An optical imaging arrangement includes an optical element and a piezoelectric device. The optical element includes an optical element body carrying an optical surface on a front side of the optical element body. The piezoelectric device includes a first electrode and at least one piezoelectric element. The first electrode is configured to cooperate with the at least one piezoelectric element and at least one second electrode, when the at least one second electrode is located on a rear side of the optical element body and the at least one piezoelectric element is located between the first electrode and the at least one second electrode, the rear side of the optical element body being opposite to the front side of the optical element body. The first electrode is located on the front side of the optical element body, and the at least one piezoelectric element is formed by at least one piezoelectric section of the optical element body.

Typically, the optical systems used in the context of fabricating microelectronic devices such as semiconductor devices include a plurality of optical element units including optical elements, such as lenses and mirrors etc., arranged in the exposure light path of the optical system. Those optical elements usually cooperate in an exposure process to transfer an image of a pattern formed on a mask, reticle or the like onto a substrate such as a wafer. The optical elements are usually combined in one or more functionally distinct optical element groups. These distinct optical element groups may be held by distinct optical exposure units. In particular with mainly refractive systems, such optical exposure units are often built from a stack of optical element modules holding one or more optical elements. These optical element modules usually include an external generally ring shaped support device supporting one or more optical element holders each, in turn, holding an optical element.
Due to the ongoing miniaturization of semiconductor devices there is, however, a desire for enhanced resolution of the optical systems used for fabricating those semiconductor devices. This desire for enhanced resolution obviously pushes the desire for an increased numerical aperture (NA) and increased imaging accuracy of the optical system.
One approach to achieve enhanced resolution is to reduce the wavelength of the light used in the exposure process. In the recent years, approaches have been taken using light in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) range, typically using wavelengths ranging from 5 nm to 20 nm, in most cases about 13 nm. In this EUV range it is not possible to use common refractive optics any more. This is due to the fact that, in this EUV range, the materials commonly used for refractive optical elements show a degree of absorption that is too high for obtaining high quality exposure results. Thus, in the EUV range, reflective systems including reflective elements such as mirrors or the like are used in the exposure process to transfer the image of the pattern formed on the mask onto the substrate, e.g. the wafer.
The transition to the use of high numerical aperture (e.g. NA>0.4 to 0.5) reflective systems in the EUV range leads to considerable challenges with respect to the design of the optical imaging arrangement.
The accuracy of the position of the image on the substrate is referred to as the line of sight (LoS) accuracy. The line of sight accuracy typically scales to approximately the inverse of the numerical aperture. Hence, the line of sight accuracy is a factor of 1.4 smaller for an optical imaging arrangement with a numerical aperture NA=0.45 than that of an optical imaging arrangement with a numerical aperture of NA=0.33. Typically, the line of sight accuracy ranges below 0.5 nm for a numerical aperture of NA=0.45. If double patterning is also to be allowed for in the exposure process, then the accuracy would typically have to be reduced by a further factor of 1.4. Hence, in this case, the line of sight accuracy would range even below 0.3 nm.
Among others, the above leads to very strict desired properties with respect to the relative position between the components participating in the exposure process as well as the deformation of the individual components. Furthermore, to reliably obtain high-quality semiconductor devices it is not only desirable to provide an optical system showing a high degree of imaging accuracy. It is also desirable to maintain such a high degree of accuracy throughout the entire exposure process and over the lifetime of the system. As a consequence, the optical imaging arrangement components, i.e. the mask, the optical elements and the wafer, for example, cooperating in the exposure process are supported in a well-defined manner in order to maintain a predetermined spatial relationship between the optical imaging arrangement components and to provide minimum undesired deformation as well to provide a high quality exposure process.
To maintain the predetermined spatial relationship between the optical imaging arrangement components throughout the entire exposure process, even under the influence of vibrations introduced, among others, via the ground structure supporting the arrangement and/or via internal sources of vibration disturbances, such as accelerated masses (e.g. moving components, turbulent fluid streams, etc.), as well as the under the influence of thermally induced position alterations, it is desirable to at least intermittently capture the spatial relationship between certain components of the optical imaging arrangement and to adjust the position of at least one of the components of the optical imaging arrangement as a function of the result of this capturing process. Similar applies to the deformation of at least some of these components of the optical imaging arrangement.
For example, deformable mirrors are known from US 2002/0048096 A1 (Melzer et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,795 (Chapman et al.), the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Here, the deformable mirror arrangement is formed by a mirror body and a matrix of piezoelectric actuators arranged on the mirror rear side opposite to the optical surface of the mirror. The piezoelectric actuators typically act in a direction perpendicular to the optical surface between the mirror body and a counter structure (i.e. in push-pull configuration as shown e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,986,795). As an alternative, in mirror intrinsic deformation systems, the piezoelectric actuators act exclusively on the mirror body introducing shear forces (typically parallel to the optical surface) to generate bending deformation of the mirror body (as shown e.g. in US 2002/0048096 A1). A similar configuration is also known from DE 10 2004 051 838 A1 (Möller et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
In these cases, attachment of the piezoelectric actuators to the mirror body is used for the long term imaging accuracy of the optical system. The most widely used attachment method in mirror intrinsic systems is gluing, which can take place at or near room temperature. However, the glue layer between the actuator and mirror body is subject to long term changes on a nanometer scale, e.g. due to stress relaxation, moisture absorption etc. This particularly applies under cyclic stress as it is typically the case in optical imaging systems.
In order to compensate for such long term changes, it is usually desirable to provide a sensor system capturing information representative of the deformation of the mirror and to provide a control system to take corrective actions. Such a sensor and control system adds greatly to the cost and complexity of the system. Moreover, in case of a failure of the sensor and control system, the deformation caused by dimensional changes of the adhesive layer can no longer be compensated for, i.e. the system cannot be operated further even when the deformation system is deactivated.
Other attachment methods, such as anodic bonding, frit bonding, thermosonic bonding, etc. all take place at elevated temperatures, typically around 200° C. This implies that in order to obtain a near stress-free assembly at room temperature, the mirror body and the piezoelectric actuators have to exhibit coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), which closely match. This however poses certain issues, since there are very few glass materials and only a couple of specialized metallic materials, which are suitable for known mirror polishing processes and, at the same time, exhibit a coefficient of thermal expansion sufficiently closely matching the coefficient of thermal expansion of appropriate piezoelectric actuators.
A further issue involved with known intrinsic deformation systems are the parasitic stresses introduced into the mirror via the electrical connections to apply the electric field to each piezoelectric actuator. Multiple electrodes of the desired pattern are placed on the rear side of the mirror and are wired to their respective driving electronics to enable application of the electrical field. Most known wire attachment processes, such as soldering, ultrasonic bonding, gluing using conductive adhesives, etc. are not stress-free. This in turn causes deformation on the mirror surface (as the electrodes on the back side have to be placed directly under the optical footprint), which is further subject to drift and relaxation over lifetime.
This issue is common to all the aforementioned systems as well as to reflective systems with a deformation layer having front and rear electrodes forming part of a multilayer reflective optical surfaces as it is known for example from DE 10 2011 077 234 A1 (Dinger et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Similar applies to systems with a deformation layer having front and rear electrodes which are located between the optical element body and the reflective optical surface as it is known for example from DE 10 2011 081 603 A1 (Dinger et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Finally, this also applies to systems with a deformation sections having front and rear electrodes which are embedded in the optical element body as it is known for example from US 2015/0104745 A1 (Huang et al.), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Optical imaging arrangement with a piezoelectric device


A manufacturing method for a laminated rotor includes inserting a bridge member into a magnetic flux leakage suppression hole, thus allowing a tip of the bridge member to project from an end surface of the laminated steel sheet, and bringing a die surface of a die member into pressure contact with an end surface of the laminated steel sheet and filling a molten resin into a gap between a magnet hole and a magnet body in a state where an opening of the magnet hole is closed. A length of the bridge member is larger than a thickness of the laminated steel sheet. The die member includes a housing portion. The housing portion houses the tip of the bridge member projecting from an end surface of the laminated steel sheet.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a laminated rotor and a manufacturing method for the laminated rotor, especially to a manufacturing method for a laminated rotor in which permanent magnets are sealed by a resin.
2. Description of Related Art
A laminated rotor, in which permanent magnets are inserted in a laminated steel sheet, is used for, for example, an electric motor in a hybrid vehicle and so on. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-153592 (JP 2013-153592 A), such a laminated rotor is manufactured by inserting permanent magnets in magnet holes provided in a laminated steel sheet, and then filling gaps between the magnet holes and the permanent magnets with a molten resin.

Laminated rotor and manufacturing method for laminated rotor


A polyolefin composition substantially free of elastomers (plasticizers), preferably crystalline polypropylene, modified by mixing with polybutene-1 and containing an exfoliated inorganic nanocomposite and a coupling agent is described. The composition is adapted to be used with pigments to make finished molded products which have an appearance of paint covered by a clear coat and which are scratch resistant and have good low temperature (xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C.) impact properties.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel polyolefin compositions particularly free of elastomers (plasticizers) comprising a polyolefin, polybutene-1, exfoliated nanocomposites and a coupling agent which links the components together. In particular, the present invention relates to polyolefin compositions comprising polypropylene, polybutene-1 an exfoliated nanocomposite clay and the coupling agent. The polyolefin compositions are used with color pigments to produce molded products with a surface which has an appearance of clear-coated paint film.
(2) Description of Related Art
Crystalline polypropylene polymers are well known in the prior art. Isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic forms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,300,419 to Sehanobish et al. It can be a homopolymer or a copolymer with another olefinic polymer.
Crystalline polybutene-1 and blends with polypropylene are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,727,112 and 4,727,113 to Kohyama et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,849 to Hwo et al. These blends have good physical properties.
The use of intercalated and exfoliated layered nanocomposites in polymers to increase strength and heat resistance is well known to those skilled in the art. Illustrative are U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,885 to Usuki et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,993,769, 6,261,640, 5,866,645 to Pinnavaia et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,500 to Lan et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,228,903, 6,057,396, 6,287,634, 5,698,624, 5,578,672, 5,552,469 to Beall et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,271,298 to Powell et al and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,121,361, 5,973,053, 6,103,817, and 6,126,734 to Usuki et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,365,661 to Fischer et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,553 to Ellsworth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,095 to Beall et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,093 to Nichols, U.S. Pat. No. 5,747,560 to Christian. All of these patents are incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,989 to Malm et al describes polyolefins modified by an elastomer (plasticizer) which with pigments are used in automotive molded products. The combination in an unpigmented polymer has a haze level of less than 50% as measured by ASTM D-1003-95. Special effects pigments, whether metallic or pearlescent, are described as being particularly suitable for these polyolefin compositions. The problem is twofold: first, the compositions lose strength because of the elastomer and second, the elastomer contributes to a softer surface, which is thus more easily scratchable. It has been thought that the elastomer was essential to make the part non-brittle at temperatures ranging down to xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide polyolefin compositions which have a very low haze level, which are non-brittle at low temperatures, without the use of an elastomer, and which have significant strength. It is further an object of the present invention to provide polyolefin compositions which are economical to prepare and which are easily thermoformable. These and other objects will become increasingly apparent by reference to the following description.
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic composition substantially free of elastomers which comprises in admixture:
(a) a crystalline polybutene-1 in an amount between about 0.1 and 20% by weight;
(b) a crystalline polyolefin other than the polybutene-1 having haze of less than about 10% and a luminous transmittance of at least about 80% as measured by ASTM D1003 95;
(c) an exfoliated layered inorganic nanocomposite derived from a precursor nanocomposite with nanolayers and galleries between the nanolayers in an amount between about 0.1 and 5% by weight, wherein the nanocomposite has been exfoliated by (a), (b) or a mixture of (a) and (b);
(d) a coupling agent which couples (a), (b) and (c) together in an amount up to about 10% by weight, wherein the composition when molded without pigments has the haze and the luminous transmittance of (b). Preferably the polyolefin is polypropylene. Preferably the composition contains a color pigment. Preferably the composition is as a formed molded product. Preferably the composition is as a body part for a vehicle. Most preferably the composition is as a body part for a vehicle which duplicates a paint color of the vehicle. Preferably the precursor nanocomposite contains an exfoliating agent which is an organic onium ion for exfoliation by (a) and (b). Preferably the precursor nanocomposite contains an exfoliating agent which links the exfoliated nanocomposite to (a) and (b). Preferably the nanocomposite has a particle size of between about 1 and 100 microns. Preferably the composition as pellets formable into a molded product. Preferably the precursor nanocomposite is a 2:1 layered silicate with a particle size between about 1 and 100 nanometers and contains an organic quaternary ammonium ion between the layers.
The present invention also relates to a method for the preparation of a molded part which comprises:
(a) providing a thermoplastic composition substantially free of elastomers which comprises in a mixture: a crystalline polybutene-1 in an amount between about 0.1 and 20% by weight;
a crystalline polyolefin other than the polybutene-1 having haze of less than about 10% and a transmission of at least about 80%;
an exfoliated layered inorganic nanocomposite derived from a precursor nanocomposite with nanolayers and galleries between the nanolayers in an amount between about 0.1 and 5% by weight, wherein the nanocomposite has been exfoliated by (a), (b) or a mixture of (a) and (b);
a coupling agent which couples (a), (b) and (c) together in an amount up to about 10% by weight, wherein the composition when molded without pigments has the haze and the luminous transmittance of (b); and
(b) forming the molded part so that the part without color pigments has a haze of less than 10% and a luminous transmittance of at least about 80%. Preferably the composition contains a color pigment. Preferably the composition in step (a) has been mixed in a compounding extruder and then injection molded in a screw injection molding machine as a molded product. Most preferably the composition in step (a) is mixed in the extruder without the color pigment, cut into pellets and then injection molded as an article with the pigment.
The present invention further relates to a recycled polyolefin composition which comprises: a particulate comprising a ground molded product of the thermoplastic composition as previously described.
The present invention also relates to a method of recycling a polyolefin composition which comprises:
(a) providing a first molded product of a thermoplastic composition as previously described;
(b) reducing the molded product to a particulate; and
(c) molding the particulate into a second molded product.
As used herein the phrase xe2x80x9csubstantially freexe2x80x9d in relation to the elastomer means usually less than one percent (1%) of the total weight of the composition. The amount of any elastomer used cannot reduce the scratch resistance of the resulting molded product. As used in the present invention the term xe2x80x9cpolyolefin compositionxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cthermoplastic polyolefin compositionxe2x80x9d means a mixture of the components in the form of pellets which are non-pigmented, pigmented pellets, unpigmented molded products and pigmented molded products.
The term xe2x80x9cmolded productxe2x80x9d refers to a part which has been subjected to heat and pressure to form an article of manufacture with a distinctive shape.
The polyolefin compositions of the present invention are free of elastomers (plasticizers) which tend to make the molded products more scratch resistant. Surprisingly the molded products have very good low temperature properties in absence of the elastomers (plasticizers). The molded products are flexible and strong. The molded products appear as if they were covered with a conventional paint which had been clear coated in the conventional manner and thus are color matched to such finishes, such as on automobiles. The products are useful in setting where a decorative finish is required.
The polyolefin composition and polybutene-1 are typically sold without the pigment. In the molding plant the pigment is added to the polyolefin composition and then injection molded in a mold with a very high finish to form the molded product. This method allows the user to change pigments (color compositions) which are stored in relatively small containers. The need for large silos of single color pigmented polyolefin compositions is thus eliminated.
More specifically, the invention relates to automotive exterior/interior automotive vehicle component such as body side moldings/claddings as well as various interior components such as: A, B, C pillars, and glove box covers, various bezels manufactured with this material and color matched with such pigmentation to perfectly match an automotive exterior and interior paint chips, and a method to recycle such components.
The automotive industry has worked for decades to increase fuel efficiency of vehicles by replacing a significant amount of steel once used to manufacture vehicles by lighter parts made out of plastic materials. The industry has moved toward recycling components of vehicles in order to reduce consumption of natural resources. Modern thermoplastics have improved physical properties impact strength for a bumper and can be recycled.
While the function of modern thermoplastics have been improved, there still is a need to match the quality of a painted surface in terms of depth of color and gloss. Matching a full color palette has been difficult in the past because of the color palette including metallics and special effect pigments. In addition, the vehicle is expected to have the highest quality of depth of color and high gloss. In the past, exterior body panels have either been painted or laminated with a film in order to match the paint chip. However, there are a number of problems relating to these methods of achieving a good color match: 1) The uneven distribution of the coating film; 2) The VOC given off during the coating process; 3) Cracking of the film at low temperatures; 4) Limited flexibility of the film at low temperatures; and 5) Excess of film during the laminating process, for instance. The present invention provides an exterior molded product for automotive use that matches a paint chip in depth of color and of high gloss without the cost and warranty issues involving the painting or laminating.
The compositions of the present invention are scratch resistant per Chrysler specification LP-463DD18-01. A sample shall be scratched by a 1 mm pin: 1 pass by the following force in newtons:
2N
3N
4.5N
6N
7N
*Note: Samples shall be evaluated with a rating of 1 through 5,
1=no scratch
5=severe scratch line.
Maximum allowed scratch severityxe2x80x94rating of 2 for 7N force. The preferred composition had a rating of 2 for a 7N force, and the ability to remove scratches and mars with car polish is noteworthy. With the products of the present invention even small scratches can be easily removed with conventional automotive polish containing a very fine grit abrasive. There is an advantage over a painted clear coat since the pigment is throughout the molded product.
The term xe2x80x9ccrystallinexe2x80x9d means that the polymers and the product have a regular crystal structure which is shown by x-ray diffraction lines. Crystalline polymers provide a very good base for the colorants used in the compositions of the present invention.
The term xe2x80x9celastomerxe2x80x9d means a rubbery or elastic material. In general these materials are avoided in the present invention, since they reduce the scratch resistance of the exposed surfaces of the final product. The compositions of the present invention have very good low temperature properties as measured by an Izod impact test at xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C.
The term xe2x80x9ccoupling agentxe2x80x9d means a compound which serves to bind the polymers to the filter. Coupling agents can be organic anhydride polymers, which are preferred, organic silanes, organic aluminates, organic titanate, organic boron compounds, organic zircoaluminates for instance. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,205 wherein active hydrogen coupling agents are described. The coupling agents are preferably reactive with the nanocomposites used in the present invention, so that the organic group on the coupling agent can bind with the polymer. Coupling agents are described in Engineered Materials Handbook of Engineered Plastics (ASTM) Vol 2, 12, 499-500; in Reinforced Plastics 14, 327-333 (1989), and in Organofunctional Silanes 3, 65 to 74 (1999).
The term xe2x80x9cnucleating agentxe2x80x9d means a compound which promotes crystallinity in the polymer. They can also perform the function of clarifying the polymer (See Plastics Technology, page 74 October 1999). Such compounds include aromatic carboxylic acids and their derivatives, e.g. sodium benzoate, aluminum p-tert-butyl benzoate and aluminum benzoate; metal organic phosphates, e.g. sodium di(4-t-butyl phenyl)phosphate and other aromatic phosphates; benzylidine sorbitol derivatives; talc; polyvinyl cycloalkanes, e.g. polyvinyl cyclohexane and organic dicarboxylic acid derivatives, e.g. sibacic acid. These compounds are well known to those skilled in the art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,782 to McCullough et al, the Amfine Literature and Leaversuch, R. D. et al. 50-53 (August 1998).
The monomers from which the polyolefins of the present invention is derived and used in preparing the present invention are preferably C2 to C20 olefins. Examples of the C2 to C20 alpha-olefins include ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-hexadodecene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene, diethyl-1-butene, trimethyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, ethyl-1-pentene, propyl-1-pentene, dimethyl-1-pentene, methylethyl-1-pentene, diethyl-1-hexene, trimethyl-1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-hexene, dimethyl-1-hexene, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexene, methylethyl-1-heptene, trimethyl-1-heptene, dimethyloctene, ethyl-1-octene, methyl-1-nonene, vinylcyclopentene, vinylcyclohexene, vinylnorbornene, cyclooctadiene, dicyclooctadiene, methylenenorbornene, 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-methyl-1,4-hexadiene, and 7-methyl-1,6-octadiene. The polyolefins can be used alone or in combination.
The polyolefins are crystalline. In any event, they need to have the low haze and high luminous transmittance, as previously described.
The xe2x80x9ccrystalline polypropylenesxe2x80x9d preferably used in the present invention are well known, have a crystal structure and can be prepared and characterized as described in, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,300,419 to Sehanobish et al, which is incorporated herein by reference. Pre-polymerized polypropylene is typically crystallized with a nucleating agent. Typically the melt flow rate by ASTM 1238 is between about 0.1 and 100 grams per 10 minutes for the crystalline polypropylene which is used as a component in the present invention.
The separate xe2x80x9ccrystalline polybutene-1xe2x80x9d component used in the present invention is well known and has a crystal structure as described and characterized for instance in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,727,113, 4,727,112, and 4,886,849, which are incorporated herein by reference. The polybutene-1 typically has a flow rate of between about 0.1 and 100 grams per 10 minutes for the purpose of the present invention.
The preferred crystalline polypropylene and/or polybutene-1 can contain small amounts of other polymerized vinyl monomers so long as they do not contribute haze or reduce luminous transmittance as measured by a Hazemeter as described in ASTM D-1003-95. Such polymers include the polyolefins described previously. Typically the haze level of the crystalline polypropylene used in the present invention is less than 10%, preferably less than 1% and most preferably less than 0.2% as tested by ASTM D-1003-95. A luminescent transmittance of more than 80% and preferably greater than 90% also measured by ASTM D-0003-95 is also required. The thickness of the test specimen is typically 40 to 60 mils (0.040 to 0.060 inch) for the ASTM test (i.e. a film).
The exfoliated nanocomposite of the present invention is derived from precursor nanocomposite galleries which have been intercalated with the polyolefin and/or polybutene-1 by shear mixing. Such nanocomposites are commercially available and generally contain organic or inorganic compounds in the galleries which are compatible with the polymers being intercalated and which expand upon shear mixing. The preferred nanocomposites contain organic onium compounds in the galleries and are available from Nanocor, Arlington Heights, Ill. as the xe2x80x9cPxe2x80x9d series for use with polyolefin resins to increase strength (see P-808 Technical Data). These nanocomposites are surface modified montmorillonite of minerals. These are generally classed as 2:1 layered silicates. The use of nanocomposites for strength in polyolefins is described for instance in U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,885. Further, the nanocomposites are described in the U.S. patents cited under Related Art. All of these patents are incorporated herein by reference herein. The nanocomposite preferably has a particle size between 1 and 100 microns.
The coupling agent links the xe2x80x9cpolyolefinsxe2x80x9d, polybutene-1 and nanocomposite together. The result is a polymer composition with flexibility and strength. The bonds can be covalent, ionic or by intermingling. The reactions can be with available hydroxyl (HO) groups in the polyolefin polymers and with functional groups in the nanocomposite. Typically the coupling agent has at least one group which is reactive with the polypropylene, polybutene-1 and/or the nanocomposite. The coupling agent at the levels used must not significantly increase the haze or decrease luminous transmittance of the polymer composition.
The preferred coupling agents are polymers of carboxylic anhydrides of diacids containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms and which do not increase the haze level in or reduce the luminous transmittance of the composition. The preferred coupling agent is based upon maleic anhydride which is unsaturated in the ring making it easily reactive and which does not impart haze or reduced luminous transmittance in the composition. The anhydrides react without generating water as a byproduct which can contribute to haze and reduce luminous transmittance. Less preferred as coupling agents are polymers of diacids containing 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The diacids can contribute to haze and reduced luminous transmittance.
Preferred polyolefin composition of the present invention is comprised of a crystalline polypropylene Metallocene homopolymer with a melt flow index from 0.1 to 35 g/10 min. and ranging from 70 to 92% by weight; a polybutene-1 polymer with a melt flow from 0.4 to 20 g/10 min. at about 4.5 to 20% by weight, a maleic anhydride coupling agent at about 0.5 to 5% by weight, a nanocomposite at about 0.1 to 5% by weight. Another preferred component in this composition is one or more nucleating/clarifying agents in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight. Also included in the composition is an endothermic foaming agent in an amount between 0.5 to 1.0% by weight and finally special effects pigments. At process temperatures, the foaming agent decomposes carbon dioxide, creating a fine dispersed microcellular structure in the polymer. This integrated foam structure provides a number of advantages including eliminating cooling sink marks, relieving internal mechanical stress, reducing thermal conductivity and improving surface finishes. A fine microcellular structure allows for lower density without adversely affecting desirable physical properties.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for recycling an automotive vehicle by manufacturing a first exterior component, securing it to an automotive vehicle, removing it after the life of the vehicle, grinding it, injection molding it into another second exterior component.
In particular:
Component 1: The most preferred polyolefin is that of propylene, and polybutene-1 homopolymers, and co-polymers. Metallocene based homopolymer polypropylenes are preferred in the invention. Metallocene catalyzed polypropylene homopolymers have excellent optical properties. The Metallocene homopolymer polypropylene of choice has a very low haze level of 8-10% as measured by a 40 mil plaque in ASTM D-1003-95. The Metallocene homopolymer polypropylene also has very low extractables of 1 to 1.5% as compared to another Metallocene based polypropylene of the Ziegler-Nather catalyzed polypropylene which has 2 to 3% extractables. Another property of the preferred Metallocene based polypropylene is a high HDT (heat deflection temperature) as measured by ASTM D648 of 225 F.
Another Metallocene based polymer is an isotactic copolymer of polypropylene. Isotactic polymers (I-PP) tend to be more crystalline in nature, than for example the syndiotactic Metallocene polymers (s-PP). The s-PP is more rubbery like and has a lower flex modulus than the Isotactic polypropylene polymers. The I-PP has a very low haze level of 0.2% as measured by ASTM D1003 test method. The I-PP has a gloss level of 98% as measured by ASTM D-2457.
The useful compositions comprise of low haze, transparent thermoplastic polybutene-1 modified polyolefins with special effects pigments uniformly distributed within the matrix. Preferably they are manufactured into exterior automotive components. This composition can also be manufactured into a body side molding/cladding or bumper fascias.
The polyolefins are preferably aliphatic polyolefins. In automotive applications, the compositions must have excellent outdoor weathering characteristics. Exterior automotive components must meet OEM (original equipment manufacturing) standards for accelerated testing as tested to SAE J1960 and certain long term outdoor weathering in Florida and Arizona.
The polyolefin component of the invention preferably comprise of homopolymers or co-polymers of polyethylene, polypropylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1-pentene, 1-octene. Of these, polyethylene and polypropylene homopolymers, and co-polymers are preferred.
Metallocene-catalyzed polyolefins are characterized by a narrow molecular weight distribution. Metallocene-catalyzed polyolefins also exhibit excellent optical clarity. Preferred sources of Metallocene polyolefins are ExxonMobil ACHIEVE polymers, and AtoFina, both located in Texas.
Component 2: The polyolefins are modified with polybutene-1, coupling agents, and nanocomposites. The haze of the polyolefin composition is less than 10%, and the transparency (luminous transmittance) is at least 80% without the pigments. The composition generally includes special effects pigments, such as aluminum flake or pearlescent pigments, preferably transparent pigments.
The present invention provides a polybutene-1 modified polyolefin when molded having high transparency and low haze when unpigmented, and when pigmented and molded can match a paint chip in gloss level and depth of color without the cost and warranty issues of painting. The molded product has excellent physical properties such as excellent outdoor weathering, flexibility, scratch resistance, impact strength, and good chemical resistance.
The polyolefin composition, because of its high transparency and low haze value, can be color matched to a wide variety of paint chips including a metallic paint chip. The polyolefin composition also provides a molded product with excellent scratch resistance as measured by the automobile industry standard xe2x80x9c5-fingerxe2x80x9d scratch test. The molded product is comparable in scratch resistance to current two component polyurethane coatings which are difficult to prepare. The preferred molded product also has excellent outdoor weathering characteristics as tested to accelerated weathering Xenon J1960 specification. A very high gloss level of at least 90% measured by a gloss meter at a 60xc2x0 angle can also be achieved and as high as 95% has been achieved with the molded products.
The semi-crystalline highly Isotactic polybutene-1 polymer is derived from the Ziegler-Natter type of catalyst of butene-1. The structure is as follows:
A unique attribute of the polybutene-1 is to form polymorphs.
The tetragonal (metastable state) is formed and then within 7-10 days form another state called a Hexagonal state is formed. The Hexagonal state is preferred because the surface hardens, tensile strength increases and tensile modulus increases.
The present invention preferably has polybutene-1 ranging from 0.1 to 20.0% by weight. The optimum percent polybutene-1 at 4.5% to 10% by weight for body side/cladding applications. The preferred source of polybutene is from Basell Polyolefins located in Lansing, Mich.
The key attributes of polybutene-1 include: excellent low temperature impact properties, high clarity, low fogging tendency, superior toughness, good abrasion resistance, excellent creep resistance and tear strength. The transformation into a harder surface state after injection molding is desirable for automotive exterior/interior parts as well as many non-automotive parts.
Component 3: The third component of this invention is a coupling agent. The preferred coupling agents are grafted polymers of maleic anhydride. Coupling agents have been designed to add polarity to the polypropylene to improve the reactivity of glass fibers or inorganic fillers.
The coupling agent improves physical properties such as stiffness, elongation, impact strength, and flow. The following Table 1 indicates how a 30% glass fiber in a polypropylene mixture changes with the addition of the polymer of maleic anhydride as the coupling agent:
In the molded product the coupling agent coats the nanocomposite particles and allows easier dispersion and improved adhesion to the polypropylene matrix. An acrylic acid based coupling agent was ruled out because it caused the formulation to become cloudy, and lose its high transparency and low haze qualities. The best coupling agent to maintain low haze levels and high transparency is the maleic anhydride type. The coupling agent of choice is from ExxonMobil known as EXXELOR at levels between 0.1 to 5.0%
Component 4: Component four in the polyolefin composition is the nanocomposite. With relatively low levels: (2 to 5%) as compared to regular filler levels of (20 to 30%) one can achieve significant gains in physical properties. Because of these low loadings, plastic compositions using nanocomposites can maintain low specific gravities, good flow characteristics, as well as high transparency (luminous transmittance) and low haze. Nanocomposites also promote rapid crystallization. The increase in crystallization decreases cycle time and improves surface hardness. At just a 5% by weight loading of a nanocomposite the following physical properties can be improved. The following Table 2 shows a typical TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) composition with nanocomposites, and one without:
The nanocomposite is preferably a surface modified montmorillonite mineral. In terms of compounding, nanocomposites need higher shear in order to increase the exfoliation or aspect ratio. During the compounding stages, it was found that lower the compounding temperatures (xcx9c20xc2x0 lower in all stages) to maintain colorless pellets, which in turn increased the torque level or mechanical shear. Mechanical shear is defined as: to become fractured under a load due to sliding action (50% torque in the BUSS(trademark) (Bazel, Switzerland). The nanocomposite composition ranged from 0.1 to 5% by weight. The optimum loading is 0.5 to 1.0% by weight. The preferred nanocomposites supplier is Nanocor, Inc. in Arlington Heights, Ill.
Component 5: The fifth component is the nucleating agent. Nucleating agents tend to give a higher degree of crystallinity to polymers, resulting in increased mechanical properties. Some of the mechanical properties that are improved include a harder surface; higher flex modulus and improved optical properties, just to name a few. The hardness of the surface is most important. The nucleating agent raises the crystallinity temperature and provides a faster seed crystal start. The chemical structure of the nucleating/clarifying agent which is preferred having the structure
di(tetratertiary butylphenyl)phosphate (NA11 Amfine Chemical, Allendale, N.J.) As mentioned before, nucleating/clarifying agents give a higher degree of crystallinity to polymers, resulting in increased cycle times in an injection molding process. The following Table 3 indicates the effect of including a nucleating/clarifying agent into the polyolefin composition:
This is all done at relatively low usage levels: 0.1 to 0.5% by weight. Preferably, the usage level is 0.4% parts by weight of the total composition. The preferred source of nucleating/clarifying agents is Amfine Chemical Corporation located in Allendale, N.J.
Component 6: Another component that can be included in the plastic composition is an endothermic chemical foaming/processing agent. The endothermic foaming agent is described as a 50% acid carbonate and 50% of a polyolefin carrier mixture. The bubbles are formed by reaching a process temperature of between: 340F to 600F. Some of the benefits achieved by the use of this type of foaming/processing agent include: impact strength is improved; increased flow; reduced splay marks; color concentrate dispersion; reduced weight in the molded part and increased cycle times. One source of endothermic foaming agents is Endex Polymer Additives located in Ontario, Canada.
Component 7: The next component in the plastic composition is preferably the UV package. The UV package has the function to protect the surface of the molded product from being degraded by UV light, in other words in outdoor exposure. The examples of parts to be protected from outdoor exposure can be automotive exterior, and interior parts, and also non-automotive parts for ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles and the like.
UV absorbers, hindered amine light stabilizers, and antioxidants are used in the plastics industry to protect the finished molded parts from discoloring after exposure to UV sunlight. Typical loading levels are from 0.25% to 5% by weight. Examples of UV absorbers include benzophenones and benzotriazoles commercially available from a number of suppliers such as: BASF Corp., Mt. Olive, N.J., Ciba-Geigy Corp., Hawthorne, N.Y., and Witco Corp., Greenwich, Conn. Hindered amine light stabilizers are available commercially from Ciba-Geigy (Hawthorne, N.Y.) and Cytech. Antioxidants include alkylated phenols and bisphenols, alkylidene polyphenols, organic phosites and phosphates.
Component 8: U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,989 describes the importance of many types of pigments. The pigments used may be inorganic or organic. Special effects pigments including flake alone or in conjunction with color pigments achieve special effects such as a metallic appearances. Inorganic types of pigments include, titanium dioxide, carbon black, red iron oxide, black iron oxide, chromium oxide green, ultramarine blue. Useful organic pigments are metallized and non-metallized azo reds, quinacridone reds, anthraquinone reds, perylene reds, copper phthalocyanine blues and greens isoindolineone oranges and yellows, carbazole violet, for instance. Inorganic and organic pigments are commercially available from many sources including BASF Corporation in Mt. Olive, N.J., Cabot Corporation, Billerica, Mass., Ciba-Geigy Corp. Newport, Del., and Mineral Pigments Corporation in Beltsville, Md.
Special effects pigments are metallic flake and pearlescent pigments including aluminums, micas, gold bronze, copper, nickel, brass, magnesium, and zinc. These types of special effect pigments are available from many sources such as Silberline, Tamaqua, Penna, EM Industries, Hawthorne, N.Y. Micas are available from The Mearl Corporation, New York, N.Y., and EM Industries, Hawthorne, N.Y. The average particle size of the dispersed pigments, including the flake, is preferably less than one micron and more preferably less than 0.2 microns.
Color concentrates which include pigments and a carrier may be added in amounts of up to 14% by weight to the polymer composition, preferably between 4% and 10% by weight. Pigments are added in varying amounts to provide opacity. Pigments are dispersed in a carrier prior to being introduced into the polymer blend. Such carriers are typically high molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene.
Heat and pressure are applied to the polymer compositions using various methods of processing can be applied such as thermoforming, extrusion, injection molding, and compression molding. The polymer compositions are formulated to have a wide range of melt flows to accommodate various processes. A wide range meaning from 2.0 to 35 g/10 in. As measured by ISO 1133. The polymer composition can be extruded into sheets such as the vinyl siding industry. The polymer composition can be injection molded into automobile exterior parts such as, but not limited to, body side moldings, claddings, ground effects, mirror housings, spoilers, interior/exterior door handles, and A,B,C, pillars on the interior. The polymer compositions can also be injection molded into non-automotive molded products such as, but not limited to, hoods for lawn equipment and snowmobiles, fenders for motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATV).
Automotive/non-automotive exterior components are particularly suitable for the recycling process due to the compatible nature of the polyolefins. In terms of the steps to recycle such component, the component is removed from the vehicle, fed through a shredder and ground up into xe2x80x9cfinesxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cparticulatesxe2x80x9d. The fines may be added to other polyolefins and reshaped through the injection molding process. The molded product can also be removed from the vehicle, shredded and ground up into xe2x80x9cfinesxe2x80x9d and reshaped through the injection molding process without breaking down or affecting the metallic or pearlescent pigments.

Polyolefin compositions and method of use thereof in molded products


A pressure sensing device includes a first conversion layer and a second conversion layer, an electrically conductive element between the first and second conversion layers, and a pair of electrically conductive yarns connected to the electrically conductive element, wherein the first and second conversion layers include at least one deformation member adapted to deform the electrically conductive element and change the resistivity of the electrically conductive element, when pressure exerts on the first and/or the second conversion layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pressure sensors. More particularly, the present invention relates to soft pressure sensors that are sensitive to mechanical stress.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pressure sensors have a wide range of applications from industrial to personal usage. A variety of pressure sensing technologies such as potentiometric, inductive, capacitive, piezoelectric, piezoresistive, optical, flow, and strain gauge pressure sensing have been developed for various applications. However, due to their large size, high rigidity and inflexibility, most of these conventional pressure sensing devices are not wearable by a user, and thus, not suitable to be used for personal usage. Soft and flexible pressure sensors can be used on the surface of three-dimensional shape for mapping or measuring pressures, for example, in athletic sportswears, undergarments, or patients' casts.
Several types of pressure sensors with textile-like properties have been developed. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 7,348,506 disclosed a linear pressure sensor which comprises both electrically conductive fibers and electrically insulating fibers. If no pressure is applied, the conductive fibers are separated by the insulating fibers. While with pressure exerted on, electricity is conducted between the conductive fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,299 disclosed a two dimensional array consisting of a lattice of individual force or pressure sensor elements comprising intersecting pairs of elongated, flexible strands or threads. Each of the strands or threads consists of a central electrically conductive wire core having a low resistivity, covered with a piezoresistive material having a relatively higher electrical resistivity. The strands or threads are arranged into two parallel planar sets, one set forming parallel spaced apart rows and the other set forming parallel spaced apart columns angled with respect to the rows. Rows and columns of piezoresistive threads are retained in physical contact with one another at cross-over intersection points forming a lattice of piezoresistive junctions comprising individual force sensing elements, either by being bonded between a pair of thin, flexible, upper and lower laminating sheets, or by being interwoven to form a fabric mesh. The electrical resistance at contacting intersections decreases in a predetermined way with applied normal force, thus enabling quantitative measurement of the force by measuring the electrical resistance of the node.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,365,031 disclosed a pressure sensitive textile including two crossed electrical conductors in a woven, knitted, non-woven or plaited fabric. The conductors being normally biased apart at the crossover point with an air gap between them whereby the application of pressure normal to the plane of the fabric causes the conductors to make contact.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,968 disclosed a bidimensional capacitive pressure sensor includes a plurality of capacitors formed by two mutually orthogonal sets of plates parallel or substantially parallel to each other separated, at least in correspondence of the crossing areas between electrodes belonging to one and the other set, by a layer of an elastically compressible dielectric material, having an array or matrix of column plates and row plates separated, at least at crossings, by elastically compressible dielectric. The system for biasing and reading capacitances comprises circuits for selecting a column and a row plate and sequential control logic circuitry of the column and row selection circuits for generating read values of the pressure each relative to a single pixels represented by capacitor realized in the superposition or crossover area of a selected column plate with a row plate.
In E.P. Pat. No. 1,605,240, a sandwich-structured sensor with electrodes each side of a central compressible layer is disclosed. The compressible layer has a reversible effect and is applied onto a flexible base electrode layer and is covered by an insulating layer. The sensor is completed by a pattern of flexible electrodes of selected shapes applied to the insulating layer and with each electrode with a separate connection to a processor. The electrodes can be conducting fabric, i.e. with conducting thread, or can be printed onto the support layers. A capacitive pressure sensor with similar configuration is also discussed in PCT Pat. Appl. No. WO2005/121729.
The above-mentioned sensors have numerous shortcomings such as non-adjustable pressure ranges, limited service lifetime, limited sensitivity, and complexity.
In view of the above conventional pressure sensing devices, there are still needs for a pressure sensing device that is simple, compact, durable, reliable, cost-effective, lightweight and flexible with excellent sensitivity and adjustable pressure sensing ranges.

The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited


An apparatus and a computer-implemented method are provided for determining a location in a target image (T) of a site on a surface of a physical object using two or more reference images (I1, I2) of said physical object that have been obtained with a reference imaging device. Each of said two or more reference images includes said site on the surface of the physical object and was obtained with the reference imaging device having a different position and/or orientation relative to said physical object. The target image is obtained by a target imaging device and includes the site on the surface of the physical object. For each reference image, a set of feature mappings from the reference image to the target image is used to determine the epipolar geometry between the reference image and the target image, and a projection of the site from the reference image onto the target image is calculated from said epipolar geometry. The location in the target image of the site on the surface of the physical object is determined from the calculated epipolar projections for the two or more reference images.

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure for the real-time acquisition of video images of the interior surfaces of an organ with a flexible or rigid endoscope. Endoscopy is often used to allow a biopsy to be taken. Significant problems for many endoscopies are biopsy site detection, path planning to reach the site, and re-localisation (re-identification) of the site during the same or a future examination. For example, many endoscopic procedures (such as oesophageal endoscopy for Barrett's Oesophagus) require the endoscopist to return to a location previously identified to take a measurement or extract a small sample of tissue (biopsy) for analysis of cellular structure and/or to detect the presence of pathology, in particular cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. Re-localisation may be required during the procedure as the endoscope may move, the patient may cough etc, or it may be required at a later date in order to assess disease progression.
One particular method is known as optical biopsy. This method is based on the properties of light to make a diagnosis in vivo and in situ during endoscopy, while the diagnosis is traditionally done by histological or cytological analysis. It has been shown that optical biopsies contribute to a better detection of malignancy which is invisible during endoscopy and improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. However, it is difficult in practice to have a good match between a tissue sample extracted for histology and the extent scanned during optical biopsy. As a result, many extracted samples may present irrelevant information, which brings great difficulties to the clinicians to diagnose, screen, stage and treat diseases.
In bronchoscopy, for example, an attempt has been made to solve these problems with a guidance system based on tracking the bronchoscope during the examination in relation to a pre-operative CT image (see Helferty J. P. et al., "Computer-based system for the virtual-endoscopic guidance of bronchoscopy", October-November 2007, Computer Vision and Image Understanding, Vol. 108, Issues 1-2, pp. 171-187; and Mori K. et al., "Bronchoscope tracking without fiducial markers using ultra-tiny electromagnetic tracking system and its evaluation in different environments", October 2007, Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI'07), Vol. 4792 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 664-651, Springer-Verlag). Such systems have helped to localise biopsy sites with a precision of 1.58 mm (Helferty J. P. et al.). Nevertheless, some examinations like gastroscopy are based only on video images. Therefore, the endoscopist may want to use miniprobes that are inserted into the working channel of the endoscope and that return additional microscopic information (in vivo histology) or any other signal from the tissue in order to detect and localise biopsy sites. When the endoscopist detects a suspicious region, it is scanned with the miniprobe in contact with the tissue surface in order to confirm the diagnosis. If a tissue sample needs to be extracted from this region, the miniprobe is replaced with forceps.
A significant problem for applications in endoscopy procedures based on video images only and for gastroscopy in particular is that biopsies are performed by interactive guidance of the forceps by the endoscopist. Therefore, once a biopsy site has been detected with a miniprobe, for example, at the tissue surface, it needs to be re-localised precisely in the next video images in order to go back to the same position with the forceps. The problem of object localisation in video images has recently been addressed in applications for minimally invasive surgery (see Speidel S. et al., "Tracking of Instruments in Minimally Invasive Surgery for Surgical Skill Analysis", MIAR 2006, Vol. 4091 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 148-155, Springer-Verlag; and Voros S. et al. "Automatic Localization of Laparoscopic Instruments for the Visual Servoing of an Endoscopic Camera Holder", 2006, Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI'06), Vol. 4190 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 535-542, Springer-Verlag). However, these documents focus only on tracking the instrument tip and its trajectory for robotized-assisted surgeries.
The above problems are also relevant to other medical applications where a point site needs to be re-localised, for example for accurate therapy delivery. In addition, similar problems also apply to non-medical applications such as industrial inspection; remote sensing in hostile environments or very remote sites, for example, underground or underwater, or in space exploration; remote manipulation and repair; and telerobotics.

Apparatus and method for determining a location in a target image


Methods and systems for vehicle passenger detection, can involve extracting a region of interest from one or more images of a vehicle captured by one or more cameras, image-processing of the region of interest and detecting faces in the region of interest with a pruned deep neural-network based object-detection module of a neural network comprising a pruned network, and utilizing the pruned network for inference to determine a number of passengers in the vehicle. The neural network can be pruned by identifying filter pairs in the neural network having a high correlation of weights to detect features have redundant features, and iteratively removing the filter pairs wherein the neural network is retrained after the iterative removal of the filter pairs.

A Vehicle Passenger Detection System (VPDS) can be utilized to automatically count the number of passengers within a vehicle. Difficulties in successfully implementing a VPDS may arise in situations where the vehicles are is moving at speeds of, for example, 0-100 mph. It is particularly important to be able to detect violators in vehicles in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. Such HOV lanes can encourage car-pooling, which may result in a reduction in traffic congestion and harmful vehicle emissions.
Solutions are needed to more accurately detect passengers in vehicles using VPDS approaches, and in particular to detecting passengers who are seated in rear vehicle seats for HOV 3+ lanes using minimal hardware.
Current VPDS approaches suffer from several problems. First, most of the images obtained from conventional VPDS solutions are dark, and the naked eye cannot detect a person sitting on rear vehicle passenger seats without pre-processing of the image. In addition, the dataset utilized in conventional VPDS solutions is composed of images, which may be too dark or too bright. Another major challenge with conventional VPDS solutions and rear view profile faces is occlusion. In addition, the numbers of cases of single occupancy are far higher than vehicle occupancy involving three passengers. The dataset utilized in conventional VPDS solutions hence possesses a class imbalance problem.

Building light-weight single shot refinement neural network for vehicle passenger detection system


An aircraft phased array antenna system has transmit and receive antenna structures externally mounted on the aircraft fuselage. Each antenna comprises a plurality of phased array elements and antenna power and support equipment. Aerodynamically shaping antenna structure to enclose an antenna element grid provides additional antenna structure volume, which is efficiently utilized by locating antenna support equipment within the antenna structure. To control signal attenuation a receive antenna internal converter converts receive frequency signals to L-band frequency signals for aircraft use, and a similar transmit antenna converter converts L-band frequency signals to transmit frequency signals, thus unconstraining antenna to internal aircraft equipment spacing. To reduce power loss and cabling weight, antenna operating power is first generated in the 28 to 270 volts DC range within the aircraft, and locally converted in each antenna to the 3 to 6 volt DC power to operate each antenna's phased array elements.

Aircraft utilize antenna and associated antenna support equipment to transmit, receive and download data communication signals. Aircraft antenna(s) are typically surface mounted on the outer fuselage of the aircraft. Aerodynamic drag concerns require the antenna(s) be shaped to reduce drag on the aircraft. Associated equipment is normally located inside the aircraft on support structures developed for this purpose.
When new systems or technologies are developed or additional communication system equipment is required on an aircraft, additional space must normally be found inside the aircraft for the associated support equipment. On commercial aircraft in particular, space is often created for this equipment in the overhead compartments, and in particular, over the walkways (i.e., central or side aisle-ways) of the aircraft. The drawback of using this space is its constraint on overhead height in the aircraft walkways.
Another problem exists on current aircraft that employ phased array communication antennas. Most currently employed phased array antennas operate at low voltage, i.e., three to six volts direct current (DC). This low voltage requires a correspondingly high current to operate the antenna system. Drawbacks to carrying high current include increased cabling weight between the antennas and their power transformers, and power loss due to heat generation and subsequent transmission loss. In an exemplary application currents as high as about 90 amperes must be carried. A 90 ampere current rating requires a cable size of about four gauge, American Wire Gauge (AWG) be used. Even with this size wire, however, cable heat and power loss places a practical limit on the distance between the power supply and the antennas to about 3.1 to 4.6 meters (10 to 15 feet). This constrains the location of the antenna and/or the location of the aircraft mounted antenna support equipment.
The above problems are compounded for aircraft required to communicate via signals from satellite communication systems. These systems utilize radio frequency (RF) signals in the Ku-band frequency range, for example in the 12 to 14 gigahertz (GHz) range. RF signals on the transmit channel are normally about 14 GHz and above (up to about 44 GHz) and RF signals on the receive channel are normally about 12 GHz and above (up to about 20 GHz). In this frequency range attenuation of signal strength becomes a critical drawback as the antenna/antenna equipment and aircraft communication equipment are separated. As an exemplary loss in the RF frequency range, about every three feet of signal line length used between the antenna and down-converting equipment results in approximately 50% loss in signal strength. As a practical result, an exemplary limit now applied to control this attenuation provides that down-converters be separated by a distance of no greater than about 1.2 meters (four feet) from their respective antenna(s). This places a greater constraint on the location of both the antenna(s) and antenna support equipment than the above noted constraint due to power loss.
Further problems are created for aircraft when new communication systems, such as Connexion By BoeingSM, require one or more new antennas be installed. In the exemplary Connexion By BoeingSM system, the antennas are an intermediary subsystem between the aircraft and the ground. To incorporate the Connexion By BoeingSM system onboard an aircraft, two phased array antennas are required, and the associated support equipment for the phased array antennas, if stored within the aircraft, occupies about six boxes. In an example case of a narrow body aircraft (i.e., an aircraft having a single aisle), providing space to locate and mount eight boxes requires using space over the aircraft aisle-way. The drawback to this as noted above is reduced height along the center aisle-way of the narrow body aircraft. Wide body aircraft (i.e., two or more aisles) are constrained by addition of six boxes, but not to the same degree as narrow body aircraft.
It is aerodynamically desirable to place an antenna at the top of the aircraft fuselage along a vertical plane perpendicularly intersecting the aircraft's longitudinal axis near the leading edge of the aircraft wings. This preferred antenna location, together with the above equipment and cable length constraints, further constrains the arrangement. In an alternate arrangement, sets of antennas are provided. Multiple arrangements are possible. Two exemplary arrangements are a first fore-aft arrangement comprising two antennas and a second side-by-side arrangement of preferably four antennas. With the side-by-side arrangement, two antennas are preferably located on each side of the aircraft, to improve the field of view toward the horizon (also called a "saddlebag" configuration). Both saddlebag and fore-aft arrangement antenna configurations improve the arrangement of support equipment by spreading out the equipment, but still constrain the overall arrangement if the support equipment is all located within the aircraft.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Aircraft phased array antenna structure including adjacently supported equipment


A vehicle door handle includes a coupling device having a handle lever movable between a flush position in which the handle lever is flush with an exterior door panel surface, a ready position in which the handle lever is extended and graspable by a user, and an inwards pushed position. The handle lever includes a handle lever shaft rotatively connected to a handle lever base. The vehicle door handle further includes a positioning device, at least one reduction mechanism driven in rotation by an electric motor and driving in rotation the handle lever shaft, and an electronic control unit operable to create a motor short circuit so as to generate a torque resistance on the handle lever.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Such vehicle door handle assemblies comprise an electric motor which, when actuated, moves the handle lever between a flush position and a ready position. In the flush position, the handle lever is flush with the exterior surface of the door body. In the ready position, the handle lever is protruding from said exterior surface, so as to be graspable by a user.
Once the user grasps the handle lever in its ready position, he can unlatch the door by pulling the lever in a further protruding or extended unlocking position, in which the handle door lever interacts (via a Bowden cable, a rotating pin or a gear mechanism) with a latch mechanism thus unlatching the door.
The electric motor may also move the handle lever from the ready position to the flush position after opening or closing the door. A handle lever spring brings the handle lever back in its ready position when the user releases the handle lever.
Such door handle assemblies also comprise a back-up mechanism, to enable the opening of the door in case of, for example, electric motor or car battery issue i.e. when the electric motor cannot be actuated. This mechanism comprises for example a said push-push mechanism, in which the user pushes the handle lever deep inwards from its flushing position or ready position until reaching a clicking position in which a preloaded spring is released. Said preloaded spring, when released, pushes the handle lever from the inward clicking position in the protruding or extended ready position.
Once the user accesses the vehicle in back-up mode, the battery will generally be recharged, and/or the motor issue will be lifted and normal, electric, actuation can be resumed again.
In normal functioning, the electric motor sets the handle lever in motion via a reduction mechanism, for example a worm drive and gear mechanism, which reduces the rotational speed of the motor actuation while increasing torque value. When the user pushes the handle, associated with a lever from the flushing to the clicking position, said reduction mechanism is actuated in reverse.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0076047 regarding a door handle assembly that extends in parallel from an outer surface of a vehicle door and retracts the door handle until it is flush with the outer surface is known. This door handle assembly includes a door handle formed from a planar handle member and a handle base member. The planar handle member being coupled to the handle base member and a swing arm coupled to the backside of the handle base member extends and retracts the door handle. A first upper fork is rotatably coupled to a backside of the handle base member near the distal portion of a first post portion and a second upper fork is rotatably coupled to the backside of the handle base member near the distal portion of a second post portion. The lower dual fork portion of the swing arm pivots about a shaft mounted to an inner door surface. However, when a user's hand pushes inward on planar handle member so as to extend vehicle handle, the user does not know how deep he should push i.e. when to stop pushing.
Patent application EP 3106594 A is also known. It relates to a handle for a vehicle door, comprising: an activation member configured to activate a latch of a vehicle door so as to unlatch the door, a grip member configured to cooperate with the activation member so as to unlatch the door, wherein the grip member comprises a gripping part, the grip member being movable between a flushing position in which the gripping part extends flush to an external panel of the door, an active position in which the gripping part projects with respect to the external panel and becomes graspable, and the grip member cooperates with the activation member, and an opening position in which the grip member drives the activation member to activate the latch and unlatch the door, and a driving mechanism and an actuator lever cooperating with the grip member such that the grip member may be driven between the flushing position and the active position, the handle being configured such that when the grip member is pulled according to an opening direction, the grip member drives the activation member which in turn activates the latch to unlatch the door. However, in this disclosure, when a user's hand pushes inward on planar handle member so as to extend vehicle handle, he does not know how deep he should push i.e. when to stop pushing.

Vehicle door handle with sensitive actuator


A method in a network entity associates a unique identifier with an event, for example a television program. The method comprises the steps of receiving an original time reference allocated to the event, for example an original start time for the event, and generating a first identifier (event_ID) to identify the event, wherein the first identifier is based on a set of first identifiers (event_IDs) that have a predetermined repetition period. The method further comprises the step of generating a second identifier (program_ID) to identify the event, wherein the second identifier is unique over time and based on a function of the first identifier and the original time reference allocated to the event. Various embodiments describe how changes to the original time reference can be made, yet still allow the unique event identifier to be determined.

In television services Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is a term used to represent program meta-data for broadcasted programs, and is provided as an interactive service to end users.
FIG. 1 shows an example of how EPG data is distributed amongst the typical functions of a "hybrid" TV infrastructure that facilitates both a Digital Video Broadcasting standard 101 (DVB being the standard for television data distribution over satellite, cable, terrestrial or IP networks) and an Internet Protocol (IP) standard 103. Traditional TV services such as Linear TV, Local PVR (recordings) and so forth make use of the existing DVB standard received over Satellite/Cable/Terrestrial/IP networks, and extra add-on features are given over another network (e.g. IP), for example Video On Demand, Network PVR and Catchup TV.
Program data such as EPG data plays an important role for features that are enabled over such hybrid systems. EPG data is ingested (created, updated and deleted) in the network side, for example at a server system 105 using an EPG ingest unit 107. The data is typically stored in the system server 105 within a program storage unit 109 that serves network applications 111, such as network PVR and catchup TV. The EPG data is also distributed over satellite, cable, terrestrial or IP networks as a DVB Event Information Table (DVB EIT), and is stored locally on a client system (or client device, such as a set-top box) 113.
The Event Information Table forms part of a DVB Service Information standard (DVB-SI) that delivers meta-data for scheduled TV programs. The EPG data received at the client system 113, for example via a receiving unit 115 in the client system, is typically stored in an event storage unit 117 that serves local applications 119 with the corresponding EPG data.
The event storage unit 117 contains the DVB EIT representation of EPG meta-data for programs, known as "Events". Events have a limited lifetime since the event identifiers used to identify a particular event (known as event_IDs) are reused on a periodic basis, for example every 3 months or so. This is known as an event identifier repetition period. Event identifiers are repeated in this way since only a limited number of bits (16 bits) are available in the DVB standard for representing event_IDs. After the event Identifier repetition period has elapsed, a local application cannot make use of the event identifier as a reference.
In the DVB standard an event in the EIT also contains a Program Start Time to identify when the particular program is due to start. However, such Program Start Times cannot be used as unique identifiers for individual programs since the start time of a particular program can change, for example when a previous program is overrunning unexpectedly, or when there is a change to the programming schedule. Therefore the event identifier is used as a reference for the individual programs. The EIT information is updated repeatedly, where any old information for an event is overwritten with updated information.
Sometimes there are dependencies or interactions between client systems 113 and server systems 105. In these cases they must share the same EPG program identifiers. Many scenarios during typical use require the program identifiers to be unique over time. For example "Recommendation" and "Advertisement" applications need to refer to programs that users have watched in the past to provide effective advertisements, promotions and recommendations. Also, applications for recorded content such as Network PVR and TV Anytime services may require to store program meta-data for very long times. However, since none of the identifiers described above are unique over time, this can lead to disadvantageous situations where different parts of a system can inadvertently reference incorrect events or programs.

Apparatus and method for identifying events


Provided are an electronic device wherein operability is improved by changing display contents as needed corresponding to a touch state with a display area, and a display method employed in the electronic device

In recent years, an increasing number of mobile terminal devices have been provided with a touch sensor capable of performing various operations (for example, activation of a music player, etc.) by detecting touch by a pen or a finger. In such a mobile terminal device, various input keys are displayed on a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a transparent touch panel is superimposed on the display, and the various input keys transmitted through this touch panel to be displayed are operated (touched) by a finger or a pen, thereby performing input operations.
Here, since a finger tip is larger than a pen tip in terms of a touch dimensions, in a case in which the interval between adjacent key touch areas is narrow, a plurality of adjacent keys may be touched at the same time, which may potentially cause malfunction. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a method has been proposed in which an interval between adjacent key touch areas is controlled to be widened when touching by a finger, thereby avoiding a plurality of keys from being touched at the same time, and preventing malfunction (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2005-050265

Electronic device and display method employed in electronic device

Abstract: The electronic device is provided with: a display section (21) which indicates selection items; a detecting section (31) which detects a touch with a display area of the display section (21); and a control section (32) which controls to switch the display state of the display section (21) corresponding to the touch state with the display area to a first display state wherein a first display item group having a plurality of first hierarchical items relating to the selected item or to a second display state wherein a second display item group which has a plurality of second hierarchical items relating to the selected item and the number of items larger than that of the first display item group, at the time when a touch with the display area that corresponds to the selected item is detected by the detecting section (31) in the state where the selection items are displayed on the display section (21).


Mating virtual objects in virtual reality environment, involves generating a bounding box having a plurality of faces corresponding to a plurality of exterior surfaces of a subject virtual object. A spatial mesh corresponding to surfaces of the real world environment is generated. A magnetic mate is generated to initially align a bounding box first face to a first spatial mesh surface. A shadow mate is provided between a bounding box second face and a second spatial mesh surface, by projecting a virtual ray from the subject virtual object bounding box second face toward the second spatial mesh surface, determining a mate point corresponding to an intersection of the virtual ray and the second spatial mesh surface, and displaying a mating button in the virtual reality environment at the mate point.

A mixed reality environment refers to a virtual reality (VR) environment that incorporates one or more aspects of the real-world environment of the user of a virtual reality device. In a mixed reality environment, the use of head-mounted devices (for a non-limiting example, Microsoft's HoloLens) enables the head of a user to function like a camera. While this technology provides users the freedom to view a virtual object, for example, an assembly or model naturally by walking around the virtual object, certain interactions may create challenges for users manipulating the virtual object assembly that they are viewing.
The challenges include but are not limited to:                (1) Environment Constraints: Access to angles of the virtual object that are difficult for people to reach in the real world. This is especially true when one mate (anchor point) between the virtual object and the real-world environment has been established, as the mating may restrict the virtual object so that the virtual object may be cumbersome to view and/or manipulate, requiring the user to assume difficult/uncomfortable positions in the real-world (RW) environment in order to further interact with the virtual object. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the user 110 must lie on the floor 125 of the RW environment 100 with the headset in order to view and interact with the desired portion of the virtual object 130 (here, the bottom surface of the virtual object 130).        (2) Inefficient gesture Interactions: Certain human interaction with the VR environment, such as the gaze+air tap gesture, may be difficult for users to master and/or cause fatigue. Therefore it may be preferable to minimize the number of steps to manipulate the assembly.        (3) The VR size variance, mesh variance and origin difference of the loaded assembly may significantly affect the efficiency of alignment or mate to the real-world environment.
A current process for mating virtual objects to their real-world environment may be, for example:                (1) The user, wearing a headset, selects a face on the virtual assembly, then selects another real-world plane that the user intends to mate the virtual assembly to. The user then confirms the mating method through the user interface (UI) of the headset. If some locations in the virtual assembly are hard for the user to reach, the user may use a ladder or lie down in the real world in order to reach these locations. If it is difficult for the user to aim for a precise location because of unstable movement of the camera/human head, the user may compensate by attempting to stabilize the camera/head.        (2) The user manually measures a distance between a real-world object/surface and the virtual object by first selecting (clicking on) a surface of the virtual object and then selecting a real-world surface, and then moves the virtual object to adjust the distance.        (3) The user then manually inputs the offset distance via virtual keyboard, which might be cumbersome when using a mixed reality headset.
Therefore, there is a need to address one or more of the abovementioned issues.

System and methods for mating virtual objects to real-world environments

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation


Fixtures (22, 27) at a doorway (13) of a landing (14) are formed integrally with a door frame (17, 17a). The fixtures include electronic modules (42, 46, 54) and energy storage devices (43, 47, 55). Power may be supplied by a generator (32) rotated by a pinion (34) in response to a rack (35) on a hoistway door (20), or by electrical contacts (58) disposed on the hoistway side of the door frame which touch contacts (65) on an elevator car door (63) when the door is open, thereby receiving power over a line (66) from the elevator car; or power may be provided by an inductive coupler (70). The fixtures (22, 27) may be within the profile of the door frame (17), or extend outwardly from the profile of the door frame (17a).

Elevator systems have hallway fixtures at each floor, including directional lanterns, hall call buttons, and in some cases, elevator position indicators. Traditionally, each hallway fixture on every floor was powered by means of wires run through the hoistway, with additional wires to provide signal communication between the floor and the controller, which has typically been located at the top of the hoistway in a machine room. To reduce the amount of wiring, modern systems use serial communication buses which typically may require two wires for communication and two for power, one bus each for the lanterns and call buttons. The wiring requires significant installation time in new buildings, and makes modernization of existing elevators extremely difficult. Further, work in the hoistway is dangerous and should be avoided if possible.
The communication aspect of hall fixtures has been rendered wireless by means of radio frequency (or other) wireless communications. However, power is still required to be provided by wires, which must be specifically installed in the building during initial construction of an elevator system, or as a consequence of modernization.

Wireless elevator hall fixtures integral with hall door frame


Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods and apparatuses for UE capability reporting in mobile communication systems. UE capability reporting in LTE with high number of CCs (32) creates a great signalling overhead. An enhanced network enquiry message (UECapabilityEnquiry) is proposed which includes indications (e.g. maximum aggregated CC number or bandwidth class, MIMO/CSI-process capabilities) that indicate to a UE that the UE is to exclude, from its capability report (UECapabilityInformation), information related to functions that the network either does not support or is not interested in. The enhanced network enquiry message may include indications of a max. number of DL/UL CCs for which the UE is requested to provide supported CA band combinations and non-CA bands. The UE selects a subset of CA capabilities based on these indicator and generates a UE capability response (UECapabilityInformation) including information related to the selected subset of CA capabilities.

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 12 provides carrier aggregation (CA) capability up to five component carriers (CCs). One of the objectives of 3GPP Release 13 is to enhance CA capability up to 32 CCs. Supporting such a high number of CCs may complicate control and data signaling across the radio interface.


An improved document authentication method in which critical content, such as signatures, is preserved at a high-resolution in the authentication data carried on the self-authenticating document. When generating authentication data, signatures are compressed without down-sampling to preserve their resolution and quality. The compressed signature data (a bit string) is embedded in an image segment on the document. For example, each bit of the bit string is stored in the low bits of one or more image pixels. A hash code is calculated from the bit string and stored in a barcode printed on the document. To authenticate a scanned-back document, the bit string is recovered from the image segment. A hash code is calculated from the recovered bit string and compared to the hash code extracted from the barcode. The signatures re-generated from the recovered bit string are compared to the signatures in the scanned document.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of document self-authentication, and in particular, it relates to a method of document self-authentication that preserves critical content such as signatures on the document with high resolution in the authentication data.
2. Description of Related Art
Original digital documents, which may include text, graphics, images, etc., are often printed, and the printed hard copy are distributed, copied, etc., and then often scanned back into digital form. Authenticating a scanned digital document refers to determining whether the scanned document is an authentic copy of the original digital document, i.e., whether the document has been altered while it was in the hard copy form. Alteration may occur due to deliberate effort or accidental events. Authentication of a document in a closed-loop process refers to generating a printed document that carries authentication information on the document itself, and authenticating the scanned-back document using the authentication information extracted from the scanned document. Such a printed document is said to be self-authenticating because no information other than what is on the printed document is required to authenticate its content.
Methods have been proposed to generate self-authenticating documents using barcode, in particular, two-dimensional (2d) barcode. Specifically, such methods include processing the content of the document (bitmap image, text, graphics, etc.) and converting it into authentication data which is a representation of the document content, encoding the authentication data in a 2d barcode (the authentication barcode), and printing the barcode on the same recording medium as the printed document. This results in a self-authenticating document. To authenticate such a printed document, the document is scanned to obtain scanned data that represents the content of the document, e.g. a bitmap image, text extracted by using an optical character recognition (OCR) technology, etc. The authentication barcode is also scanned and the authentication data contained therein is extracted. The scanned data is then compared to the authentication data to determine if any part of the printed document has been altered, i.e. whether the document is authentic. Some authentication technologies are able to determine what is altered, some merely determine whether any alterations have occurred.
Methods of authenticating a document using 2d barcode are described in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/050,701 and 12/050,718, both filed on Mar. 18, 2008.
To generate barcodes that encode the content of the document, different types of content in the document are often treated differently. Text content may be encoded as text strings. Image content, which tends to be large in data size, is typically down-sampled and compressed to reduce its size before it is coded in barcode. Thus, the authentication data stored in the barcode that represent image content typically has a lower resolution than the original image data in the document.
Within a document, there are often areas containing critical content, such as signatures. In conventional document authentication techniques, a signature is typically treated as an image, i.e., the signature image is down-samples and compressed and them coded in barcode. Thus, during the authentication step, the signature image extracted from the barcode on the scanned document often has poor quality, and the comparison of the extracted signature image with the signature on the scanned document can be unreliable.

Method of self-authenticating a document while preserving critical content in authentication data


A boost power converter system according to one embodiment includes an input voltage high-side node; an inductor coupled to the input voltage high-side node at a first terminal of the inductor; a power switch coupled to the inductor at a second terminal of the inductor; a drive circuit configured to control the power switch such that the boost power converter system operates in a discontinuous conduction mode when a load current drops below a critical conduction threshold; and a damping switch configured to enable current flow from the power switch at the second terminal of the inductor to the input voltage high-side node, wherein the damping switch is closed when the power switch is open and the damping switch is opened when the power switch is closed.

A boost power converter is one type of switching mode power supply which converts an input direct current (DC) voltage to a higher, output DC voltage of the same polarity. Boost power converters may operate in a discontinuous conduction mode, where current flow through the inductor is zero for a portion of the switching cycle. When the inductor current reaches zero, the power converter will ring or oscillate due to the effects of parasitic capacitance in the power switch and rectifier diodes. This ringing can destabilize the control loop of the converter and decrease conversion efficiency. Furthermore, when the boost converter is used for active power factor correction, the ringing can introduce spurious harmonics in the line current, resulting in an undesirable reduction of the power factor.
One solution to this problem is to use a passive resistor-capacitor (RC) network connecting the converter switch node to ground which dampens out the oscillations. This approach, however, requires a relatively large capacitor which consumes too much die area, in the case of an integrated solution, or additional external components, in the case of a discrete solution. Another approach is to use an active damper (i.e., a low side damping switch) between the converter switch node and ground, but this wastes power and decreases the converter efficiency.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Boost power converter with high-side active damping in discontinuous conduction mode