporary or permanent damage. Water can be kept in a variety of ways which may vary with the type of activity or environment in which water will be carried.
A water bottle adapter may provide the ability to interface with a water bottle lid to allow a drinking tube to extend into the water bottle and form a pathway to carry the liquid from the water bottle to the user. This allows the user to benefit from both the flexibility and utility of the water bottle without the need to remove the water bottle from the park or bag.
The water bottle adapters engage with the water bottle lids to form a secure connection through which the drinking tube may pass. The drinking tube may be a single continuous tube extending from the water bottle, through the adapter, and to the user. The water bottle adapters also provide sufficient ventilation to avoid drawing vacuum on the water bottle as liquid is removed from the water bottle during drinking.


Provided is an assembled battery with which a wasted space can be reduced and having a large energy density. The assembled battery including a first laminated battery provided to a plurality of current collectors, a second laminated battery provided to a plurality of current collectors, and a connecting portion that bundles and connects the plurality of current collectors provided to the first laminated battery and the plurality of current collectors provided to the second laminated battery, wherein the plurality of current collectors provide to the first laminated battery and the plurality of current collectors provided to the second laminated battery are laminated and bundled in the connecting portion, and a lamination direction of the plurality of current collectors in the connecting portion and a lamination direction of the plurality of current collectors in each laminated battery are intersecting with each other.

Nowadays, in view of protecting global environment, there is a need of a power source with a high output power and a high capacity to apply to a low-emission vehicle such as electronic vehicle or hybrid vehicle. In a field outside of vehicles, since mobile devices such as information related devices and communication devises are now widely used on a global basis, there is also a need of a power source that can make such mobile devices high-performance.
In a case that a battery such as a lithium battery is used as a power source, especially when the battery is used as a large power source for equipping in a vehicle such as an electronic vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, it is preferable to laminate a plurality of unit cells to make a laminated battery, and further preferable to connect a plurality of laminated batteries to make an assembled battery. In particular, by connecting the plurality of laminated batteries in series, it is possible to obtain a high-powered assembled battery, which is suitable to use as a large power source for equipping in a vehicle.
For example, in Patent Document 1, in an outer periphery of a plurality of unit cells that are laminated, the plurality of unit cells are further laminated to make a battery bundle (laminated battery), then a plurality of battery bundles are connected in series to configure an assembled battery. According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to form a battery bundle easily and in a cost-effective way.

Assembled battery and manufacturing method of assembled battery


A device that controls background music interspersed with commercial messages by using an unmodified Compact Disc (CD) player loaded with custom discs. The custom discs provide the music and commercial content, and inform the device of the rate at which the commercial messages should interrupt the music. Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signals are employed to provide control signals to the device to inform it of the disc type, track end, and rate of interspersion of commercial messages. The CD player is controlled by either a wired or wireless remote.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to audio playback devices that provide background music, and more specifically to a device that provides background music interspersed with commercial messages for retail establishments.
2. Background Information
For many years, retail establishments have been using background music as a means to increase sales, provide a more pleasant shopping experience, stimulate customer loyalty and to encourage repeat visits by customers. In addition to the background music, many retail establishments also periodically broadcast commercial messages to promote products, advise customers of sales and special events, indicate hours of operation, and to thank customers for their patronage.
Typically the background music comes from a source such as a radio, cassette player or CD player. More sophisticated systems deliver music programs via cable or satellite hookup. Often commercial messages are interspersed with the background music by the use of a separate device. Rubin et al (U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,947), Seaton (U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,290), Curtis et al (U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,698) and Debell (U.S. Pat. No. 4,636,880) describe cassette tape devices of this nature. All of these known devices require custom-designed playback units with their own tape mechanisms. Such an approach is not very economical since such non-standard custom-designed devices are by nature quite costly. Furthermore, cost is further increased in that two separate devices are required, one to reproduce background music and one to intersperse the commercials.
Another aspect of the known devices is that these systems typically require user intervention to insure proper operation of the device. The user may be required to manually adjust the amount of time between commercial messages (Curtis et al, Debell, and Rubin), or to setup a background music source (Seaton, Curtis et al, Debell, and Rubin).
It would therefore be clearly advantageous to create a device that would allow the use of a single, off-the-shelf playback device to reproduce both music and commercial messages.
It would also be advantageous to create a system which employs a simple, reliable means to control the broadcast of music and commercials with minimal user intervention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a background music controller which provides background music interspersed with commercial messages that uses a single, commercially available means of audio reproduction.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a background music/commercial message system that requires minimal user intervention to control the music, commercial content, and rate of interruption of the music.
It is yet another object of the present invention to enable the recorded media to control the music, commercial content and rate of interruption of the music.
It is still another object of the present invention to prevent playback of unauthorized media.
It is still a further object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of known background music systems.
In accordance with one form of the present invention, a background music controller provides background music interspersed with commercial messages by using an unmodified Compact Disc (CD) player loaded with custom discs. The custom discs provide the music and commercial content, and inform the controller of the rate at which the commercial messages should interrupt the music.
The controller reads audio tone codes recorded on one channel of the custom discs that provide control data, and controls the reproduction of monaural music or commercial messages recorded on the other channel of the custom disc. The CD player is controlled by sending remote control codes to the player via its remote input connector or, in the absence of such a connector, by sending the codes as infrared impulses to an infrared sensor on the player.
A further advantage of this approach is that unauthorized discs can be readily identified, allowing the device to prevent playback of unauthorized media.


In an internal combustion engine having an air-fuel ration sensor, a lean-side extreme value of the output of the air-fuel ration sensor is calculated when the air-fuel ratio is lean, and a rich-side extreme value of the output of the air-fuel ratio sensor is calculated when the air-fuel ration is rich, and when both of these extreme values are on the rich side or when the mean value thereof is on the rich side, the air-fuel ratio sensor is determined to be in a high temperature state.

1.) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a high temperature state of an air-fuel ratio sensor, such as a titania-type O.sub.2 sensor, in an internal combustion engine.
2.) Description of the Related Art
Generally, in a feedback control of the air-fuel ratio sensor (O.sub.2 sensor) system, a base fuel amount TAUP is calculated in accordance with the detected intake air amount and detected engine speed and the base fuel amount TAUP is corrected by an air-fuel ratio correction coefficient FAF which is calculated in accordance with the output of an air-fuel ratio sensor (for example, an O.sub.2 sensor) for detecting the concentration of a specific component such as the oxygen component in the exhaust gas. Thus, an actual fuel amount is controlled in accordance with the corrected fuel amount. The above-mentioned process is repeated so that the air-fuel ratio of the engine is brought close to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
According to this feedback control, the center of the controlled air-fuel ratio can be within a very small range of air-fuel ratios around the stoichiometric ratio required for three-way reducing and oxidizing catalysts (catalyst converter) which can remove three pollutants CO, HC, and NO.sub.x simultaneously from the exhaust gas.
As the above-mentioned O.sub.2 sensor, a titania (TiO.sub.2) type O.sub.2 sensor having a high response characteristic is used. Namely, the element resistance of the titania O.sub.2 sensor is small when the air-fuel ratio is rich, and is large when the air-fuel ratio is lean. The element resistance of the titania type O.sub.2 sensor, however, is affected strongly by the temperature thereof, compared with zirconia type O.sub.2 sensors; i.e., when the temperature of the titania type O.sub.2 sensor is increased, an output thereof indicating a lean state is close to that indicating a rich state, and as a result, when the above-mentioned air-fuel ratio feedback control is carried out, the controlled air-fuel ratio may be overlean, thus increasing NO.sub.x emissions, and inviting knocking, misfiring, and the like. Therefore, it is important to detect a high temperature state of the titania type O.sub.2 sensor. Note, such a high temperature state can be detected by incorporating a temperature sensor but this increases the manufacturing cost. In the prior art, such a high temperature state is detected by determining whether or not an extreme value, such as a minimum value, of the output of the titania type O.sub.2 sensor is higher than a predetermined value (see Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 57-105529 and 57-143143).
In the above-mentioned prior art, however, even when the temperature of the titania type O.sub.2 sensor is actually low, a high temperature state thereof is erroneously determined, as later explained in more detail.

Method and apparatus for determining high temperature state of air-fuel ratio sensor


In a processing system that includes a baseboard management controller (BMC) and which has a plurality of modes of operation, including a startup mode, a shutdown mode, a basic input/output system (BIOS) recovery mode, and a normal operating mode, the BMC is used to facilitate installation of firmware in the processing system while the processing system is in any of the plurality of modes of operation.

During the last few years, considerable developments have been made in the arena of server management. An industry standard called Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI), described in, e.g., "IPMI: Intelligent Platform Management Interface Specification, Second Generation," v.2.0, Feb. 12, 2004, defines a protocol, requirements and guidelines for implementing a management solution for server-class computer systems. The features provided by the IPMI standard include power management, system event logging, environmental health monitoring using various sensors, watchdog timers, field replaceable unit information, in-band and out of band access to the management controller, SNMP traps, etc.
A component that is normally included in a server-class computer to implement the IPMI standard is known as a Baseboard Management Controller (BMC). A BMC is a specialized microcontroller embedded on the motherboard of the computer, which manages the interface between the system management software and the platform hardware. The BMC generally provides the "intelligence" in the IPMI architecture.
Most server-class computer systems on the market today have system components that require a firmware image to make them operational. "Firmware" is software that is stored in a read-only memory (ROM) (which may be reprogrammable), such as a ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, etc. Some examples of such components that require firmware are BMCs, the system basic input/output system (BIOS), storage controllers (e.g., SCSI/SAS/Fibre Channel components), and network interface controllers (NICs). These firmware images typically reside in the system flash memory where the BIOS resides or in component-specific flash parts.
As with any software, these firmware images can become obsolete, can become corrupted or may contain bugs (the latter two cases can be collectively referred to as "faults"). Therefore, a method is needed to update firmware images in a computer system as and when necessary. In this context, firmware "update", firmware "download" and firmware "flashing" all have the same meaning and generally refer to a process in which a firmware image obtained from some distribution media, is placed permanently in some location in the motherboard or associated peripherals of the system.
A typical approach to updating firmware involves booting the machine being updated to a service operating system (OS), such as DOS or Linux. A standalone application that knows the software and hardware intricacies of flashing that particular firmware image is then run on that service OS, accepting a firmware image and flashing it. A significant disadvantage of using such a method is that it typically requires user intervention in the form of keyboard input and/or presentation of the image, possibly at the same location as the system being updated. In addition, the service operating system may not be the same as the one normally run on the hardware, forcing the normal function of the hardware to be interrupted. For certain types of systems, this would cause down time, which may be extremely undesirable, such as in enterprise class storage servers.
Another known approach to updating firmware involves using a technique known as Serial-over-LAN (SOL) to allow a BMC to communicate with a remote management application, to update the BIOS firmware of the host computer. With this approach, a serial port of the server is remapped so that all outgoing communications directed to that serial port are routed over the server's LAN interface. The BMC then uses the serial port to communicate with the remote application, via a LAN.
A disadvantage of this SOL technique is that it requires that someone set up a serial YMODEM host at the remote end of the network, which tends to be a relatively complex operation. Another disadvantage of the SOL technique is that firmware other than BIOS cannot be updated using SOL without a host OS operating normally on the system that is being updated (not in its startup or shutdown mode). Yet in certain situations, it may be desirable or necessary to install new firmware while the host OS is not operating normally (or at all), such as after a system crash. This may be the case if, for example, faulty firmware is what is causing the OS to crash. At the least, this technique may require a reboot of the host OS, which results in undesirable down time. In addition, it is believed that the SOL approach has been limited to updating BIOS firmware, not other types of firmware.
Therefore, what is needed is a technique to install firmware in a processing system, which overcomes these disadvantages.

Use of a baseboard management controller to facilitate installation of firmware in a processing system


A removable timing chain cover is mounted to a fixed frame. The removable cover may contain a harmonic balancer seal retainer for quickly replacing the harmonic balancer seal and a removable cam timing cover for adjusting the cam timing. A timing marker may be positioned for different harmonic balancer sizes as well as being circumferentially adjustable for precise positioning. Further, a timing chain tensioner may be mounted to the frame.

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to timing chain covers for V-8 engines and specifically to timing chain covers for high performance applications.
b. Description of the Background
The conventional timing chain cover Chevrolet small block and big block engines is a stamped sheet metal cover. In high performance applications, such as various forms of racing, there is a need to remove the timing chain cover to perform periodic maintenance or to adjust timing components, such as the cam timing.
In some racing applications such as drag racing, the harmonic balancer seal must be replaced after each race. In order to perform this service procedure, the entire conventional timing chain cover must be removed.
Racers may wish to adjust the various timing characteristics of the engine. For example, the timing marker is typically fixedly mounted to the timing chain cover. The sheet metal timing cover may not have locating features, such as locating pins, to accurately locate the cover to the block. Thus, when the cover is removed and replaced, the timing marker may not be in the exact location. Some racers may wish to more accurately and repeatably position the timing marker.
In another example, the cam timing may be adjusted by adjusting the cam gear at the top of the timing chain. The adjustable cam gear typically requires that the timing chain cover be removed so that the mechanic may have access to the gear. Removal of the timing chain cover, again, typically requires that the harmonic balancer be removed.
Further, the standard timing chain covers may not fit when double roller timing chains are used on the engine. Since the double roller timing chain is wider than the standard timing chain, the factory timing chain cover may need to have a spacer in order to accommodate the wider chain.
Standard timing chains for Chevrolet V-8 engines may not have an adjustment or slack remover that may be typical of other engines.
In some racing applications, an adjustable thrust bearing system may be placed between the timing chain cover and the cam gear to prevent the cam from riding forward during operation.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a timing chain cover that provides repeatable location for the timing marker and allows for the slight adjustment of the timing marker. It would be further advantageous to provide a cover that allows for quick changeover of the harmonic balancer seal and access to the cam gear for adjusting the cam timing. It would be further advantageous to provide a timing chain cover that allows adjustment of the cam timing without removing the harmonic balancer.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art by providing a timing chain cover that comprises a frame that is permanently mounted to the engine block, and a removable cover that is accurately located to the frame. The removable cover may have a harmonic bearing seal retainer that can be accessed without removing the timing chain cover. Further, the timing marker may be precisely adjusted and even relocated for different sized harmonic balancers. The removable cover may contain a second cover that may provide access to the cam gear for adjusting the cam timing. Further, the removable cover may contain provisions for an adjustable thrust bearing to act against the cam gear.
The present invention may therefore comprise a removable timing chain cover for an internal combustion engine comprising: a frame fastened to the block of the engine; a removable cover fastened to the frame, the cover having a locating feature adapted to position the removable cover onto the frame, the cover having an o-ring seal about the periphery of the cover between the cover and the frame; a harmonic balancer seal retainer fastened to the removable cover adapted to retain a seal for the crankshaft of the engine, the harmonic balancer seal having an o-ring seal about the periphery of the seal retainer between the seal retainer and the removable cover; and a timing marker mounted on the removable cover and adapted to be mounted in at least two positions, the timing marker further adapted to be adjusted in position substantially about the axis defined by the crankshaft of the engine.
The present invention may further comprise a removable timing chain cover comprising: a frame fastened to the block of the engine; a oil pan seal holder fastened to the frame and adapted to hold a gasket between the oil pan seal holder and the oil pan of the engine; a removable cover fastened to the frame, the cover having an o-ring seal about the periphery of the cover between the cover and the frame; a harmonic balancer seal retainer fastened to the removable cover adapted to retain a seal for the crankshaft of the engine, the harmonic balancer seal having an o-ring seal about the periphery of the seal retainer between the seal retainer and the removable cover; a timing marker mounted on the removable cover and adapted to be mounted in at least two positions, the timing marker further adapted to be adjusted in position substantially about the axis defined by the crankshaft of the engine; a cam timing cover fastened to the removable cover and adapted to be removed while the harmonic balancer is mounted on the crankshaft of the engine, the cam timing cover having an o-ring seal substantially about the periphery of the cam timing cover between the cam timing cover and the removable cover; and a tensioning system mounted to the frame comprising a spring loaded tensioner and a fixed tensioner.
The advantages of the present invention are that access to various adjustable or replaceable components underneath or attached to a timing chain cover may be serviced or replaced quickly. Further, the o-ring seals between the components that are disassembled can be removed and replaced repeatedly without damage. The harmonic balancer seal may be replaced without having to remove the timing chain cover. In some cases, the cam timing can be adjusted without having to remove the harmonic balancer and complete timing chain cover. The timing marker may be adjusted both for different sized harmonic balancers as well as circumferentially to precisely adjust the timing.


There is provided a power conversion apparatus which allows a noise current or voltage to be suppressed at a low cost and in a small size, the noise current or voltage mixing into the power conversion apparatus by propagating through a control wiring connected to an external appliance.

A power conversion apparatus such as an inverter, which generates an AC voltage from a DC power-source such as a battery, is so constituted as to include the following configuration components: A main circuit (: power module) so constituted as to include components such as switching elements, a driving circuit (: gate driver) for generating a signal for driving the switching elements, a smoothing capacitor, a control circuit (: motor controller) for generating an operation signal to be transmitted to the driving circuit, and the like.
This type of power conversion apparatus performs the transmission/reception of the signals by connecting the control circuit inside the apparatus and a plurality of external appliances and sensors to each other with the use of a control wiring. This type of power conversion apparatus, however, is accompanied by the following problem: Namely, noise current and voltage, which mix into the power conversion apparatus by propagating through the control wiring, give rise to the occurrence of malfunctions of the control circuit and sensor circuits inside the apparatus. Accordingly, it is requested to devise a circuit-based or structure-based ingenuity for reducing the noise current and voltage which mix into the apparatus.
In order to reduce the electromagnetic noises which mix into the in-apparatus control circuit and the like through the control wiring, there exists a method of inserting a loss component or noise filter (capacitor) into the connection portion of the control wiring and an in-apparatus board and the like.
For example, there has been known PATENT LITERATURE 1 (JP-A-7-307637), where the disclosure has been made as follows: "A print-wiring-board-use noise filter wherein a large number of penetration-type noise filters are provided on a long and narrow strip-like board with a constant spacing placed therebetween, each of the penetration-type noise filters being configured by connecting a reactance element to a conduction wire, the conduction wire being orthogonal to a predetermined board, and penetrating the board, one end of each conduction wire of each penetration-type noise filter being connected to each connection end of a plurality of print wirings provided on a print wiring board, the other end of each conduction wire of each penetration-type noise filter being connected to each connection end of a plurality of print wirings provided on the other print wiring board."

Abstract: The power conversion apparatus includes a housing, connection terminals provided on the housing, a control-circuit unit provided inside the housing, a wiring for establishing the connection between the connection terminals and the control-circuit unit, a first noise-removing unit connected between the wiring and the ground potential of the housing, and a second noise-removing unit connected between the wiring and the ground potential of the housing, and also in parallel to the first noise-removing unit.


A cloud device, a terminal device, and an image classification system and method includes the terminal reading an image to be classified; transmitting an instruction of image classification to the cloud device; determining whether the instruction of image classification comprises an intermediate operation result of the first partial operation; performing the second partial operation to obtain an image classification result, when the instruction of image classification comprises intermediate operation result of the first partial operation; and transmitting the image classification result to the terminal device; performing the first partial operation to obtain the intermediate operation result, when the intermediate operation result is not contained in the instruction of image classification; transmitting the intermediate operation result to the terminal device; and performing the second partial operation to obtain an image classification result.

Deep learning method in artificial intelligence (AI) is making breakthroughs in image recognition, classification, and segmentation. The processes of deep learning include training and inference. The training process requires a large amount of data to train an AI model. The inference approach inputs data unknown to the AI into the AI model to obtain a determination as to the type or other aspect of the data.
The AI model is stored in a cloud device. A terminal (client device) transmits an image to the cloud device, and the cloud device applies an image classification based on the AI model and transmits the result of the classification to the terminal. The cloud device presently carries all of the computational duties in the deep learning method.

Cloud device, terminal device, and method for classifying images


The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications device. The telecommunications device includes an electrical balance duplexer connected to an output node of a transmission path, an input node of a receive path, an antenna, and a tunable impedance. The electrical balance duplexer is configured to isolate the transmission path from the receive path by tuning the tunable impedance. The telecommunications device also includes a tuning circuit for tuning the tunable impedance. The tuning circuit includes amplitude detectors for measuring voltage amplitudes, phase detectors for measuring voltage phase differences, an impedance sensor for measuring an input impedance of the electrical balance duplexer, and a processing unit operatively connected to the detectors, the impedance sensor, and the tunable impedance. The processing unit is configured to calculate an optimized impedance value. The processing unit is also configured to tune the tunable impedance towards the optimized impedance value.

An electrical balance duplexer (EBD) is a tunable RF frontend concept that addresses some of the key challenges of 4G and 5G mobile systems. The basic principle of the EBD is shown in FIG. 1. Duplexer isolation is achieved when the signals in paths 1 and 2 cancel and prevent the signal TX from appearing at the RX port. This cancellation is achieved by balancing the antenna port's impedance ZANT with a tunable on-chip impedance ZBAL, hence the name "electrical balance".
Wireless devices now support an increasing number of 4G FDD bands, and a tunable integrated solution like this could potentially replace several fixed-frequency filters and switches. The EBD is also attractive for 5G in-band full-duplex (FD) communication systems. Whereas a filtering-based duplexer cannot isolate the TX and RX ports for the special case where fTX=fRX, the EBD's signal cancellation approach still works.
However, the entire EBD concept depends on the capability to tune ZBAL into balance with ZANT. This needs to happen not just at a single frequency, but across the entire bandwidth of both the TX and RX channels. Additionally, the impedance characteristic of the antenna will vary significantly over time due to interaction with the user and environment. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the EBD with a system for matching of the tunable impedance ZBAL to the antenna port's impedance ZANT.
A solution for tuning the tunable impedance is shown in FIG. 2. Here, a hybrid transformer of the EBD is represented as a 4-port circuit element. In clockwise order starting from the left side, the ports of the EBD are connected to the antenna, the low-noise amplifier (LNA, not shown) of the RX-chain, ZBAL and the power amplifier (PA, not shown) of the TX-chain. A tuner is provided on the antenna side for reducing antenna impedance variations present under environmental disturbances near the antenna near-field. With reduced variations, it is more feasible to tune the balance network to track the remaining variation and optimize the balance condition while simultaneously optimizing the PA efficiency.
Hybrid couplers connected to VX+ and VX−, are subsequently connected to amplitude and phase difference detectors that can measure the waves moving back and forth between the hybrid transformer and the load port (e.g. RX, BAL, PA, and ANT). In this way, it is possible to measure all transfer functions from any port to any other port. Such transfer functions can be captured in so-called S-parameters. The following generic 4-port matrix would define the transfer characteristics according to the waves that such a hybrid coupler-based sensing system can observe:
            [                                                  b              1                                                                          b              2                                                                          b              3                                                                          b              4                                          ]        =                  [                                                            S                11                                                                    S                12                                                                    S                13                                                                    S                14                                                                                S                21                                                                    S                22                                                                    S                23                                                                    S                24                                                                                S                31                                                                    S                23                                                                    S                33                                                                    S                34                                                                                S                41                                                                    S                24                                                                    S                34                                                                    S                44                                                    ]                          [                                                            a                1                                                                                a                2                                                                                a                3                                                                                a                4                                                    ]              ,where ai and bi, are the waves as defined by S-parameter theory for all ports, and port 1 is the ANT port, port 2 the PA/TX port, port 3 is the ZBAL port, and port 4 is the LNA/RX port.
A strategy is to observe all scattering parameters (S-parameters), and calculate from all those parameters the reflection required at the BAL port that will provide electrical balance, from which the BAL impedance needed for electrical balance can also be derived. For any given time instant, under the assumption that the antenna remains constant during a sufficiently long period in time for the algorithm to run, the waves are used to derive S-parameters, giving direct system-state information that can concurrently be used to calculate the optimized ZBAL that enables signal cancellation of a signal generated in the PA/TX.
This solution has the disadvantage that it is complex in design, and thus expensive to implement. Furthermore, the couplers have the disadvantage of being large components which are lossy when integrated on typical silicon technologies. This solution also does not allow for real-time balancing of the electrical balance duplexer, as it requires reducing antenna impedance variations before calculation of all the S-parameters requires tuning of both the antenna's port impedance and the tunable impedance.
Another solution for balancing an electrical balance duplexer is shown in WO 2013/063506 A2. This solution is also complex in design and requires the tuning of an antenna impedance and a tunable impedance.

Telecommunications device comprising an electrical balance duplexer and method for balancing the electrical balance duplexer


A gaming machine having a secondary game comprising either a physical or video depicted blender is disclosed. Ice cubes having values or symbols incorporated thereon define a bonus award. In the video embodiment, a display shows an operating blender causing a lid to dislodge allowing an ice cube to be ejected. The value depicted on the ejected ice cube defines the amount of the secondary award. Speakers output blender sounds to add excitement and realism to the video embodiment. In a mechanical embodiment, a physical blender contains lightweight indicators in the general shape of ice cubes. An air supply tube in communication with the blender causes the indicators to circulate within the blender. A second tube creates a vacuum thereby causing one of the indicators to be captured by a lid protrusion. Other mechanical versions are disclosed as well. A system for evaluating and transmitting the value of the captured indicator to a machine processor is disclosed.

Gaming machines are increasingly responsible for the bulk of revenues generated by casinos and other gaming establishments. Over time, electronic gaming machines, including slot machines, have systematically replaced table games as the most popular form of gaming in casinos. As a result, casino operators have a continuous desire for new games facilitated by electronic gaming machines.
One recently developed successful feature of slot machines is the secondary or bonus game. Secondary games are in electrical communication with a slot machine primary game and is actuated upon certain pre-established primary game outcomes. The primary game outcome is conventionally determined by a series of reels of the slot machine. The reels may be either mechanical or simulated in a video format. The reels incorporate gaming indicia which, along with one or more paylines, define the primary game outcomes.
One example of a popular slot machine incorporating a primary and secondary game is the popular Wheel of Fortune® slot machine. The Wheel of Fortune® slot machine includes a primary game comprising mechanical reels and a secondary game facilitated by a rotatable wheel analogous to the "wheel" associated with the game show of the same name. The secondary game is activated in response to a specific pre-established primary game outcome. In practice the specific primary game outcome occurs when the third reel payline of the primary game intersects a "spin the wheel" indicia. In fact, only the third reel includes a "spin the wheel" indicia. After the "spin the wheel" indicia appears, the player depresses a "spin the wheel" button causing the mechanical secondary wheel to spin thereby resulting in random secondary award.
Secondary games have become very popular because players enjoy the excitement and the extra opportunity to win an additional award. Moreover, the secondary games are conventionally programmed to result in a winning outcome on each activation. Thus, secondary games based on new and exciting themes are in constant demand.
Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are facilitated by an electronic gaming machine incorporating a primary game and a secondary game. The secondary game can be implemented in either a mechanical or video form.


A self-flaking sail system is disclosed, including generally U-shaped shackles, each of which has a pair of legs joined by a bight portion, and having on their opposite ends, transversely aligned retainer receiving apertures, with a retainer pin extending through and locked therein for securing the shackles to the marginal luff edge of a sail. The aperture is situated in a plane which intersects the bight portion at an angle, and such angle causes the sail to flake either one way or the other, depending upon whether a right or left handed shackle is provided.

There has been a need for some time for a system which is simple and foolproof that will automatically flake a sail, first one way and then the other as it is lowered down its track. Such flaking facilitates furling of the sail and particularly on cruising sailboats, which may be short-handed, the automatic flaking and consequent ease of furling and reefing is a decided advantage. As far as I am aware no satisfactory, simple solution has been developed though one approach is shown in U.S. Pat. No 4,688,506.


Devices and methods for deploying perforating guns through a wellhead production assembly and into a wellbore. In particular embodiments, the invention provides devices and methods for deploying multiple perforating guns through a wellhead production assembly. In the event that the perforating gun assembly is dropped into the wellhead production assembly, a safety clamp will land upon a landing profile within a deployment riser, preventing the perforating gun assembly from falling into the wellbore.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to systems and methods for deploying and running perforating guns into a wellbore to be perforated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Perforating guns are devices that contain small shaped charges that are detonated to form perforations through wellbore casing and into a surrounding formation. The perforating guns are typically deployed through a wellhead production tree and run into the wellbore on a running string. The running string is often coiled tubing or drill pipe.
If a perforating gun is unintentionally dropped during deployment down to or through the wellhead production tree, it is problematic since the gun can damage components above or within the production tree. Conventional safety clamps are often attached to perforating guns when hanging them off at the surface during deployment or un-deployment (removal). However, these clamps are meant to land on elevators or slips at the surface. It is undesirable for the slips to land on elevators within the wellhead production assembly, as this may prevent the wellhead from being shut in by blowout preventers.

Gun upset and no-go system for deployment of perforating gun assemblies


A field emission display includes a first substrate, at least one gate electrode formed on the first substrate, cathode electrodes formed on the first substrate, an insulation layer formed between the at least one gate electrode and the cathode electrodes, emitters electrically contacting the cathode electrodes, and formed in pixel regions of the first substrate, counter electrodes electrically connected to the at least one gate electrode and provided such that the counter electrodes and emitters have a first predetermined gap therebetween, a second substrate provided opposing the first substrate with a second predetermined gap therebetween, wherein emitter-receiving sections are provided in the cathode electrodes, dividers are formed between the emitter-receiving sections, the emitters are electrically contacted with an edge of the cathode electrodes corresponding to a shape of the emitter-receiving sections, and at least a part of each of the counter electrodes is provided within the corresponding emitter-receiving sections.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a field emission display, and, more particularly, to a field emission display having carbon nanotube emitters.
2. Description of the Related Art
The field emission display (FED) uses cold cathodes as the source for emitting electrons to realize images. The overall quality of the FED depends on the characteristics of emitters, which form an electron-emitting layer. The first FEDs utilized emitters made mainly of molybdenum (Mo), that is, the emitters were formed of what are referred to as Spindt-type metal tips. As an example of such conventional technology, a display system that has field emission cathodes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,471.
However, during the manufacture of the FED having metal tip emitters, a semiconductor manufacturing process is used, such as photolithography and etching processes to form holes into which emitters are provided and the process of depositing molybdenum to form metal tips. Not only is production complicated and a high technology is needed, but expensive equipment is also required, thereby increasing overall unit costs. These factors make the mass production of such FEDs problematic.
Accordingly, a great deal of research and development is being performed by those in the FED industry to form emitters that enable electron emission at low voltages (10˜50V) and simple manufacture of the emitter structure. It is known that carbon-based materials, for example, graphite, diamond, DLC (diamond like carbon), C60 (Fullerene), and carbon nanotubes are suitable for use in the manufacture of such flat emitters. In particular, it is believed that carbon nanotubes, with their ability to realize electron emission at relatively low driving voltages of approximately 10˜50V, is the ideal emitter configuration for FEDs.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,062,931 and 6,097,138 disclose cold cathode field emission displays that are related to this area of FEDs, using carbon nanotube technology. The FEDs disclosed in these patents employ a triode structure having cathode electrodes, an anode electrode, and gate electrodes. During the manufacture of these FEDs, the cathode electrodes are first formed on a substrate. Then, after providing emitters on the cathode electrodes, the gate electrodes are formed on the emitters. That is, the conventional FEDs have a structure in which the gate electrodes are provided between the cathode electrodes and the anode electrode, and electrons emitted from the emitters are induced toward a phosphor layer(s).
To improve the characteristics of the FED, the above triode structure is used and the emitters are formed using a carbon-based material (i.e., carbon nanotubes). However, it is difficult to precisely form the emitters in holes formed in an insulation layer, which is provided under the gate electrodes. This is a result of the difficulties involved in forming the emitters with a printing process that uses paste. In particular, it is very difficult to provide the paste in the minute holes for formation of the emitters.
Further, with respect to the FED having the conventional triode structure, when the electrons emitted from the emitters form electron beams and travel in this state toward their intended phosphors, there are instances when an excessive diverging force of the electron beams is given by the gate electrodes when passing a region of the gate electrodes to which a positive voltage is applied. In such a case, the electron beam emitted from an emitter illuminates a phosphor adjacent to the intended phosphor as a result of the undesirable re-direction of the electron beams. This reduces color purity and overall picture quality of the FED.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Field emission display having emitter arrangement structure capable of enhancing electron emission characteristics


A cartridge feed screw nut includes a body having a tubular threaded opening defined therein and having side portions. The side portions include a plurality of lateral surfaces and a plurality of end surfaces. The lateral surfaces and the end surfaces form a profile shaped to prevent rotation of the cartridge feed screw nut relative to a front washer cylinder through engagement between at least one of the lateral surfaces or the end surfaces with the front washer cylinder.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to drilling equipment and to rock drilling equipment in particular.
2. The Relevant Technology
Many drilling processes are currently known and used. One type of drilling process, referred to as rock drilling, often includes fracturing the rock with a bit to form holes. If desired, explosives can also be placed in the holes and used to break and fracture the rock further. One type of drill used in rock drilling is commonly known as a "drifter."
Drifters often include a cylindrical drilling mechanism (also known as a drifter cylinder) mounted to a slide frame. The drifter cylinder is often coupled to or includes a drive motor configured to generate percussive and/or rotational forces. The percussive and/or rotational forces are transmitted from the drifter cylinder to a drill bit.
Drifters also often include a feed screw secured to the slide frame and a feed screw nut assembly coupled to the drifter cylinder. The feed screw engages the feed screw nut assembly in such a manner that rotation of the feed screw results in translation of the feed screw nut assembly, and consequently the drifter cylinder, relative to the slide frame. Currently, feed screw nut assemblies often include a front cylinder washer secured to the drifter cylinder. The front cylinder washer provides a housing for a feed screw nut that includes the threads or other features that engage the feed screw. The feed screw nut is often pressed into the front cylinder washer with an interference fit. A feed screw nut further secures the feed screw nut to the front cylinder washer and thus to the drifter cylinder. In such a configuration, as the feed screw rotates, the feed screw nut translates along the relatively stationary feed screw and slide frame.
For example, the drifter cylinder is often advanced relative to the slide frame to move the drill bit into contact with a formation. The feed screw can continue to rotate the drifter cylinder to maintain pressure on the drill bit as the drifter cylinder applies a percussive and/or rotational force to thereby fracture the formation and form a hole therein. Forces between the feed screw and the feed screw nut assembly can cause the feed screw nut to wear over time. This wear can be hastened by the presence of debris and/or grit falling onto the rock drill and into the feed screw nut assembly during drilling operations. Eventually, the feed screw nut assembly can wear out after which it is replaced.
Conventionally, the feed screw nut assembly is replaced by unthreading the feed screw nut from the feed screw nut. Any washers on the feed screw nut are also removed. Thereafter, the feed screw nut is freed from the front cylinder washer by tapping the feed screw nut from the front cylinder washer. A new feed screw nut is then pressed into place in the front cylinder washer and a feed screw nut is then rotated onto the feed screw nut to secure the entire feed screw nut assembly to the front cylinder washer. While such a configuration can provide a replaceable feed screw nut assembly, replacement of the feed screw nut assembly can be time consuming and difficult given the tight space between the feed screw nut assembly and the slide frame. These difficulties can be heightened due to the overall conditions present during rock drilling operations, such as in underground environments.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced


A main rotor blade incorporating a rotor blade tip region having a tip chord and a tip taper such that the ratio of the main rotor blade chord to the tip chord is approximately 0.30. The tip taper ratio preferably providing an approximately 28% area of reduction in said outer 10% of said blade span. The tip region preferably further including a hover optimized high lift airfoil and a tip sweep that reaches a constant value of approximately 30 degrees along the quarter chord line.

The present application is directed to a main rotor blade tip design for rotary-wing aircraft and more particularly to a main rotor blade tip planform that enhances hover performance by the combined tailoring of blade tip sweep, blade tip taper and blade tip anhedral.
In general, airfoils have a limited range of Mach numbers and angles of incidence with respect to the relative wind over which they operate efficiently. In general, it may be claimed that the efficiency of a hovering rotor will continue to improve as rotor thrust, and simultaneously, airfoil lift continues to increase. However, once the tip airfoil maximum lift coefficient is approached at its operating Mach number, the drag of the tip airfoil increases rapidly, and the hovering efficiency of the rotor system accordingly drops. Typically, an airfoil operating at a higher Mach number will stall sooner than one operating at lower Mach numbers. Because the tip of the hovering rotor blade is operating at the highest Mach number, it will be the first to experience the onset of stall and, therefore, an increase in drag, resulting in a drop off in rotor hovering efficiency.
The maximum lift of a rotor blade in hover can be extended and higher hover efficiencies reached by improving the maximum lift coefficient of the tip airfoil at hover critical Mach numbers typically in the rage of approximately 0.5 to approximately 0.6. However, the use of high lift airfoils over the tip region of rotor blades is of minimal use if the rotor blade forward flight performance efficiency becomes resultantly restricted as a consequence of advancing and retreating side airfoil requirements that differ from hover requirements.
For conventional rotor blade designs, the maximum lift that can be efficiently obtained in hover is already relatively well matched with the gross weight that can be carried efficiently in forward flight. That is, the hover efficiency (Figure of Merit) is optimized at an aircraft maximum gross weight which is already generally equivalent to the aircraft maximum gross weight during forward flight operations.
Increasing operational lift levels in both hover and forward flight may be achieved with improved airfoil geometry design alone. To do so, the airfoil must increase lift at hover critical tip Mach numbers of 0.5 and 0.6, as well as provide an increase in airfoil lift at the forward flight retreating side critical Mach numbers of 0.3 and 0.4. Simultaneously, adverse Mach related drag divergence impact must be avoided as the airfoil experiences Mach numbers above 0.8 on the advancing side of the rotor disk. While current computer based airfoil design codes are capable of assisting in the development of optimized blade designs, the design of a multitude of airfoils distributed along the rotor blade span that meet the required lift, drag and pitching moment operational and performance criteria in hover and forward flight is very difficult.
The approach to proper rotor blade tip design is to carefully combine various blade tip geometric attributes and airfoils to provide the best hover and forward flight performance gains to be realized. In other words, performance shortfalls that may occur in forward flight as a result of using hover optimized airfoils for improved hover efficiency may be resolved by carefully altering other blade geometric parameters so as to simultaneously improve forward flight efficiency.


The present invention provides a method for making a method for making high service temperature rubber compound, hot melt adhesive or sealant compositions by combining a polyphenylene ether resin with an elastomeric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene, which comprises (a) making a masterbatch of 2 to 50 phr of a polyphenylene ether having an intrinsic viscosity of 0.3 deciliters per gram or more and 100 phr of said block copolymer by extruding them together with 2 to 30 phr of an endblock compatible resin, and (b) optionally mixing the masterbatch with more of the block copolymer.

The present invention relates to high service temperature block copolymers which contain polyphenylene ether resins and block copolymers of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for making improved high service temperature block copolymer blends which can be used for rubber compounds and hot melt adhesive and sealant compositions utilizing polyphenylene ether resins and such elastomeric block copolymers.
Hot melt adhesive compositions containing polyphenylene ether resins and block copolymers of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons and conjugated dienes are well known. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,104,323 and 4,141,876, the patentee describes such hot melt adhesive compositions containing low molecular weight polyphenylene ether (PPE) resins. Such low molecular weight PPEs have a molecular weight as described by intrinsic viscosity of less than 0.3 deciliters per gram. The patents also describe blends of such block copolymers and PPEs with higher viscosities, i.e. 0.3 deciliters per gram or more and show that the blends with the lower molecular weight PPEs are superior to those using the higher molecular weight PPEs.
In commercial practice, it has proved difficult to use either the blends with the high molecular weight PPE or the low molecular weight PPE in adhesive and sealant formulations. It has proved very difficult to adequately mix the PPEs with the block copolymers in commercial equipment. This is most likely due to the limitations of the equipment which is most often used by formulators who are interested in making hot melt adhesives or sealants with these materials. Such compounders and formulators normally use lower viscosity materials than PPE and thus do not require high intensity mixing apparatus.
Therefore, it would be very advantageous if a way were found to permit these high service temperature adhesive and sealant compositions to be made in the currently commercially used low intensity mixing equipment such as Sigma Blade mixers. The present invention provides such a method and allows the formulator or compounder to achieve a very. good compatible mixture of these materials while using the lower cost mixing methods which are currently being used commercially today.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,104,323 and 4,141,876 describe the advantages of utilizing lower molecular weight PPEs, i.e. the ability to achieve high service temperatures in the blends while avoiding the high viscosity which is a characteristic of the higher molecular weight PPEs. The lower molecular weight PPEs are difficult to make commercially. Therefore, it would be an advantage to find a way to make a lower viscosity high service temperature blend using the higher molecular weight PPEs. The present invention also provides such a method.

Polyphenylene ether/thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer blends for adhesives and sealants


A system is provided utilizing sensors tuned to multiple wavelength spectra for evaluating and imaging an object being monitored. The system includes, among other things, an assembly for splitting a photon beam emitted from an object being monitored into multiple incident rays of different wavelength spectra. A plurality of detectors may be provided, each being tuned to a specific wavelength spectrum of the respective incident ray it is collecting, for converting, into electronic signals, data correlated from the respective incident ray. A processor may be used for generating discrete image data from the electronic signals of each respective incident ray for subsequent display as individual images, or as an integrated multi-spectral image on a display screen. A method for analyzing tissue characteristics is also provided.

The concept of infrared imaging for biomedical applications has been explored for some time. The early technology used, unfortunately, had neither the sensitivity, resolution nor speed to be of substantial value. Infrared imaging has now advanced to where it is being used for a range of applications in medicine, and has multiple advantages over conventional medical imaging techniques, including, low cost, no ionizing radiation and no need for contrasting agents. However, these medical imaging systems are limited to collecting and displaying tissue physiology in a single band (i.e., wavelength spectrum) of emission. They display only information pertaining to, for instance, the infrared flux at a single band but cannot display the same image in the visible band or in multiple infrared bands.
There are commercially available systems, at the present time, that permit analysis of multiple bands of light. Spectrophotometric methods are being used to non-invasively monitor oxygen saturation, glucose levels, and the concentration of other blood constituents, for instance, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. Spectrophotometric methods are also being used to non-invasively monitor oxidative metabolism of body organs in vivo by using measuring and reference wavelengths in the near-infrared region. Unfortunately, these approaches do not generate a two dimensional (2-D) or three dimensional (3-D) spatial image in connection with the tissue characteristics being monitored or evaluated.
The ability to measure different light spectra can provide unique information about the substances or constituents being monitored. To the extent that an image of the tissue characteristic or the constituents being monitored can be generated, such would provide an added advantage for a variety of medical applications. One approach has been to obtain measurements from an object being imaged using two different detectors at the same time. However, such an approach requires that the angle of view be different for each of the two detecting systems. As a result, the reconstruction, for instance, of a merged image may be difficult.
To avoid the issues associated with different angles of view, single lens systems have been designed to collect different light spectra from the object being observed. However, the single lens solution tend to encounter problems with image degradation, while at the same time being expensive and cost prohibitive.
Alternatively, it is possible, using a filter wheel, to view co-incident but not concurrent images of the same object at different frequencies. An additional limitation to this approach can be the sensitivity range of the single detector that is typically used.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous if multiple bands of lights, such as those in the infrared and visible spectra, being emitted from a target or object being monitored or observed, can be evaluated and analyzed, while images from such spectra can be simultaneously integrated and displayed in real time.

Integrated multi-spectral imaging systems and methods of tissue analyses using same


A method of determining a packet data rate in a mobile communication system is provided. The method includes steps of estimating a channel reception status value after a predetermined time corresponding to a predetermined window size, by assigning a different weight factor to at least one channel reception status of an earlier time and to a channel reception status of a present time; determining a remainder value for adjusting a channel reception sensitivity value according to a decoding status of received packet data, by incrementing the remainder value when the received data packet is successfully decoded and otherwise decrementing the remainder value, i.e., when decoding is unsuccessful; calculating a threshold value for determining a packet data rate by applying the remainder value to the estimated channel reception status value; and determining a highest packet data rate among a set of values falling below a rate corresponding to the calculated threshold value. The threshold value is applied to the channel reception status value estimated for each predetermined window size.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a method for determining a packet data rate in a wireless communication according to a channel status and a data packet reception status.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In the transmission of packet data in a mobile communication system, the data rate is determined through a calculation based on dynamic channel conditions, which may be expressed in terms of a packet error rate resulting from a recent instance of transmission. In doing so, channel conditions are repeatedly monitored and the packet data rate is continuously updated, to maintain an acceptable packet error rate for the fastest data transfer permissible. In other words, favorable channel conditions permit higher data rates while poor channel conditions necessitate lower data rates.
The packet data rate is determined based on channel status information, which corresponds to a calculated maximum rate permissible for subsequent data to be transmitted, and the packet data rate is set by a data scheduler accordingly. The packet data rate may be determined at a base station, whereby the channel status information is transmitted to the base station, which performs a calculation determining the maximum rate. The packet data rate may also be determined at a mobile terminal, whereby the calculation of the maximum rate is performed by the mobile station and a calculated maximum value is transmitted to the base station. In either case, the packet data rate is calculated based on received information and is relevant to conditions felt at the receiving side.
The optimal packet data rate is ultimately determined by referencing a set of packet data rates stored in a lookup table, where each data rate corresponds to a range of values of the channel status information, each of which is separated by a boundary value. Accordingly, once the channel status information is obtained—typically, as a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio—the optimal packet data rate can be determined. The selected rate, however, represents a conservative assessment. That is, the selected packet data rate corresponds to the range immediately below that corresponding to the obtained channel status information.
FIG. 1 illustrates a channel environment existing at the time of data transmission between a mobile terminal and base station. Here, the mobile terminal first transmits channel information or a requested packet data rate to the base station at a time A, and the base station thereafter transmits the packet data to the mobile station at a time B.
Meanwhile, the data scheduler requires a delay time ts for preparation of the data packet. Thus, in addition to varying propagation delays, there is a marked differential in the time (A) of sensing the channel status at the mobile and the time (B) of transmitting the data from the base terminal. Since the channel conditions are in a continual state of flux and since the mobile terminal is likely to be in a state of motion, there is a difference between the channel status at time B and the channel status at time A, and as indicated by the example plot of the channel information of FIG. 1, this difference may be great. Moreover, in the case of high-speed motion by a mobile terminal user, say, by vehicular means, an accurate prediction of channel status becomes more critical. Therefore, when determining a packet data rate based on quality of service, there is an increased likelihood of transmission failure.
If, based on inaccurate assumptions of the channel conditions, the selected packet data rate is too high, the packet error rate will exceed acceptable limits such that the quality of service suffers. On the other hand, selection of a packet data rate that is too low results in an inefficient uplink or downlink, and the quality of service still suffers. Therefore, a method of determining an optimal packet data rate for selection is needed to accurately reflect changes in the channel environment.

Method for determining packet data rate in wireless communication system


A PFET is provided on a silicon layer having a (110) surface orientation and located in a substrate. A compressive stress liner disposed on the gate and source/drain regions of the PFET generates a primary longitudinal compressive strain along the direction of the PFET channel. A tensile stress liner disposed on at least one NFET located transversely adjacent to the PFET generates a primary longitudinal tensile strain along the direction of the NFET channel. A secondary stress field from the at least one NFET tensile liner generates a beneficial transverse tensile stress in the PFET channel. The net benefits of the primary compressive longitudinal strain and the secondary tensile transverse stress are maximized when the azimuthal angle between the direction of the PFET channel and an in-plane [1 1 0] crystallographic direction in the (110) silicon layer is from about 25° to about 55.

Continuous scaling of silicon-based metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) has contributed to relentless advances in semiconductor technology. As the device scale approaches nanometer ranges, further scaling of semiconductor devices faces various challenges. In light of this, many methods of improving device performance without resorting to scaling have recently been explored.
One widely adopted approach for improving performance of semiconductor devices without relying on scaling is to increase carrier (electron or hole) mobility in a MOSFET. When stress is applied to the channel of a semiconductor transistor, the mobility of carriers, and as a consequence, the transconductance and the on-current of the transistor are altered from their original values for an unstressed semiconductor. This is because the applied stress and the resulting strain on the semiconductor structure within the channel affects the band gap structure (i.e., breaks the degeneracy of the band structure) and changes the effective mass of carriers. The effect of the stress depends on the crystallographic orientation of the plane of the channel, the direction of the channel within the crystallographic orientation, and the direction of the applied stress. Manipulating stress is an effective way of improving the minority carrier mobility in a MOSFET and increasing the transconductance (or reduced serial resistance) of the MOSFET that requires relatively small modifications to semiconductor processing while providing significant enhancement to MOSFET performance.
The effect of uniaxial stress, i.e., a stress applied along one crystallographic direction, on the performance of semiconductor devices, especially on the performance of MOSFET (or a "FET" in short) devices built on a silicon substrate, has been extensively studied in the semiconductor industry. For a PMOSFET (or a "PFET" in short) utilizing a silicon channel, the mobility of minority carriers in the channel (which are holes in this case) increases under uniaxial compressive stress along the direction of the channel, i.e., the direction of the movement of holes or the direction connecting the drain to the source. Conversely, for an NMOSFET (or an "NFET" in short) devices utilizing a silicon channel, the mobility of minority carriers in the channel (which are electrons in this case) increases under uniaxial tensile stress along the direction of the channel, i.e., the direction of the movement of electrons or the direction connecting the drain to the source. These opposite requirements for the type of stress for enhancing carrier mobility between the PMOSFETs and NMOSFETs have led to prior art methods for applying at least two different types of stress to the semiconductor devices on the same integrated chip.
Different methods of "stress engineering," or "strain engineering" as it is alternatively called, on the channel of a MOSFET have been known in the prior art. One group of methods creates a "global stress," that is, a stress applied to a general transistor device region generated from the substrate. A global stress is generated by such structures as SiGe stress relaxed buffer layers, Si:C stress relaxed buffer layers, or silicon germanium structures on an insulator.
Another group of methods generates a "local stress," that is, a stress applied only to local areas adjacent to the channel from a local structure. A local stress is generated by such structures as stress liners, embedded SiGe source/drain structures, embedded Si:C source/drain structures, stress-generating shallow trench isolation structures, and stress-generating silicides. An increase in the on-current of up to 50% and an overall chip speed increase up to 40% have been reported on semiconductor devices utilizing these methods.
One of the most common methods of applying a local stress is the use of stress liners. Since each stress liner has a certain stress level either compressive or tensile, two separate stress liners, commonly called "dual stress liners," are used to separately create a tensile stress and a compressive stress in two different regions of the same integrated circuit. An exemplary method for forming two separate liners is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0093030 A1 to Doris et al., which discloses the use of two separate liners such that an NFET area is covered with a tensile liner that directly overlies underlying NFETs, an optional dielectric layer, and a compressive liner while a PFET area is covered only with the compressive liner, The liner stack over the NFET area applies tensile stress to the underlying NFETs and the compressive liner over the PFET area applies compressive stress to the underlying PFETs so that both PFETs and NFETs have enhanced performance through stress engineering.
Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary dual stress liner structure according to the prior art is shown. A first MOSFET 100 of one conductivity type and a second MOSFET 200 of the opposite conductivity type, i.e., a pair of a p-type MOSFET and an n-type MOSFET, are formed on a semiconductor substrate 18. The first MOSFET 100 comprises a portion of the substrate layer 22, a gate dielectric 30, a gate conductor 38 which comprises a gate polysilicon 32 and a gate silicide 36, a spacer 34, source and drain regions 40, a source and drain silicide 42, a first stress liner 50, and an etch stop layer 52. Similarly, the second MOSFET 200 comprises another portion of the substrate 22, a gate dielectric 30, a gate conductor 38 which comprises a gate polysilicon 32 and a gate silicide 36, a spacer 34, source and drain regions 40, a source and drain silicide 42, and a second stress liner 70. Shallow trench isolation (STI) 24 provides electrical isolation between the first MOSFET 100 and the second MOSFET 200. Typically, boundary region 72 between the first stress liner 50 and the second stress liner 70 comprises a region where first and second stress liners overlap, However, alternative boundary region geometries are possible. For example, boundary region 72 might comprise a small gap between first and second stress liners instead of an overlap region.
The first stress liner 50 applies a first stress to the first MOSFET 100 and the second stress liner 70 applies a second stress to the second MOSFET 200. The first stress and the second stress are different, and typically, the two stresses are opposite in nature, i.e., one is compressive and the other is tensile. Further, the substrate is typically a silicon substrate and a compressive stress is applied to a p-type MOSFET (PMOSFET, or a "PFET") and a tensile stress is applied to an n-type MOSFET (NMOSFET, or an "NFET"). The first MOSFET 100 may be a PMOSFET with a compressive stress or an NMOSFET with a tensile stress depending on the method of fabrication. A MOSFET of the opposite polarity with the opposite type of stress is selected for the second MOSFET 200 relative to the first MOSFET 100.
The effect of a stress on conductivity of a material is called the "piezoresistance effect." Semiconductor materials typically display a piezoresistive effect since the stress induces strain, which in turn changes the band structure of the semiconductor material. The piezoresistance effect depends on the semiconductor material, doping type of the semiconductor materal, direction of the current flow relative to the crystallographic axes of the semiconductor material, direction and magnitude of the applied stress, and the temperature of the semiconductor material. Quantitative analysis of the piezoresistance effect on silicon is disclosed in Y. Kanda, "A Graphical Representation of the Piezoresistance Coefficients in Silicon," IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, Vol. ED-29, pp. 64-70, No. 1, Jan. (1982), which is herein incorporated by reference.
Piezoresistive coefficients are defined as a fractional change in the resistance of a semiconductor material per unit pressure. A longitudinal piezoresistive coefficient is a measure of fractional change in the resistance per applied tensile stress in the direction of current flow (i.e., in the direction of the channel, in the case of field effect transistors). A transverse piezoresistive coefficient is a measure of fractional change in the resistance per applied tensile stress in the direction perpendicular to the current flow and within the plane of the channel (i.e., in the direction of the gate line, in the case of field effect transistors). While estimation of piezoresistive coefficients π in a PFET in the on-state is difficult since holes are predominant charge carriers in the inversion layer comprising n-doped silicon instead of electrons, the piezoresistive coefficients π may be estimated from p-doped silicon which contains holes as charge carriers in a normal state, i.e., in the absence of an inversion condition. Positive correlation between piezoresistive coefficients of an inversion layer formed in an n-doped silicon layer and piezoresistive coefficients of a p-doped silicon layer in a normal state is known. Similar correlation holds between piezoresistive coefficients of an inversion layer formed in a p-doped silicon layer and piezoresistive coefficients of an n-doped silicon layer in a normal state.
Typical silicon-based semiconductor devices employ a substrate containing a silicon layer having a (001) surface orientation. Referring to FIG. 2, a typical orientation of a p-type field effect transistor (PFET) formed in a silicon layer having a (001) surface orientation is shown, in which the current flow direction, i.e., the direction of a channel, is along the [110] crystallographic direction, and the direction of a gate line is along the [1 1 0] crystallographic direction. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient, as estimated from an equivalent p-doped silicon layer, is on the order of 71.8×10−12 cm2/dyne and the lateral transverse piezoelectric coefficient estimated in the same manner is on the order of −66.3×10−12 cm2/dyne. Thus, the resistivity of the channel containing n-doped silicon in an inversion state during the on-state of the PFET increases under a longitudinal tensile stress and decreases under a lateral transverse tensile stress. To enhance conductivity of the channel, and consequently the on-current of the PFET, a longitudinal compressive stress and/or a transverse tensile stress is required on the PFET.
While prior art structures advantageously employ piezoresistive effects of silicon to enhance performance of field effect transistors, there exists a need for semiconductor structures that can enhance performance of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors on a silicon substrate even further. In particular, a PFET structure that provides enhanced performance through constructive manipulation of piezoresistive effects is desired for high performance CMOS circuits.
Further, when multiple stress-generating structures are formed on a semiconductor substrate, the performance of a particular semiconductor device is affected by primary stress effects from stress-generating structures in the particular semiconductor device itself, as well as by secondary stress effects from stress-generating structures in adjacent devices. Therefore, there exists a need for a semiconductor structure that may advantageously employ secondary stress effects from neighboring semiconductor devices.

Orientation-optimized PFETS in CMOS devices employing dual stress liners

International Business Machines Corporation