Transistor structures including a non-planar body that has an active portion comprising a semiconductor material of a first height that is variable, and an inactive portion comprising an oxide of the semiconductor material of a second variable height, complementary to the first height. Gate electrodes and source/drain terminals may be coupled through a transistor channel having any width that varies according to the first height. Oxidation of a semiconductor material may be selectively catalyzed to convert a desired portion of a non-planar body into the oxide of the semiconductor material. Oxidation may be enhanced through the application of a catalyst, such as one comprising metal and oxygen, for example.

Device density in integrated circuits (ICs) has increased for decades in conformance with Moore's law. Within the last few MOSFET technology generations, transistors evolved from utilizing a planar semiconductor surface to non-planar semiconductor body, thereby making the channel width of the transistor a function of a height of the non-planar body. With this advancement, it has become more difficult to vary the transistor channel width arbitrarily, and today most channel width variation is implemented in a discretized fashion by coupling together an integer number of non-planar semiconductor bodies that each have a predetermined, fixed, channel width. Such discretization places an additional constraint on the design of CMOS circuit architecture.
While some effort has been made toward varying the height of a non-planar semiconductor body as a means of recovering greater control over the transistor channel width, most approaches to do so have faced practical problems. For example, some techniques developed to vary the height of a non-planar transistor body have been found to negatively impact the fabrication of other transistor structures, such as a gate electrode, that may be sensitive to body height variation.
Techniques and architectures that can enable a menu of non-planar transistor channel widths without further requiring significant alteration of other fabrication modules and/or transistor structures would be advantageous for at least greater flexibility in the architecture of CMOS circuitry.

Transistor structures including a non-planar body having variable and complementary semiconductor and insulator portions


A human body support includes a composite material base frame having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a cover element formed from a first polymer material associated to the base frame. The support also includes a film of a second thermoplastic polymer material, which is fixedly attached to the base frame. The second thermoplastic material has an affinity for the first polymer material so that the cover element may be fixedly attached to the base frame, thereby forming an integral support. A polyurethane gel may be disposed in a recess of the base frame. The first polymer material has a thickness of 0.1 to 0.3 mm, the second material has a thickness of 0.01 to 0.025 mm, and both may be optically transparent.

Elastic supports of the above type are known to generally comprise a composite material base frame, a pad element made of a resilient material, usually expanded foam resin and/or gel, and a sheet cover element, which is designed to contact a seated user.
Typically, the frame of such supports is formed by in-mold hot curing of a thermosetting resin with one or more "skins" of fibrous material, such as carbon, fiberglass, Kevlar or the like embedded therein. The skins of fibrous material may be either dry or preimpregnated with the thermosetting resin when placed into the mold; when the fibrous material is dry, the thermosetting resin is directly injected into the mold.
When the cover element is formed of a polymer material due to aesthetic or light-weight requirements, a problem arises with the attachment of the composite material of the frame to the polymer material of the cover element.
International application PCT/IB2006/000144 discloses a composite material support structure, in which the cover element is co-molded with the composite material frame, so that the cover element directly contacts the resin matrix of the composite material.
In practice, this solution has the drawback of imperfect adhesion between the frame and the cover element, which affects the mechanical properties of the finished support. The lack of affinity between the resin matrix of the frame and the polymer material of the cover element causes formation of air bubbles and discontinuity at the interface between the cover element and the frame.
Thus, there still exists the problem of providing supports having a composite material frame attached to a cover element made of a polymer material, which exhibit good mechanical properties.
Another well-known problem in prior art supports is that, when cuts or recesses are to be formed on the base frame, e.g. to create peripheral comfort tabs according to the teachings of international patent publication no. WO2004031025, such processing has to occur upstream or downstream of the support molding process.
For upstream processing, the skins of fibrous material must be processed, causing cuts to be rough and inaccurate due to the nature of such material. On the other hand, downstream processing must be carried out on the wholly formed frame, causing such frame to be mechanically weakened.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,843 also discloses a seat cushion.
In either case, the problem of forming a composite material support of high strength with high precision processing on the frame has not been solved to date.

Composite material human body support and process for making same


Described are blends of a crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) and a polyarylate and/or a liquid crystalline polyarylate. These blends exhibit improved mechanical properties and environmental stress rupture resistance.

This invention is directed to a blend of a crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) and a polyarylate and/or a liquid crystalline polyarylate. These blends exhibit improved mechanical properties and environmental stress rupture resistance.
Poly(aryl ether ketones) are high performance materials which are useful for various demanding applications. They offer a combination of excellent thermal stability, hydrolytic stability, excellent chemical and environmental stress rupture resistance. This combined with very high crystalline melting points yields a property balance not available with other classes of polymers.
In the early 1980's, a poly(aryl ether ketone) of the following formula was made commercially available, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,320,224: ##STR1##
The poly(aryl ether ketone) of the following formula is known from the literature, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,240: ##STR2##
Another poly(aryl ether ketone) which was available commercially is of the following formula. e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,400: ##STR3##
The poly(aryl ether ketones) are crystalline polymers which exhibit high melting points. Due to their high melting points, high processing temperatures are required (>300.degree. C.) in order to fabricate the polymer. Few polymeric materials currently available are stable enough to be blended with the poly(aryl ether ketones) at such high temperatures.
Polyarylates are aromatic polyesters, many of which are derived from a dihydric phenol, particularly 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (also identified as Bisphenol-A) and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid(s), particularly mixtures of terephthalic and isophthalic acids. A preferred polyarylate is of the following formula: ##STR4##
Polyarylates are high temperature, high performance thermoplastic polymers with a good combination of thermal and mechanical properties including high impact strength. The polyarylates have good melt stability at high temperatures.
In the present invention it has been found that a blend of a poly(aryl ether ketone) and a polyarylate has both a notched izod impact strength and tensile impact strength which is significantly higher than that of either of the unblended constituents. Further, the addition of poly(aryl ether ketone) to polyarylate results in a significant improvement in the environmental stress rupture resistance of the polyarylate. Also, the addition of a liquid crystalline polyarylate to a poly(aryl ether ketone) leads to improved strength.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,236 issued Mar. 20, 1984 describes a composition containing a melt-processable polymer and an anisotropic melt-forming polymer. Specifically, Example 6 describes blending a polyether-etherketone with a liquid crystal polyester which was copoly (chloro-1,4-phenylene ethylene dioxy-4,4'dibenzoate) terephthalate. This example states that this blend has a significant reduction in melt viscosity as compared to the polyetheretherketone polymer itself.
However, it has been found that the addition of liquid crystalline polyarylates to poly(aryl ether ketone)s leads to a decrease in melt flow (increase in viscosity) at both low and high shear rates. The blends of this invention exhibit a higher viscosity than the constituent polymers. This is contrary to the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,236, which states that the addition of small amounts of liquid crystalline polymers to many diverse polymer systems leads to increased melt flow (decreased viscosity). In the instant blend, some unexpected interaction between the liquid crystalline polyarylate and the poly(aryl ether ketone) must be occurring.
European Patent Application No. 59077 published Sept. 1, 1982 describes a method for the orientation of films made from a thermoplastic polyether ether ketone. This publication states that the polymer may also contain, for the purpose of improving the fluidity in extrusion processing, up to 50 wt. % of heat resistant polymers such as polyarylene polyether polysulfone, polyarylate, polyester, nylon or polycarbonate, or a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. However, many of these blends would not be stable at the temperatures needed to mold the blend.

Blends of a poly(aryl ether ketone) and a polyarylate


A method, device, and system are disclosed. In one embodiment method begins by incrementing a count of a total number of write operations to a non-volatile memory storage for each write operation to the non-volatile memory storage. The method then receives a request for the total count of lifetime write operations from a requestor. Finally, the method sends the total count of lifetime write operations to the requestor.

Non-volatile memory (NVM) storage is very popular in the computer industry and the electronics industry. Computers have long utilized NVM storage for basic input/output system (BIOS) code storage and other important boot routines. But, more recently, the usage models for NVM storage have expanded greatly from digital camera image storage to digital music player storage of songs. NVM devices have dramatically decreased in size and increased in storage capacity. Now the computer industry is beginning to build solid state drives (SSDs) utilizing NVM devices for mass storage. SSDs may someday completely replace conventional hard disk drives due to in part to superior performance, smaller profiles, and lower power requirements.
One long known detriment to NVM devices has been their finite lifespan. Unlike their volatile memory counterparts, the circuitry within NVM devices deteriorate from write operations. Eventually, with enough write operations to an NVM device, that device may become unreliable.

Tracking a lifetime of write operations to a non-volatile memory storage


Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus and method for transmitting capability information in an electronic device. Here, an electronic device may include: a memory configured to store a parameter corresponding to a wireless communication connection scheme which can be supported by the electronic device; a communication module, and a processor. The processor is configured to check first capability information on a plurality of connection schemes that can be supported by an external electronic device. The processor is further configured to select, based on the first capability information and the parameter, second capability information including at least one connection scheme that can be supported by the electronic device among the plurality of connection schemes. The processor is further configured to generate a message using the selected second capability information; and transmit the message to the external electronic device, using the communication module. Other embodiments can be made.

With the development of communication technologies, a wireless communication system may provide not only a voice communication service but also a high-speed data communication service to an electronic device.
In order to provide efficient communication with the electronic device, the network of the wireless communication system may establish or re-establish a communication service with the electronic device based on capability information of the electronic device. For example, when the electronic device is to use (access) the network, the network may transmit a control message requesting a capability report to the electronic device. When the control message requesting the capability report is received, the electronic device may transmit, to the network, all pieces of capability information which can be supported by the electronic device, in relation to information which the capability report has requested. The network may re-establish a communication service with the electronic device based on the capability report of the electronic device.

Method and apparatus for managing capability of electronic device in wireless communication system


A resistance welding apparatus characterized by very low output impedance, and providing a substantially constant voltage source to low impedance (e.g., resistances on the order of 1-100 micro-ohms) materials-to-be-joined. The welding apparatus includes one or more primary and secondary winding pairs disposed about a high permeability core with the secondary coil(s) positioned between the primary coil(s) and the core. In a preferred form, the secondary coil(s) are capable of delivering more than 75,000 amperes of welding current. The welding apparatus is lighter, more cost efficient, and more energy efficient than conventional systems.

This invention relates to resistance welding machines in general, and specifically to capacitive discharge resistance welders.
In resistance welding, fusion of two or more electrically conductive materials is effected by resistance heating caused by the passage of high current pulses through the conductive members being joined. The temperature rise effecting the weld is substantially proportional to the current squared times the resistance in the weld region, but is somewhat increased by the duration of the applied current.
Prior art resistance welding equipment has been built using principles developed by Fruengel. See High Speed Pulse Technology Vol. 1 by Frank Fruengel, Academic Press 1965. Transformed Capacitor Discharge in Welding pp345-347. In volume 3, pp310-311, Fruengel describes the resistance welding equipment that was available as of the publication date.
Another form of prior art welder utilizes transformed mains power to provide weld current pulses thereby eliminating the requirement for energy storage. The limitations of this technology can be illustrated by the realization that if 100,000 amperes at 5 volts is required to make a weld, then at 100 percent efficiency, a 220 volt main would be required to supply over 2000 amperes of current. The use of 3 phase mains can reduce the current requirement, however, direct transformation machines that are capable of producing more than 100,000 amperes of weld current are very expensive, massive, and require very large mains capacity.
Weldments produced by resistance welding find applications in many fields including the hermetic sealing of optoelectronic components, semiconductor and hybrid circuit packages, packaging of micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), surface acoustic wave devices (SAW), hermetic feed-thrus, diaphragms for transducers, rupture discs, automotive, aircraft, and the like, or other applications requiring a continuous weld. Similar power supplies to those used in resistance welding systems are used in both magnetizers for permanent magnets and in devices that magnetically form metallic sheets.
Continuous welds are often required to prevent the passage of fluids and gasses across the weld boundary, in addition to providing required mechanical integrity. For this reason, continuous welds are often used for hermetic sealing. In previous welding equipment, only relatively short weld perimeters could be continuously welded with a single discharge pulse. As weld perimeters exceeded the capability of available equipment to produce satisfactory welds, industry turned to other methods, such as seam welding, in which a series of small overlapping welds provide the required hermeticity. Seam welding is considerably slower than projection welding which provides a continuous weld in a single discharge. Also, the seam welding process dissipates considerably more heat into the part being welded than projection welding, thereby raising its bulk temperature well above what is required with projection welding. In addition, the strength of seam welds tends to be lower than projection welds.
Conventional resistance welding equipment is designed to supply a relatively high welding current into a variety of weldment metals and geometries. The impedance of structures-to-be-joined of may be from a few micro-ohms to over 100 micro-ohms. This variation in weld impedance is caused by the composition of the weld metals, the thickness of the weld metals, and the geometry of the structures-to-be-joined. A prior art welding machine that is designed to supply a constant high weld current to a low impedance (e.g. a 100 micro-ohm) weldment will not perform in an optimum manner. This is because the welding supply acts as a constant current source when welding very low impedance welds.
Although prior art system are capable producing welding currents of 60,000 amperes, such systems typically waste 90% of the energy stored in the capacitors, and encounter both reactive and resistive losses associated with bus bars, transformers, and the weld head. To overcome this waste, relatively large sizes and expenses are associated with these components. Mains power connections are required that are similar to a commercial substation. As a result, the prior art systems require considerable effort to install and move.
In resistance welding, a weldment is always comprised of metal parts which possess a coefficient of resistance that varies with temperature, as well as geometrical, compositional, and surface variations. These factors result in both static and dynamic variations in the resistance of the weldments, and can lead to local overheating during the welding process. The impedance of the weld undergoes dynamic resistance changes caused, in part, by weld current-induced joule heating. Because the coefficient of resistance change with temperature is positive for commonly welded metals, the resistance change during welding is in a positive direction. When welding is performed by a constant current source, as with conventional welders, the dynamically increasing resistance of the weld results in a rapid increase in power dissipation during the weld process. This can result in a local overheating condition which may adversely affect the reliability of the welded components. This so-called xe2x80x9cthermal runawayxe2x80x9d condition, due to high constant current, cannot occur when using constant voltage or proper impedance source regardless of risetime. This eliminates expulsion of particles from the melting material in the weld region. Expelled particles may cool and become a source of internal contamination which may be injurious to the reliability of the component.
Another limiting factor in conventional welding machines, is the ability to maintain mechanical force on a rapidly melting weld, and the requirement to accelerate the welding electrodes to maintain force on the contours of the melting structures. To do so effectively, it is essential to reduce the mass of the inertial components of the welding machine. Yet, in conventional welders after reducing mass has been accomplished, it is still possible to generate welding current pulses that melt the weldment more rapidly than mechanical components have the ability to maintain force, again resulting in particle expulsion.
In an exemplary conventional pulsed high current welder, a large bank (typically 4 feet high by 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep) of high energy storage capacitors are charged by a power supply requiring a 208-440 volt 20-100 ampere source of alternating voltage. High current electronic switches discharge the energy storage capacitors into a transformer, which can weigh 400 to 2000 pounds or more. The massive copper secondary connects by means of relatively massive, for example 4 inch by xc2xd inch, copper bus bars which may be up to several feet in length, to connect the output of the transformer to the input of the welding head.
The welding head may be enclosed in a chamber which provides proper environmental gas mixtures. The two large copper bus bars and an insulating spacer must penetrate the wall of the environmental chamber in order to conduct the entire welding current through the chamber wall. The function of the welding head is to conduct the weld current through suitable electrodes to the weldment, to hold the electrodes in proper alignment during the welding process, and to provide proper static and dynamic clamping force to effect the weld.
Thus, in the generation of high current pulses, prior art welding devices require expensive, relatively massive transformers, and large amounts of energy storage (due to the inefficiency of the conversion of energy stored in the capacitors) for power to be delivered to the weld load. In addition, large expensive power supplies are used due to the inefficiency of prior art devices. Those prior art weld power supplies consequently also require high power (heat) dissipation, and access to high current mains. Relatively high expense is incurred for wiring, heat dissipation, and operating energy usage. In fact, mains current requirements may preclude the use of many prior art welding machines.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved resistance welding apparatus.
Another object is to provide an improved welding apparatus characterized by relatively small size, weight power consumption and cost.
Yet another object is to provide an improved welding apparatus characterized by high efficiency.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved welding apparatus that will weld relatively long continuous perimeters with low current demand from power mains.
The invention is a resistance welding apparatus that supplies essentially high current, constant voltage pulses to very low impedance weld structures. The high current pulses of substantially constant voltage are provided with substantially smaller, less massive, less expensive equipment requiring less energy storage for equivalent welds, than the prior art devices.
The thermal runaway condition that is caused by the use of constant current sources of the prior art is largely mitigated by the use of welding power supplies of the present invention that behave more like constant voltage sources. When a low impedance voltage source is used for welding, the magnitude of the weld current is modulated by the dynamically changing resistance of the weld to change the magnitude of the weld current, thereby minimizing the occurrence of particle expulsion. Expulsion can also be exacerbated by the use of shorter than conventional current rise times.
Moreover, with the invention, the low impedance voltage pulses can be selectively varied in duration. When used in conjunction with a dynamically applied force to the weldment, the particle expulsion effect encountered by prior art systems is eliminated by selecting an appropriate pulse width for the welding application. Also some weld configurations require longer pulse times to reach the required thermal distribution.
The welding apparatus according to the invention, provides substantially higher output current per unit weight and or per dollar cost, than prior art devices. Further the invention effects substantial reduction in bulk and cost for its power supply. Further, the invention permits usage in locations where current mains are insufficient to power prior art devices. As another feature the invention is that it provides a means for high current welding which does not require penetration of a high current welding bus through the wall of an environmental chamber.
The invention describes means applicable to portable welders. Such welders are required for the assembly of motor vehicles, ships, aircraft, and the like. The features which provide the high efficiency of the welding apparatus of the invention are particularly useful for welders intended for these industries. Handheld units may be made considerably smaller and lighter than conventional portable welders. Welders that are positioned by robots are generally much lighter and cost less.
The welding apparatus of the present invention in one form utilizes energy from ordinary low current mains, 120 volt, typically 15 ampere power sources. The apparatus stores the energy in one or more banks of capacitors, each connected to a switch for power control, and producing therefrom, low voltage, current pulses of adjustable width and amplitudes between 1000 amperes and 5,000,000 amperes. Associated with the invention is a welding head and integral pulse transformer, power supply, energy storage, energy discharge means, and mechanical force and guidance means. In a preferred form, the apparatus includes consists of a weld head with an integral pulse transformer, and an associated driver for the pulse transformer. The transformer portion of the apparatus includes a core of magnetically permeable material surrounded by a relatively wide set of two or more alternating insulated layers of high conductivity material which constitute primary and secondary conductive windings respectively. The relatively high conductance secondary layer immediately adjacent to said core combined with a low reactance secondary circuit acts as a shield to the core for the magnetic field generated by the peripheral primary winding.
In operation, immediately prior to a main discharge pulse, the core is magnetically saturated in the direction opposite (xe2x80x9creverse flux saturatedxe2x80x9d) to that produced by the primary winding voltage. The combination of low inductance and reverse flux saturation reduces the required weight of the transformer to a level typically ten times lower than would otherwise be required in accordance with the prior art. In contrast, prior art devices allow the magnetic field of the core to return to its remnant state. The apparatus of the invention reverses the flux state of the core to be at or near reverse saturation. One or more low inductance bus configuration output conductors corresponding to the number of paired primary and secondary windings are used to deliver current through the welding head to the parts-to-be-joined. A high efficiency power supply is used to minimize the cost, weight, and power usage of the apparatus. In a preferred form, the apparatus controls the force applied to the parts-to-be-joined before, during, and after the high current welding pulse is applied.
In a preferred form of the invention, the transformer and welding head functions are performed in combination in a single unit, providing a size reduction and increase in efficiency compared to devices of the prior art. This combination of functionality eliminates losses incurred by transferring the welding current from a transformer to the load or part being welded. In prior art welders, in contrast, the electrical conductors that connect the welding head to the transformer cause resistive losses, and reactive storage of energy in the fields surrounding the conductors decreases the available energy to transfer to the weld joint.

High current, low impedance resistance welding device


An electrosurgical device including a reinforcing underlayment having a non-stick, anti-microbial coating. In one embodiment, the coating includes a non-stick material having anti-microbial particles interspersed in the non-stick material. This coating is applied to the surfaces of the electrode to minimize the build-up of charred tissue on the surfaces of the electrode. Also, the coating tends to kill harmful organisms residing on the surfaces of the electrode. In another embodiment, a primer coating is initially applied to the surfaces of the electrode. A plurality of anti-microbial particles are then applied to the primer coating layer and engage and are embedded in the primer coating layer. A top coat including a non-stick material is applied to the anti-microbial particle layer. In either embodiment, the coating layers applied to the surfaces of the electrode are cured to harden and adhere the layers to the electrode.

Electrosurgery refers to surgical procedures that pass high frequency, alternating electrical current through body tissues to cut or coagulate the tissues. Electrosurgical instruments or tools such as electrosurgical electrodes are used in these surgical operations to cut, coagulate and cauterize the tissue of a patient. The electrodes conduct the high frequency alternating electrical current from a generator to the patient to perform these operations. The generator is the source of the electricity for the surgical procedure. Because standard electrical current alternates at a frequency of sixty cycles per second (60 Hz), which could cause excessive neuromuscular stimulation and possibly electrocution if used, the generator takes sixty cycle current and increases the frequency to over 300,000 cycles per second (300,000 Hz). At this frequency, the electrical energy can pass through the patient with minimal neuromuscular stimulation and no risk of electrocution. Additionally, the generators are able to produce a variety of electrical waveforms. A constant waveform, which produces heat very rapidly, is generally used to vaporize or cut body tissue. An intermittent waveform produces less heat and is generally used to coagulate body tissue. Several different waveforms may be used in an electrosurgical procedure to achieve different effects.
As described above, electrosurgical electrodes are used to cut or coagulate the body tissue in an electrosurgical procedure. Many sizes and shapes of electrosurgical electrodes such as blades, scalpels, needles, wire forms, balls and probes are available. Most electrosurgical electrodes are made of metal, typically stainless steel. Generally, a portion of the electrode is sheathed or encapsulated with an insulative material such as a plastic material. The electrodes are typically inserted into and connected to a handpiece for manipulating the electrode during surgery.
The working surface of the electrosurgical electrode or the exposed end of the electrode is not encapsulated with plastic or any type of electrically insulative material. The working surface generates heat and therefore is subject to high temperatures during use. The high temperature causes the body tissues to tend to stick to the working surface of the electrode. Specifically, the elevated temperature of the electrode causes charred tissue, commonly called "eschar," to adhere or stick to the working surface of the electrode. The buildup of tissue or eschar on the working surface of the electrode negatively effects the performance of the electrode during surgery. In particular, a buildup of tissue on the electrode reduces the transfer of energy to and from the electrode which decreases the cutting effectiveness of the electrode. Additionally, the tissue buildup may obscure the vision of the surgeon and therefore make it more difficult to perform the surgery.
As a result, efforts are made during surgery to keep the working surface of the electrode clean. Such cleaning methods include rubbing, brushing or scraping the electrode surface against a scouring pad or other suitable cleaning device. The continuous cleaning of the surface of the electrode, however, prolongs the surgical procedure which is not desirable. Therefore, the surgeon is left with the options of replacing the electrode during surgery, accepting reduced performance of the electrode, or expending valuable time and energy to thoroughly clean the surface of the electrode.
One method used to solve the problem of tissue or eschar buildup on the surface of the electrode is to coat the surface of the electrode with a non-stick or surface release coating. The non-stick or release coating minimizes the sticking or adherence of the tissue on the surface of the electrode and enables the built up tissue to be removed more easily and efficiently from the surface.
Several different types of non-stick coatings have been applied to electrosurgical electrodes. Some of the different non-stick coatings or materials include fluorinated materials polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro-alkoxy, MFA, silicone, ceramic composites, paralyene silane polymers and other suitable non-stick coatings. Different methods exist for applying the non-stick coating to the surface of the electrosurgical electrodes. However, the non-stick or release coatings are electrically insulative, and therefore, may impair the electrical conductivity of the surface of the electrodes.
Another issue associated with surgical instruments such as electrosurgical electrodes is the sterilization or cleanliness of the working surface and other surfaces of the electrode as the electrode contacts tissue and other parts of the body. The tissue or eschar buildup on the working surface of the electrode creates an environment where bacteria and other harmful organisms may cultivate and be introduced into the body during the surgical process. Furthermore, any gaps between the plastic sheath and the electrode or any fractures, fissures or other defects in the plastic sheath enables bacteria and other organisms to get underneath the plastic sheath and also into and grow in the fractures, fissures and defects or other interstices in the plastic sheath. This further promotes the growth of the bacteria and the harmful organisms which may migrate to the surface of the electrode or to the patient.
Additionally, if the sterilization of the electrode is not performed properly, not performed routinely or consistently or not performed at all, which is more common in some second and third world countries, bacteria and other harmful organisms will adhere to and grow on the surface of the electrode and then enter a patient's body during a surgical procedure. As described above, this can cause significant difficulties and complications for the patient after the surgical procedure is complete. As a result, minimizing the growth of bacteria and other organisms on the electrode surface is desirable to enable the electrode to be used multiple times without requiring sterilization if unavailable and minimize and/or prevent infections or other related complications from developing in a patient following surgery.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved electrosurgical device such as a single use or multi-use electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same which minimizes the buildup of tissue on the substrate or working surface of the electrode and also minimizes the growth of bacteria or other harmful organisms on the substrate or surface of the electrode during storage, use or pauses in the use of the electrode.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Anti-microbial electrosurgical electrode and method of manufacturing same


A meter connector connecting a flow meter to a fluid line, including a meter bar with a spherical central void and fluid passages between the void and meter inlet and outlet ports and service inlet and outlet ports. A spherical valve is rotatable within the void to selectively block openings into the void and open openings into the void to selectively connect fluid passages via passages in the valve whereby rotation of the valve moves between a metering position, a bypass position, and a shutoff position.

Many fluids, such as for example, natural gas or other gases are metered in a variety of different manners. Additionally, there are a variety of different providers of fluids, such as natural gas that employ a plurality of main pipelines to deliver fluids to end users. In order to measure the amount of the fluids that are delivered to individual end users, the providers use meters at the end user's facility. Such meters are well known in the art.
However, a variety of problems exist when the providers determine that the meters require servicing or replacement. When a provider services or replaces a meter, typically the supply of the fluid to the end user is stopped. However, it is typically desirable to avoid this flow stoppage. In part, this is because appliances and other devices requiring fluids, such as natural gas, may have pilot burners that continuously run to serve as an ignition source for the appliance. If the pilot burner were to be starved of gas, the burner would go out. Subsequently, when the gas service is restored, the pilot burner would have to be re-ignited to operate. Also, during servicing and/or replacement of a meter, the end user may have need of uninterrupted flow for continuous operation of appliances and devices requiring the fluid.
Therefore, a variety of bypass systems have been developed to supply fluid to an end user when the providers service or replace a fluid meter. However, these bypass systems have problems as well.
For example, as many of the bypass systems are temporary, they sometimes limit the supply of fluids and therefore can starve some of the devices. As devices are starved of the required fluids, they may become inoperable or damaged from the limited flow.
Additionally, many of the bypass systems have a variety of external components that must be installed prior to bypassing the meters. For example, an auxiliary port may be included in the bypass system which requires the use of external flow paths to bypass the location of the meter. These external components sometimes must be brought to the site by the service technician. Additionally, some bypass systems are bulky and can get in the way as the meter is serviced.
In several other bypass systems, the components needed to achieve meter bypass are internal to the system, and include two or more valves which must be operated in specific sequence to enter bypass mode. The complexity of such sequential operations can lead to incorrect operation of these valves which may, result in starving the service of the required fluids.

Single-valve bypass meter bar and metering system


A method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor device having at least one non-volatile floating gate memory cell and at least one logic transistor. The method includes growing a first gate oxide layer over a silicon substrate, depositing a first polysilicon layer over the first gate oxide layer, selectively etching and removing the first polysilicon layer in order to define the floating gate of the memory cell, introducing dopant in order to obtain source and drain regions of the memory cell, depositing a dielectric layer, selectively etching and removing the dielectric layer and the first polysilicon layer in a region wherein the logic transistor will be formed, depositing a second polysilicon layer, selectively etching and removing the second polysilicon layer in order to define the gate of the logic transistor and the control gate of the memory cell. Between selectively etching the dielectric and depositing a second polysilicon layer, a first sub-step of removing the first gate oxide layer in the region for the logic transistor, and a second sub-step of growing a second oxide gate layer over the region, the second gate oxide layer having a different thickness than the first gate oxide layer.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor device comprising a nonvolatile floating gate memory and to the related integrated device. In particular, such a method will be integrable in logic processes of advanced generations.
Due to the increasing complexity of integrated circuits, e.g. based on microcontrollers or DSP, it becomes necessary to use more and more complex programs, usually stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) of the final device, and subject to variations during the development steps.
On the other side, the increase of the number of metal levels in the integrated circuits increases the cycle time for manufacturing the ROM memories with new contents, so that it is desirable to have an electrically programmable memory for storing programs during the product development steps.
Such a memory can be also used in the production version, both in case that some program releases have to be supported, and when the volumes are not excessive, if the added costs of the programmable memory are not excessive.
One of the possible solutions is the use of a Static RAM (SRAM) or a Dynamic RAM (DRAM), wherein the code is loaded from an external EPROM (Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory). Such a solution has the drawback of taking up a large silicon area, of requiring in all cases an external memory, of involving a high dissipation (in case of DRAM), and of requiring an extensive re-planning for the production version.
A possible different solution is the use of a conventional EPROM with two polysilicon levels, transformable then in a ROM in the production version. This solution is very efficient but requires a costly dedicated manufacturing process. Moreover, the manufacture of the EPROM can modify the logic process features.
A third solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,778 in name of Philips, wherein an OTP (One Time Programmable) memory based on the same programming mechanism of EPROMs is used, but it is cheaper. This solution seems optimal for 0.5 xcexcm processes.
The utilization of a low cost OTP memory as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,778 is based on some essential features: the memory cell oxide is the same oxide used also for the logic circuitry; the process steps dedicated for manufacturing high voltage transistors are not present.
However, these features cause problems when it is desired to transfer this memory architecture to more advanced CMOS processes. Particularly, the gate oxide thickness continues to decrease with the subsequent process generations. For example, there is a passage from 0.5 xcexcm process generations with gate oxide thickness of 10-12 xcexcm to 0.25 xcexcm process generations with thickness of 4-5 nm to 0.15 xcexcm process generations with gate oxide thickness of 2-3 nm.
However, there is a critical limit for the gate oxide thickness that can be used in a nonvolatile memory, due to the tunnel effect directed through the gate oxide, that makes it difficult to keep the charge stored in the floating gate. This limit occurs at a gate oxide thickness of about 5 nm.
A further problem present in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,778 is connected to the programming voltage management. In fact, the voltages necessary for programming do not scale down as does the process generation. Thus, during the programming step, it is necessary to operate with voltages higher than that usually utilized in the circuit. Also in this case the problems increase passing to more advanced CMOS generations. For example, while the 12 nm oxide, used for the 0.5 xcexcm generation, can support for short periods a voltage of 10 V necessary for programming step, the 7 nm oxide, required by 0.35 xcexcm processes, can support only a maximum voltage value of about 5.5 V. For controlling the programming voltages that in this particular generation decrease up to 8.0-8.5 V, complex circuit configurations have to be used. The problem is more critical for 0.25 xcexcm processes, wherein the difference between the maximum voltage supportable by the gate oxide (3.5 V) and the programming voltage (7-8 V) is greater.
The architecture proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,778 is incompatible with an extension to advanced CMOS processes.
In view of the state of the art described, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a low cost OTP memory.
According to the present invention, a method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor device comprising at least one non-volatile floating gate memory cell and at least one logic transistor is provided. The method comprises a first step of growing a first gate oxide layer over a silicon substrate, a second step of depositing a first polysilicon layer over said first gate oxide layer, a third step of selectively etching and removing said first polysilicon layer in order to define the floating gate of said memory cell, a fourth step of introducing dopant in order to obtain source and drain regions of said memory cell, a fifth step of depositing a dielectric layer, a sixth step of selectively etching and removing said dielectric layer and said first polysilicon layer in a region wherein said logic transistor will be formed, a seventh step of depositing a second polysilicon layer, an eighth step of selectively etching and removing said second polysilicon layer in order to define the gate of said logic transistor and the control gate of said memory cell. Between said sixth step and said seventh step there is a first sub-step of removing said first gate oxide layer in said region for said logic transistor, a second sub-step of growing a second oxide gate layer over said region, said second gate oxide layer being different from said first gate oxide layer.

Method of manufacturing an integrated semiconductor device having a nonvolatile floating gate memory, and related integrated device


A package (2) comprises a box body (4) with an open end (22) at the top, a tongue-lid (6) adapted to close the open end (22), rotatably connected to a rear edge of the open end (22) by a lid hinge (30), and an inner pack (8) enclosed in the box body (4). The inner pack (8) includes an envelope (13) enclosing tobacco items (10) and keeping the inner pack (8) airtight.

A variety of packaging containers for holding an article have been developed in consideration of the features of the article to be held. As a packaging container for tobacco items, such as filtered cigarettes, cigarettes, etc., a tongue-lid package is known.
As one form of the tongue-lid package, there is proposed a tongue-lid package disclosed in patent document 1, for example.
Conventionally-known tongue-lid packages comprise a box with an open end, a tongue-lid for closing the open end of the box, and an article enclosed in the box. The article consists of a bunch of rod-shaped smoking items and a wrapper covering the bunch. Commonly, the package of this type is further wrapped in a transparent film, where the film wrap is provided with a tear-open tape.


A method and a system for tracing items through a non-synchronized process are disclosed. Information relating to items going through processing is obtained by a control mechanism, such as any processing device or an autonomous robot for transferring the item. The placement or position of the item after processing or transfer is stored as traceable information for the transferred items in a data base and the information relating to the item on arrival and the information after processing or transfer then contributes to historic information about the items.

Tracing food items through processing for recordkeeping is known in the art. This is of great importance when food contamination is discovered somewhere in the supply chain. The ability to catalog food products through processing, such as mother origin of livestock, which slaughterhouse was used and the name of the worker can also help with maintaining good quality assurance and minimize the damage in case of any contamination. Moreover, after the slaughtering of the livestock each piece of the animal can further be tracked and catalogued to produce traceable information regarding the origin of the food item as well as the process it has gone through during the processing in the processing plant. The sequential nature of the food processing makes it easy to keep track of this information until the final product goes through a packing process.
WO0191565 discloses a process and an application for handling information in relation to meat being conveyed through a number of processing stations. The information is used to trace the processing history of a piece of meat, including its origination. The ability to trace the processing history may be used e.g. in order to trace back sources of contamination and for verification of the status and quality, weight etc. of the meat. The information is furthermore useful for the workers processing the meat at the stations or useful for the control and management of the meat processing plant.
WO03077662 discloses a method and system for monitoring the processing of items such as pieces of meat, including carcasses of pigs, calves, beeves and so on, also poultry, fish etc., where use is made of identification for the individual animal and/or the individual item or part item. The processing involves cutting-up into smaller pieces, inasmuch as a registration of identification for a piece of meat, a carcass or the like is affected. The piece of meat is allocated to one of a multiple of workstations, inasmuch as identification for the said workstation is registered and the allocated piece of meat is processed at the workstation while use is made of visual instruction. Hereafter, a further transport is established of the whole or parts of the yield from the cutting-up of the allocated piece of meat, such as one or more cuts. The further transport is similarly registered so that traceability is established for the pieces of meat, including also for the cuts.
Most food processing methods include shuffling of items during the processing, which may sometimes be from multiple processing lines. Therefore, the traceable information is often lost during packing, the final stage of the processing as well known and traceable items at the in-feed to a selection or packing process are mingled together with other pieces. The finished and packed product may be traced from the warehouse or distributor to the retailers. This normally results in food being recalled in a large quantity when food contamination is discovered due to lack of traceability of the items.
Prior art methods and systems for tracing food items through processing plants take advantage of the sequential nature of food processing. However, when it comes to tasks in the processing which are not sequential in nature: For example distributing items to a de-boning station based on real-time information such as availability of de-boners, demand, quality of work etc. Or simply the fact that we want to select four slices of meat from four different cutters to make a packing of four slices which are exactly the same size, shape and color. When it comes to these non-sequential processing decisions the sequential advantage is lost. Unfortunately, prior art systems do not adequately address this challenge, when it comes to non-sequential processing tracing information are lost.

Tracing items through a non-sequential process


The present invention relates to a method of preparing a vinyl chloride-based polymer, which includes inducing the nucleation of particles by adding a mercaptan-based chain transfer agent to a monomer composition including a vinyl chloride-based monomer and a preliminary polymerization initiator (preliminary polymerization); and preparing a polymer by mixing a vinyl chloride-based monomer and the particle nuclei and adding a main polymerization initiator (main polymerization). In the preparation method, a vinyl chloride-based polymer having a uniform molecular weight distribution and a desired number average molecular weight may be provided by controlling a degree of polymerization of a vinyl chloride-based polymer prepared in such a way that dispersibility is ensured by adjusting the point of time to add the mercaptan-based chain transfer agent to the point of time to reach a specific conversion rate of the preliminary polymerization.

A vinyl chloride-based polymer, which is a polymer containing 50 wt % or more of a repeat unit derived from a vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), is widely applied because a cost is low, hardness is easily adjusted, and it is applicable to most processing devices. Moreover, a vinyl chloride-based polymer may be used to prepare a molded product excellent in physical and chemical properties, for example, mechanical strength, weather resistance, chemical resistance, and the like, and thus has been widely used in various fields.
Meanwhile, in the preparation of a vinyl chloride-based polymer with a low degree of polymerization, polymerization is generally performed at higher temperature and higher pressure than in the preparation of a vinyl chloride-based polymer with a high degree of polymerization. However, it is difficult to safely prepare a vinyl chloride-based polymer with a low degree of polymerization because of a limitation in a design pressure of a polymerization reactor and the like.
Therefore, a degree of polymerization may be adjusted using a mercaptan-based chain transfer agent, but this method has a drawback in that it is difficult to achieve a desired degree of polymerization or a polymer having a wide molecular weight distribution is obtained because, when a vinyl chloride-based polymer is prepared through bulk polymerization, polymerization is performed without water according to characteristics of bulk polymerization, and thus the dispersibility of an added chain transfer agent is degraded.
Accordingly, in the preparation of a vinyl chloride-based polymer with a low degree of polymerization, technology for preparing a polymer having a low polydispersity index and a desired degree of polymerization due to a narrow molecular weight distribution even while a safe operating condition is maintained upon the preparation is required.

Method of preparing vinyl chloride-based polymer


An electrical contact assembly comprises an annular housing defining an interior space, the housing including a tubular wall having an outer surface facing the interior space and an inner surface defining a central opening adapted to receive an electrical contact, the wall defining at least one aperture. Contained within the interior space of the housing is a garter spring having an inner diameter, the garter spring encircling the outer surface of the wall under preload so that a portion of the inner diameter of the spring projects through the at least one aperture into the central opening of the housing for engaging an electrical contact received within the central opening. An implantable medical device incorporating such an electrical contact assembly is also disclosed.

Although it will be evident to those skilled in the art that electrical contact assemblies as described herein have broad applicability in the electrical connector field, the electrical contact assemblies will be described in terms of a specific context, namely, cardiac pacemakers for providing precisely controlled stimulation pulses to the tissue of the heart.
IMDs are in use providing electrical pulses to stimulate body tissue via one or more electrical leads extending between the IMD and the tissue to be stimulated. The leads typically provide bidirectional electrical communication between the IMD's pulse generator and the body tissue, transmitting stimulation pulses to the tissue and sensed electrical signals generated by the tissue to the pulse generator. An example of this type of technology is a pacemaker and a pacing lead which provides electrical stimulation to the heart. The pacemaker is usually implanted in a subcutaneous cavity and the lead or leads extend either transvenously to the internal cavities or chambers of the heart or to patch electrodes affixed to an external surface of the heart.
A pacing lead generally includes at least one electrode on a distal end of the lead and an electrical connector assembly on the proximal end of the lead for connecting the at least one electrode to the pacemaker. Most of today's connector assemblies conform to industry wide standards such as the IS-1 and VS-1 standards. The connector assembly on the proximal end of the lead and the at least one electrode are connected by an electrical conductor extending within an insulated body of the lead. It is common practice for the leads to include two or more electrodes and two or more corresponding electrical contacts on the electrical connector assembly. A typical lead in use today is the bipolar lead carrying a tip electrode and a ring electrode on the distal end of the lead and an in-line electrical connector assembly on the proximal end of the lead. The connector assembly has a pin terminal contact electrically connected to the tip electrode by means of a first coil or cable conductor and a ring terminal contact electrically connected to the ring electrode by a second coil or cable conductor.
The connector assembly is received within a receptacle in a header forming part of the pacemaker. The header is typically made from an epoxy material that is assembled and bonded to the main body of the pacemaker. The main body of the pacemaker is generally a metallic, self-contained, hermetically sealed housing enclosing a battery and electronic circuitry for generating and controlling the timing of the electrical stimuli delivered by the lead.
Electrical contact elements such as toroidal shaped extension springs (usually referred to as garter springs) are mounted within the receptacle of the header to make electrical contact with the pin and ring terminal contacts on the lead connector assembly. Generally, as is the case with garter contacts, the electrical contact elements in the header are passive in that they rely on the deformation of the contact elements under load to maintain contact with the electrical terminal contacts carried by the connector assembly on the lead. Electrical signals must be reliably transferred by these contact elements bidirectionally between the body tissue to be stimulated and the circuitry of the pulse generator. Low electrical resistance contacts are especially important to reliably transfer the low level sensed signals generated by the body tissue. The reliability of the contact system must be maintained under multiple insertion/withdrawals of the lead connector assembly, and the electrical contact element within the pacemaker receptacle must be sufficiently flexible to accept a range of lead sizes so as to accommodate the dimensional tolerances of the connector assembly.
It is further important for the electrical connector assembly on the proximal end of a lead to be securely retained within the receptacle of the pacemaker to prevent inadvertent decoupling. In addition, the insertion and withdrawal forces applied to the electrical connector assembly must be maintained below certain prescribed levels. Preferably, the force required to insert the electrical connector assembly into the pacemaker receptacle should be minimized. There are ISO industry standards governing the maximum allowable insertion force of leads.
It is furthermore important that the electrical contact elements within the pacemaker receptacle not be damaged or pulled out of the receptacle by the connector assembly. Existing garter spring designs in particular have been known to roll or pop out of their retaining grooves or to otherwise become damaged as a result of repeated insertions and withdrawals of connector assembly.


A system and method for object location notification in a fire alarm system is disclosed. The fire alarm system includes a fire alarm panel and fire alarm devices deployed within a premises that capture audio and/or image information. The fire alarm panel generates alarm signals and provides notifications of the existence of objects of interest from the audio and/or image information captured by the fire alarm devices. In examples, the fire alarm devices include alarm notification devices that generate an audible and/or visible fire alarm to occupants of the premises such as sirens and strobe lights, and fire sensor devices such as flame sensor devices and smoke sensor devices that monitor for flame and smoke as the indications of fire, respectively. In one embodiment, an analytics system is integrated within the fire alarm devices that determines the existence of the objects of interest from the captured audio and/or image information.

Fire alarm systems are often installed within a premises such as commercial, residential, or governmental buildings. Examples of these buildings include offices, hospitals, warehouses, schools or universities, shopping malls, government offices, and casinos. The fire alarm systems typically include fire alarm devices deployed within the buildings that are directly wired to a fire alarm panel, although wireless systems are becoming more common. The fire alarm devices include alarm notification devices such as sirens and strobe lights that alert occupants of the building of potential fire conditions, and fire sensor devices that detect indications of fire such as heat, smoke, flame, and carbon monoxide, in examples.
In a traditional fire alarm system, the fire sensor devices send signals to the fire alarm panel upon detecting the indications of fire. The fire alarm panel then sends alarm signals to the alarm notification devices to alert occupants of the building, and contacts a central station via legacy telephone systems to alert emergency responders such as fire and police, in examples. A display screen of the fire alarm panel typically provides an indication of which fire sensor device(s) triggered the generation of the alarm signals.
These traditional fire alarm systems typically utilize low-bandwidth/high latency serial communications links to provide high reliability for communications between the fire alarm devices and the fire alarm panel. The fire alarm devices are also usually addressable. Communication between the fire alarm panel and the devices is most often executed in a master-slave fashion, where the fire alarm panel generally polls the fire alarm devices.

Method and system for object location notification in a fire alarm system


The threading of a threaded tubular element includes at least one tangential multiple radius junction zone at the thread root, in particular on the load flank side. This zone include a principal arc with a radius where the support circle cuts the flank at a point. The tangent to this circle makes a strictly positive angle with the flank. The secondary arcs have lower radii that effect the tangential junction of the principal arc on one side to the flank and on the other side to the thread root. The radius of the principal are larger than that of the standard circle which passes through and which would alone constitute a tangential junction zone. Such a threaded element provides a threaded tubular connection which incorporates good resistance to both static and cyclic stresses.

The present invention relates to a male or female threaded tubular element of a threaded tubular connection which is particularly able to resist both static and cyclic stresses.
The present invention also relates to a threaded tubular connection which is particularly suitable for resisting both static and cyclic stresses.
Threaded tubular connections comprise a male threaded element at the end of a first pipe and a female threaded element at the end of a second pipe which may be a great length pipe or a coupling. Such threaded connections are used in particular to constitute casing strings or production strings or drillpipe strings for hydrocarbon wells or for similar wells such as for example geothermal wells.
In its API specification 5B, the American Petroleum Institute (API) defines threaded connections between casing pipes or between production pipes in particular with tapered threadings with trapezoidal or round triangular threads.
Other types of threaded connections are also known which use straight or tapered two-step threads: see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,042.
Until recently, casing pipes or production pipes had essentially to be capable of resisting different combinations of static stresses (tension, axial compression, plane bending, internal or external pressure) despite their limited thickness resulting from the need to be able to exploit a deep well and insert a variety of columns of different diameters one into another.
In contrast, drillpipes, which are only used to drill wells, are subjected to substantial cyclic stresses but are not subjected to size limitations, since a single string of a given diameter is downhole at a given time.
If not strictly limited, cyclic stresses lead during operation to fatigue ruptures which start at the root of the threads, generally on the side of the load flanks which are under load.
This preferred location for initiation of fatigue cracks results from a stress concentration at the junction between the load flank and the thread root.
To improve the resistance to cyclic stresses, it is necessary to reduce the maximum level of the stresses by reducing the general level of stresses on the load flank and by producing the least possible angularity of the junction between the load flank and the thread root.
API specification 7D defines drillpipes with robust tapered threads which are adapted to operational stresses. API specification 7D threads are triangular in shape and very rounded with load and stabbing flanks which are each disposed at 30xc2x0 with respect to the normal to the axis of the threaded element.
The load flank is that which is disposed on each thread on the side opposite the free end of the element. This definition will be used throughout the present document.
The thread root is rounded in an arc of a circle with a radius of 0.97 mm (0.038xe2x80x3) centred on the axis of the thread root; this arc of a circle joins tangentially with the flanks.
The angle of 60xc2x0 between the thread flanks resulting from the triangular shape of the threads enables the radius of the arc of a circle to be substantial.
The thread crests are truncated so as to avoid any radial interference between the thread crests and the thread roots of the mated threading.
The height of the truncated threads is 3.08 mm (0.121xe2x80x3) which corresponds to twice the height of API 5B threaded connections.
These means can, however, prove to be insufficient since U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,754 describes a threading profile which is modified with respect to API specification 7D for drillpipes which renders it capable of further reducing stress concentration.
The thread of U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,754 shows in cross section a root which is not symmetrical but comprises a rounded zone the centre of which is offset towards the stabbing flank (opposite the load flank) and with the radius increased by about 50% with respect to the API radius, namely 1.45 mm (0.057xe2x80x3).
This rounded zone joins the load flank tangentially while it joins with the stabbing flank in a less critical profile: a simple straight segment or a radius of 0.81 mm (0.032xe2x80x3) followed by a straight segment.
The thread root is thus more undercut than an API thread and hence requires a large starting pipe thickness in order to cut the threads.
Such a disposition cannot be envisaged for strings of pipes for exploiting wells since these are subjected to both static and dynamic stresses.
Such demands on stress resistance are now being encountered in underwater strings connecting the sea bed to offshore hydrocarbon exploitation platforms.
Such columns of pipes, known to the English-speaking skilled persons as xe2x80x9crisersxe2x80x9d, are subjected to cyclic stresses caused in particular by currents which induce vibrations in the column, by waves, by tides and by possible displacement of the platforms themselves.
Such demands on stress resistance are also encountered in onshore wells, in particular when dropping rotating pipes in order to cement wells in the very frequent case of wells which deviate from the vertical and have bends.
For this reason, improvements to threaded tubular connections for casing pipes, for production pipes or for xe2x80x9crisersxe2x80x9d have been sought in order to increase their fatigue strength.
Patent application WO 98/50 720 describes such an improved threaded tubular connection.
The threadings described in that document have trapezoidal threads derived from the threads of API specification 5B known as xe2x80x9cbuttressxe2x80x9d threads.
The trapezoidal shape of the threads limits the risk of deformation of the threaded elements which can lead to them dislodging during coupling, in particular by overtorquing.
The thread roots are substantially rectilinear and join to each of the flanks via a rounded zone the radius of which is comprised between 10% and 50% of the total width of the thread root (and preferably between 16% and 26% of that total width), the rounded zone terminating tangentially to the flank and to the thread root.
The thread heights are such that radial interference between the root of one thread and the crest of the corresponding thread of the mated threading is completely avoided by maintaining a radial clearance of at least 0.25 mm (0.010xe2x80x3).
Taking into account the threadings given in the example, the radii at the thread root are of the order of 0.5 mm as opposed to 0.15 mm for the radii specified in API 5B.
Such radii may appear low if they are compared with those of drillpipes but the trapezoidal form of the threads used does not allow as large radii to be formed as in the case of triangular threads unless it is acceptable to drastically reduce the bearing surface of the contacting flanks.
The threadings of document WO 98/50720 are also not adapted to interfering type threads which have a radial interference between the thread crests of one threading and the corresponding thread roots of the mated threading. The threads shown are xe2x80x9cwedgexe2x80x9d type threads with a variable width, like those shown in U.S. Re. Pat. No. 30,647.
The aim of the present invention is to produce a male or female threaded tubular element for threaded tubular connections, which are particularly resistant both to:
a) static stresses, in particular axial tension, axial compression, bending, torsion, internal or external pressure, dislodging during connection, either simple or combined (for example tension+internal pressure);
b) cyclic stresses.
In the remainder of the present document, such a threaded element will be described as having an anti-fatigue profile.
The present invention also aims to ensure that the threaded tubular element of the invention can be formed with all types of threadings: tapered, straight, straight-tapered combinations, with one or more steps, with trapezoidal or triangular threads, which may be interfering or non-interfering; non interfering threadings are, for example, of the type described in European patent application EP 0 454 147 with simultaneous contact of the two flanks with those of the mated thread (also called xe2x80x9crugged threadxe2x80x9d), with an axial interference fit, or of the wedge type with a varying width as described, for example, in U.S. Re. Pat. No. 30,647.
A further aim is that the threaded element can be produced and inspected easily.
The threaded element of the invention must be able to be used to constitute threaded connections for strings of hydrocarbon production pipes, for well casings or for underwater exploitation (xe2x80x9crisersxe2x80x9d) or for similar uses.
A still further aim is to produce threaded tubular connections which are sealed, in particular gas tight, even under cyclic stresses.
In a variation, the threaded element of the invention must be able to be used in drillpipe strings.
A still further aim is to produce a threaded tubular connection in which only one of the threaded elements, for example the female element, has been modified to resist cyclic stresses but which is compatible with a non modified mated threaded element.
In a variation, both threaded elements of the threaded tubular connection have been modified to resist cyclic stresses.
In accordance with the invention, the male or female threaded tubular element with an anti-fatigue profile is formed at the end of a pipe and comprises an external male or internal female threading depending on whether the threaded element is male or female in type.
The threads comprise a thread crest, a thread root, a rectilinear load flank, a rectilinear stabbing flank and two tangential junction zones termed xe2x80x9cthread rootxe2x80x9d zones.
Each of the two tangential thread root junction zones is disposed between the thread root and one of the two thread flanks, termed the xe2x80x9ccorresponding flankxe2x80x9d, and comprises an arc of a circle.
At least one of the two tangential thread root junction zones, termed the xe2x80x9cmultiple radius zonexe2x80x9d, comprises an arc of a circle termed the xe2x80x9cprincipal arcxe2x80x9d, wherein the support circle cuts the support straight line of the corresponding flank at a point termed the xe2x80x9cflank reference pointxe2x80x9d, and also a regular curve termed the xe2x80x9csecondary curvexe2x80x9d either side of the principal arc which tangentially joins this to the corresponding flank and to the thread root: a non tangential junction would introduce a stress peak which is particularly deleterious to fatigue at the singular junction point.
Similarly, the second curve must be regular, i.e., must not have a singular point which could introduce a stress peak at this location.
At the flank reference point, the tangent to the support circle of the principal arc makes a strictly positive acute angle with the support straight line of the corresponding flank.
In the remainder of the document, the positive sense is such that the principal arc does not undercut the material of the threads: a negative angle between the tangent and flank would clearly be particularly deleterious for the fatigue behaviour.
Said support circle of the principal arc cuts or is tangential to the support straight line of the thread root and the tangent to said support circle makes, at the point of intersection or at the tangential point under consideration, an angle comprised between xe2x88x9215xc2x0 and +15xc2x0 with the support straight line of the thread root.
When the circle support of the principal arc is tangential to the support straight line of the thread root, this angle is zero and the secondary curve on the thread root side reduces to a point.
When the thread root reduces to a point, by convention the support straight line of the thread root is the straight line passing through the thread root which is parallel to the axis of the threaded element.
The shape and disposition of the principal arc in any multiple radius zone is perfectly defined:
by the position of the flank reference point;
by the angle between the tangent to the circle support of the principal arc and the corresponding flank;
and by the angle between the tangent to said circle and the thread root.
The radius of the principal arc of each multiple radius zone of the thread root is larger than that of the arc of the circle termed the xe2x80x9cstandard arcxe2x80x9d passing through said flank reference point which would by itself constitute a tangential junction zone between the corresponding flank and the thread root.
The invention can thus use a high junction radius in the critical zones located towards the middle of the junction zone where the principal arc is located and lower radii at the junction with the corresponding flank and with the thread root where the secondary curves are located, without consuming too much of the thread height.
For a given thread height, the closer the flank reference point to the thread root, the more flank surface is available to bear on the corresponding surface of the mated threaded element, increasing the static performance of the resulting threaded connection.
In the case of prior art threaded elements, the radial height of the junction zone (distance of the flank reference point from the thread root) is proportional to the radius of this zone. As a result, for these threaded elements and for a given thread height, any gain in the fatigue characteristics (cyclic stresses) results in weakening the static characteristics.
In the case of the present invention, because of the positive angle between the tangent to the support circle of the principal arc and the flank, the radial height of the junction zone is proportional to the radius of the principal arc but the coefficient of proportionality is all the more lower as this positive angle increases. Thus either the fatigue behaviour under static conditions is improved or the static conditions for a given fatigue behaviour or the fatigue behaviour and the static characteristics are improved simultaneously.
Preferably, the angle between the tangent to the support circle of the principal arc of the multiple radius zone under consideration and the corresponding flank at the flank reference point is in the range +10xc2x0 to (70xc2x0xe2x88x92J), J designates the corresponding flank angle, i.e., the angle between the rectilinear portion of the flank under consideration and the normal to the axis of the threaded tubular element. The flank angle is said to be positive when the flank under consideration tends not to overhang the thread root.
Highly preferably, the angle between the tangent to the support circle of the principal arc of the multiple radius zone under consideration and the load flank at the flank reference point is in the range +15xc2x0 to (45xc2x0xe2x88x92J), J having the same meaning as above.
A configuration with a positive or zero flank angle is preferable from the point of view of concentrating stresses at the thread roots.
Preferably, the radius of the principal arc of the multiple radius zone is in the range 150% to 250% of that of the standard arc which would constitute a tangential junction zone passing via the flank reference point.
Preferably again, each secondary curve of the multiple radius zone is an arc of a circle.
Highly preferably, the ratio of the radius of the arc of each secondary curve to that of the principal arc is in the range 0.1 to 0.4.
The minimum value of this ratio avoids an excessive increase in stresses at the secondary curves.
The maximum value of this ratio limits the overall extent of the multiple radius zone.
The invention can be applied by modifying the profile of the threads either on the side of a single flank, in particular the load flank which is generally the most loaded, or on the two flanks.
It can also be applied both to triangular and to trapezoidal threads with a fixed or varied width and for tapered, straight, combined, simple or multiple-step threadings.
A variety of embodiments will be described below, in a non-limiting way, which illustrate the scope of the invention.
The invention also provides a threaded tubular connection with a high resistance to static or cyclic stresses, comprising a male threaded tubular element at the end of a first pipe connected by screwing to a female threaded tubular element at the end of a second pipe by means of a male threading on the male threaded tubular element and a female threading on the female threaded tubular element.
The term xe2x80x9cpipexe2x80x9d means both a great length pipe and a short pipe such as a coupling.
The threads of each of the threadings comprise a thread crest, a thread root, a rectilinear load flank, a rectilinear stabbing flank and four junction zones each comprising an arc of a circle.
Of these four zones, two zones, termed tangential thread root junction zones, each join the thread root to a flank termed the corresponding flank and two zones, termed thread crest junction zones, each join the thread crest to a flank.
The profile and disposition of each thread crest junction zone are adapted so as not to interfere with the tangential thread root junction zone of the mated threaded element.
At least one of the two threaded elements, male and female, is a threaded tubular element with an anti-fatigue profile of the present invention.
Preferably in a variation, at least one thread crest junction zone of a threaded tubular element opposite a tangential thread root junction zone with multiple radii of a mated threaded tubular element with an anti-fatigue profile is a zone termed a follower which comprises two arcs of a circle which join tangentially to each other namely a principal arc and a secondary arc, this latter producing the tangential thread crest junction to the corresponding flank.
Further, at the point termed the xe2x80x9chigh junctionxe2x80x9d of the corresponding flank where the support circle of the principal arc of the following zone cuts the support straight line of the corresponding flank, the tangent to said circle makes a strictly negative acute angle with the support straight line of the flank under consideration.
Under the convention indicated above, such a sign means that the principal arc of the thread crest bites into the material of the thread.
Such a disposition enables the surface area of the flanks in contact to be increased for a given thread height.
In an advantageous variation from the cost viewpoint, only one of the threaded elements, male or female, is of the anti-fatigue type of the invention and is compatible with the other threaded element which is a prior art threaded element.
In an advantageous variation from the viewpoint of maximising performance, the two threaded elements, male and female, are of the anti-fatigue type of the invention.
In a variation, the threaded tubular connection of the invention is applicable to interference type threadings in which the thread crest of one threading radially interferes with the thread root of the mated threading.
In a further variation, the threaded tubular connection of the invention is applicable to threadings in which the two flanks of each thread are in contact, with or without contact pressure, with the two flanks of the mated threading thread, over at least a portion of the length of the threading: the invention is thus applicable to threads known as xe2x80x9crugged threadsxe2x80x9d with an axial interference fit or with a wedge of varying height.
Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become clear from the detailed description below and from the accompanying drawings, which not only serve to clarify comprehension of the invention but also contribute to the definition thereof, as appropriate.

Threaded tubular element for fatigue resistant threaded tubular joint and resulting threaded tubular joint


A gaming wearable device directed to be worn by a player whilst playing a videogame is provided. The gaming wearable device of the invention hereby disclosed allows the user to feel the sensations currently suffered by a character of a video game, in such a way a deeply immersive gaming experience is provided. The gaming wearable device is a vest or a suit where a series of electrodes have been strategically placed in such a way that every single muscle covered by the suit can be stimulated electrically by means of pulses generated by a control unit. The electrodes are covered with a conductive gel layer allowing a quick and easy fix on the skin of the gamer, providing a higher electrical conductivity as well.

The world of video games has been surrounded by peripherals aimed for gaming since the very beginning. Joysticks were widely deployed in the 80s whereas haptic devices were becoming common during the 90s.
Haptic devices were, and still are, mainly based on mechanical based vibrating devices which generate a vibration by means of an electrically powered motor. These devices do not provide a real sensation or feeling of the situation currently being performed on the video game, since the haptic engine does stimulate the external part of the body only; hence any deeper action cannot be properly simulated, i.e. a stab in the stomach requires from a deeper perception rather than an external vibration or pulse on the abdominal area which can be either a punch or just low kick on the video game.
Hence, it was widely acknowledged that deeper sensations were meant to be provided for a real video game experience also applicable to any similar human-machine interaction.
In this sense, patent application EP3023867A2 discloses a method for interactive physiological and technological synchronization of a user with a virtual environment including taking the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters, transferring the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters to an application program, generating feedback signals in the application program, transmitting the feedback signals to a computing device, processing the feedback signals and supplying feedback pulses which invoke physical sensations in the nervous system of the user through contact with the user's skin, wherein the feedback pulses are supplied using electrical pulses. The method disclosed by EP3023867A2 requires a prior taking the user's biometric and/or kinematic parameters which are transferred to an application program.
EP2291115B1 discloses a wearable device and system for a tamper free electric stimulation of a body; this device is mainly oriented to an application of Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) or electromyostimulation of a user's body which fits a portion of the user's body and includes at least one electrode embedded in the wearable device transferring a stimulating current to the user's body. The device of EP2291115B1 provides a connection point as an intermediate connection between the at least one electrode and a control unit configured to generate the stimulating current. In EP2291115B1 a detector is configured to detect if a change in a physical relationship between the connection point and the at least one electrode exceeds a predetermined threshold value, thereby enabling detection of misuse and tampering with the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,293,015B2 discloses a haptic drive circuit for an electrical muscle stimulation electrode which has an input for receiving a haptic signal based on a haptic effect from a haptic effects' processor. The drive circuit of U.S. Pat. No. 9,293,015B2 contains logic for generating an electrical muscle stimulation current based on the haptic signal; so, an electrode in contact with a user's skin receives the electrical muscle stimulation current, causing a haptic effect by contraction and relaxation of muscles near the electrode.
EP3182266A1 is aimed to determine a haptic effect and transmit a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect. The system disclosed in EP3182266A1 may also comprise a multifunction haptic output device configured to receive the haptic signal and output the haptic effect; said multifunction haptic output device may, in turn, comprise a single haptic actuator.

Wearable gaming device and method thereof


An automatic photographing method, adapted to automatically photograph an image based on aesthetics, includes the following steps. First, view finding is performed on a pre-capture region so as to generate an image view. It is determined whether the image view satisfies an image composite template. When the image view satisfies the image composite template, the view image is set as a pre-capture image. When the image view does not satisfy the image composite template, a moving distance between the pre-capture region and a focus region mapping to the image composite template is calculated, and it is determined whether to set the image of the pre-capture region as the pre-capture image according to the moving distance. The pre-capture image is evaluated according to personal information of the user so as to decide whether or not to capture the pre-capture image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a photographing method and system, in particular, to an automatic photographing method and system thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Along with the development of technology, a variety of smart electronic devices such as a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smart phone, and so forth are becoming more indispensable for everyday tasks, where camera lenses come with some high-end smart electronic devices may perform equally well to conventional digital cameras, or even better. Few of the high-end smart electronic devices provide an image with a similar quality to that provided by a digital single lens reflex camera (DSLR). Recently, the population using such smart electronic devices with cameras all over the world, no matter in the developed countries or in the developing countries, is increasing in a long term trend.
However, such smart electronic devices used in photographing may only provide object and scene recognition as well as image enhancement but rarely provide any feature of automatic image composition and view finding. Hence, a photographer is needed in a social gathering or traveling to photograph the entire event. The pleasure of the event may be interrupted or ruined, and the photographer may not be appeared in photos. Moreover, the users of the smart electronic devices may not be professional photographers. Even if the users wish to capture precious moments with a best view finding technique at outdoors, most of the users may not additionally hire a professional photographer due to an economic issue.
Some existing related products have been trying to solve such problems. Nonetheless, such products are not only pricey but also photograph with conservative strategies, and thus a long waiting time may be required for photographing. Moreover, the algorithms used by such products are mainly based on facial recognition. Such function provided by the existing products is invalid when taking a photo without any facial feature. Hence, to provide a method for automatically photographing aesthetic images with low cost and high performance is one of the tasks to be solved.

Automatic photographing method and system thereof

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology


A method and system for providing integrated remote monitoring services includes receiving and storing radio frequency identification (RFID) data from an RFID system at a remote facility of a subscriber. Video data is received from a video system at the facility and also stored. The subscriber is provided with access to the stored RFID and video data. The subscriber is also provided with access to and control of a video camera in the video system at the facility.

Remote monitoring of a facility for fire, burglar and other alarms provides protection for a facility at low cost. For fire alarm systems, heat, flame, and/or smoke sensors are strategically placed around the facility to detect any fire at an early stage. Upon detection of a fire, in addition to a local alarm, an alarm is sent to a remote monitoring facility, which can then notify the fire department.
Similarly, homes and businesses often have a burglar alarm that is remotely monitored. Typically, sensors are placed on doors, windows, and at other areas susceptible to forced entry. In response to detection of a break-in, an alarm is sent to the remote monitoring facility, which can then dispatch personnel to check the facility.
A significant problem in monitoring alarms is the occurrence of false alarms. For burglar alarms, for example, personnel must generally be dispatched to the scene to determine whether a break-in is actually occurring or has occurred. In the event of a break-in, the need to confirm the alarm delays notification of the police. In the event no break-in occurred, the false alarm unnecessarily diverts personnel and resources to the scene.
More recently, remote monitoring capabilities have improved with the advent of video telesurvelance technologies. This technology allows remote personnel to connect to a video camera in a facility and to control or determine conditions at the facility. While this remote "look-in" capability provides significant advances over earlier monitoring systems, it does not provide an integrated solution for business owners.

Method and system for providing integrated remote monitoring services


Disclosed is an input module of a programmable logic controller (PLC) capable of counting coefficient values of multiple channels. An input module of a PLC includes a plurality of detection units, a decision unit and a control unit. The plurality of detection units receives a pulse signal corresponding to each channel, applied from a load having a plurality of channels, detects rising and falling edges of the pulse signal, and transmits an output signal that is the detected result. The decision unit receives a plurality of output signals respectively transmitted from the plurality of detection units, detects edges of the plurality of channels, and transmits a detection signal that is the detected result. The control unit identifies the presence of occurrence of an interrupt using the detection signal transmitted from the decision unit and performs a counting process using the applied pulse signal when the interrupt occurs.

1. Field of the Invention
An aspect of the present invention relates to an input module of a PLC, and more specifically, to an input module of a PLC, which receives a signal inputted from a sensor or switch.
2. Description of the Related Art
A programmable logic controller (PLC) applied to various fields such as automation of factory facilities in industries includes a central processing unit (CPU) module including a CPU, an input module that receives a signal inputted from a sensor or switch, a high-speed counter module that receives a signal inputted from an encoder, an output module that transfers a control signal to a motor or valve as a control object, a communication module, a proportional integral differential (PID) control module, a positioning module, and the like.
The high-speed module is a module that receives a signal inputted from a high-speed encoder so as to perform calculation using a microprocessor.
However, since the number of timer pulse units or interrupt modules of the microprocessor is limited, the high-speed counter module has a problem that it is difficult to configure multiple channels.
The high-speed counter module also has a problem that a separate module for processing a counter function is required to increase the number of channels.
In order to solve such problems, it is intended to perform the counter function using the input module, but the input module is implemented in such a manner to simply periodically read values. Hence, it is impossible to detect a rising or falling edge of a pulse.
Further, there is a limitation in increasing the number of channels.