A touch display device includes a touch screen, a plurality of physical keys surrounding the touch screen, a touch sensor, and a touch control system. The touch screen senses a touch operation and displays a graphical user interface (GUI). The physical keys are arranged on each side of the touch screen, and the touch keys on one side can be enabled while the physical keys on all other sides are disabled. The touch sensor includes a plurality of touch sensing units which outputs a touch signal when one side is touched. The touch control system rotates the GUI through predetermined numbers of degrees to maintain uprightness for the user, enables the touch keys on the touched side, and disables the touch keys on all the other sides according to the touch signal.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a touch display device and a control method for the touch display device.
2. Description of Related Art
Many touch display devices, such as smart phones and portable computers, are arranged with a plurality of touch keys with functions such as a menu key, a home key, and a return key at a side. When the touch display device is held in a vertical display orientation, the touch keys are conveniently located for a user. However, when the touch screen is rotated to a horizontal display orientation, the touch keys are less convenient and possibly inaccessible for the user.
Therefore, what is needed is a means to overcome the above described shortcoming.

Touch display device and control method thereof


A method and an apparatus for facial age identification, an electronic device, and a computer readable medium include: obtaining estimated facial age of a person in an image to be identified; selecting N image samples from an image sample set of known age according to the estimated facial age and age of two or more preset age gaps with the estimated facial age, the N being not less than 2; obtaining a comparison result of ages between the image to be identified and the selected N image samples; and obtaining probability information for determining a person's facial age attribute information according to statistical information formed by the comparison result.

Face attribute information identification is information that identifies the gender, age, expression, and race, etc. presented by a person's face in an image.
Face attribute information identification is a research topic in the field of computer visions, and identification of facial age in an image is an important branch in face attribute information identification.

Method and apparatus for facial age identification, and electronic device

BEIJING SENSETIME TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD


The integrated imaging device comprises a substrate (1) with an integrated circuit (4), a cover (2), a cavity (6) enclosed between the substrate (1) and the cover (2), and a sensor (5) or an array of sensors (5) arranged in the cavity (6). A surface (11, 12) of the substrate (1) or the cover (2) opposite the cavity (6) has a structure (8) directing incident radiation. The surface structure (8) may be a plate zone or a Fresnel lens focusing infrared radiation and may be etched into the surface of the substrate or cover, respectively.

Imaging devices and sensor devices for the detection of radiation are often provided with elements like lenses to direct the radiation. For infrared radiation (IR) of long wavelengths in the range between 8 μm and 12 μm (LWIR), an amorphous material transmitting infrared radiation (AMTIR) like ZnSe or GeAsSe can be used to guide or focus the radiation. A mass production of such infrared detectors is prevented by prohibitive costs, which are also due to the packaging combining the detector with an integrated circuit.
A Fresnel lens comprises a plurality of concentric annular sections of different radii. Thus the continuous surface of a conventional lens is divided into annular surfaces of similar curvature, which are arranged contiguous to one another with steps in the surface where adjacent sections join. In each section the maximal thickness is considerably smaller than the maximal thickness of an equivalent conventional lens, so that the overall thickness of a Fresnel lens and hence its volume are much smaller in relation to a conventional lens.
A zone plate, sometimes called Fresnel zone plate, comprises a plurality of concentric annular sections of different radii, the so-called Fresnel zones. Opaque zones and transparent zones alternate in the area of the zone plate. Incident light is subject to diffraction around the opaque zones. The zones can be arranged so that the diffracted light constructively interferes at a desired focus.
US 2011/0147869 A1 discloses an integrated infrared-sensor comprising a Fresnel lens integrated in the rear surface of a silicon substrate. A cavity is etched into the substrate through openings in a dielectric stack. Polysilicon and titanium nitride layers extend through the openings between thermopiles arranged in the dielectric stack. A CMOS circuitry is arranged in a block of the dielectric stack.
EP 1 267 399 A2 discloses an infrared sensor comprising a resistance element in a cavity formed by a recess in a silicon substrate and by a cap body comprising a silicon substrate. The cap body carries a filter layer and a silicon layer, which is patterned to provide a Fresnel lens. A transistor is arranged on the substrate within the cavity, laterally with respect to the resistance element.
JP 2007-171174 A discloses an infrared sensing device comprising an infrared sensing part arranged in a cavity, which is formed by two silicon wafers. Through-hole wirings are electrically connected to the infrared sensing part. A semiconductor lens part is integrally formed in the upper silicon wafer.
US 2011/0147872 A1 discloses an optical device with a light receiving part arranged on a semiconductor device, which is covered with a transparent board comprising an integrated Fresnel lens. A layer of an adhesive material may comprise an opening above the light receiving part.
EP 1 079 613 A2 discloses an image input apparatus with a microlens array and a corresponding photosensitive element array.
EP 1 612 528 A2 discloses an infrared sensor comprising a sensor chip and a cap chip, which form a cavity accommodating an absorbing layer on a membrane above a recess of the sensor chip. The cap chip is provided with a lens, which can be integrated in the cap chip or in a silicon lens chip.
US 2012/0056291 A1 discloses an imaging device comprising a substrate, a photodetecting portion, a circuit portion and a through interconnect. The construction includes a lens.
US 2009/0256216 A1 discloses a wafer level chip scale package die substrate containing electronic circuits. Through-silicon vias through the substrate connect the electronic circuits to the bottom surface of the substrate. A package sensor is coupled to the substrate for sensing an environmental parameter. A protective encapsulant layer covers the top surface of the substrate except for a sensor aperture that is located above the package sensor.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,683,449 B2 discloses a radiation-detecting optoelectronic component including a semiconductor device with at least one radiation-sensitive zone configured to detect electromagnetic radiation and an optical element configured to focus the electromagnetic radiation in the radiation-sensitive zone. The optical element includes a diffractive element having structures in the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation.
The paper of P. M. Sarro et al.: "An integrated thermal infrared sensing array" in Sensors and Actuators 14, 191-201 (1988) reports an application of an external Fresnel zone plate for focusing infrared radiation on pixels of a detector. The spectral decomposition generated by the zone plate is used for infrared spectroscopy.
The absorption coefficient of doped silicon for infrared radiation was published by W. Spitzer and H. Y. Fan, "Infrared Absorption in n-Type Silicon," Physical Review 108, 268-271 (1957). If the attenuation of incident radiation by free carrier absorption in silicon is desired to be smaller than 10% within a silicon thickness of 700 μm, for example, the doping concentration must be smaller than 1017 cm−3.

Integrated imaging device for infrared radiation and method of production


A process for operating a gas sensor (10), which process includes a calibration of the gas sensor (10). A test gas (16) is drawn in via a pump (12) coupled with the gas sensor (10), whereby the test gas (16) is supplied to the gas sensor (10). Different volume flows are generated by the pump (12) and respective volume flow-dependent measured values (26) are detected by the pump (12). The volume flow-dependent measured values (26) are recorded together with the respective volume flow. A sensor control unit and a computer program functioning as a control program (48) are provided to implement the process.

A process for calibrating a gas sensor is known from US 2011/0197649 A1. Provisions are made there for a volume, in which a gas to be measured is circulated through a gas sensor by means of a pump, to be able to be closed by means of a plurality of valves. The closed volume guarantees known conditions as the basis for calculating a concentration.
Processes for calibrating a gas sensor, which are based, in brief, on the release of a known quantity of substance, are described in WO 2007/087403 A2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,674 B1.
In prior-art, so-called diaphragm-controlled gas sensors, the measured signal of the gas sensors depends on the transportation of a substance through a diaphragm of the gas sensor. The diaphragm and its sealing elements separate the sensor system proper and an electrolyte in the interior of the sensor from a respective measured gas and prevent the escape of the electrolyte up to a pressure difference determined by the construction.
Typical calibration processes predefine a certain test gas concentration and check whether the sensor calculates a measured value that is correct in a broad range. A difference between a resulting expected value based on the known test gas concentration and the respective measured value is used here for the correction. The test gas concentration is ideally in a range to be monitored during the operation of the gas sensor or is subject to normative requirements.
A changing pressure acting on the separating diaphragm of the gas sensor leads to a pressure-dependent passage of substance through the diaphragm (increased passage of substance at high pressure; reduced passage of substance at low pressure). Therefore, gas sensors whose principle of function is based on a concentration-dependent passage of substance, therefore show elevated measured values at high pressure. Pressure changes that markedly influence (distort) the measured values of a gas sensor are frequently caused by a pump, which transports the gas to be measured to the gas sensor via a rather long feed line (for example, tube). Such a pump often comprises a rotatingly driven, elastic chamber volume or a piston-and-cylinder unit, both of which operate cyclically and consequently cause cyclical pressure variations.
In addition to the pressure change, which leads to a distorted measured value, a change in the gas concentration is another source of error. The calibration of a gas sensor is adapted to an essentially stagnant medium in an area (gas space) in front of the diaphragm. A so-called depletion layer with a lower concentration of the gas to be measured develops in the immediate vicinity of the diaphragm in a stagnant medium. The molecules to be measured, which pass through the diaphragm due to the concentration gradient, are missing on the opposite side of the diaphragm and are equalized by diffusion from the gas space in a short time. There is a lower concentration directly in front of the diaphragm than in the gas to be measured. If energy is now introduced into the space directly in front of the diaphragm, this concentration stratification is changed. The input of energy results, for example, from a motion of the gas caused by a (varying) volume flow.
The respective prevailing pressure and/or volume flow conditions consequently influence the measurement result. On the one hand, an incorrect measured value is displayed. On the other hand, a change in concentration is displayed, even though the gas concentration has remained the same.

Process for calibrating a gas sensor and for the subsequent use of the calibrated gas sensor


A semiconductor integrated circuit tester includes a housing having a tester interface area, a guide structure in the housing and defining an engagement axis that intersects the tester interface area, and a circuit board structure fitted in the guide structure in a manner allowing movement of the circuit board structure relative to the housing along the engagement axis. The circuit board structure has a tester interface that is exposed exteriorly of the housing at the tester interface area. An attachment mechanism releasably engages a test board having a test board interface and secures the test board against movement along the engagement axis in a direction away from the tester interface area. When the test board is secured to the housing by the attachment mechanism and the tester interface is not engaged with the test board interface, the circuit board structure may be urged to move along the engagement axis to force the tester interface into engagement with the test board interface.

This invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuit testers, and particularly to a personal tester for laboratory use.
The semiconductor integrated circuit tester that is sold by Credence Systems Corporation under the designation Personal Kalos is designed for personal use by a technician or engineer in a laboratory rather than for production use in a manufacturing facility. The Personal Kalos tester includes pin electronics implemented on a main circuit board mounted in a generally parallelepipedal housing. The main circuit board has a tester interface that is exposed at one main face of the housing and includes several tester interface pin headers. A load board, which serves as a spatial transformer between the tester interface pin headers and a DUT socket for receiving a device under test (DUT), has receptacles that engage the tester interface pin headers.
The Personal Kalos tester may be positioned on or adjacent to the user""s work bench, and when the user wishes to test a device of a particular type he selects the appropriate load board, engages the receptacles of the load board with the tester interface pin headers of the Personal Kalos tester, and installs the DUT in the DUT socket of the load board. When the user wishes to test a device of a different type, it will generally be necessary for him to remove the current load board and engage the load board for the new type of device with the tester interface.
When the user removes a load board from engagement with the tester interface or engages a new load board with the tester interface, he may inadvertently tilt the load board. Tilting of the load board may result in the pins of the load board receptacles or the pins of the tester interface pin headers being bent or otherwise damaged.
It has been found that it is generally more convenient for the user of the Personal Kalos tester to engage a load board with the tester interface by downward vertical movement of the load board relative to the tester housing. It is easier to maintain the orientation of the load board relative to the tester interface, and avoid tilting of the load board, during downward vertical movement of the load board than during movement along a non-vertical, e.g. horizontal axis. The dimensions of the tester housing of the Personal Kalos tester are such that it is easy to position the tester interface in a horizontal orientation when the tester is placed beside the user""s work bench, but if the tester is placed on the user""s work bench it can be awkward to position the tester interface in a horizontal orientation.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit tester including a housing having a tester interface area, a guide structure in the housing and defining an engagement axis that intersects the tester interface area, a circuit board structure fitted in the guide structure in a manner allowing movement of the circuit board structure relative to the housing along the engagement axis, the circuit board structure having a tester interface that is exposed exteriorly of the housing at the tester interface area, a drive means for urging the circuit board structure to move relative to the housing along the engagement axis, and an attachment mechanism for releasably engaging a test board having a test board interface and securing the test board against movement along the engagement axis in a direction away from the tester interface area, whereby, when the test board is secured to the housing by the attachment mechanism and the tester interface is not engaged with the test board interface, the drive means may be operated to urge the circuit board structure to move along the engagement axis in said direction to force the tester interface into engagement with the test board interface.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a semiconductor integrated circuit tester including a housing having a tester interface area, a guide structure in the housing and defining an engagement axis that intersects the tester interface area, a circuit board structure fitted in the guide structure in a manner allowing movement of the circuit board structure relative to the housing along the engagement axis, the circuit board structure having a tester interface that is exposed exteriorly of the housing at the tester interface area, a drive means for urging the circuit board structure to move relative to the housing along the engagement axis, a test board having a test board interface for engaging the tester interface, and an attachment mechanism for releasably engaging the test board and securing the test board against movement along the engagement axis in a direction away from the tester interface area, the attachment mechanism including first and second complementary attachment elements secured to the tester housing and the test board respectively, whereby, when the test board is secured to the housing by the attachment mechanism and the tester interface is not engaged with the test board interface, the drive means may be operated to urge the circuit board structure to move along the engagement axis in said direction to force the tester interface into engagement with the test board interface.


A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a lower rail freely fixed to a vehicle floor; an upper rail freely fixed to a seat having a seat cushion forming a seating surface and a seatback; and a memory member engaging with the upper rail, wherein the memory member includes: a memory base provided to be movable in a forward-rearward direction of the seat; a memory pin mounted to be movable back and forth in a vertical direction with respect to the memory base; a first urging member urging the memory pin; a locking plate mounted to be movable in the forward-rearward direction of the seat with respect to the memory base; and a second urging member urging the locking plate.

In the related art, JP 2011-201434A (Reference 1) discloses such a seat slide apparatus for a vehicle, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the apparatus includes a memory base 131 that is movable in a forward-rearward direction of a seat along a lower rail 110; and a memory pin 133 that is mounted to be movable back and forth in a vertical direction with respect to the memory base 131, engages with an upper rail 120 by protruding upward from the memory base 131 due to an urging force of a memory piece urging member 132 while being disengaged from the lower rail 110, engages with the lower rail 110 by protruding downward from the memory base 131 due to a downward pressing force applied thereto while being disengaged from the upper rail 120 when a seatback is shifted from a ready-for-seating state to a forward-inclined state (hereinafter, also referred to as "forward tilt").
The memory pin 133 is continuously pressed downward by a memory holding bracket 135 which approaches thereabove when the upper rail 120 moves in front of a seat after the forward tilt of the seatback, thereby maintaining an engagement state and the like with the lower rail 110.
Thereafter, in the forward tilt of the seatback, if the upper rail 120 moves behind a seat, a stopper member 136 which is fixed to a front end portion of the upper rail 120 abuts on the memory base 131, thereby being locked to be prevented from moving. Accordingly, relative positions (stored relative positions) of the lower rail 110 and the upper rail 120 before the upper rail 120 moves in front of the seat in accordance with the forward tilt of the seatback are restored. Subsequently, if the forward tilt is canceled by erecting the seatback, the memory pin 133 which is released from the downward pressing force protrudes from the memory base 131 due to the urging force of the memory piece urging member 132 and engages with the upper rail 120 while being disengaged from the lower rail 110.
Incidentally, according to Reference 1, since the engagement state of the memory pin 133 and the lower rail 110 is maintained when the upper rail 120 moves in front of the seat after the forward tilt of the seatback, the memory holding bracket 135 needs to be able to press the memory pin 133 downward throughout the entire movement range of the upper rail 120 with respect to the lower rail 110. For this reason, the memory holding bracket 135 is configured to extend inside the upper rail 120 along in a longitudinal direction, thereby causing a disposition space necessary for an inside of the rail to be increased.


A hydraulically operated automatic transmission assembly wherein a group of dynamic fluid consumers including a continuously variable transmission or a planetary change-speed transmission and a clutch is regulated by a unit which receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump. The pump further serves to supply fluid to several static consumers, such as a torque converter and one or more cooling and/or lubricating units. The fluid which is supplied to the static consumers is influenced by a hydraulic resistor, such as a diaphragm or a throttle, and the quantity of such fluid is maintained within an acceptable range irrespective of eventual leakage of fluid which is being conveyed to the dynamic consumers and irrespective of pronounced fluctuations in the quantity of fluid being necessary for certain modes of operation of the dynamic consumers.

The invention relates to improvements in hydraulically operated automatic transmission assemblies, and to a method of supplying hydraulic fluid to the fluid-consuming or utilizing constituents of such transmission assemblies.
German patent No. 195 46 293 A1 discloses a hydraulically operated automatic transmission assembly which can be utilized in the power train of a motor vehicle to transmit torque between the engine and the wheels, normally in response to engagement of a friction clutch which serves to transmit torque between the rotary output element of the engine and the rotary input element of the variable speed or change speed transmission forming part of the automatic transmission assembly. The patented transmission assembly employs at least one static fluid consumer, a hydraulic transmission regulating component (e.g., a proportional and/or another valve), and at least one dynamic fluid consumer which is controlled by the transmission regulating component(s). The at least one static fluid consumer can include or constitute a fluid cooling unit, and the at least one dynamic fluid consumer can constitute a regulating arrangement for a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The speed ratio of such CVT is variable by the at least one transmission regulating component of the hydraulic transmission regulating unit. The patented transmission assembly further comprises a hydraulic resistor which is installed in a conduit serving to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid from the source to the static and dynamic fluid consumers. The source can include a pump which circulates transmission fluid in the automatic transmission assembly.
The aforementioned conduit receives hydraulic fluid from a fluid conveying unit which supplies fluid for the CVT and is located upstream of a volumetric flow regulator the regulating or adjusting function of which is influenced by the hydraulic resistor. In other words, the hydraulic resistor determines or controls the maximal volumetric flow of the working fluid because the quantity of conveyed fluid depends upon the RPM of the fluid conveying unit. Thus, when the RPM rises to a predetermined value, the fluid conveying unit delivers a volumetric flow of the working fluid which exceeds the fluid requirements of the automatic transmission assembly. The total or overall fluid flow which is supplied by the fluid conveying unit is divided into first and second flows for the static and dynamic fluid consumers, respectively.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cdynamic fluid consumerxe2x80x9d is intended to denote each consumer which, at least for a certain relatively short interval of time, requires a varying supply of hydraulic fluid. For example, an actuator in the hydraulic circuit of a prime mover is operated by receiving a variable supply of hydraulic fluid. In addition to the aforediscussed variable-RPM consumers (such as a CVT), dynamic fluid consumers further encompass, for example, various types of engageable and disengageable clutches including the so-called lockup or bypass clutches of torque converters. On the other hand, the term xe2x80x9cstatic fluid consumerxe2x80x9d is intended to denote those consumers of hydraulic fluid which, at least as a rule, receive fluid at a constant or substantially constant rate. Such static fluid consumers include cooling units for hydraulic fluid, the torque converter(s) and the lubricating means.
The patented automatic transmission assembly is operated in such a way that the conduit conveys the regulated volumetric flow into the transmission regulating unit. A portion of such flow is lost in the dynamic fluid consumers and as a result of leakage. The remainder of the flow is conveyed into the static fluid consumer or consumers. Any fluid that remains is caused to enter the suction side of the fluid conveying unit. The just described sequence of utilization of the fluid flow is considered to be necessary in order to ensure that a body of highly pressurized fluid reaches those consumers (normally or preferably including the dynamic consumer or consumers) which require a highly pressurized fluid, and that the working fluid thereupon reaches the low-pressure consumer or consumers normally encompassing the static fluid consumer(s). The fluid pressure is selected or regulated prior to admission into the consumer(s) requiring highly pressurized hydraulic fluid; however, the pressure of hydraulic fluid which is conveyed to the static fluid consumer(s) and/or to other consumers of lower-pressure fluid is normally determined by the quantity of fluid which is available for such purpose and by the geometry (a) of the piping which confines the low-pressure fluid and (b) the static fluid consumer(s). This results in the establishment, in the low-pressure region, of a specific xe2x80x9cbackwaterxe2x80x9d effect.
In an automatic transmission assembly for use in a motor vehicle, it is normally desirable or necessary to ensure that the operation be satisfactory while the temperature of transmission fluid fluctuates within a range of between about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. and +140xc2x0 C. When the fluid temperature (within the just mentioned range) is relatively high, the losses due to leakage increase (because the viscosity of the fluid is relatively high) well above average losses, and this applies especially for leakages in the transmission regulating unit. The fluid which escapes due to such increased temperature-induced reduction of viscosity is considered a lost fluid, i.e., a fluid which is not returned into the intake of the fluid conveying unit including the pump or another source of pressurized fluid.
It has been found that, if the temperature of the transmission fluid rises to a high or very high value (e.g., to a range of between +90xc2x0 C. and +140xc2x0 C.), the quantity of hydraulic fluid reaching the low pressure section (including the static fluid consumer or consumers) is too low. Thus, the operation of the lubricating system and/or of the cooling system of the automatic transmission assembly is likely to be unsatisfactory. Consequently, the temperature of fluid which has been caused to flow through the cooling unit or units is not sufficiently low (i.e., has not been sufficiently lowered) to ensure adequate cooling of the entire supply of transmission fluid because the percentage of fluid flowing through the cooling unit or units is too small. This entails a further rise of fluid temperature, i.e., a further drop of viscosity and additional leakage. Such chain reaction entails a progressively decreasing rate of fluid flow through the cooling system and a progressively increasing heating of the circulating transmission fluid. The result is an unstable condition of the automatic transmission assembly, and such condition is aggravated due to continuously increasing percentage of escaping leak fluid so that, if such situation persists, all consumers are likely to receive insufficient quantities of transmission fluid. Attempts to overcome such problems in presently known automatic transmission assemblies include an increase of the regulated volumetric flow.
If the temperature of the transmission fluid drops to a low or very low value (e.g., to between about xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C. and 0xc2x0 C.), the static fluid consumer or consumers receives or receive relatively large quantities of hydraulic fluid. Furthermore, as the viscosity of the transmission fluid increases, friction within the fluid also increases; this is particularly undesirable in connection with the flow of fluid through the conduits. Consequently, the pressure of fluid in the static consumer(s) is likely or bound to rise to an excessive value, namely to a value which can entail a destruction of a static fluid consumer (e.g., the fluid cooling unit or units). Moreover, the high pressure of fluid entering the low-pressure fluid consumer or consumers is bound to exert an adverse influence upon (such as an excessive rise of pressure of) fluid flowing in the dynamic consumer or consumers as well as of fluid flowing back into the fluid conveying or supplying unit. This can cause extensive damage to such constituents of the automatic transmission assembly and a pronounced drop of the efficiency of such assembly.
Another drawback of the aforediscussed conventional automatic transmission assemblies is that, when the fluid requirements of the dynamic consumers are high or very high, the surplus over the normal or average fluid requirements of such dynamic consumer(s) is detracted from the fluid which is normally available for static fluid consumers and is no longer returned to the fluid conveying unit, i.e., to the pump. For example, the fluid requirements of dynamic fluid consumers are likely or bound to increase for relatively short periods of time during filling of clutches and/or during actuation of the speed ratio selector for the change-speed transmission (such as the aforementioned continuously variable transmission). Such losses of transmission fluid must be taken into consideration in connection with the calculation of those quantities of transmission fluid which are to be made available for the static fluid consumer(s).
This application claims the priority of the commonly owned copending German patent application Serial No. 199 30 989.2 filed Jul. 5, 1999. The disclosure of the just mentioned priority application, as well as the disclosure of each and every U.S. and/or foreign patent and/or patent application identified in the specification of the present application, is incorporated herein by reference.
An object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved method of supplying hydraulic fluid to the consumers in an automatic transmission assembly.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method which renders it possible to operate with relatively small quantities of transmission fluid or another suitable hydraulic fluid.
A further object of the instant invention is to provide a method which renders it possible to invariably satisfy or meet the requirements of the static fluid consumer(s) even if the requirements of the dynamic fluid consumer(s) fluctuate within a wide range.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a method which ensures that pronounced changes or fluctuations of the temperature of transmission fluid cannot, or are less likely to, exert an adverse influence upon the availability of fluid for proper operation of one or more static and/or dynamic fluid consumers.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved hydraulically operated automatic transmission assembly which can be utilized for the practice of the above outlined method.
A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic transmission assembly with novel and improved means for allotting requisite quantities of transmission fluid for use by the static and dynamic fluid consumers.
Another object of the invention is to provide a motor vehicle wherein the power train embodies a hydraulically operated automatic transmission assembly of the above outlined character.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an automatic transmission assembly with novel and improved means for rendering the quantities of transmission fluid which are available for one of the static and dynamic fluid consumers less dependent upon, or independent from, the fluid requirements of the other of the static and dynamic components.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved array of hydraulic lines for use in the above outlined automatic transmission assembly.
A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved combination of valves, flow restrictors and other hydraulic fluid flow influencing components for use in the above outlined automatic transmission assembly.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved automatic transmission assembly which can be installed in existing power trains of motor vehicles as superior substitutes for heretofore known automatic transmission assemblies.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved modular automatic transmission assembly which can be utilized in the power trains of motor vehicles.
One feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of a method of supplying hydraulic fluid (such as a transmission fluid) to at least one static consumer and at least one dynamic consumer. The consumers form part of an automatic transmission assembly, and the method comprises the steps of establishing a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, supplying a first fluid flow from the source to the at least one dynamic consumer along at least one first path, and conveying a second fluid flow from the source to the at least one static consumer along at least one second path wherein the fluid is not influenced by the at least one dynamic consumer (such terminology embraces situations and/or circumstances when the fluid being supplied to the at least one static consumer is not appreciably influenced by the at least one dynamic consumer).
The method can further comprise the step of regulating the rate of fluid flow (i.e., the volumetric flow) of fluid along the second path. Such regulating step can include controlling the pressure of fluid flow along the second path, e.g., maintaining the pressure of fluid in the second path below a predetermined maximum value, preferably within a predetermined range.
The method can also comprise the step of regulating the rate of fluid flow along the first path.
Furthermore, the improved method can comprise the steps of conveying a third fluid flow or stream from the source (such as a vane pump) along a third path, diverting a portion of the third flow from the third path into the at least one first path to thus form the first flow or stream, and diverting or directing a second portion of the third flow from the third path into the at least one second path to thus form the second flow or stream.
Morover, the improved method can comprise the step of propagating the first and second fluid flows along the respective paths independently of each other.
The flow of fluid to the consumers can be controlled by a flow regulating unit having at least one transmission regulating component (such as a valve), and the fluid supplying step of such method can include influencing the first fluid flow by the at least one regulating component of the regulating unit.
Numerous embodiments of novel and improved apparatus which can be utilized for the practice of the above outlined method will be described hereinbelow. One such (hydraulically operated) apparatus (hereinafter called automatic transmission assembly or assembly or transmission assembly for short), which is especially suited for utilization in the power train or drive train of a motor vehicle, comprises at least one static fluid consumer, at least one dynamic fluid consumer, a regulating unit including at least one transmission regulating component, a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, means for supplying a first stream or flow of pressurized fluid from the source to the at least one dynamic consumer along a first path wherein the first flow is influenced by the at least one regulating component, and means for conveying a second flow or stream of pressurized fluid from the source to the at least one static consumer along a second path wherein the fluid is not influenced by the at least one dynamic consumer.
Another embodiment of the improved hydraulically operated transmission assembly comprises at least one static fluid consumer, at least one dynamic fluid consumer, a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, a fluid-supplying first conduit connecting the outlet of the source with the at least one static fluid consumer, a volumetric flow regulator in the first conduit, means for influencing the flow regulator (such influencing means includes a hydraulic resistor in the first conduit), a second conduit which receives fluid from the first conduit upstream of the hydraulic resistor and is connected to the at least one dynamic fluid consumer, and a transmission regulating unit including at least one component (such as a 4/2-way valve or a pressure raising valve) arranged to regulate the flow of fluid in the second conduit.
The second conduit can branch off the first conduit upstream of the volumetric flow regulator.
The aforementioned means for influencing the flow regulator can be installed in the first conduit downstream of the flow regulator, and the second conduit can branch off the first conduit downstream of the volumetric flow regulator but upstream of the influencing means.
The improved assembly can further comprise a fluid conveying unit having a housing for the source, and the aforementioned hydraulic resistor can be disposed in such housing. The housing of the fluid conveying unit can accommodate the source and the hydraulic resistor, the source and the volumetric flow regulator, or the source jointly with the hydraulic resistor and the flow regulator.
The hydraulic resistor can be installed in the transmission regulating unit, and the assembly can further comprise at least one additional conduit which serves to return fluid from the hydraulic resistor to the volumetric flow regulator.
The source of pressurized fluid can form part of the fluid conveying unit, and the hydraulic resistor and/or the volumetric flow regulator can be installed in the first conduit between the source and the transmission regulating unit.
The volumetric flow regulator can be installed in the transmission regulating unit.
The aforementioned housing of the fluid conveying unit can be designed to accommodate the source and can be affixed to the transmission regulating unit.
The transmission regulating unit can comprise a plurality of components which serve to regulate the flow of fluid in the second conduit, and the first conduit can include a section which connects one of the plurality of components with the at least one static fluid consumer; the hydraulic resistor can be disposed in the aforementioned section of the first conduit.
The volumetric flow regulator can comprise a valve having a body defining a chamber for a reciprocable valving element. Such assembly can further comprise a first return conduit having an intake end communicating with the first conduit upstream of the hydraulic resistor and a discharge end communicating with the chamber at a first end face of the valving element, and a second return conduit having an inlet communicating with the first conduit downstream of the hydraulic resistor and an outlet communicating with the chamber at a second end face of the valving element.
The hydraulic resistor can comprise a measuring diaphragm and/or a measuring throttle.
It is also possible to design the improved assembly in such a way that the inlet of a return conduit communicates with the first conduit downstream of the hydraulic resistor and that the outlet of such return conduit discharges fluid into the aforementioned volumetric flow regulator. The return conduit can contain a damping diaphragm.
The volumetric flow regulator can be installed in the fluid flow conveying unit, the same as the source of pressurized fluid, and the hydraulic resistor can be installed in the transmission regulating unit.
If the source, the hydraulic resistor and the flow regulator are installed in the housing of the fluid conveying unit, a first portion of the first conduit in such assembly can be disposed in the fluid conveying unit and a second portion of the first conduit is connected to the at least one static consumer. A first portion of the second conduit can be disposed in the fluid conveying unit and a second portion of such second conduit is connected to the at least one dynamic consumer.
The dynamic fluid consumer or consumers can include a transmission (such as a planetary or a CVT) and/or a friction clutch, and the static fluid consumer or consumers can include at least one fluid cooling unit and/or a torque converter and/or at least one further consumer (such as a lubricating unit).
If the at least one dynamic consumer comprises a CVT, the assembly can further comprise a torque sensor which is connected with the output of a prime mover (such as the internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle) and is associated with the CVT. The latter can be of the type embodying first and second adjustable pulleys, an endess flexible element (such as a link chain) trained over the pulleys and hydraulic fluid-operated adjusting motors for the pulleys. Such motors can constitute dynamic fluid consumers.
It will be seen that, if the transmission regulating unit comprises or controls a hydraulically adjustable CVT, the dynamic fluid consumer means can comprise hydraulic adjusting means (such as the aforementioned motors) for the CVT.
In a further embodiment of the improved adjustable transmission assembly, the hydraulic resistor is variable in depedency upon temperature changes of the hydraulic fluid. Such hydraulic resistor can comprise a measuring throttle. The arrangement can be such that the hydraulic resistor defines a path for the flow of hydraulic fluid from the outlet of the source of pressurized fluid to the at least one static fluid consumer, and the path for the flow of fluid through the resistor is variable as a function of temperature changes of conveyed fluid.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved hydraulically operated automatic transmission assembly itself, however, both as to its construction and the modes of assembling and operating the same, together with numerous additional important and advantageous features and attributes thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain presently preferred specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Automatic transmission assembly and method of operating the same

LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG


A method for simultaneous removal of NO and carbonic particles and inorganic dust from flue gases in a reactor with a catalyst for direct decomposition of nitric oxide located on a metallic monolith, includes tangential introduction of flue gases to the reactor circumference. Flue gases flow rotationally and downwards in the reactor in contact with an undulating surface of metallic foil located on an inner wall of the reactor chamber and in contact with the catalyst on a spiral band falling to the lower part of the reactor, and next flue gases jet direction counter-currently to a cylindrical inner chamber containing slices of the monolithic catalyst disturbing laminar flow of the flue gases jet. The reactor arrangement provides for simultaneous removal of NO and carbon particles and inorganic dust from flue gases.

Hitherto the removal of NO from the dusty flue gases is carried out in this way, that the flue gases containing NO flow axially to the inlets of the channels of a monolithic catalyst and the flow is laminar. The catalyst is prepared using a ceramic, fire-resistant material or metal foil and it is covered by a catalytic active substance. During laminar flow through the channels of the monolithic catalyst the flue gases come into contact with the catalyst and the chemical reactions occur. Reduction of NO to N2 is the result of these reactions. Simultaneously the solid particles deposit on the surface of the monolithic catalyst and it is necessary to remove those particles periodically using mechanical methods.
A catalytic reactor for cleaning the dust-free flue gases in which cleaning of gases occur almost evenly in central and outer parts of the metallic monolithic catalyst is well-known from the description of the Japanese patent No. 2006-196988. In the appliance, a magnetic substance and catalytically active substance are contained in layers created on surfaces of the channels of a metallic monolith. The monolith is cylindrical or elliptical or quadrangular and it is made out of undulating austenitic stainless steel. On the outer side of the monolithic catalyst a stable magnet is placed or a magnetic field generator. The monolithic catalyst is located in a casing, which is made of non-magnetic material with high thermal resistance. The casing is located between the stable magnet or the magnetic field generator and the monolithic catalyst, which is enveloped by a ceramic fibre mat. The mat is a thermal insulator of heat transported from cleaned gases to the stable magnet or the magnetic field generator. The cleaned flue gases are directed to an inlet cross-section of the monolithic catalyst using a flue gas channel. The geometric axis of the flue gas channel and the geometric axis of the monolithic catalyst overlap. A diffuser is installed at the end of the flue gas channel and it is a coupler between the flue gases channel and the metallic casing of the monolithic catalyst. The flue gases are cleaned as a result of a chemical reaction proceeding on the catalyst during their flow through the channels of the monolithic catalyst created from an undulating metallic foil.

Method of simultaneous removal of NO and carbon particles and inorganic dust from flue gases and catalytic reactor for removal of NO and carbon particles and inorganic dust from flue gases


A lifting unit for pipe inspection systems for lifting a head unit, comprising a base support with a connection module for connection to a connection unit of a carriage, a lifting system with at least one lifting arm and a drive unit for deflecting the lifting arm relative to the base support via a rotation axis, as well as a head unit with a connection module for connection of inspection units, in particular cameras and illumination systems, wherein connectors of the carriage are at least partially lead to the connection module of the head unit.

In prior art, pipe inspection systems with a carriage are known in which a camera unit is fixed to the lifting unit, which is able to lift the camera above the carriage. This, in particular, is necessary, if pipes are to be inspected by means of cameras, which have a larger diameter than the pipe inspection system, because for inspection, it is especially advantageous, if the optical axis of the camera substantially lies in the central longitudinal axis of the pipe to be inspected.
Such pipe inspection systems are disadvantageous in that they are comparably large and, thus, are not suitable for smaller pipes, but, first of all, are complex, expensive, and comparably inflexible. Thus, the invention is based on the object to provide a device, which offers the advantages of the prior art and avoids the disadvantages.

Lifting unit for pipe inspection systems


A method for installing a stent graft in therapeutic relation to an abdominal artery aneurysm includes the steps of advancing the stent graft over a guide wire and an introducer sheath, followed by advancing a main catheter over the guide wire and the introducer sheath. An inner catheter in the lumen of the main catheter is pulled to cause a magnet-carrying extended arm to encounter a kick plate in the main catheter lumen and to exit that lumen through an exit opening formed in the main catheter. A mating catheter having a magnetic tip is advanced over a contralateral guide wire and manipulated until the respective magnets engage. After specific positioning of the contralateral guide wire, the magnets are decoupled, the mating catheter is retracted, the inner catheter is pushed to return the extended arm into the main catheter lumen through the exit opening and the main catheter is withdrawn.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to surgical tools and methods. More specifically, it relates to a tool and method for installing a stent graft in an abdominal artery to prevent rupturing of the artery due to an aneurysm.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
When stents for the abdominal artery were first introduced, the patient's torso was opened in a major operation, known as abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The abdominal artery lies in front of the spine but behind the major organs, several of which had to be moved out of the way so that the stent graft could be installed. Accordingly, AAA surgery could last six to eight hours, and was followed by a long and painful recovery period.
Modern stent grafts, however, are introduced into the abdominal artery through a small incision made in each of the common iliac arteries, thereby avoiding the complications often associated with AAA and greatly reducing the time required to complete the operation, post-operative pain and recovery time.
Since the patient's torso is not opened, the stent graft and the tool or tools used to position it in the desired position must be viewed through suitable imaging means.
The placement of guide wires and catheters needed to control stent graft placement can be difficult. In a worst-case scenario, the placement procedure may not work and the surgeon must resort to conventional AAA.
Thus there is a need for an improved tool and method for installing a stent graft in therapeutic relation to a diseased section of an abdominal artery. The improved tool and method would simplify stent graft placement and reduce the number of times that minimally invasive surgery must be abandoned in favor of prior art surgery.
However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how such an improved tool and method could be provided.

Apparatus and method for installing a stent


The invention can firmly fix both ends of a carcass ply while maintaining a weight saving and an effect of inhibiting a bead damage high. A pneumatic tire is provided with a bead core (5) constituted by core separated pieces (20U, 20L) separated into upper and lower sides in a radial direction, a bead apex rubber (8) extending from an upper surface thereof to an upper side in the radial direction, and a carcass ply (6A) having a ply lock portion (11) locked to the bead core (5). The ply lock portion (11) is provided with an apex and core horizontal ply portion (31) pinched between the bead core (5) and the bead apex rubber (8), or a core lower ply portion (32) extending along a lower surface of the lower core separated piece (20L), or a lower middle vertical ply portion (33Lm) pinched between separated portions (20Li, 20Lo) formed by separating the lower core separated piece (20L) into inner and outer portions in a tire axial direction, in addition to a separated piece horizontal ply portion (30) pinched between the core separated pieces (20U, 20L).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire in which both end portions of a carcass ply are pinched between separated pieces of a bead core without being protruded from the bead core to an upper side in a radial direction so as to be firmly locked.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a carcass ply a constituting a frame of the pneumatic tire, as generally shown in FIG. 16A, there is employed a structure in which ply fold-back portions a2 are provided in both ends of a ply main body portion a1 extending between bead cores c and c. The ply fold-back portion a2 is extended high to an outer side in a radial direction along an outer surface of a bead apex rubber b after being folded back to an outer side from an inner side in a tire axial direction around the bead core c. Accordingly, it is possible to firmly fix both ends of the carcass ply a, it is possible to prevent the carcass cord from being slack at a time of vulcanizing so as to make a tension force to be unevenly dispersed, and it is possible to prevent a so-called blow-by that the carcass ply a comes off from the bead core c so as to be deflected therefrom, from being generated.
However, the ply fold-back portion a2 increases a tire weight in the other hand, and generates a cord breakage, a cord end loose and the like on the basis of an application of a compression stress at a time when the tire is deformed, thereby causing a bead damage.
Accordingly, in recent years, as shown in FIG. 16B, a structure in which the bead core c is separated into upper and lower sides in a radial direction, and both end portions of the carcass ply a are pinched between upper and lower core separated pieces c1 and c2 is proposed, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-28915.


A method for moving files between network storages in a virtualized network storage system having multiple network storages and rebalancing the free disk spaces. It periodically judges whether to start rebalancing. Two different conditions are adopted for the determination of start: (a) an imbalance of free disk spaces and the minimum value of the free disk spaces is less than a threshold and (b) an imbalance of free disk spaces and the frequency of accesses to the system is less than a threshold. Rebalancing is performed until the difference in free disk spaces falls below the threshold without exceeding the maximum execution time of rebalancing. If a request to write into a file which is being moved from a client takes place during a file moving step, the movement of the file is aborted and the file is deleted from the destination.

Along with the advance made in network technology in recent years, a new practice has become widespread. The practice is that storages are separated from computers and attached to networks, and access thereto is made through the networks. Such a storage attached to a network is referred to as network storage.
Typical examples of network storage are the SAN storage and NAS (Network Attached Storage). The SAN storage uses SAN (Storage Area Network). The SAN storage has high reliability and performance. However, the cost of SAN storage is extremely high and is mainly used by enterprising businesses. The NAS on the other hand uses the IP network which is most widespread. The performance of NAS is lower than SAN storage but the cost is lower than SAN and it is also easier to use.
In recent years, instead of expensive large-scale storages, an inexpensive, small-scale network storage has been introduce and thereafter added another one as required. However, this method involves a problem. If a new network storage is added to an existing system, data must be moved from the existing network storage to the new network storage. Also, clients (including computers) and the network storages must be reconnected with each other. As the result, the management cost of the system increases.
One of methods for reducing the management cost is visualization of network storages. This is a technique for virtualizing multiple network storages as a single storage unit for clients.
A number of methods have been developed for virtualizing multiple network storages. A method is disclosed at the website <www.maxtor.com/products/maxattach/products/applicationSpotlights/OTG_solutionsSpotlight.htm> (Document 1), for example. The method is that a control server called primary storage that also functions as a network storage unit manages the file location information in a centralized manner. In the method, a network storage in which a file is to be stored is determined by time when the file is accessed last. Newly created files are stored in primary storage, and files not accessed for a certain period of time are then moved to secondary storage. The primary storage receives a file access request from a client. If the file currently does not exist in the primary storage, the file of the secondary storage is accessed. Thus, the network storages look to the client as if they were a single unit.
Another method for virtualization is described in DiFFS: a Scalable Distributed File System, Christos Karamanolis et. al., HP Laboratories Palo Alto, HPL-2001-19, Jan. 24, 2001 (Document 2). The method is that files and directories are managed by logical volume basis. The logical volume identifiers are recorded in directory entries for managing directories and files. The directory entries are distributed and placed in individual logical volumes. Each network storage has a table that correlates between logical volume identifiers and the network storage identifiers for the storage locations thereof. The network storage specifies the network storage identifier which stores a file by the table and a directory entry concerned. When a new network storage is added to the system, the logical volume concerned is moved from the existing network storage to the new network storage. At this time, the mirroring function of LVM (Logical Volume Manager) which is a virtualizing technique is used.
A further method for virtualization is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,168 (Document 3). The method is that one file is partly distributed and placed in multiple network storages. The method involves file management information on the range and order of distribution in network storages in which files are located. If a new network storage is added, the file management information is updated. New files created after the update are placed in a new range of distribution. In this method, however, the file management information on existing files is not updated, and any existing file or any part thereof is not moved to the new network storage.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H6(1994)-59982 (Document 4) discloses a control method for virtual storage in a computer. The method is that it is judged based on the free disk space in a high-speed external storage unit whether data should be moved to a low-speed external storage unit. The method involves a high-speed external storage unit faster than magnetic disks and a low-speed external magnetic disk storage unit which is slower but has a large capacity. If the free disk space in the high-speed external storage unit is reduced to a threshold or below, data is moved to the low-speed external storage unit. When the free disk space in the high-speed external storage unit exceeds the threshold, the data is returned from the low-speed external storage unit to the high-speed external storage unit. Thus, the two external storage unit look to the computer as if they were a single virtual storage.
In the method described in Document 1, a storage which stores a file is determined by time when the file is accessed last. Therefore, the occupied disk space of the primary storage and that of the secondary storage becomes steadily imbalance storage. In the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,168, files are uniformly distributed to multiple network storages. Consequently, the occupied disk space is balanced between network storages which are added to the system around the same time. However, there is a steady imbalance in the occupied disk space between network storages which are added to the system at different times. This is because files are not moved between them. If a network storage is filled with capacity due to such a steady imbalance, files cannot be written even if there are some free disk spaces in the other network storages.
This problem can be solved by adding a function of leveling the disk usage rates of the individual network storages to the method described in non-patent Document 2. However, the free disk spaces in the individual network storages are uneven in a system wherein the disk spaces in the individual network storages are uneven even if the disk usage rates are equal. If a large file is written to a network storage lowest in free disk space here, the storage is filled with capacity, and files cannot be written.
In the method described in Document 2, access requests from clients are buffered while a logical volume is being moved. Therefore, if access requests from clients frequently occur during the logical volume migration, the buffer can become full. In case of the buffer full, the system cannot process access requests anymore, and then access seems to be stopped from clients.
The method disclosed in Document 3 provides a hint to solving the problem which is caused by writing large files in that attention is paid to the free disk space in the external storage unit. However, the method is predicated on a system comprising only two storages, high-speed external storage and low-speed external storage. The method as it is cannot be applied to a storage system composed of multiple network storages.
A first object of the present invention is to provide a method for rebalancing the free disk spaces in a network storage system virtualized into a single file system view with the disk spaces in the network storages thereof uneven, wherein a steady imbalance of the free disk spaces among the network storages is prevented so that clients can always use the system and even if client writes large files, a maximum quantity of data can be written to disks managed by the virtualized network storage system.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for rebalancing the free disk spaces in a network storage virtualized into a single file system view involving file migration between network storages thereof, wherein access requests from clients are not stopped while a file is being moved between network storages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for rebalancing free disk space among network storages virtualized into a single file system view


The invention features polymeric biomaterials formed by nucleophilic addition reactions to conjugated unsaturated groups. These biomaterials may be used for medical treatments.

The present invention relates to biomaterials formed by nucleophilic addition reactions to conjugated unsaturated groups, and the uses of such biomaterials.
Synthetic biomaterials, including polymeric hydrogels can be used in a variety of applications, including pharmaceutical and surgical applications. They can be used, for example, to deliver therapeutic molecules to a subject, as adhesives or sealants, as tissue engineering and wound healing scaffolds, and as cell transplant devices.
While much progress has been made in the field of polymeric biomaterials, further developments must be made in order for such biomaterials to be used optimally in the body. For, example the formation of biomaterials in the presence of sensitive biological materials is difficult to achieve because the components of the biomaterials do not exhibit a high degree of self selectivity.

Biomaterials formed by nucleophilic addition reaction to conjugated unsaturated groups

Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule Zurich


A liquid level switch is provided having a first elongated substrate having one, two or three or more pairs of elongated electrical conductors thereon, a second elongated substrate having one two or three or more electrically conductive areas thereon, each electrically conductive area being positioned over an associated pair of electrical conductors positioned on the first elongated non-electrically conductive substrate for enabling electrical bridging contact between conductors of the pairs of electrical conductors, and a substrate coupler is provided for coupling the first and second non-electrically conductive substrates together for providing separation of the non-electrically conductive substrates in the absence of hydrostatic pressure thereon, and for causing contact between the first and second non-electrically conductive substrates in the presence of hydrostatic pressure thereon, producing the electrical bridging contact between pairs of conductors on the first non-electrically conductive substrate, in turn producing multiple level output signals.

I was motivated to provide a simple inexpensive liquid level switch apparatus for producing an output signal, when the liquid level being monitored is at a high level in a tank, which can shut down a valve halting further liquid to be supplied to the tank to prevent overflow. I also deemed it desirable to have the apparatus produce an output signal when the liquid level being monitored is at a low level in a tank that can cause a valve to supply further liquid to initiate or increase the flow rate of liquid being admitted into the tank.
Such apparatus may also advantageously produce an intermediate level signal as the liquid level continues to fall toward a lower level range. For example, as fuel oil is being consumed in heating a home, a warning indicator can be produced to continuously signal that home owner should make arrangements to have the fuel oil delivered. If the fuel oil is just about to run out, a low level detector can produce an urgency signal when a particular low liquid level is detected.

Printed hydrostatic versatile multiple liquid level switch


A sub apparatus for delivering and protecting a gauge being lowered down a well bore, which includes a sub body having a first and second ends threadably engageable to sections of pipe in the drill or production string; the sub body including a first chamber for housing the gauge; a second bore through the sub body for allowing fluid flowing within the drill or production string to flow through the sub; a plurality of openings formed in the wall of the sub in fluid communication with the first chamber to allow fluids within the pipe to make fluid contact with the gauge; means for protecting the gauge on a first end and means for engaging the gauge to the sub on a second end.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present invention relates to gauges used down a bore hole. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sub which is designed to carry sensitive gauges, which measure conditions down the bore hole, in order to protect the gauge from damage.
2. General Background of the Invention
In the very complex operation of drilling and completing oil and gas wells, it is critical that the conditions down the bore hole, such as temperature and pressure of the fluid, or of the surrounding earth are constantly monitored in order to avoid problems, such as blowout or other adverse conditions to arise. This monitoring is often down by gauges or other types of instruments which are lowered down the bore hole, either in a cased or uncased holes, in order to monitor and record the conditions of the well bore. One of the problems in such monitoring with gauges are that the gauges, which by their nature, are very sensitive, are subject to harsh conditions down the well bore, and are subject to being damaged or destroyed by foreign objects down the well bore.
Therefore, there is a need for a means for allowing a sensitive gauge, such as the type of gauge manufactured by Spartek, Inc., model 2700, which records various conditions down a well bore, to offer protection for the gauge as it is run down the well bore, yet allows the gauge sufficient access to the interior of the borehole for obtaining accurate readings.
Applicant is submitting herewith an information disclosure statement which includes additional prior art that applicant is aware of at this time.


A method of playing a pai gow poker wagering game in which an ante bet is initially wagered and a bonus bet is also wagered by at least one player. Seven cards are then dealt to each player and the dealer, and arranged into a two-card hand and a five-card hand. The ante bet of each player is then paid off to in the usual manner for pai gow poker. Thereafter, a best poker hand is arranged by the dealer for each player from the seven cards initially dealt to the player, and the bonus bet is paid off if the best poker hand has a poker rank equal to or better than a first predetermined rank (straight) but less than a second predetermined rank (royal flush). Next, the dealer determines whether the best poker hand of each player has a poker rank better than or equal to the second predetermined rank so that an auxiliary game of chance, such as rolling three dice, is then played to determine whether the bonus bet is paid off at a first payoff where the player is a loser or at a second payoff higher than the first payoff. In addition, the dealer then determines whether each player has made an bonus bet of a predetermined minimum, which is then paid off if any other player has a best poker hand equal to or better than a third predetermined rank (four of a kind).

Disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,486 (Franklin) is a pai gow poker game with an additional jackpot wager. As disclosed therein, the usual game of pai gow poker in a casino setting is played by a dealer dealing each player (preferably six) and the dealer seven cards. Each player then arranges the seven cards into a two-card (Low) hand and a five card (High) hand, as does the dealer thereafter. Each player wagers an ante bet against the dealer. This ante bet is: won if both the respective Low hand and the High hand have a poker rank greater than the respective poker ranks of the Low hand and High hand of the dealer; lost if both the respective Low hand and the High hand have a poker rank less than the respective poker ranks of the Low hand and High hand of the dealer; and pushed if only one of the respective Low hand and the High hand has a poker rank greater than the respective poker ranks of the Low hand and High hand of the dealer. In this game, ties go to the dealer, and a joker is used in the play which can be used as an ace or to complete a straight or flush.
According to the improved method of play of pai gow in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,486, an additional jackpot wager is optionally made by each player. The player wins this jackpot wager at odds when the Low hand and High hand together have a predetermined value (such as a pair and straight, or higher High hand). The odds increase in view of the rarity of the possible two hands, up to, for example, 50,000/1 for five aces and a pair.
Another modification of the pai gow poker game has been played at "Harvey's Resort and Casino" in Tahoe, Nev. In this modified game, a bonus bet is made (in addition to the ante bet in the usual game for the five-card hand and two-card hand ranks to be compared with those of the dealer). This bonus bet is won at odds if the player has any five cards (or best poker hand) which together rank above a straight (with the odds increasing for increasingly ranked hands). In addition, if a player makes a bonus bet above $5, that player can additionally win a predetermined payoff if any other player has any five cards which together form a poker rank above four of a kind (with the payoff increasing for increasingly ranked hands).
While such pai gow games are entertaining and useful in the gaming industry to increase interest and betting, games with still more betting or interest are desirable.


A liquid soap supplying device of the present invention includes a tank for storing liquid soap, a discharging nozzle communicating with the tank through a pipe, a liquid soap supplying device for supplying liquid soap in the tank to the discharging nozzle, an air supplying device communicating with the discharging nozzle through a pipe and a mixing chamber for liquid soap and air arranged in the discharging port of the discharging nozzle. The liquid soap and air supplied under operation of each of the supplying devices are mixed and agitated in the mixing chamber so as to discharge the bubbled liquid soap. A pressuring device communicates with the air accumulation part at an inner upper part in the tank. An air feeding pipe is connected to the air accumulation part, and the liquid soap and air in the tank are fed to the discharging nozzle under an operation of the pressurizing device, wherein a supplying system capable of discharging bubbled liquid soap from a plurality of discharging nozzles can be provided with only one supplying source at a less-expensive cost. Various sensors for sensing pressure in the tank, remaining volume of the liquid soap and an opening or closing of the supplementing port of the tank are arranged, and a control part controls an operation of the pressurizing device in response to a sensing signal from each of these sensors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid soap supplying device for use in washing hands, hair and body and for other desired applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art, it has been known to provide a liquid soap supplying device comprised of a tank for storing liquid soap, a pressurizing device for pressurizing an interior side of the tank and a discharging nozzle communicating with the tank through a liquid soap feeding pipe (for example, see Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei 2-92789).
This supplying device feeds liquid soap in a tank by a pressurizing force of a pressurizing device to a discharging nozzle and discharges the liquid soap in a stream-like flow from the discharging port under an opening or closing operation of the discharging nozzle.
In the case of the aforesaid prior art supplying device, if a discharging force for the liquid soap was too strong in response to a certain pressurizing force of the pressurizing device, the liquid soap struck against the hands of a user, splashed and dropped from between the fingers and the device left certain room for improvement in view of an efficient use of the liquid soap.


A push pin actuator apparatus is provided. The push pin actuator apparatus includes a housing, a wire coil arranged within the housing and arranged around a first armature and a second armature. The first armature is coupled to a first push pin and the second armature is coupled to a second push pin. The push pin actuator apparatus further includes a first permanent magnet and a second permanent magnet arranged on opposing sides of the first armature, and a third permanent magnet and a fourth permanent magnet arranged on opposing sides of the second armature. The first push pin is actuated in response to a current being applied to the wire coil in a first direction, and the second push pin is actuated in response to a current being applied to the wire coil in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

The present invention relates generally to push pin actuators and, more specifically, to independent, dual push pin actuators.
Internal combustion (IC) engines are heavily used in automotive, power generation, off-highway, and pump applications. Currently, one of the primary goals in IC engine development is to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Varying intake and/or exhaust valve timing (i.e., when the valve events occur with respect to the rotation of the crank shaft) in IC engines has been found to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Typically, a rotational relationship between the cam shaft (which is coupled to the intake and exhaust valves) and the crank shaft in an IC engine can be varied (i.e., advanced or retarded) by a cam phasing system. Alternatively or additionally, a profile of a lobe on the cam shaft can vary in shape to change the lift profiles of the intake and exhaust valves. Cam profile switching systems can be used to alter between one or more cam lift profiles for the intake and/or exhaust valves. For example, the cam profile switching system may include a cam lobe with a profile which results in no valve lift for a cylinder deactivation operating condition.
FIG. 1 shows a prior art cam profile switching system 100. The cam profile switching system 100 includes solenoid actuators 102 and 104 coupled to push pins 106 and 108, respectively. The solenoid actuators 102 and 104 are configured to fire (i.e., actuate or displace) the push pins 106 and 108 into a respective groove 110 and 112 on the cam shaft 114. The grooves 110 and 112 define spiral profiles. As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 104 is firing the push pin 108 towards the groove 112. As the push pin 108 seats in the groove 112 and the cam shaft 114 is rotated, the push pin 108 shifts the cam shaft 114 thereby shifting to another cam lobe with a different profile. The push pin 108 is retracted into the actuator 104 by the rotation of the cam shaft 114. Similarly, the push pin 106 can be fired by the actuator 102 to shift the cam shaft 114 back to its original position. In other cam profile switching systems, multiple grooves are added to enable the shifting between more than two cam lobes with different profiles.
Some cam profile switching systems combine actuators into a single package with multiple push pins. Combining the actuators into a single package can allow for a smaller overall package, but these systems do not allow for multiple push pins to extend towards the cam shaft and retract away from the cam shaft independently without assistance from the cam shaft. Additionally, performance with multiple actuators can be hindered due to increased friction from inherent side loading between close proximity actuators combined into a single package.

Methods and systems for push pin actuator


A torque converter including a cover arranged to receive torque; an impeller including an impeller shell non-rotatably connected to the cover; a turbine in fluid communication with the impeller and including a turbine shell; a first clutch axially displaceable to engage the cover; a second clutch axially displaceable to engage the impeller shell; and, a vibration damper including: a first input component non-rotatably connected to a component of the first clutch; a second input component non-rotatably connected to a component of the second clutch; and, an output flange arranged to non-rotatably connect to an input shaft for a transmission. For a first lock-up mode, the first and second clutches are arranged to close to transmit torque from the cover to the first and second input components, respectively.

FIG. 11, from U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publication No. US 2015/0198227 A1 (Blough), illustrates prior art torque converter 320. Prior art torque converter 320 includes cover 321 arranged to receive torque, pump 322 non-rotatably connected to cover 321, turbine 323 including turbine shell 324, stator 325, turbine clutch 326, torsional vibration dampers 328 and 329, and torque converter clutch 330. Torque converter clutch 330 includes piston 337 arranged to be displaced in axial direction AD2 away from cover 321. Dampers 328 and 329 include output flanges 331 and 332, respectively, arranged to connect to an input shaft for a transmission. Torque converter 320 is a three-pass torque converter, with chambers 333, 334, and 335 controlling operation of clutches 326 and 330.
Torque converter 320 is designed to enable torque transmission through either clutch 326 or clutch 330. However, it is inefficient to simultaneously transmit torque through clutches 326 and 330, for example by simultaneously closing the clutches. To close clutch 326, chamber 334 is pressurized to displace turbine shell 324 in axial direction AD2. To minimize the amount of pressure needed to close clutch 326, pressure in chamber 333 is kept low. However, pressurizing chamber 334 urges piston 337 in direction AD1, which opens clutch 326. To close clutch 330, chamber 335 is pressurized to displace piston 337 in direction AD2. To simultaneously close clutches 326 and 330, chambers 334 and 335 must both be pressurized. Thus, chamber 334 is pressurized to obtain the desired clamping of clutch 326 and chamber 335 must be pressurized to obtain the desired clamping of clutch 330 plus counteract the pressure in chamber 334. This leads to an undesirable increase in the energy output of the pump supplying fluid pressure to torque converter 320. Further, the fluid pressure available to a torque converter is typically supplied by a pump in a transmission and is limited due to operating requirements for the transmission. Therefore, there may not be sufficient fluid pressure available to properly pressurize both chambers 334 and 335. In addition, when clutch 326 is closed, there are energy losses due to the cooling flow from chamber 334 to chamber 333 through cooling channels typically found in clutch friction material. Specifically, pressure in chamber 333 is kept deliberately low to reduce pressure needed in chamber 334, but the pressure differential between chambers 333 and 334 undesirably increases flow out of chamber 334, which must be replenished by the pump.

Torque converter having controllable dual clutches


Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices for portably brewing tea, coffee, or other beverages in a container that regulates the temperature and diffusion during and after brewing. For example, the present technology allows people to prepare and consume tea, coffee and other beverages while on the go. In some aspects, a portable brewing device includes a container having a specialized canister system in the interior of the container that encloses the beverage material and controls the diffusion of water in/out of the canister; an intelligent heating and cooling system to continuously regulate the temperature of water in the device; and a data processing unit in communication with the canister and heating and cooling systems to control operational features and store user-specialized settings for the device.

Tea is a beverage that is ubiquitously enjoyed globally. For example, tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water. Tea is derived from leaves of the plant Camellia sinensis, and can be processed in various ways, with various herbs and other ingredients from many sources, and with various different flavors to produce various types of teas. Typically, tea is brewed or infused using a hot (or in some cases, cold) solvent, such as water, to extract flavors, colors, and aroma from the tea source. People drink tea based on a variety of reasons, e.g., including the health benefits of certain teas, as a stimulant, for the flavor and aromas, and/or based on cultural behaviors. Similarly, coffee is also a ubiquitously enjoyed beverage and is the third most widely beverage in the world after tea. Typically, coffee is brewed or infused in a manner similar to tea and people drink it for similar reasons.

Portable devices for preparing and transporting brewable beverages


The invention relates to an elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin. This resin is obtained by graft copolymerization of a first segment which is one of fluorine-containing elastomeric and crystalline polymers with a second segment which is the other of these polymers. The first segment is prepared by copolymerizing at least one first unsaturated monomer that has peroxy bond with at least one second fluorine-containing monomer. When the first monomer is dissolved in a first solvent prior to the copolymerization, the copolymerization can be safely conducted with higher yield. This first solvent is selected from a carboxylic ester of t-butanol, methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and first, second, third and fourth compounds which are respectively represented by R.sup.1 COOR.sup.2, C.sub.2 H.sub.x Cl.sub.y F.sub.z, C.sub.3 H.sub.x Cl.sub.y F.sub.z, and C.sub.4 H.sub.x Cl.sub.y F.sub.z. When the fluorine-containing elastomeric copolymer as the first segment is purified by contact with a barium salt prior to the graft copolymerization, the elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin becomes improved in thermal stability. When the fluorine-containing elastomeric copolymer having a water content of 0.1-50 wt % as the first segment is dispersed in a liquid medium containing t-butanol and water, it becomes unnecessary to dry this elastomeric copolymer prior to the graft copolymerization. When the fluorine-containing elastomeric copolymer as the first segment is dispersed in another liquid medium containing t-butanol, water, a carboxylic ester and barium hydroxide, the elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin becomes improved in thermal stability with higher graft copolymerization rate.

The present invention relates to an elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin and a polymerization method for producing the same.
There are various fluorine-containing crystalline polymers which serve as synthetic resins and have wide application by reason of their characteristic properties attributed to the presence of C-F bond, such as good weather resistance, good chemical resistance and good heat resistance. However, these crystalline resins are unsuited to some uses wherein elasticity or flexibility of the employed resin is a matter of importance, as in the cases of pipes, gaskets, sealing elements, etc.
Where elasticity or flexibility is required besides the favorable properties of fluorohydrocarbon resins it is usual to use fluoroelastomer. However, fluoroelastomers fully exhibit their characteristic physical properties and particularly dynamic properties only after completion of a cross-linking process including the steps of kneading the fluoroelastomer in unvalcanized state with the addition of a cross-linking agent, fillers and stabilizers and of subjecting the kneaded rubber to a heat treatment to accomplish cross-linking. It is inevitable, therefore, that molding of fluoroelastomer requires more complicated operations than molding of crystalline fluorohydrocarbon resins, and often restrictions are placed on the shapes of the fluoroelastomer articles. Besides, fluoroelastomers after the cross-linking process can hardly be remelted for the purpose of additional processing or working.
To obtain a fluorine-containing resin which has a sufficient elasticity but does not need any cross-linking treatment, it has been tried to copolymerize a fluorine-containing monomer that is capable of providing a crystalline polymer having a relatively low glass transition temperature with a different monomer that is capable of sufficiently lowering the degree of crystallinity of the resultant copolymer. However, copolymers obtained by this method generally become lower in melting temperature and, hence, in the upper boundary of the temperature ranges in which the respective copolymers are practicable. Besides, the copolymers tend to undergo considerable changes in the modulus of elasticity with changes in temperature within the aforementioned ranges.
Also it has been tried to obtain a desirable resin by blending a crystalline fluorohydrocarbon resin with either a plasticizer or an elastic polymer. In practice, however, not so many kinds of plasticizers and polymers are known as sufficiently high in mutual solubility with crystalline fluorohydrocarbon polymers. Even when a blending material relatively high in the mutual solubility can be used, often it is impossible to use a desirably large amount of the blending material without adversely influencing the properties of the blended resin compositions. Furthermore, the blended resin compositions are liable to locally remain in a heterogeneously mixed state and, therefore, fail to fully exhibit the expected physical properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,557 corresponding to JP-A-58-206615 discloses an elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin and a method of producing the same. In this method, a fluorine-containing elastomeric polymer is graft-copolymerized with a fluorine-containing crystalline polymer in 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane. One of the elastomeric and crystalline polymers, that is, a trunk polymer, is prepared by copolymerizing at least one fluorine-containing monomer with at least one unsaturated monomer that has peroxy bond. The thus prepared elastomeric or crystalline polymer is washed and then dried in vacuum prior to the graft copolymerization.
JP-A-3-269008 discloses a modification of the method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,557. In this modification, the graft copolymerization is conducted in a solvent mixture of a good solvent capable of dissolving the fluorine-containing elastomeric polymer and a bad solvent not capable of dissolving the fluorine-containing elastomeric polymer. Examples of the good solvent are ketones, esters and chlorine-containing compounds such as 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. Examples of the bad solvent are alcohols (e.g., t-butanol) and saturated hydrocarbons.
JP-A-1-292013 discloses another modification of the method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,557. In this modification, the graft copolymerization of a fluorine-containing elastomeric copolymer which is in the form of latex is conducted by redox polymerization in water.
It is generally known that an unsaturated peroxide alone is extremely unstable and thus liable to explode by heat, impact, and the like. However, if such monomer is dissolved in a solvent, it can be safely stored and handled with usual care. As solvents for dissolving unsaturated peroxides, inert solvents such as 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane and hydrocarbons such as toluene and isoparaffin are generally used. However, the use of 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane, causing the ozone-layer depletion, is greatly limited, and thus a demand for an alternative to 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane has been increasing. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned unsaturated peroxide dissolved in a hydrocarbon is used for producing the trunk polymer, the polymerization may terminate at an early stage due to the chain transfer reaction of the radicals of the polymerization initiator or of the monomer, to the solvent. As a consequence, the trunk polymer may become substantially lowered in yield or in molecular weight.
It is general to add various stabilizers to resins for providing the resins with thermal stability. However, if these stabilizers are added to fluororesins, this may cause the fluororesins to have stains or to become inferior in mechanical and chemical characteristics. It has been tried to add various stabilizers to an elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin prepared in accordance with the method of U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,557, for improving thermal stability of this resin, without damaging mechanical and chemical characteristics thereof. However, this could not lead a good result.

Elastic fluorohydrocarbon resin and method of producing same