A modular wind turbine system comprises modules with electrically conductive structural rails supporting wind turbines. The wind turbines drive generators electrically connected to the rails. Individual modules are electrically and mechanically linked to adjacent modules, simultaneously bracing the overall structure and providing a means of conveying the electricity, produced by the generators, to the location or locations required for consumption, storage or onward transmission of that electricity.

This present disclosure relates to a modular wind turbine system suitable for the construction of wind farms.
The desirability of converting wind energy into electrical energy is well known, namely that the electricity is generated without the burning of fossil fuels, and thus without the associated carbon dioxide emissions.
Conventional wind farms, which consist of large scale horizontal axis turbine installations, suffer from a number of significant financial and environmental drawbacks: each turbine requires its own very tall and heavy steel tower, with extensive electrical cabling run from the turbine hub to the base of each tower and thence to a substation for onward power transmission. Massive tower foundations, new access roads capable of carrying heavy lifting equipment, and additional land drainage are also often required when a conventional wind farm is installed. Apart from the financial, energy and environmental costs of this additional infrastructure, the turbines themselves are often objected to by local communities due to their visual dominance of the landscape and production of visual "flicker" and low frequency noise, which can be perceived as a nuisance even at considerable distances from the installation, due to the height of the turbines above ground level. Environmental objections and physical access for turbine equipment and cranes constitute severe constraints on the range of locations where large onshore wind turbines may be deployed. Offshore wind turbines overcome the visual and noise objections, but suffer even larger installation and cabling/connection costs.
As an alternative to individual large turbines a number of systems have been proposed to mount arrays of smaller turbines on tall towers or large scaffolding-type frames on rotating platforms, in various patents and patent applications, for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,399 and W02009130691. These designs, however, would suffer from many or all of the objections described above, particularly cabling costs, noise, and visual obtrusiveness. Additionally, rotating platform devices could require a relatively large footprint on the land they occupy.
A different approach has been to mount smaller turbines on buildings either singly or in arrays as, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,220,870 and W02005052362. However, a number of studies have shown that the wind speed is so reduced, and turbulence so increased in the vicinity of most buildings, that the energy output of such arrays is likely to be minimal in most cases.
Smaller wind turbines on individual poles placed away from nearby buildings, tall trees or other obstacles produce a much better power output than equivalent building mounted ones. A variety of such machines are now commercially available, including both horizontal axis types, which need to have their rotation axis aligned with the wind direction for optimum efficiency and also "vertical axis" machines which are sometimes described as omnidirectional in that they are able to extract energy with moderate efficiency from wind arriving from any direction in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the turbine. Thus for certain wind directions a "vertical axis" machine will extract energy even if its axis is other than vertical. Conventional installations of individual horizontal or vertical axis machines still require the considerable additional energy, installation and financial costs both of the individual supporting poles or towers, which must be of sufficiently strong construction to withstand gale force winds from any direction, and of the additional electrical cabling or mechanical linkage required to take the power output of each individual turbine from its hub height to ground level and thence to the point of consumption or onward transmission. For low voltage systems, as are commonly used in smaller wind turbines with ratings of 10 kW or less, relatively high electric currents necessarily result when there is significant power output from the generators. Therefore the choice faced by the installer or user is either to invest in large cross-section, and hence expensive, connecting cables from the generator to the point of use or onward transmission, or to accept considerable energy losses due to resistive heating of the cables, if small diameter connecting cables are used.
Some proposals have been made for linear "wind fence" type constructions either at ground level or raised on poles as, for example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,984, U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,086, U.S. Pat. No. 2,218,867, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,876,595. As with individual turbines on poles, a key problem which arises with such a design is still how to take the energy from where it is harvested by the turbines to where it is to be used. Proposals have included mechanical or hydraulic linkages between the turbines and central power stations or generators, or that turbines have individual electrical generators, the electricity being taken to its point of use or transmission by cables. The use of cabling, hydraulic or mechanical linkages all add considerable cost and complexity to these designs. A second key concern, that of bracing the structure against strong winds, is addressed in some designs by using guy wires attached from the ground to various points on the structure. These would, however, significantly interfere with land use on many farm installations. The conventional alternative, of using individual sufficiently strong vertical poles at intervals implies, as with conventional wind turbines of equivalent swept area, relatively large and heavy poles, and therefore large cranes or similar heavy lifting mechanisms to raise the poles and to raise and attach the turbines to them.
Thus there remains a need for a lightweight and low cost wind farm system which requires minimum materials for its construction, minimizes or eliminates additional access and electrical connection infrastructure, and has minimum environmental impact.


A roll changing apparatus for a four-high rolling mill comprises rails, provided in a rolling mill stand and on a work side of the rolling mill, for incoming and outgoing of a work roll assembly and a backup roll assembly, and a pusher, provided on a drive side or the work side of the rolling mill, for roll admission and withdrawal for both of work rolls and backup rolls. The roll changing apparatus can be modified into a side shift type roll changing apparatus with ease, at a low cost, and in a short time.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-234625 filed on Aug. 2, 2001 including specification, claims, drawings and summary is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a roll changing apparatus and a roll changing method for a rolling mill in rolling equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
There have been roll changing apparatuses for four-high rolling mills as shown, for example, in FIGS. 14 to 18.
FIG. 14 shows a roll changing apparatus called a C-hook system. When upper and lower work rolls 100 are to be changed, for example, a lower end receiving portion 103 of a C-hook 102 exclusive to work rolls, which has been suspended from a hook 101 of a crane, is engaged with the shaft ends of the upper and lower work rolls 100 within a rolling mill stand 104. Then, the upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100 are slightly lifted by handling of the crane to disconnect them from a lower backup roll (assembly) 105. (At this time, an upper backup roll (assembly) 105 has been slightly raised.) Then, the upper and lower work rolls 100 are pulled out into a pit P present before the rolling mill. Then, the upper and lower work rolls 100 are transported by the crane to a predetermined site of replacement, where they are changed to new upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100. Changing of the upper and lower backup rolls 105 is also performed in a similar manner using a C-hook exclusive to backup rolls.
FIG. 15 shows a roll changing apparatus called a cluster system. When upper and lower work rolls 100 are to be changed, for example, a pit P before a rolling mill is opened, and the upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100 are stacked on and supported by a lower backup roll (assembly) 105 supported on a sled 106 in a rolling mill stand 104. (At this time, an upper backup roll (assembly) 105 has been slightly raised.) Then, the sled 106 is moved on a base 108 by a hydraulic cylinder 107 to push out the upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100 into the pit P before the rolling mill. Then, the upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100 are changed to new upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100 by a crane operation. After changing, the new upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100 are set into the rolling mill stand 104 by the same procedure performed in reverse. Changing of the upper and lower backup rolls 105 is performed, in the case of the lower backup roll (assembly) 105, by exactly the same procedure as that for the upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100, or in the case of the upper backup roll (assembly) 105, by a similar procedure using a stool (not shown; a so-called dummy for the upper and lower work rolls (assembly) 100) and placing the upper backup roll (assembly) 105 on the stool.
FIGS. 16 and 17 show a roll changing apparatus called a side shift system. In detail, a four-high rolling mill 50 on a rolling line has a rolling mill stand 51, upper and lower work rolls 52 as a pair, and upper and lower backup rolls 53 as a pair. In the drawings, Ds denotes a drive side of the rolling line, while Ws denotes a work side of the rolling line.
The above roll changing apparatus has a work roll pushing-out/pulling-in pusher 54 disposed on the drive side Ds of the rolling line, and a backup roll pulling-out/pushing-in hydraulic cylinder 55 disposed on the work side Ws of the rolling line. In FIG. 16, 54a denotes a connecting fitting at the tip of the pusher 54, 54b denotes a connecting fitting at the end of a roll chock 52a of the work roll 52 opposed to the pusher tip, 55a denotes a connecting fitting at the tip of the hydraulic cylinder 55, and 55b denotes a connecting fitting at the end of a roll chock 53a of the lower backup roll 53 opposed to the tip of the hydraulic cylinder 55.
Changing of the work rolls 52 is performed by a method which comprises relieving the upper backup roll 53 and the upper work roll 52 to ascending positions, raising the lower work roll 52 to a roll change height, pushing out the lower work roll 52 over a small distance by the pusher 54, lowering the upper work roll 52 onto the lower work roll 52 to stack them in a roll change posture, pushing out the upper and lower work roll assembly onto a shift table 56 by forward or extended driving of the pusher 54, replacing this old work roll assembly with a new work roll assembly by a shift or a shifting movement of the shift table 56 caused by a shifting cylinder 64, and pulling the new work roll assembly into the rolling stand 51. At this time, the work roll assembly is adapted to act such that wheels 57 mounted on the roll chocks 52a of the lower work roll 52 move on up-and-down rails 58a in the rolling mill stand 51 and on rails 58b on the shift table 56.
Changing of the backup rolls 53 is performed after pushing the work roll assembly out of the rolling mill stand 51 onto the shift table 56, and temporarily removing the work roll assembly, the shift table 56, a detachable girder 62a, and a detachable rail 63a located before the rolling mill. That is, changing of the backup rolls 53 is performed in the following manner: The connecting fitting 55a of the hydraulic cylinder 55 is coupled to the connecting fitting 55b on the side of the lower backup roll 53, and the lower backup roll 53 is pulled out to the work side Ws of the rolling line. At the pullout position, an upper backup roll-loading (roll changing) stool 59 is mounted on the lower backup roll 53, and they are pushed into the rolling mill stand 51. The upper backup roll 53 is lowered, and loaded on the stool 59, whereafter the upper and lower backup rolls 53 are pulled out to the work side Ws by the hydraulic cylinder 55. At the pullout position, the upper backup roll 53 is replaced with a new upper backup roll 53. The new upper backup roll 53 is pushed into the rolling mill stand 51, and set at a predetermined height position. The lower backup roll 53 loaded only with the stool 59 is pulled out to the work side Ws, where the stool 59 is detached, and the lower backup roll 53 is replaced with a new lower backup roll 53. The new lower backup roll 53 is pushed into the rolling mill stand 51, and set in place.
At this time, the weight of the assembly including the stool 59 and the upper and lower backup rolls 53, generally, moves slidingly on a slide base 61a in the stand 51 and on a slide base 61b on the work side Ws via slide members 60 provided at the roll chocks 53a of the lower backup roll 53.
When roll changing is performed by the above-described C-hook system or cluster system, a changing operation by handling of the crane accounts for most of this task, and requires labor and time. In recent years, therefore, a demand has risen for modifying equipment in order to switch to the side shift system that minimizes a changing operation by handling of the crane and requires minimal downtime for the rolling line.
With the aforementioned conventional side shift type roll changing apparatus, however, large drive devices (pusher 54 and hydraulic cylinder 55) for bringing the work rolls and the backup rolls into and out of the rolling mill stand are provided separately. Thus, the fixtures cost is high, and installation (accommodation) spaces for them have to be secured.
Furthermore, the shifting girders and rails in an upper part of the backup roll pulling-out pit need to have a separable, detachable rail structure for each rolling mill. Thus, the structure is complicated and upsized, and the cost and construction time involved in modification are increased. Incidentally, the detachable girder 62a (and rail 63a) has opposite end portions carried by the ends of fixed girders 62 (and rails 63), as shown in FIGS. 18(a) to 18(c), to take charge of the work roll weight of about 20 to 30 tons per girder (rail). To maintain the strength of the carried portion and prevent warpage of the rail, the cross section of the girder 62a (and the rail 63a) needs to be I-shaped, and needs to have predetermined dimensions in the height direction (i.e., h1 and h2). The dimension H on the fixed side depends on h1, so that as h1 increases, H also increases. In the absence of the detachable girder 62a (and rail 63a), on the other hand, the magnitude of H can be decreased. In other words, if it is necessary to mount the fixed girder 62 (and rail 63) into the channel-shaped pit, the depth of the pit can be made small.
The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above problems with the earlier technologies. It is the object of the invention to provide a roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill which can be modified into a side shift type roll changing apparatus with ease, at a low cost, and in a short time.
A first aspect of the present invention, for attaining the above object, is a roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, comprising:
rails, provided in a stand of the rolling mill and on a work side of the rolling mill, for incoming and outgoing of a work roll assembly and a backup roll assembly; and
a pusher, provided on a drive side or the work side of the rolling mill, for roll admission and withdrawal for both of work rolls and backup rolls.
According to this aspect, changing of the work rolls and changing of the backup rolls can be performed by the single pusher, and the conventional hydraulic cylinder for the backup rolls, for example, can be omitted. Thus, the fixtures cost can be reduced markedly, and the range of formation of deep foundations can be decreased to cut down on the construction cost for foundations. Particularly in the case of modifying the existing equipment, the conventional backup roll pulling-out pit portion can be effectively used, unchanged, for modification. This results in marked shortening of the construction period and a marked decrease in the cost of modifying the foundations.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, a roll changing stool to be assembled to the backup roll assembly may be provided with wheels and a connecting fitting for connection with the pusher so that the roll changing stool can be moved on the rails for incoming and outgoing of the work roll assembly by driving of the pusher.
According to the above feature, the pushing-out/pulling-in procedure by the pusher during backup roll changing is decreased by one reciprocation. Thus, a saving in labor is achieved.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, lower backup roll chocks of the rolling mill may be provided with wheels so that the backup roll assembly can be moved by the wheels on the rails for incoming and outgoing of the backup roll assembly.
According to the above feature, movement of the backup roll assembly can be made smoothly compared with the use of the slide members.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, the rails for incoming and outgoing of the backup roll assembly in the rolling mill stand can be raised and lowered by hoisting and lowering means, a lower backup roll chock may be equipped with a connecting fitting which can be connected to a drive end of the pusher at a raised position of the lower backup roll chock, and fixed rails for incoming and outgoing of the backup roll assembly on the work side may be provided at a height consistent with a raised height of the rails for incoming and outgoing of the backup roll assembly in the rolling mill stand.
According to the above feature, the same actions and effects as in the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the conventional roll changing stool can be used.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, the lower backup roll chock may be movable on the rails and fixed rails for incoming and outgoing of the backup roll assembly via wheels.
According to the above feature, movement of the backup roll assembly can be made smoothly compared with the use of the slide members.
A second aspect of the invention is a roll changing method for a rolling mill, comprising:
actuating a work roll assembly and a backup roll assembly by a single pusher, provided on a drive side or a work side of the rolling mill, for roll admission and withdrawal in performing a roll changing operation from the work side of the rolling mill, whereby the work roll assembly and the backup roll assembly are admitted into or withdrawn from a rolling mill stand.
According to this aspect, changing of the work rolls and changing of the backup rolls can be performed by the single pusher, and the conventional hydraulic cylinder for the backup rolls, for example, can be omitted. Thus, the fixtures cost can be reduced markedly, and the range of formation of deep foundations can be decreased to cut down on the construction cost for foundations. Particularly in the case of modifying the existing equipment, the conventional backup roll pulling-out pit portion can be effectively used, unchanged, for modification. This results in marked shortening of the construction period and a marked decrease in the cost of modifying the foundations.
A third aspect of the invention is a roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, the roll changing apparatus being a side shift roll changing apparatus installed on a work side of the rolling mill and comprising:
a shift table capable of aligning with a roll axis line position of the rolling mill; and
shifting rails provided on a floor and a bottom of a backup roll pulling-out pit dividedly in a shifting direction in order to support the shift table at a required height, and wherein
the shift table is shifted nearly horizontally in the pit by drive means while extending over a floor rail portion and a pit bottom rail portion.
According to the above aspect, the shift rail structure can be simplified and downsized, so that the expenses and construction period for modification can be reduced, and labor for maintenance and administration can be decreased. In changing the backup rolls, moreover, the conventional operation for mounting and dismounting the rails exclusive to the side shift trolley is unnecessary, markedly shortening the time for the changing operation.
The roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill may further include legs extending downwardly from an end portion of the shift table, which faces the pit, nearly perpendicularly into the pit, and lower end portions of the legs may be shiftable on the pit bottom rail portion while maintaining the shift table nearly horizontally.
According to this feature, the first shift table can smoothly shift on the shifting rails provided with a step.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, discontinuous backup roll pulling-out rails, which do not cross the pit bottom rail portion, may be provided at the bottom of the pit so as to be capable of pulling out backup rolls to a higher position than the pit bottom rail portion.
According to this feature, the backup rolls can be smoothly pulled out without interference from the pit bottom rail portion.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, a pair of wheels may be provided on a lower portion of a roll chock of the backup roll with a spacing greater than a lengthwise dimension of a discontinuous portion of the backup roll pulling-out rails.
According to this feature, the backup rolls can be smoothly rolled on the discontinuous rails, and pulled out of or pushed into the rolling mill stand.
In the roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill, a slide member of a length larger than a lengthwise dimension of a discontinuous portion of the backup roll pulling-out rails may be provided on a lower portion of a roll chock of the backup roll.
According to this feature, the backup rolls can be smoothly shifted on the discontinuous rails, and pulled out of or pushed into the rolling mill stand.
The roll changing apparatus for a rolling mill may further include a second shift table connected to the shift table, and the second shift table may shift such that one end thereof is detachably connected to and supported by an end portion of the first shift table facing the pit, and the other end thereof is supported on the floor rail portion on a side opposite to the first shift table, with the pit being located between the first shift table and the floor rail portion, and the second shift table may be supported on the floor rail portion at opposite end portions thereof in a state in which the first shift table has stopped at the roll axis line position of the rolling mill.
According to the this feature, the same actions and effects as in the third aspect of the invention are obtained, and the two shift tables are alternately aligned with and stopped at the position of the roll axis line of the rolling mill, achieving rapidity of the changing operation.
A fourth aspect of the invention is a roll changing method for a rolling mill, used in operating a roll changing apparatus of a side shift type installed on a work side of the rolling mill and having a shift table to be aligned with a roll axis line position of the rolling mill, comprising:
shifting the shift table by moving the shift table on shifting rails provided on a floor and a bottom of a backup roll pulling-out pit dividedly in a shifting direction.
According to the above aspect, the shift rail structure can be simplified and downsized, so that the expenses and construction period for modification can be reduced, and labor for maintenance and administration can be decreased. In changing the backup rolls, moreover, the conventional operation for mounting and dismounting the rails exclusive to the side shift trolley is unnecessary, markedly shortening the time for the changing operation.
A fifth aspect of the invention is a roll changing apparatus of a side shift type for a rolling mill, installed on a work side of the rolling mill and comprising:
rails, provided in a stand of the rolling mill and on a work side of the rolling mill, for incoming and outgoing of a work roll assembly and a backup roll assembly;
a pusher, provided on a drive side or the work side of the rolling mill, for roll admission and withdrawal for both of work rolls and backup rolls;
a shift table capable of aligning with a roll axis line position of the rolling mill; and
shifting rails provided on a floor and a bottom of a backup roll pulling-out pit dividedly in a shifting direction in order to support the shift table at a required height, and wherein
the shift table is shifted nearly horizontally in the pit by drive means while extending over a floor rail portion and a pit bottom rail portion.
According to this feature, the conventional hydraulic cylinder for the backup rolls can be omitted. Thus, the fixtures cost can be reduced markedly, and it becomes unnecessary to construct foundations, such as the pit, which are formed for accommodating the hydraulic cylinder. In addition, the side shifting rail structure of the backup roll pulling-out pit has been changed from a detachably constructed system to a fixedly laid system. Thus, the structure can be simplified and downsized. Particularly when the channel-shaped pit is formed, its depth can be decreased. Consequently, the expenses and construction period for modification can be markedly reduced.
A sixth aspect of the invention is a roll changing method for a rolling mill, used in operating a roll changing apparatus of a side shift type installed on a work side of the rolling mill and having a shift table to be aligned with a roll axis line position of the rolling mill, comprising:
actuating a work roll assembly and a backup roll assembly by a single pusher, provided on a drive side or the work side of the rolling mill, for roll admission and withdrawal, whereby the work roll assembly and the backup roll assembly are admitted into or withdrawn from a rolling mill stand, and
shifting the shift table by moving the shift table on shifting rails provided on a floor and a bottom of a backup roll pulling-out pit dividedly in a shifting direction.
According to this feature, the same actions and effects as in the fifth aspect of the invention can be obtained.

Roll changing apparatus and roll changing method for rolling mill


A multiple cell ammunition cradle system for a weapon wherein the rate of ammunition transfer and the consequent rate of fire of the weapon is independent of the azimuth angle of the weapon. The system generally includes a cradle having a rotor with a plurality of cells formed therein. The cradle may be disposed in a charging position and a loading position. When in the charging position, each of the cells is controllably, selectively alignable with an ammunition hoist to receive an ammunition component in each cell. When the cradle is pivoted into the loading position, the rotor may be positioned so that each of the cells is alignable with the barrel of the weapon so that the ammunition component may be loaded into the weapon and fired.

This invention pertains to systems for transferring ammunition for weapons, and more specifically, it pertains to an ammunition cradle for a weapon mounted on a rotatable carriage.
Ships have been used as weapons platforms for centuries. In modem times, warships mounting major caliber guns are often used for heavy bombardment of targets on shore. The emphasis on design of warships in the past has often focused on mounting a relatively large number of guns on a single platform due to the high cost involved with building large ships capable of supporting even one major caliber gun. It was possible for such a ship to maintain a high rate of fire overall due to the large number of weapons.
Warships of today are often used to support limited engagements in which it is necessary for the weapons to have pinpoint accuracy in order to minimize collateral damage to non-military targets, and to provide close fire support for troops on the ground. Due to the relatively high cost of weapons with the desired degree of accuracy, it is desirable to develop weapons with a high rate of fire so as to minimize the need for large numbers of weapons on a single platform.
Ammunition rounds for major caliber weapons normally comprise a projectile, a propellant charge and a primer or other igniting means. Separate ammunition is a term that refers to systems in which the three components are separately provided and are combined at the weapon. The term semi-fixed ammunition refers to systems in which the primer and the propellant are packaged together, and the term fixed ammunition refers to systems in which all three components are packaged together. Ammunition rounds for major caliber guns are typically of the separate or semi-fixed ammunition type. For the purposes of this application, the term ammunition round is used interchangeably to refer to complete ammunition rounds as well as any separate portion thereof.
Guns are usually mounted in turrets or carriages on a warship, and the barrel of the gun is generally controllable in elevation as well as in azimuth, which is referred to as train. The term elevation axis refers to the axis about which the gun rotates in elevation, and the term train axis refers to the axis about which the gun rotates in azimuth. Ammunition rounds are normally supplied to the gun carriages from magazines located deep in the hull through one or more ammunition handling systems. Such ammunition handling systems are well known. Examples of previous ammunition handling systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,930 to Girouard, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,967 to Johnson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,209 to Scheurich, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,862 to Wiethoff, et al., each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
Historically, loading of major caliber guns, particularly in a warship has been accomplished by either an xe2x80x9con-axisxe2x80x9d or an xe2x80x9coff-axisxe2x80x9d loading method. In the on-axis method, a gun cradle mounted so as to pivot about the elevation axis of the gun is aligned with a vertical ammunition hoist disposed along the train axis of the gun to allow a single ammunition round to be transferred to the cradle. The cradle is then pivoted upward into alignment with the barrel so that the ammunition round may be rammed into the breech and barrel to be fired. Such xe2x80x9con-axisxe2x80x9d systems offer the advantage of a simple mechanism and loading motion. A disadvantage of standard on-axis loading systems, however, is that only one hoist and cradle may be used per barrel, thus limiting the Firing rate of the gun. Moreover, if semi-fixed or separate ammunition is used, the ammunition components must be loaded into the ammunition hoist in sequential fashion, and more than one pivoting cycle of the cradle may be necessary to transfer the multiple components of a single round to the breech of the gun for firing.
Another method of loading is known as xe2x80x9coff-axis loadingxe2x80x9d, meaning that the ammunition rounds arc supplied vertically to a pivoting cradle from a hoist located along an axis offset from the train axis of the gun. A carrier and various mechanisms are used to horizontally translate the ammunition round and orient it for alignment with the barrel.
Off-axis loading is desirable in that it allows a system to use multiple hoists and multiple gun cradles, thereby improving the rate of fire from that achievable with an on-axis loading system. Since the azimuth of the gun breech and cradle varies with the azimuth of the gun in an off-axis loading system, however, a complex mechanism is required to receive the ammunition round from the off-axis hoist, transfer it the distance from the hoist to the cradle of the gun, and align it with the breech so it can be loaded into the gun. The necessity to xe2x80x9cfollowxe2x80x9d the train motion of the gun makes the firing rate of the gun dependant on the azimuth of the gun, and thus can cause a significant negative impact on the rate of fire at certain azimuth angles. Moreover, the modem tendency is toward increased use of precision guided munitions in major caliber weapons. Known off-axis ammunition handling systems are not well suited to handle the increased length of these longer ammunition rounds.
What is needed is an ammunition handling system for loading a weapon that enables a uniform, rapid rate of fire and that is suited to handling ammunition rounds of increased length.
The present invention is a multiple cell ammunition cradle for a weapon that enables a uniform, rapid rate of fire, independent of the relative azimuthal orientation of the weapon, and that is suited to handling ammunition rounds of increased length. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a cradle having a rotor with a plurality of cells formed therein. The cradle is pivotable about the elevation axis of the weapon, and may be disposed in a charging position and a loading position. When in the charging position, each of the cells is controllably, selectively alignable, by means of the rotor, with an ammunition hoist to receive an ammunition round or component in each cell. When the cradle is pivoted into the loading position, the rotor may be positioned so that each of the cells is alignable with the breech and barrel of the weapon so that the ammunition round or component may be loaded into the weapon and fired. The present invention could also be used for handling and disposing of a spent cartridge case.
The ammunition cradle of the present invention is suitable for handling any type of ammunition including separate, semi-fixed, or fixed ammunition, and may also be used to handle rocket propelled or precision guided munitions, which may be of increased length relative to a standard major caliber round. It is anticipated that the present invention may provide the benefits of reduced gun system size, and complexity through the elimination of the complex mechanisms used in prior art systems. It is anticipated that the ammunition cradle, when used with a weapon, may enable firing rates of ten rounds per minute and above.
Thus, the invention may be characterized in one embodiment as a multiple cell ammunition cradle system for a weapon having a carriage and a barrel. The system comprises at least one ammunition hoist and a cradle operably coupled to the carriage. The cradle is selectively positionable in a charging position and a loading position. The cradle has a carrier, which may be a rotor with a plurality of cells, each cell adapted to receive a component of an ammunition round. The rotor is rotatable about a rotor axis, and is controllably positionable so that each cell is selectively alignable with the ammunition hoist when the cradle is positioned in the charging position and so that each cell is selectively alignable with the barrel when the cradle is positioned in the loading position.
The invention may also be characterized as a method for sequentially loading and firing a weapon having a barrel disposed along a loading axis, the weapon being mounted on a carriage. The method comprises the steps of: providing an ammunition transfer system comprising a plurality of ammunition hoists and a cradle operably coupled to the carriage, the cradle having a rotor with a plurality of cells adapted to receive an ammunition component, the rotor being controllably positionable so that each cell is selectively alignable with the ammunition hoists to receive the ammunition component and selectively alignable with the barrel to load the ammunition component into the gun; loading an ammunition component into each of the plurality of cells from the ammunition hoists; positioning the cradle so that the cradle is disposed along the loading axis; rotating and positioning the rotor so that one of the plurality of cells is axially aligned with the barrel; and ramming the ammunition component from the aligned cell into the barrel.
The invention may also be characterized as a weapon and ammunition loading system. The weapon and system has a carriage, a barrel mounted on the carriage, at least one ammunition hoist for supplying ammunition components, and a cradle having a carrier with a plurality of cells. The cradle is controllably positionable in a charging position and a loading position. The carrier may be arranged so that each cell is alignable with the ammunition hoist for receiving the ammunition component when the cradle is in the charging position and alignable with the barrel for transferring the ammunition component for loading into the weapon when the cradle is in the loading position.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.


An apparatus for reducing propagation of cracks in concrete includes a curved panel. The curved panel includes a convex surface and a concave surface facing away from one another and separated by a thickness. Each of the convex and concave surfaces has a top edge, a bottom edge, a first end, and a second end. Each of the convex and concave surfaces is configured to be arranged in direct contact with the concrete. The curved panel further includes a top surface extending between the top edges of the convex and concave surfaces. The top surface is substantially planar and substantially perpendicular to the convex and concave surfaces. The curved panel further includes a bottom surface extending between the bottom edges of the convex and concave surfaces. The bottom surface is substantially planar and substantially parallel to the top surface.

The present disclosure relates to poured concrete slabs, such as poured concrete slabs for buildings.
A foundation of a building connects the building to the ground, transfers loads from the building to the ground, and provides structural support for levels of the building above the foundation. A multistory building has a greater mass, and thus frequently requires multiple load-bearing elements to provide greater surface area to transfer load and provide structural support. One example of a load-bearing element is a wall, which is at least partially embedded into the ground. Another example of a load-bearing element is a column supported by a footing. The footing is embedded in the ground beneath the building and transfers weight from the load-bearing column to the ground beneath the building.
In a building that includes a basement, the foundation is formed below the surface of the surrounding ground. Thus, to form the basement, earth at the site of the building is typically excavated and graded, and the load-bearing elements, such as walls and columns, are inserted into the excavated space. The walls define the shape of the basement, and soil may be backfilled around the walls to return the earth surrounding the basement to grade.
Once the walls and columns of the foundation are in place, a concrete slab is typically poured within the walls and around the columns. The walls of the basement provide the formwork for the poured concrete, which is typically poured onto a base of gravel or crushed stone, to promote drainage, or onto the subsoil. When the poured concrete has solidified, the resulting concrete slab is not part of the foundation, but does provide a solid concrete floor surface to the basement.
As shown in FIG. 1, a typical basement 10, as described above, is shown from a top view. As shown, the walls 14 of the basement 10 may include reentrant corners 18, which accommodate structural features of the building on levels above the basement and provide greater surface area to distribute the load of the building to the ground. Each of the reentrant corners 18 is formed at an intersection between adjacent walls 14, extends inwardly into the basement 10, and subtends an angle of greater than 180°. In other words, each reentrant corner 18 forms the center of a circular arc, which is indicated in FIG. 1 by dashed line 20. Each of the circular arcs 20 extends from one of the adjacent walls 14 of the corner 18 to the other. The circular arc 20 of each of the reentrant corners 18 extends greater than 180°, thus each of the reentrant corners 18 subtends an angle of greater than 180°. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the walls 14 form three reentrant corners 18, each of which subtends an angle of approximately 252°.
The basement 10 also includes columns 22, which can be used to support main floor beams of a post and beam system. The columns 22 are spaced apart from the walls 14 and from one another to further facilitate load distribution by the foundation elements. Wet concrete is poured into the enclosed space formed by the walls 14 and around the columns 22. The poured concrete conforms to the shape between the walls 14 and columns 22, and when the poured concrete solidifies, it forms a concrete slab 26, which provides a solid concrete floor surface to the basement.
One difficulty that is encountered with poured concrete slabs is that the concrete is prone to cracking at the reentrant corners, such as reentrant corners 18 shown in FIG. 1, as well as at support columns, such as columns 22 shown in FIG. 1. As the poured concrete hardens or cures, water evaporates from the concrete, and the concrete shrinks while also adhering to the surrounding walls. As the concrete shrinks and adheres to adjacent walls 14 at a reentrant corner 18 or adjacent sides of a column 22, the concrete is pulled in two orthogonal directions. Thus, reentrant corners 18 and columns 22 concentrate tensile stresses in the concrete. Additionally, the concentration of tensile stresses at reentrant corners 18 and columns 22 reoccurs when the concrete shrinks and expands due to temperature and moisture changes over the lifetime of the concrete slab. In addition to tensile stresses within the concrete as the concrete cures, curling tensile stresses can also occur on the top of the slab during the first few hours after slab placement. These tensile stresses also pull the slab apart at corners.
When the tensile stresses applied to the concrete exceed the tensile strength of the cured concrete, the cured concrete cracks. A crack usually extends diagonally from the apex of each 252° reentrant corner 18 at an angle of about 135°. In other words, the crack usually extends at an angle that is generally equidistant from the adjacent walls 14. As further shrinkage and curling occur, the crack widens and lengthens. Because linear shrinkage and curling continue at a decreasing rate for more than two years, cracks can become quite wide and long. For example, for a concrete slab that is 6 inches thick, the shrinkage that occurs after one year is only 60-80% of the ultimate shrinkage, which means cracks that appear early in the lifetime of a slab can grow significantly over time.
One common strategy to reduce the risk of cracking has been to make small diameter saw cuts in the concrete that are aligned with the structural walls at reentrant corners. For some structures, such as dock pits, doweled construction joints with plate dowels can be used that allow differential movement parallel to the doweled joint. In another approach, diagonal reinforcing bars are embedded at reentrant corners. The reinforcing bars will not prevent the crack from occurring, but will help keep the crack tighter, or narrower, and shorter.
These and other typical strategies to reduce cracking require significant time and/or materials to implement. Some existing strategies may be suitable for industrial applications, such as dock pits for industrial warehouses and loading docks, where cost and construction time limits are not prohibitive. However, in high-volume, low cost scenarios, such as home building, these prior strategies are too expensive and take too much labor and time to implement. Consequently, there is a significant need for a quick, inexpensive, and effective solution to reduce cracking of poured concrete slabs.

Method and apparatus for reducing propagation of cracks in concrete


An image forming apparatus includes an envelope formed by first and second substrates disposed at a predetermined distance therebetween and an image forming member disposed in the envelope. A heat insulating member is disposed on a surface of the envelope in an area excepting partial surface areas of the first and second substrates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
Flat panel image forming apparatuses, typically plasma display and liquid crystal display, are now being developed to make them thin and light in weight. A means for cooling an image display panel of such image forming apparatuses of high output and high precision has been proposed in order to prevent shortening element life due to a slow leak through a crack which would be formed without cooling, and deformation of the panel to be caused by thermal strain and to prevent a shortened lifetime to be caused by a temperature rise.
For example, as shown in FIG. 21, in the publication of JP-A-03-196782, a heatsink plate 51 having a fin structure is mounted on the back of an image display panel 10 in order to cool the back.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, in the publication of JP-A-08-179836, a metal pipe 61 is mounted on the back of an image display panel 10 and liquid cooled with an air fan 63 and a heatsink 62 is flowed in the metal pipe.
Also as shown in FIG. 23, in the publication of JP-A-08-055567, air blown from a fan 71 mounted on the back of a housing 72 is guided into the inside of the housing 72 along an image display panel 10 to the front side thereof, in order to cool the entire panel 10.
The above-described conventional techniques are found, however, not satisfactory, because the cooling system becomes bulky as the screen size becomes large and because the depth size and consumption power of the apparatus increase.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having the structure capable of efficiently dissipating heat not suitable for the apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having the structure capable of making uniform the distribution of temperature in the entire envelope (display panel) as much as possible.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image having a higher quality.
In order to achieve the above objects of the invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which has an envelope formed by first and second substrates disposed at a predetermined distance therebetween and image forming means disposed in the envelope, wherein a heat insulating member is disposed on a surface of the envelope in an area excepting partial surface areas of the first and second substrates.

Image forming apparatus having a heat insulating member


The present disclosure provides a light emitting diode and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting diode includes a graphene layer on a second conductive semiconductor layer and a plurality of metal nanoparticles formed on some region of the graphene layer, whereby adhesion between the second conductive semiconductor layer comprised of an inorganic material and the graphene layer is enhanced, thereby securing stability and reliability of the light emitting diode. In addition, the light emitting diode allows uniform spreading of electric current, thereby allowing stable emission of light through a surface area of the light emitting diode. The method of manufacturing a light emitting diode includes forming a graphene layer on a second conductive semiconductor layer, forming a mask film on the graphene layer, forming a metal layer within the patterns of the mask film, followed by removing the mask film; and heat treating the metal layer to form a plurality of metal nanoparticles, whereby the metal nanoparticles having a high index of refraction are formed on some region of the graphene layer and provide surface texturing effects, thereby improving light emission efficiency.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to an inorganic material-based light emitting diode, which uses graphene as a current spreading layer, and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, an indium tin oxide (ITO) film obtained by doping tin oxide into indium oxide is most commonly used as a current spreading layer of a light emitting diode. However, the ITO film has problems such as transmittance variation according to wavelength, limited flexibility, depletion of indium as a raw material thereof, and the like. Thus, various studies have been actively conducted to replace the indium tin oxide film by a graphene film.
With various advantages, such as a high optical transmittance of 90% or more in the overall wavelength range, excellent electrical conductivity, excellent flexibility, and the like, graphene has attracted attention as a material capable of replacing indium tin oxide. Generally, a graphene film is prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and then transferred to a desired substrate.
Recently, a nitride-based light emitting diode including a current spreading layer composed of a graphene film prepared through CVD is disclosed [Large-scale patterned multi-layer graphene films as transparent conductive electrodes for GaN light-emitting diodes, G. Jo et al., Nanotechnology, 2010].
However, since graphene consists of carbon atoms bonded to each other, it exhibits low adhesion to an inorganic material layer when applied to an inorganic material-based light emitting diode, so that some of the graphene film is lost in a transfer process and causes deterioration in luminescent characteristics.
In addition, since the graphene film has a very low thickness, some parts of the graphene film overlap, creating wrinkles during the transfer process, thereby causing non-uniform spreading of electric current. In particular, a power light emitting diode requiring high optical output often suffers from electrode loss due to concentration of high electric current near an electrode.
Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0049065A discloses a technology for improving light emission efficiency by improvement of light extraction through surface texturing of an n-type semiconductor layer formed on top of a light emitting diode. In this document, light extraction efficiency can be improved by about 20% or more. However, even a graphene film comprised of multiple layers has a small thickness of about 2 nm to 3 nm. Thus, when the graphene film is formed on a surface subjected to texturing, the film is damaged due to surface roughness, thereby making it difficult to achieve further improvement of light emission efficiency through surface texturing.

Light emitting diode having metal nanoparticle layered graphene

Gwanju Institute of Science and Technology


A multi-point door lock unit is disclosed. In one preferred form the door lock is for use with a hinged or swinging door. The door lock unit has a latch, a deadbolt, and extension bolts extendable away from the door. The door lock may be used with a double door entry whereby one door is an active door having the lock unit and a second door is a passive door having a passive lock unit. Further, the door lock unit has an activation button that prevents extension of the deadbolt and the extension bolts unless the activation button is depressed.

It is known to use multi-point door locks in sliding or french doors to provide secure closure and locking. In configuring a multi-point door lock there are a number of design considerations that must be made such that the door lock is easily manufactured, easily installed, functionally and aesthetically appealing, and secure.
A main feature of a typical conventional multi-point door lock is that the door lock has more than one latch or bolt to engage a door frame. Plural latches or bolts create a lock that is substantially more difficult to overcome in a forcible entry than a single deadbolt and latch. Thus, it is desirable, for example, in a french door to have three bolts and a latch. A first bolt and latch engage with a second door. A second and third bolt engage the upper and lower portions of the door frame, respectively. Such door locks do not permit the addition of the second or third bolts or latches to the central locking unit. Further, such multi-point door locks are not adaptable to accommodate doors of various heights. Further still, such multi-point door locks are configured to be used with only one door type. For example, a conventional multi-point door lock may only have the option of allowing the second and third bolt or latch mechanisms to run along an edge of the door, even when it may be desirable to have the mechanisms fully concealed within the door itself.
Conventional multi-point door locks may allow the second and third bolts or latches, which extend out the top and bottom of the door, to be extended even when the door is open. Therefore, if the door is slammed shut while the bolts are extended, the bolts may cause damage to the door, the door frame, or a door frame molding. Furthermore, such conventional multi-point door locks typically require extension of all the bolts or latches according to a specific sequence without allowing them to be extended independently of one another.
Moreover, such conventional multi-point door locks are not easily reconfigurable for use as left handed or right handed doors. Furthermore, such conventional multi-point door locks require that a user must rotate the latch drive handle more than 45 degrees in order to fully engage or disengage the bolts.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system having multiple bolts or latches designed to engage a door or a door frame. It would also be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock having a standard deadbolt and extension bolts or shoot bolts extending through the door. Further still, it would be advantageous to have a multi-point door lock with shoot bolts or extension bolts that extend either along the front edge of the door or through the interior of the door. Thus, it would be advantageous to have such a mechanism that is easily configurable for a variety of door designs.
It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock that has an activation button that allows actuation of at least one of the extension bolts or shoot bolts and the deadbolt when the activation button is depressed. Further, it would be desirable to have a multi-point door lock system in which the deadbolt may be extended independently of extension of the shoot bolts or extension bolts. Further still, it would be desirable to have a multi-point door lock system in which the extended extension bolts are prevented from retraction when the deadbolt is extended.
It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system that is easily reconfigurable for one of a left hand door and a right hand door. It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock in which the door lock handle actuates the door latch and provides a positive indication of when at least one extension bolt is extended. It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system such that the deadbolt and extension bolts move linearly at least one inch, thereby creating a more structurally sound locking system. It would further be advantageous to provide for a multi-point door lock system having fewer parts, especially fewer springs, creating an easily manufactured door lock.
It would be desirable to provide for a multi-point door lock incorporating any one or more of these advantageous features.


A system includes a processor configured to receive a data transfer request including a data transfer constraint. The processor is also configured to receive a vehicle route. The processor is further configured to determine wireless network availability along the route based on known wireless network locations. Additionally, the processor is configured to determine a route window where wireless network availability indicates that a wireless network is available that meets the data transfer constraint and schedule data transfer to occur during the route window.

Wireless communication has become a preferred form of data communication in the modern era. Whether it is a smart phone using a cellular connection to transfer data, or a laptop in a living room, tied into a wireless router, everyday wireless device use is almost a fact of life for an average citizen.
In most wireless environments, a user ties into a known source using an appropriately ranged form of communication. For example, a laptop user might use Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH to obtain a remote data signal. A smart phone might use a longer range signal such as cellular, and if the laptop is using the smart phone as a mobile hotspot, then the combined data-provision system might use both local and long range wireless communication.
Vehicular mobile data services pose somewhat of a problem under this paradigm, because the vehicle tends to move at speeds that quickly bring the vehicle into and out of range of various available networks. The vehicle can even easily travel into areas of no cellular coverage, and even when cellular coverage is available, it may not be a preferred form of data communication.
If a vehicle owner wants to use a local Wi-Fi or other shorter-than-cellular-range signal for communication, the owner will likely need to keep a vehicle in somewhat close proximity to an access point, so that the signal is not lost due to distance. This severely limits the drivable range of a vehicle, however. It is also possible to only use a local Wi-Fi network when the vehicle simply happens to be in range, but such a model might result in frequent data loss or incomplete transfer, as the amount of the time the vehicle "happens to be in range" will often be quite a short period of time, unless the vehicle is parked.

Method and apparatus for vehicle to cloud network traffic scheduling


An x-ray detector is provided for use in imaging systems. The x-ray detector includes a detector subsystem configured to output electrical signals in response to reception of x-rays. The detector subsystem includes an imaging panel, a support layer and a low density core disposed between the imaging panel and the support layer.

The invention relates generally to digital x-ray detectors and, more particularly, to x-ray detector panels having an integral panel support for use in digital x-ray detectors.
Imaging systems are utilized for various applications in both medical and non-medical fields. For example, medical imaging systems include general radiological, mammography, x-ray C-arm, tomosynthesis, and computed tomography (CT) imaging systems. These various imaging systems, with their different respective topologies, are used to create images or views of a patient for clinical diagnosis based on the attenuation of radiation (e.g., x-rays) passing through the patient. Alternatively, imaging systems may also be utilized in non-medical applications, such as in industrial quality control or in security screening of passenger luggage, packages, and/or cargo. In such applications, acquired data and/or generated images representing volumes or parts of volumes (e.g., slices) may be used to detect objects, shapes or irregularities which are otherwise hidden from visual inspection and which are of interest to the screener.
Typically, x-ray imaging systems, both medical and non-medical, utilize an x-ray tube to generate the x-rays used in the imaging process. The generated x-rays pass through the imaged object where they are absorbed or attenuated based on the internal structure and composition of the object, creating a matrix or profile of x-ray beams of different strengths. The attenuated x-rays impinge upon an x-ray detector designed to convert the incident x-ray energy into a form usable in image reconstruction. Thus the x-ray profile of attenuated x-rays is sensed and recorded by the x-ray detector. Typically, x-ray detectors are based on film-screen, computed radiography (CR) or digital radiography (DR) technologies. In film-screen detectors, the x-ray image is generated through the chemical development of the photosensitive film after x-ray exposure. In CR detectors, a storage phosphor imaging plate captures the radiographic image. The plate is then transferred to a laser image reader to "release" the latent image from the phosphor and create a digitized image. In DR detectors, a scintillating layer absorbs x-rays and subsequently generates light, which is then detected by a two-dimensional (2D) flat panel array of silicon photo-detectors. Absorption of light in the silicon photo-detectors creates electrical charge. A control system electronically reads out the electrical charge stored in the x-ray detector and uses it to generate a viewable digitized x-ray image.
Typically, the 2D flat panel array of silicon photo-detectors is fabricated on a thin fragile glass substrate. This component is known as x-ray detector panel or imaging panel. Since the imaging panel is fragile, it must therefore be mechanically supported, by some type of panel support, during use. This panel support prevents the glass substrate from undergoing excessive flexure during dynamic or static load events that may otherwise cause the glass panel to fracture. The panel support also provides stiffness and rigidity to the overall detector package. Additionally, an external housing or enclosure may be provided to protect the imaging panel. A portion of this external enclosure is generally comprised of a material with low x-ray attenuation characteristics to allow incident x-ray radiation to readily reach the imaging panel.
Typically, the panel supports and the external protective enclosures are composed of heavy machined metal, such as magnesium, so as to provide a high degree of mechanical protection to the flat panel substrate and associated read-out electronic components located within the external housing. Thus, the conventional construction of x-ray detectors results in a relatively heavy and thick x-ray detector. This is particularly problematic for portable x-ray detector designs where a thin and lightweight assembly is desired. However, the relatively thick and heavy panel support and external enclosure is required to protect the sensitive and fragile imaging components and the readout electronics as these portable detectors are typically used in environments where they can be dropped, impacted with a rigid object, or subjected to a patient load, e.g., placed directly beneath a patient being imaged. For example, the rigid external enclosure prevents the readout electronics from being pressed into the imaging components when subjected to heavy load.
It is therefore desirable to provide an x-ray detector that is lightweight yet durable, mechanically stiff and rugged to withstand the static and dynamic loads encountered during normal operation. It is also desirable to provide a lightweight yet mechanically stiff and rugged support for the imaging panel so as to protect it from damage due to heavy impact or patient loads.


An integrated circuit (IC) includes an encoder circuit configured to receive input data including a plurality of data bits. A plurality of parity computation equations for a single error correct double error detect adjacent double error correct adjacent triple error detect (SECDEDADECADTED) Hamming code is received. A plurality of parity bits are computed using the plurality of parity computation equations. Write data including the data bits and the parity bits are provided to a write circuit. The write circuit writes the write data to a memory.

The capability to store data in memory devices improves with advances in technology. However, wear of a memory element of a memory may occur due to writes, reads, erases, and other memory operations to the memory element. When a memory element experiences excessive wear, it may cease to be a reliable storage element.
Error detection and correction may be applied using error correction codes (ECC) to stored data and may detect and/or correct errors that have corrupted the stored data. Error detection and correction consumes time and computing resources. Reducing error correction computing time would result in greater computing efficiency.
Accordingly, it would be desirable and useful to provide an area efficient ECC with improved performance and resource utilization.

Method and apparatus for error detection and correction


A method and a device for checking health of a link are disclosed in the present disclosure. The method includes: receiving and saving control information generated by a keep-alive program; performing a matching on a message received according to the control information, processing the message if the matching is successful, and sending a processed message to the server to be checked; and determining that the link is healthy if a response message is received from the server to be checked, and determining that the link is unhealthy if no response message r is received from the server to be checked. With embodiments of the present disclosure, control information generated by the keep-alive program is received and saved, a matching is performed on a received message according to the control information, and the message is processed if the matching is successful, and then the processed message is sent to a server to be checked, such that whether a link corresponding to the server to be checked is healthy is checked. The above procedure is in accordance with the procedure of accessing the LVS, and thus the problem of traffic loss or mistakenly rejecting the server may be solved and the accuracy of checking health may be improved.

LVS is an abbreviation of Linux (an open source operating system) Virtual Server, which is a virtual server cluster system. The LVS mainly includes a load balancer and back-end servers. The load balancer is a front-end part of the cluster system, and configured to send a request from a client to the back-end server. The back-end servers are a group of servers performing the request of the client.
Currently, the load balancer generally checks health of the back-end server via Keepalived program (a keep-alive program).
However, when the keep-alive program checks health of the back-end server, a health checking packet is sent to the back-end server directly through an internal network IP address of the load balancer, such that it is hard to determine whether the client and the back-end server are normal, and thus a large traffic loss or mistakenly rejecting the back-end server may be caused.

Method and device for checking health of link

BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing which comprises a base portion, a plurality of contact receiving recesses, and engaging holes in diagonal corners thereof; a plurality of conductive contacts retained in said contact receiving recesses; a pick up comprising first engaging pole and second engaging pole corresponding to said engaging holes; each of the first and second engaging poles having a shape of a circular cylinder with a plurality of ribs on a circular surface thereof; said first engaging pole having at least three ribs while said second engaging pole having at least two ribs; the line joining the center of said first engaging pole and the center of said second engaging pole being perpendicular to the line joining the centers of said two ribs of said second engaging pole.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to the art of electrical connectors.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical connector 100′ which can electrically connect a flexible print circuit board (not shown) to a printed circuit board 40′ comprises a dielectric housing 10′, four conductive contacts 20′ which are retained in the dielectric housing 10′ and a pick up 30′ which engages with the dielectric housing 10′.
Referring to FIG. 2, the pick up 30′ comprises a base 300′, an engaging pole 302′ and two holding portions 304′ on the side of base 300′ facing to the dielectric housing 10′. The engaging pole 302′ is located between the two holding portions 304′. The engaging pole 302′ has a shape like a circular cylinder with a recess 3020′ used to contain scraps produced when the engaging pole 302′ engages the dielectric housing 10′. The holding portion 304′ comprises a resist section 3040′ and a holding section 3042′.
The dielectric housing 10′ comprises a body member 102′ and an engaging portion 104′. The body member 102′ comprises four contact receiving recesses 1020′ for retaining the conductive contacts 20′, the engaging portion 104′ comprises an engaging hole 1040′ corresponding to the engaging pole 302′ of the pick up 30′. There are holding ribs 1022′ on the sides of contact receiving recess 1020′ corresponding to the holding portions 304′ of the pick up 30′.
The conductive contact 20′ comprises a retaining portion 201′, a first contacting portion 202′ for electrically connecting the printed circuit board 40′ and a second contacting portion 203′ for electrically connecting the flexible printed circuit board. The retaining portion 201′ is between the first contacting portion 202′ and the second contacting portion 203′ and the retaining portion 201′ is wider than other portions.
When assembling, the conductive contacts 20′ is assembled into the contact receiving recess 1020′, then assemble the pick up 30′ onto upper portion of the dielectric housing 10′, so the engaging poles 302′ are inserted into corresponding engaging holes 1040′, the outer wall of the engaging poles 302′ is interfere with the inner wall of the engaging holes 1040′, the resist portion 3040′of the pick up 30′ resists the holding ribs 1022′. A pick up device (not shown) can suck the pick up 30′ and move the electrical connector 100′ to the correct position on the printed circuit board 40′.
In the electrical connector 100′, the outer wall of the engaging poles 302′ interferes with the inner wall of the engaging holes 1040′, in other word, there is a wide engaging face in the wall to wall interfere instance. The scraps produced when inserting will obstruct the engaging poles 302′ in moving into the engaging holes for there is no space between the outer wall of the engaging poles 302′ and the inner wall of the engaging holes 1040′ and the scraps between the walls can not be directly driven into the recess 3020′. In addition, the amount of the interference will easily become very large and cause damage of the dielectric housing 10′ if the size of the engaging pole 302′ is a little large or if the size of the engaging hole 1040′ is a little small. So, it is very difficult to control the size of the engaging pole 302′ and the engaging hole 1040′.


An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to create plant model with realism. A tree core having a trunk and branches is created. The tree core is pre-coated with a clear oil-based liquid. A coat is formed to cover the tree core with a composite mixture. The composite mixture contains at least a paint component, a color pigment, a binder component, and a glue component.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of model landscapes, and more specifically, to model plant structures.
2. Description of Related Art
Models for natural landscapes are used in a number of applications ranging from architectural models to movie film making. The basic elements of natural landscapes or scenes are plant structures, foliage, flowers, etc. It is important to provide realism to these models for faithful reproduction of the natural landscapes or scenes.
Most models for plant structures are not sufficiently realistic with natural details. In addition, the models may not be durable enough for an extended display or may cause manufacturing difficulties.


A pressure balanced solenoid operated valve includes a solenoid portion having a coil in a coil retainer. A valve member portion defines a body connected to the solenoid portion. A slidable valve member in the body has opposed first and second ends and a shoulder between the ends. The first end with the coil energized is magnetically drawn toward the coil retainer moving the valve member between a valve closed and a valve open position. A pressure equalizing passage extends in the valve member from the second end. An inlet passage communicates a pressurized fluid at a valve inlet port to the pressure equalizing passage. A connecting passage communicates between the pressure equalizing passage and the shoulder. The pressurized fluid in the pressure equalizing passage acts against the second end and equally and oppositely against both the shoulder and the first end in both the open and closed positions.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Solenoid operated valves are known which provide control of a fluid such as pressurized air in operating additional equipment such as sorters, packaging machines, food processors, and the like. In order to retain the solenoid operated valve in a closed position when the solenoid is de-energized, biasing members such as springs are used. It is also known, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,736 to Chorkey, that fluid pressure can be balanced within the valve to reduce a solenoid force required to move a valve member between closed and open positions.
Known pressure balanced solenoid operated valve designs have several drawbacks however. Central passageways through the valve member are commonly provided to assist in equalizing pressure as the valve member displaces. Moisture and dirt as contaminants in the fluid, including contaminants entering at the valve discharge port, can move through the central passageway to the solenoid assembly, which can result in valve sticking, reduced valve power, or delayed operating times.

Pressure balanced solenoid operated valve


A power amplifier arrangement comprises a power amplifier comprising at least one transistor having a first gate and a second gate. The first gate is configured to receive a radio frequency input signal superimposed with a first control signal, and the second gate is configured to receive a second control signal. The first control signal is a linearization signal varying in relation to an envelope of the input signal and the second control signal is a temperature compensation signal varying in relation to a temperature of the power amplifier, or vice versa.

Power amplifiers (PA) are ubiquitous in wireless communication equipment or device. In cellular system equipment there are stringent requirements on spectral emission levels, error-vector magnitude (EVM), and output power. Thus it is important that the behavior of the PA is well controlled over time. Furthermore, in the case linearization is applied to the PA, e.g. to allow more power efficient operation while maintaining certain emission levels etc., it is important that the characteristics of the PA nonlinearity is always within the capability of the linearizer to correct for said nonlinearity. Unfortunately, the PA must be able to operate over a large temperature range for which the PA characteristics may change substantially. The PA will experience a changing temperature both due to changing ambient temperature, i.e. slow variation, and due to self-heating when its own power consumption changes, i.e. fast variation due to change in output power or turning on of PA. Existing techniques offer bias circuits that change the PAs bias condition with respect to temperature.
As mentioned above, there are spectral emission and EVM requirements and those are fulfilled by ensuring a sufficiently linear PA characteristic. To enable operation at high power, efficiency linearization must be adopted. The linearity may be improved by various techniques. One of which is to use an analog linearization method to increase the bias of a PA, for tracking the envelope of the input signal. This means that the direct current (DC) bias signal bandwidth may change in proportion to the modulation bandwidth.
If an analog linearization method is used to vary the bias voltage of the PAs input transistor gates, with the rate of the envelope of the modulation signal, and at the same time a temperature regulating bias circuit is used to change the bias voltage of the input transistor relatively slowly, then these two voltages should be added before being applied to the PA. Adding voltages with high bandwidth and large dynamic range is challenging and the performance of at least one of the bias controls may be compromised.


A method for soft-combining MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) data in an asynchronous mobile communication system including a user equipment (UE) and a radio network controller (RNC), wherein the system provides an MBMS service. In the method, the RNC measures a round trip delay (RTD) for a primary cell in which the UE is located, and an RTD for each of the neighbor cells neighboring the primary cell. The RNC transmits the MBMS data at the same transmission time by considering the RTDs for the primary cell and the neighbor cells so that the UE can receive requested MBMS data. The UE receives MBMS data transmitted from the respective cells at the same transmission time, and performs soft combining on the received MBMS data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS). In particular, the present invention relates to a method in which a radio network controller (RNC) transmits MBMS data by considering a transmission time for each of a primary cell and neighbor cells in order to provide an MBMS service.
2. Description of the Related Art
Today, in accordance with developments in the communication industry, a service provided in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) mobile communication system is evolving from a voice service into a multicasting multimedia communication service that is capable of transmitting large-volume data, such as packet data and circuit data. To support the multicasting multimedia communication service, a Broadcast/Multicast Service in which a service is provided from one data source to a plurality of user equipment (UE) has been proposed. Such Broadcast/Multicast Service can be divided into a Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) which is a message-oriented service, and a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) supporting multimedia data such as real-time image and voice, still image, text, and the like.
The MBMS service refers to a service for transmitting the same multimedia data to a plurality of UEs through a wireless network. The MBMS service allows the UEs to share one radio channel, thereby saving radio resources. The CBS service refers to a service for broadcasting a plurality of messages to all UEs located in a particular service area. The particular service area providing the CBS service may include the entire area where the CBS service is provided in one cell. The MBMS service, which is a service for providing both voice data and image data, requires a large quantity of transmission resources. The MBMS service is provided through a broadcasting channel (BCH), given that a large number of services can be simultaneously developed within one cell.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a timing relationship in a process of transmitting packet data in a synchronous mobile communication system.
Generally, a 3rd generation (3G) mobile communication system uses a CDMA scheme. Standardization on the 3G CDMA mobile communication system is being separately carried out by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) which is a European standardization organization, and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) which is a US standard organization. The 3GPP system is called a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), in which, communication between the B Nodes is performed on an asynchronous basis. However, the 3GPP2 system is called a CDMA2000 system, in which, communication between base stations (or B Nodes) is achieved on a synchronous basis. A distinction between the synchronous system and the asynchronous system is made according to whether external synchronization time information is received from a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system to maintain synchronization.
In the synchronization system, all base stations use the same pseudo-random noise (PN) code, but each base station uses a PN code with a unique phase offset through phase delay. However, in the asynchronous system, all B Nodes (or base stations) use different PN codes for Node B identification.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating cells performing soft combining in a general mobile communication system. In FIG. 2, a particular UE is located in a cell 201, and the cell 201 supports an MBMS service requested by the UE. The neighbor cells 202 and 203 of the cell 201 also provide the MBMS service requested by the UE. The cells 201, 202 and 203 can be defined as an active set of the UE. An RNC controlling a plurality of cells can define the cells 201, 202 and 203 as a soft combining region for reliability of MBMS data for the UE.
When the soft combining region (or group) A (that is, the region including the cells 201, 202 and 203) performs soft combining for an MBMS service, not only does the cell 201 of the UE transmit the same MBMS data frame for the same time, but also the neighbor cells 202 and 203. This is because each cell transmits an MBMS data stream to the UE located in the soft combining region according to external reference time information due to a characteristic of the synchronous system.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, if the UE transmits an MBMS service request and then detects transmission of data for the MBMS service, an RNC receives MBMS data from a core network which comprises its upper system. The received MBMS data is delivered to a Node B (herein, being equal to a cell in terms of the concept) that manages a cell in which a UE that requested the MBMS service is located. Therefore, a Node B1 101 receives an MBMS data stream transmitted from the RNC which comprises its upper system, and stores the MBMS data stream in a buffer therein. It is assumed herein that a size of the received MBMS data stream is P1+P2+P3, and that the buffer operates on a first-in first-out (FIFO) basis. A Node B2 102 also stores an MBMS data stream transmitted from the RNC in a buffer therein. A size of the MBMS data stream received at the Node B2 102 is P1+P2. Further, a Node B3 103 also stores an MBMS data stream received from the RNC in a buffer therein.
If a service notification for the MBMS service is received, each Node B starts transmitting the MBMS data to the UE at a service start time T0. The Node B1 101 transmits the MBMS data at a start time T0=T1. The Node B2 102 transmits the MBMS data at a start time T0=T2. The Node B3 103 transmits the MBMS data at a start time T0=T3. That is, in the exemplary synchronous mobile communication system described above, MBMS data transmission start times of the B Nodes 101, 102 and 103 are fixed to T0=T1, T0=T2 and T0=T3, respectively, based on the external reference time information.
The UE receiving MBMS data from the cells performs soft combining on the received MBMS data, thereby guaranteeing reliability of the received data.
An asynchronous mobile communication system supporting an MBMS service requires the soft combining scheme for guaranteeing reliability of MBMS data for a UE.
However, the asynchronous mobile communication system supporting an MBMS service cannot acquire fixed transmission times using external reference time information. That is, as described above, because the asynchronous mobile communication system basically does not use external standard time information from the GPS system, each Node B thereof transmits a frame according to internal time information. Therefore, the asynchronous mobile communication system cannot support an MBMS soft combining scheme for transmitting MBMS data based on external reference time information.
Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method for transmitting the MBMS data at the same transmission time so that the UE can receive requested MBMS data.

Method for maximizing gain of received signal in a multimedia broadcast/multicast service system


Combination of boat and outboard engine, in which at least one outboard engine is fastened to the transom of the boat in a prearranged position, the engine being mounted to translate along a path with at least one motion component having a vertical orientation in a direction away from or close to the waterline of the boat, that is, of smaller or greater propeller draft, and a motion component having a horizontal or longitudinal orientation in a direction away from or close to the transom of the boat.

Currently, the movement of outboard engines involves the classic steering rotation, an oscillation of the engine around a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the boat, so-named "trim" movement, and a translation along a vertical direction along a vertical axis or comprised in the vertical plane and tilted in the direction of the bow or stern of the boat.
The trim of the engines determines a variation in the orientation of the propellers which modify the direction of the thrust force by orienting such force more downwards or upwards.
The vertical translation, obtained thanks to motorized sleds named jack-plates which are interposed between the transom of the boat and the engine, determine the position of the propellers with respect to the surface of the water, i.e. their degree of draught and also the position of the propellers with respect to the lower edge of the transom.
There is a limit to the maximum vertical range that can be obtained with the jack-plates. Such limit is imposed by the need to ensure that the propeller is always wet by the water leaving the keel in order to avoid cavitation phenomena.
On the other hand, since the water flow has a substantially parabolic pattern with concavity facing downwards and vertex arranged at a certain distance from the transom, as shown in FIG. 2, the quantity of water wetting the propeller is not uniform and strongly depends on the distance of the engine from the transom. This involves a non-optimal adjustment of the vertical position of the engines.
Systems for translating the engines according to at least two different directions with respect to the transom are known, for example in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,666 wherein Stanley Thomas et al describe an articulated apparatus for moving an outboard engine of a boat by means of mounting elements, part of said mounting elements being in a plane of said boat and part of said mounting elements being located in a plane of said outboard engine and spaced from said plane of the boat, and said mounting elements being able to be mutually positioned by means of a set of actuators able to move the mounting element in the plane of the outboard engine, thus allowing the angular orientation of the engine, the vertical translation of the engine and/or the distance of the engine from said plane of the boat.
The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,666 thus claims the ability to move the engine in the various directions by means of a plurality of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, whose combined and reciprocally coordinated activation allows to actuate the displacement, translational and angular, of the engine with respect to the boat, following the variation of the distance between the two fastening members with which the single actuator is made cooperative by means of appropriate fulcrums, respectively the plane's side of the boat and the plane's side of the engine.
The group of elements of the fastening system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,666, which, as mentioned, uses actuators that vary the distance between said fastening fulcrums, involves a considerable complication both of initial calibration and of control and command, as well as an ensured weakening of the engine's suspension system.

Propulsion assembly and boat combination, boat propulsion method, and boat propulsion assembly


A versatile rotary carburetor has an idle adjustment needle, a high speed adjustment needle, and preferably an air bypass screw which are substantially parallel to one another and are axially exposed for adjustment in a substantially common direction. Preferably a cammed rotary throttle valve is seated in a body of the carburetor for rotation about and axial movement along an axis. The rotary throttle valve intersects a mixing passage in the body, and carries a through-bore that variably generally aligns to the mixing passage upon rotation of the throttle valve. The throttle valve projects axially through an external surface of the body and threadably receives the idle adjustment needle oriented concentrically to the axis. A primary fuel feed tube disposed concentrically to the axis projects into the through-bore to receive the idle adjustment needle at an open distal end which variably obstructs an orifice in a cylindrical wall of the tube that generally communicates with the through-bore for delivering liquid fuel to the mixing passage. The high speed adjustment needle is preferably threaded to the body for adjustably intersecting and obstructing a fuel passage in the body that flows liquid fuel to the fuel feed tube for the flow of liquid fuel. Preferably, the air bypass screw threads into the body for adjustably intersecting and obstructing an air bypass passage in the body communicating at both ends with the mixing passage for generally bypassing the rotary throttle valve when in an idle position.

Known rotary type carburetors are commonly used for small, two stroke combustion engines applied to applications such as handheld chainsaws, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, and the like. A rotary throttle valve of the carburetor has a generally cylindrical throttle received rotatably in a cylindrical cavity of a body that intersects a fuel-and-air mixing passage extending through the body. The rotary throttle valve rotates about an axis and, via a cam interface between the body and the cylindrical throttle, is also operatively moveable axially within the cylindrical cavity. The axial position of the cylindrical throttle is thus dependent upon the rotational angular placement of the throttle valve between a closed or idle position and a wide open throttle, WOT, position. A through-bore extends transversely through the cylindrical throttle of the rotary throttle valve and variably aligns generally longitudinally with the fuel-and-air mixing passage. The through-bore extends substantially perpendicular to the rotary axis and aligns so that when the carburetor is in the WOT position the through-bore is in substantially full communication with the fuel-and-air mixing passage, and when the through-bore is substantially misaligned or communicating minimally with the mixing passage the rotary throttle valve is either closed or in the idle position.
A fuel feed tube disposed concentrically to the rotary axis projects upward from the body and into the through-bore of the cylindrical throttle to an open distal end. An idle adjustment needle is fixedly attached to and projects downward from the cylindrical throttle, into the through-bore, and through the open distal end of the fuel feed tube. An orifice or jet for flowing liquid fuel into the through-bore communicates through a wall of the fuel feed tube and variably aligns axially with the idle fuel adjustment needle in the tube thereby varying the flow cross section of the orifice. Because the rotating cylindrical throttle is cammed, it moves axially during rotation carrying the idle fuel adjustment needle with it as the fuel feed tube and orifice remain stationary. The flow cross section of the orifice generally increases as the throttle valve moves toward the WOT position.
The idle fuel adjustment needle is threaded to the cylindrical throttle enabling adjustment of the quantity of liquid fuel entering the through-bore generally at idle operating conditions of the engine. When the idle fuel adjustment needle is threaded further into the cylindrical throttle more of the orifice is obstructed thus the flow of liquid fuel through the orifice and into the through-bore is reduced. During engine high speed operation or WOT, the idle fuel adjustment needle has little to no effect on fuel flow through the orifice. Instead, a separate high speed fuel adjustment needle is utilized. The high speed fuel adjustment needle threads into the body of the carburetor to adjustably obstruct a primary fuel feed passage in the body that flows liquid fuel to the fuel feed tube. By threading the high speed fuel adjustment needle further into the body, more of the passage is obstructed and less fuel flows through the orifice of the fuel feed tube at high engine speeds.
During manufacturing assembly of the rotary carburetor, and presuming the valve axis is vertical for purposes of explanation, the cylindrical cavity is typically opened upward for receipt of the rotary throttle and is aligned and supported axially between a bottom of the cylindrical cavity carried by the body and a top cover fastened to the body. A hollow shaft of the rotary throttle disposed concentrically to the rotary axis projects rigidly from the throttle and through the cover to engage a throttle lever having a hole for access to the idle fuel adjustment needle located inside the shaft. Unfortunately, access to the high speed adjustment needle must be provided on the side of the carburetor body and not the top like the idle adjustment needle because the top is generally congested with the cover, throttle lever and cam mechanism of the carburetor. Moreover, the fuel passage leading to the fuel nozzle is located centrally in the carburetor main body, and the high speed adjustment needle must extend into the fuel passage in an axially moveable manner with respect to the passage.
Therefore, when conducting the idle and high speed calibration and operation tests of the carburetor in the assembly line or at the time of servicing, the adjustment must be conducted from two different directions, and this inconveniently complicates the adjustment work. Furthermore, when the carburetor is mounted on the engine, it is necessary to provide access for adjustment of the carburetor from two different directions and locations. This restricts the layout of other auxiliary equipment and component parts.