Disclosed herein is a device that includes: a data terminal; an output buffer coupled to the data terminal, the output buffer including a first output unit having a plurality of first output transistors of a first conductivity type and a second output unit having a plurality of second output transistors of a second conductivity type; and a calibration circuit including a first code generation unit that generates a first control code that controls an impedance of the first output unit by performing a first calibration operation based on an impedance of a first reference unit and a second code generation unit that generates a second control code that controls an impedance of the second output unit by performing a second calibration operation based on an impedance of a second reference unit. The calibration circuit performs the first and second calibration operations in parallel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly relates to a semiconductor device including a calibration circuit that adjusts an impedance of an output buffer.
2. Description of Related Art
In a semiconductor device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a calibration circuit that adjusts an impedance of an output buffer is employed in some cases (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2008-219865 and 2008-228276). The output buffer includes a pull-up output unit and a pull-down output unit, and the impedance of these units is respectively controlled based on a pull-up impedance code and a pull-down impedance code generated by the calibration circuit.
However, in the semiconductor devices described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2008-219865 and 2008-228276, the pull-up impedance code is generated first, and then the pull-down impedance code is generated based on the pull-up impedance code. Therefore, there has been a problem that it takes a long time to perform a calibration operation.
Particularly, when a time period allocated to the calibration operation is defined by the number of cycles of a clock signal, the time allocated to the calibration operation becomes short as the frequency of the clock signal to be used is high. Therefore, in some cases, the calibration operation may not be completed correctly. Furthermore, in order to perform an adjustment of the impedance with higher accuracy, the number of bits of the impedance code needs to be increased. However, particularly in the semiconductor devices described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 2008-219865 and 2008-228276, the calibration operation may not be completed within a predetermined time period if the number of bits of the impedance code is increased.
Under such circumstances, a semiconductor device that is capable of completing a calibration operation in a shorter time has been desired.

Semiconductor device having calibration circuit that adjusts impedance of output buffer


A retractable assembly for immersion-, flow- or add-on measuring systems in analytical process technology for measuring at least one measured variable of a medium in a containment, comprising: an essentially cylindrical housing; an immersion tube, which is movable axially in the housing between a service position out of the medium and a process position in the medium; and a sensor for measuring the measured variable. The sensor is arranged in the immersion tube, wherein the sensor protrudes at least sectionally out of the immersion tube at the end of the immersion tube remote from the medium; and an openable and closable cover, which surrounds at least the section of the sensor protruding out of the immersion tube. The sensor in the opened state of the cover is mountable and demountable, respectively, in and from the immersion tube. The retractable assembly is characterized in that the cover at least sectionally travels with the movement of the immersion tube and in the process position is located at least sectionally in the housing.

Retractable assemblies are widely applied in analytical measurements technology. They serve to withdraw sensors from the process, and therewith from the medium, without process interruption and then to reintroduce them back into the process. The sensors are held in an immersion tube and moved by means of a drive manually or automatically, for example, pneumatically, axially between a process position and a service position. These procedures run within a determined timing cycle or as a function of other determinable or measured parameters.
Sensors for use in this invention include sensors for measuring one or more physical or chemical, process variables.
If retractable assemblies are used for accommodating the sensor for determining at least one process variable, the sensor can be checked, calibrated, cleaned and/or replaced in the service position, wherein the sensor is located, in such case, in a handling chamber arranged in the housing of the retractable assembly.
Retractable assemblies are manufactured and sold by the group of firms, Endress+Hauser, for example, under the mark/designation, "Cleanfit H CPA475".
The field of use of retractable assemblies for measuring physical or chemical, process variables of a medium, e.g. a fluid, especially a liquid, in process technology is all encompassing. Used for determining the process variables are sensors, examples of which include pH sensors, conductivity sensors, optical or electrochemical sensors for determining a concentration of a substance contained in the medium to be monitored, e.g. substances such as O2, CO2, certain ion types, organic compounds, or the like. The medium can, in given cases, be a critical medium. The terminology, critical, means, for instance, that the medium is valuable, expensive, combustible, corrosive, poisonous, aggressive, hot, cold, bio-endangering, radioactive, etc.
In all cases, it is to be heeded that no medium escapes from the process. Especially, care must be taken that the sensor is not deinstalled when the retractable assembly is located in the process position, since otherwise a connection from the process to the environment is created.

Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft für Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG


A self-centering end cap for a bottom rail of an architectural structure covering. The end cap may include a contoured top surface that is configured to contact a head rail of the architectural structure covering to deflect the end cap and hence the bottom rail and covering of the architectural structure covering toward a horizontally centered position, thus enabling the covering and the bottom rail to be fully retracted to a docked position within the head rail without impediment.

Architectural structure coverings may selectively cover a window, a doorway, a skylight, a hallway, a portion of a wall, etc. Generally speaking, horizontal architectural structure coverings may include a covering that can be vertically extendable and retractable (e.g., able to be lowered or raised, respectively, in a vertical direction) relative to a horizontally-oriented head rail between a deployed or extended position, and a docked or retracted position for obscuring and exposing an underlying architectural structure such as a wall or an opening (such as, for example, a window). The architectural structure covering may further include a rigid bottom rail attached to a lower edge of the covering. The bottom rail may be utilized to add weight along the bottom edge of the covering to encourage the covering to drop by gravity during deployment. The head rail and the bottom rail may both include end caps affixed to the longitudinal ends thereof for providing the rails with a visually pleasing, aesthetic finish.
Commonly, a width of the head rail of the architectural structure covering, measured from an inwardly-facing surface of an end cap on one end of the head rail to an inwardly-facing surface of an end cap on an opposing end of the head rail, may be greater than a width of the bottom rail of the architectural structure covering, measured from an outwardly-facing surface of an end cap on one end of the bottom rail to an outwardly-facing surface of an end cap on an opposing end of the bottom rail. Thus, when the covering is retracted to its retracted, docked position, the ends caps of the bottom rail may pass between the end caps of the head rail and the bottom rail may be hidden behind the head rail in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
When a covering is being retracted to its retracted, docked position, it is not uncommon for the covering to become "skewed" as a result of one side of the covering being retracted more quickly than the other side of the covering, due to uneven rolling of the covering, or due to the head rail being mounted in a non-level window or on a non-level wall. This may cause the covering to be displaced horizontally such that the bottom rail is horizontally misaligned or off-center relative to the head rail. Thus, instead of the ends caps of the bottom rail passing between the end caps of the head rail during retraction, one of the end caps of the bottom rail may collide with a respective end cap on the head rail, thereby preventing the covering and the bottom rail from being fully retracted to the retracted, docked position.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the present improvements may be useful.

Self-centering end caps for architectural structure coverings


A brake lining comprises a lining support plate, an underlayer material and a friction lining. The brake lining is clamped between a pressure plate and a holding fixture, which forms a hole matrix and inside of which electrodes are accommodated. A power supply is connected to the electrodes. The adjacent electrodes have different polarities. A current flow is produced between adjacent electrodes as a result of the different polarities. The field lines extend in the shape of an arch. An arrangement of this type permits the friction lining to be scorched. For hardening, a potential gradient can also be applied between the electrodes and the support plate. The current then flows and the entire friction lining is permeated. This results in a homogenous heating of the friction lining. The invention enables an efficient hardening of the friction lining. It is also possible to conduct a hardening and scorching simultaneously. The invention also enables the friction lining to be pressed during the heat treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for heat treating a shaped member, particularly for hardening and/or scorching a friction lining of a brake or clutch lining.
2. Description of Related Art
Friction linings should exhibit a constant coefficient of friction to the greatest extent possible, even when they are first used. After its manufacture, however, an untreated lining generally has a decrease in its coefficient of friction when it is first loaded. Only after a certain running in time does the frictionally active surface of the lining carbonise so that the coefficient of friction stabilises.
Precisely when braking, a good braking action and a coefficient of friction which is constant over all loads is required from the very beginning for safety reasons. The friction lining is therefore frequently subjected to a post-treatment, which prevents so-called initial fading and stabilises the coefficient of friction.
It is known in practice to "scorch" friction linings after the grinding process. The lining is pressed against a hot plate at ca. 450° C. to 800° C. It is also known to flame the friction lining surface or to process it with laser beams or infra red light. As a result of the carbonisation of the friction lining surface, a friction lining is produced with a constant coefficient of friction. Linings pre-treated in this manner no longer need to be "braked in". They are fully capable of use from the very beginning.
One of the disadvantages of the known methods is the low degree of efficiency of the heat treatment. The energy losses are considerable as a result of the unnecessary heating of the environment and regions of the brake lining, which require no heat treatment. The process is also time-consuming. Similar considerations apply to the hardening of the brake lining. After the pressing process, the brake lining is commonly hardened in a furnace. Energy losses occur in this case also as a result of the heating of material which is "not relevant".

Method and device for heat treating a shaped part


An apparatus includes a unit which acquires, by a first sequence, an MR signal before administration of a contrast agent and which also acquires, by a second sequence, an MR signal after the administration, the first sequence dephasing a magnetization after RE excitation to make a greater signal reduction in a first signal component regarding a fluid flowing within a first range than in a second signal component regarding the fluid flowing within a second less than the first range, the second sequence bringing the MR signal after the administration to a level corresponding to the concentration of the agent, a unit which reconstructs first and second images, and a unit which generates a third image on the basis of the first and second images, the third image showing the degree of a change of the fluid after the administration from a state before the administration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an art of obtaining information for a medical diagnosis on the basis of a magnetic resonance signal emitted from a subject.
2. Description of the Related Art
In perfusion imaging which uses an intravascular contrast agent, such as dynamic susceptibility contrast-magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI) or dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI), blood vessels disturb a diagnosis and are therefore desirably excluded on a analytical map. Blood vessels can be excluded by image processing such as threshold processing from an image in which the blood vessels are already visualized. This, however, not only requires extra processing but also makes it difficult to set an optimum threshold. Moreover, an image of this kind is generally obtained with low spatial resolution to attach importance to a signal-noise ratio and time resolution. Thus, parenchymal portions located in the vicinity of the blood vessels are also excluded by a partial volume effect. In a method such as a deconvolution method which uses an arterial input function (AIF), blood vessel portions are used for an analysis and therefore cannot be excluded. A spin echo (SE) based method is said to have a higher blood vessel suppression effect than a gradient echo (GRE) based method, but the effect is insufficient.
In functional MRI (fMRI) which uses GRE based echo planar imaging (EPI), changes in the activity of tissue (tissue including capillary vessels) are observed. However, an in-flow effect and a blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) effect in a relatively thick blood vessel hinder to the observation of changes in the activity of tissue adjacent to blood vessels in particular. In general spin-warp type GRE which does not use the EPI method, the in-flow effect, in particular, is an artifact for the original BOLD. The image processing has the same problem. In addition, recently reported diffusion-weighted (DW)—fMRI (see "Le Bihan at al. PNAS 103, 8263-8268, 2006") uses a b-factor of 1000 or more, and is mainly directed to separate the variation of a D-coefficient in tissue cells in accordance with the difference of D-coefficient in a tissue interstitial fluid and an intracellular fluid.
Thus, the existing problem is that if fluids flowing at a lower velocity, such as the blood and contrast agent flowing in capillary vessels are visualized, fluids flowing at a higher velocity, such as the blood and contrast agent flowing in arteries and veins, are also visualized.


A high frequency analog-to-digital converter in which a memory stage receives the result of a series of comparisons of an analog input voltage Vin with a set of reference voltages Vi (where i=0 to Q). Each memory cell Mi (where i=0 to Q) comprises N memory flip-flops L0, L1, . . . LN-1, a multiplexer Mx, and a logic or control module CL. All of the data inputs of the memory flip-flops L0, L1, . . . LN-1 are connected together to the data input of the memory cell. The jth memory flip-flop (where j=0 to N-1) receives at its clock input the clock signal which has been delayed by means of a delay cell having a delay of j.T/N, where T is the period of the clock signal. The data outputs of the N memory flip-flops are connected to the N data inputs of the multiplexer, whose P control inputs receive the P outputs of the control module so that the multiplexer supplies the output signal of the jth memory flip-flop Lj at its output during each (j+1)th fraction of the period T/N. The structure of the memory cells makes it possible to minimize the influence of metastability phenomena, which may give rise to errors during latching of the analog output signals of the comparators.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an analog-to-digital converter receiving an analog input voltage to be converted into a digital output signal, comprising:
a ladder network of resistors arranged in series between a positive supply terminal and a negative supply terminal, which resistors produce a plurality of voltages referred to as reference voltages on the nodes between them, PA1 a stage of comparators, each comparing the analog input voltage with one of the reference voltages, PA1 a memory stage comprising memory elements referred to as memory cells, each memory cell having a data input, a data output and a clock input, and receiving the output signal of a comparator at its data input, all the memory cells forming the memory stage receiving a similar signal, referred to as the clock signal, at their clock inputs, and PA1 a binary encoder which receives the outputs of the memory stage at its input and supplies the digital output signal of the converter. PA1 a ladder network of resistors arranged in series between a positive supply terminal and a negative supply terminal, which resistors produce a plurality of voltages referred to as reference voltages on the nodes between them, PA1 stages referred to as folding stages, each comprising an array of comparators adapted to generate a signal referred to as folding signal, which signal varies as a quasi-sinusoidal function of the analog input voltage, and a signal which is the counterpart of this folding signal, PA1 a first and a second interpolation stage, the first one receiving the folding signals and the second one receiving their counterparts, each interpolation stage being made up of impedance elements, preferably resistors of equal value, arranged as a divider bridge in such a manner that the signals, referred to as sampling signals, generated across the elements of the first interpolation stage represent fractions of the folding signals, the signals generated by the second interpolation stage forming their counterparts, PA1 a cycle detector which receives the folding signals and their counterparts and supplies signals referred to as cycle pointer signals and signals forming the counterparts thereof, enabling to identify that one of the cycles of the sampling signals which is significant of the value of the analog input voltage, PA1 a first memory stage comprising memory elements referred to as memory cells, each memory cell having two data inputs, a data output and a clock input, and receiving at its data inputs a sampling signal and its counterpart, all the memory cells forming the first memory stage receiving a similar signal, referred to as the clock signal, at their clock inputs, PA1 a second memory stage comprising memory cells, each memory cell receiving at its data inputs a cycle pointer signal and its counterpart, all the memory cells forming the second memory stage receiving the clock signal at their clock inputs, PA1 a binary encoder which receives the outputs of the memory stages at its input and supplies the digital output signal of the converter,
2. Description of Related Art
Such an analog-to-digital converter, generally referred to as a parallel converter, is described in the article "An 8-bit Video ADC Incorporating Folding and Interpolation Techniques" by Messrs. Rob E. Van de Grift, Ivo W. J. M. Rutten and Martien Van der Veen, published in the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-22, No. 6, of December 1987.
The memory cells used in this converter exhibit metastability problems in fields of use where the sampling frequency, which is defined as the number of times per second that a digital representation of the analog input voltage is latched, is high, i.e. when it approximates a limit frequency which is intrinsically defined by the fabrication process used for the implementation of the circuit. Indeed, the transition from analog to digital takes place when the states of the comparator outputs, which are analog signals, are loaded into the memory cells, whose digital outputs are switched at the rate imposed by the clock signal. The statistical theory of metastability reveals that the probability that an error occurs during the storage of an analog signal which exhibits a transient state increases strongly as the clock frequency, which controls the memory cell in which said analog signal is to be loaded, increases. As a matter of fact, it is found that if Fl is the intrinsic limit frequency imposed by the fabrication process, the error probability is of the order of exp (1-Fl/F). In the case of the analog-to-digital converter described in the article "An 8-bit Video ADC Incorporating Folding and Interpolation Techniques" the frequency of the signal which clocks the memory cells is equal to the sampling frequency Fe. The probability that an error due to metastability phenomena occurs during latching of the comparator output states is then of the order of exp (1-Fl/Fe).

Analog-to-digital converter having a high sampling frequency


A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to remote control devices and, more particularly, universal remote control devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Remote control devices enable remote operation of machines. Conventional remote control devices are ubiquitous in the field of consumer electronics. Generally speaking, such devices are characterized by a large number of function buttons or other types of control elements where at least some of the buttons correspond to device-specific functions, device specific device-function codes, or both.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method for fabricating a thin film transistor array substrate is provided. Wherein, a plurality of contact holes and recesses are formed in a protection layer disposed upon thin film transistors. Each recess comprises an under-cut profile while each contact hole exposes a drain-metal layer of a corresponding thin film transistor. Then, a transparent conductor layer is formed on the protection layer, which in turn fills in the contact holes so as to be electrically connected to the drain-metal layer. Besides, the transparent conductor layer automatically segregates at the recesses to form a plurality of pixel electrodes, whereby the plurality of pixel electrodes can be formed without the utilization of photolithography and etching processes and thus fabricating cost is lowered.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method for fabricating an active driven display, and more particularly, to a method for fabricating an active organic electroluminescence display and a thin film transistor array substrate.
2. Description of Related Art
As the high technology continues to evolve, digitalized image devices have become popular products in every day life. Among these digitalized image devices, the most appealing products are liquid crystal displays (LCDs) implementing thin film transistors as driven elements and organic electroluminescence displays (OELDs), wherein these thin film transistors are formed on a thin film transistor array substrate.
FIGS. 1A-1E are cross-sectional views of the processing flow for fabricating a conventional thin film transistor array substrate. Referring to FIG. 1A, a plurality of thin film transistors 110, as well as scan lines (not shown) and data lines (not shown) electrically connected thereto are formed on a substrate 100. Then, a protection layer 102 is formed on the substrate 100 to cover the thin film transistors 110, as well as the scan lines and data lines. Subsequently, referring to FIG. 1B, a plurality of contact holes 104 are formed in the protection layer 102 by using photolithography and etching processes, and then expose a drain-metal layer 112 of the thin film transistors 110. Afterwards, referring to FIG. 1C, a transparent conductor layer 106 is formed on the protection layer 102, which in turn fills in the contact holes so as to be electrically connected to the drain-metal layer 112. Referring to FIG. 1D, a positive type photoresist layer 108 is formed on the transparent conductor layer 106, which is then subjected to the photolithography and etching processes with a mask 120 so as to pattern the transparent conductor layer 106. Referring to FIG. 1E, a plurality of pixel electrodes 130 is formed on the substrate 100 after the positive type photoresist layer 108 is removed.
To a general LCD, the thin film transistor substrate is mostly accomplished when a structure as shown in FIG. 1E is obtained. One of ordinary skill in the art should realize that the aforementioned processing flow for fabricating the thin film transistor substrate at least needs 5 masks. However, in addition to the preceding 5 masks, the processing flow for fabricating an active organic electroluminescence display further requires an extra mask for forming a pixel define layer (PDL) 140, as shown in FIG. 1F, so as to define dispositions for a subsequently deposited organic electroluminescence layer 150. In other words, the processing flow for fabricating the active organic electroluminescence display at least needs 6 masks, which makes this processing flow complicated and accordingly increases fabricating cost.

Methods for patterning films, fabricating organic electroluminescence display and fabricating thin film transistor array substrate


A method of providing a seal between pipe liners in a pipe, or at the juncture between a main and lateral pipe is provided. A first liner, which has been impregnated or otherwise coated with a resinous material capable of curing and hardening, is positioned in a pipe about an area in need of repair. A second liner, also including the resinous material, is place in the same pipe, with a portion of the second liner overlapping a portion of the first liner. A sealing member, such as a hydrophilic or hydrophobic band or material, is placed between the two liners at the overlap to seal the connection of the two liners.

Prior methods of repairing damaged pipe lines include moving a liner tube impregnated with a liquid material capable of curing and hardening to the position within the pipe where the damaged portion is located. The liner tube is urged in an outward radial direction into contact with the pipe line being repaired and the liquid material impregnating the liner tube is permitted to cure and harden. The liner tube forms an interior liner in the pipe for the pipe line being repaired.
On some occasions, lateral pipe lines are connected to main pipe lines. Often damage occurs at the junction between the lateral pipe line and the main pipe line. T-shaped or Y-shaped liner tubes have been utilized to fit within the junction between the lateral pipe line and the main pipe line. Liner tubes form a T-shaped or Y-shaped liner after hardening to the interior of the junction between the lateral pipe line and the main pipe line. However, the liner tube may not extend far enough into the lateral pipe to complete the repair, and therefore it is necessary to add a second liner to fully repair the lateral pipe. Here, it is necessary to overlap a second liner with the first liner to cover the entire section of damaged pipe.
In other instances, the original pipe becomes damaged after a first pipe liner has been installed. In order to cover the damaged area, a new pipe liner must be installed. This new pipe liner may be inserted so that it overlaps with the original pipe liner, ensuring that the entire damaged area is covered to help avoid the potential for groundwater leaks.
One problem with the methods described above is that the liners are generally not a single unit, and therefore will not bind together. Further, there may be a plastic coating as well as fats, oils, or grease on the first liner, further limiting the ability of the two liners to bind together. In the event that there is any binding, such binding will merely be surface binding, and will be subject to creep, expansion and contraction, and shrinkage between the thermoset resins. One further problem with the current methods is that ground water outside the lateral pipe line and the main pipe line infiltrates through the damaged portion of the pipe line and migrates in the interface between the two liners to a point where it can enter the pipe line.
Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved method for repairing pipe using multiple pipe liners.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a method for repairing a pipe where a damaged portion of the pipe extends further than a single liner.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a method for repairing damaged pipe extending from where a first pipe liner that has already been installed in the host pipe is positioned.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a method for repairing pipe using a compressible seal between a first pipe liner and a second pipe liner.
A further object is the provision of a method for repairing pipe using a hydrophilic or hydrophobic material between two liners that expands to provide a water tight seal between first and second overlapping liners.

Method for creating a seal between pipe liners


A method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component, comprising centrifuging at least two separation bags containing two discrete volumes of a composite liquid respectively, so as to separate therein the first and second components; transferring at least one fraction of a first separated component from the separation bags into satellite bags connected thereto respectively; detecting a characteristic of a component at determined location in each separation bag; and stopping transferring the at least one fraction of the first component from each separation bag into the first satellite bag connected thereto, upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the determined location.

The method of the invention are particularly appropriate for the separation of biological fluids comprising an aqueous component and one or more cellular components. For example, potential uses of the invention include: extracting a plasma component and a cellular component (including platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells) from a volume of whole blood, the cellular component being subsequently filtered so as to remove platelets and white blood cells from the red blood cells; extracting a plasma component, in which a substantial amount of platelets is suspended, and a red blood cell component from a volume of whole blood, the white blood cells being subsequently removed by filtration from the platelet component and the red blood cell component; extracting a plasma component, a platelet component, and a red blood cell component from a volume of whole blood, the white blood cells being subsequently removed by filtration from the platelet component and the red blood cell component.
An apparatus for processing blood components is known from document WO 03/089027. This apparatus comprises a centrifuge adapted to cooperate with an annular separation bag connected to at least one product bag, e.g. a platelet component bag. The centrifuge includes: a rotor having a turntable for supporting the separation bag, and a central compartment for containing the product bag connected to the separation bag; and a squeezing system for squeezing the separation bag and causing the transfer of a separated component (e.g. platelets suspended in plasma) from the separation bag into the product bag. With this apparatus, a single discrete volume of blood is processed at once.
An object of the present invention is to design a separation apparatus that can process at once at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid, in particular discrete volumes that may be not the same, and with the proportions of the various components of the composite liquid that may vary from one discrete volume to another one.
According to the invention, a method for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component comprises: enclosing in at least two separation cells mounted on a rotor at least two separation bags containing two discrete volumes of a composite liquid respectively; storing in at least one container included in the rotor at least two first satellite bags connected to the at least two separation bags respectively; rotating the rotor at a sedimentation speed at which the at least a first and a second components sediment in each of the separation bags; transferring at least one fraction of a first separated component from the at least two separation bags into the at least two first satellite bags connected thereto respectively; detecting a characteristic of a component at a first determined location in each separation bag; and stopping transferring the at least one fraction of the first component from each separation bag into the first satellite bag connected thereto, upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the first determined location.
Other features of the method according to the invention are as follows: transferring at least one fraction of the first separated component into the at least two first satellite bags comprises squeezing the at least two separation bags within the at least two separation cells so as to cause a transfer of at least one fraction of the first component into the at least two first satellite bags connected thereto.
The method further comprises changing a speed of the rotor after detecting a characteristic of a component at the first determined location in the separation bag in which such detection occurs last.
The method further comprises changing a speed of the rotor after a predetermined period of time after detecting a characteristic of a component at the first determined location in one of the at least two separation bags.
The method further comprises balancing any unbalance of the rotor caused by the transfer of the at least one fraction of the first separated component into the at least two first satellite bags.
Balancing any unbalance of the rotor caused by the transfer of the first separated component into the at least two first satellite component bags comprises respectively storing the at least two first satellite bags in the at least one container against at least two interconnected flexible pouches containing a volume of a liquid secured to a wall of the at least one container, whereby the at least two first satellite bags press against the at least two pouches under centrifugation forces and distribute the volume of liquid in the at least two pouches so as to balance the rotor.
The method further comprises sealing and cutting a tube connecting each separation bag to the first satellite component bag connected thereto.
The method further comprises transferring a second separated component from the at least two separation bags into at least two second satellite bags connected thereto respectively.
Transferring a second separated component from the at least two separation bags into the at least two second satellite bags connected thereto respectively, comprises: transferring a second separated component from one of the at least two separation bags into the second satellite bag connected thereto; detecting a characteristic of a component at a second determined location in either the separation bag of which the second component is transferred or a tube connecting the second satellite bag to the separation bag of which the second component is transferred; stopping transferring the second component upon detection of the characteristic of a component at the second determined location; and successively repeating the above steps with each separation bag of the at least two separation bags.
Transferring a second separated component from the at least two separation bags into the second satellite bags connected thereto comprises squeezing the separation bags within the at least two separation cells so as to cause a transfer of the second component into the at least two second satellite bags connected thereto.
The method further comprises stopping rotating the rotor after detecting a characteristic of a component at the second determined location in the separation bag or the tube connected thereto in which such detection occurs last.
The method further comprises stopping rotating the rotor after a predetermined period of time after detecting a characteristic of a component at the second determined location in one of the at least two separation bags or the tube connected thereto.
The method further comprises balancing any unbalance of the rotor caused by the transfer of the second separated component into the at least two second satellite bags.
Balancing any unbalance of the rotor caused by the transfer of the second separated component into the at least two second satellite component bags comprises respectively storing the at least two second satellite bags in the at least one container against at least two interconnected flexible pouches containing a volume of a liquid secured to a wall of the at least one container, whereby the at least two second satellite bags press against the at least two pouches under centrifugation forces and distribute the volume of liquid in the at least two pouches so as to balance the rotor.
The method further comprises sealing and cutting a tube connecting each separation bag to the second satellite component bag connected thereto.
The method further comprises transferring a volume of hydraulic liquid into at least two interconnected expandable hydraulic chambers located in the at least two separation cells respectively, whereby the hydraulic liquid gets distributed under centrifugation forces in the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers so as to substantially balance the rotor.
Transferring a volume of hydraulic liquid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers comprises transferring a predetermined volume of hydraulic liquid.
Transferring a volume of hydraulic liquid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers comprises pumping hydraulic liquid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers.
Transferring a volume of hydraulic liquid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers comprises connecting a source of hydraulic liquid to the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers so that a rotation of the rotor causes hydraulic liquid to be transferred from the source of hydraulic liquid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers.
According to the invention, an apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into at least a first component and a second component comprises a centrifuge comprising: a rotor having a rotation axis, comprising: at least two separation cells, each for containing a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid; and at least one sensor associated with each separation cell for generating information related to a characteristic of a component separated in a separation bag within the separation cell; a memory unit for storing at least one change in rotation speed of the rotor; and a control unit programmed: for receiving from the memory the at least one change in rotation speed, and information generated by the at least one sensor associated with each separation cell; and for causing the at least one change in rotation speed in view of information generated by one of the at least one sensor associated with each of the at least two separation cells.
Other features of the apparatus according to the invention are as follows:
The control unit is programmed for causing the at least one change of rotation speed in view of information generated by the first of the at least one sensor associated with the at least two separation cells that detects a characteristic of a component separated in a separation bag within a separation cell. The control unit is programmed for causing the at least one change of rotation speed in view of information generated by the last of the at least one sensor associated with the at least two separation cells that detects a characteristic of a component separated in a separation bag within a separation cell.
The apparatus further comprises at least one valve member associated with each separation cell for selectively allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag within the separation cell and a satellite bag connected thereto.
The control unit is further programmed for causing at least once in a separation process the at least one valve member associated with a separation cell to block a flow of fluid between a separation bag within the separation cell and a satellite bag connected thereto following a detection of the characteristic of a separated component by the at least one sensor associated with the same separation cell.
The control unit is further programmed for causing at least once in a separation process the at least one valve member associated with a separation cell to allow a flow of fluid between a separation bag within the separation cell and a satellite bag connected thereto following a detection of the characteristic of a separated component by the at least one sensor associated with another separation cell.
The at least one sensor comprises a first sensor for detecting a characteristic of a separated component in a separation bag within a separation cell; the least one valve member comprises a first valve member for allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag and a first satellite bag connected thereto; and the control unit is further programmed for controlling an actuation of the first valve member in view of information from the first sensor.
The at least one sensor comprises a second sensor for detecting a characteristic of a separated component in a tube connecting a separation bag to a second satellite bag; the least one valve member comprises a second valve member for allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag and a second satellite bag connected thereto; and the control unit is further programmed for controlling an actuation of a second valve member in view of information from the second sensor.
The apparatus further comprises a component transferring means for transferring at least one separated component from each separation bag into a satellite bag connected thereto.
The control unit is further programmed for: causing the rotor to rotate at a sedimentation speed for separating a least two components in at least two separation bags contained in the at least two separation cells respectively; causing the least one valve member associated with each separation cell to allow a flow of fluid between each separation bag and the satellite bag connected thereto; causing the component transferring means to transfer at least a portion of a separated component from each of the at least two separation bags into the satellite bag connected thereto; and causing the least one valve member associated with each separation cell to block a flow of fluid between the separation bag within the separation cell and the satellite bag connected thereto, when the sensor associated with the separation cell detects the characteristic of a separated component.
The control unit is further programmed for: causing the component transferring means to stop transferring a separated component from the at least two separation bags into the satellite bags connected thereto when one sensor associated with one of the at least two the separation cells detects the characteristic of a separated component; and causing the component transferring means to transfer a separated component from the at least two separation bags into the satellite bags connected thereto, after the valve member associated with the separation cell associated with the sensor that has detected the characteristic of a separated component has blocked a flow of fluid between the separation bag and the satellite bag connected thereto.
The apparatus further comprises a first balancing means for balancing the rotor when the respective weights of the at least two separation bags in the at least two separation cells are different.
The first balancing means comprises: at least two expandable hydraulic chambers within the at least two separation cells respectively, the at least two hydraulic chambers being fluidly interconnected; a source of hydraulic liquid fluidly connected to the at least two hydraulic chambers; and a liquid transferring means for transferring a volume of hydraulic liquid from the hydraulic liquid source into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers so as to substantially balance the rotor when two separation bags respectively contained in the at least two different separation cells have different weights.
The control unit is programmed for causing the liquid transferring means to transfer a predetermined volume of hydraulic liquid from the hydraulic liquid source into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers, and the predetermined volume of hydraulic liquid is selected so as to substantially balance the rotor whatever the weights of two separation bags respectively contained in the at least two different separation cells.
The liquid transferring means comprises a pumping means for pumping a volume of hydraulic fluid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers.
The source of hydraulic liquid is fixed with respect to the rotor and is fluidly connected to the at least two hydraulic chambers through a rotary seal.
The liquid transferring means comprises a motor for driving the rotor in rotation, and the source of hydraulic liquid is fixed with respect to the rotor, below the at least two separation cells, and is fluidly connected to the hydraulic chambers through a rotary seal, whereby a rotation of the rotor causes the volume of hydraulic liquid to be transferred from the hydraulic liquid source into the hydraulic chambers.
The first balancing means further comprises a valve fitted on a conduit between the source of hydraulic liquid and the rotary seal, for controlling a transfer into the hydraulic chambers of a predetermined volume of hydraulic liquid for balancing the rotor.
The at least two hydraulic chambers are interconnected by a circular conduit centered on the rotation axis, and the circular conduit is connected to each hydraulic chamber to an area thereof that is closer to a periphery of the rotor than to the rotation axis.
The liquid transferring means comprises a motor for driving the rotor in rotation, and the source of hydraulic liquid comprises a reservoir for hydraulic liquid that is mounted on the rotor and is so designed and fluidly connected to the at least two hydraulic chambers that a rotation of the rotor causes a transfer of hydraulic liquid from the reservoir into the at least two hydraulic chambers.
The reservoir comprises a housing defining an internal volume that is symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis and a circular inner area that is the farthest to the rotation axis, and the at least two hydraulic chambers are in fluid communication with this circular area of the reservoir.
The apparatus further comprises: a storage means included in the rotor for storing at least two satellite bags respectively connected to at least two separation bags contained in the at least two separation cells; and a component transferring means for transferring at least one separated component from each separation bag into a satellite bag connected thereto.
The component transferring means comprises a pumping means for pumping hydraulic liquid from the source of hydraulic liquid into the at least two interconnected hydraulic chambers so as to squeeze the at least two separation bags within the at least two separation cells and to cause a component separated therein to flow into a satellite bag connected to each separation bag.                The source of hydraulic liquid is fixed with respect to the rotor, below the at least two separation cells, and is fluidly connected to the at least two hydraulic chambers through a rotary seal, and the component transferring means comprises: a motor for driving the rotor in rotation; and at least one valve member associated with each separation cell for selectively allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag and a satellite bag, whereby a rotation of the rotor causes hydraulic liquid to be transferred from the hydraulic liquid source into the at least two hydraulic chambers and to squeeze the at least two separation bags within the at least two separation cells, which causes a component separated in a separation bag to flow into a satellite bag connected thereto when the valve member for allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between the separation bag and the satellite bag is open.
The source of hydraulic liquid comprises a reservoir for hydraulic liquid that is mounted on the rotor and is fluidly connected to the at least two hydraulic chambers, and the component transferring means comprises: a motor for driving the rotor in rotation; and at least one valve member associated with each separation cell for selectively allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag and a satellite bag, whereby a rotation of the rotor causes hydraulic liquid to be transferred from the reservoir into the at least two hydraulic chambers and to squeeze the at least two separation bags within the at least two separation cells, which causes a component separated in a separation bag to flow into a satellite bag connected thereto when the valve member for allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between the separation bag and the satellite bag is open.
The apparatus further comprises a second balancing means for balancing the rotor when the at least two satellite bags stored in the storing means cause an unbalance of the rotor.
The storage means comprises a central container, around which the at least two separation cells are symmetrically arranged with respect to the rotation axis; and
The second balancing means comprises at least two interconnected flexible pouches partially filled with a liquid, and the pouches are arranged against a wall of the central container so that the at least one satellite bag connected to each separation bag presses onto a pouch during centrifugation.
The storage means comprises a central container, around which the at least two separation cells are symmetrically arranged with respect to the rotation axis; and
The second balancing means comprises a cylindrical flexible pouch partially filled with a liquid lining a wall of the central container so that the at least one satellite bag connected to each separation bag presses onto the pouch during centrifugation.
The storage means comprises one container associated with each separation cell, the container being located between the separation cell and the rotation axis; and
The second balancing means comprises one flexible pouch partially filled with a liquid arranged against a wall of each container so that a satellite bag stored in the container presses onto a pouch during centrifugation, and a flexible pouch in one container is fluidly interconnected with a pouch in another container.
The apparatus further comprises: a storage means included in the rotor for storing at least two first satellite bags respectively connected to at least two separation bags contained in the at least two separation cells; and at least one valve member associated with each separation cell for selectively allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag and a first satellite bag, and the at least one valve member is mounted on the rotor so as to be between the associated separation cell and the storage means, with respect to the rotation axis.
The apparatus further comprises: a storage means included in the rotor for storing at least two first satellite bags respectively connected to at least two separation bags contained in the at least two separation cells; and at least one valve member associated with each separation cell for selectively allowing or blocking a flow of fluid between a separation bag and a first satellite bag, and the at least one valve member is mounted on the rotor so that the storage means is between the at least one valve member and the associated separation cell, with respect to the rotation axis.
The at least one sensor is mounted on the rotor so as to detect a characteristic of a component in a separation bag contained in the associated separation cell.
The at least one sensor is mounted on the rotor so as to detect a characteristic of a component in a tube connected to a separation bag contained in the associated separation cell.
Each separation cell comprises a substantially closed cavity having a longitudinal axis intersecting the rotation axis of the rotor and comprising a portion closer to the rotation axis of the rotor that is defined by four walls converging towards the longitudinal axis of the cavity.
The longitudinal axis of the cavity of each separation cell intersects the rotation axis of the rotor at an acute angle.
Each separation cell comprises a cavity having a bottom wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, and the hydraulic chamber is underneath a membrane that is lining at least part of either the upper wall or the lower wall of the cavity.
Each separation cell comprises a cavity having a bottom wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall, and the hydraulic chamber comprising a flexible pouch that rests at least on part the lower wall.
The density of the hydraulic liquid is so selected as to be higher than the density of the component having the highest density.
Each separation cell comprises a cavity having a bottom wall, an upper wall, and lower wall, and the hydraulic chamber is defined by an elastic socket that is secured to the separation cell so as to extend between the upper wall and the lower wall.
The density of the hydraulic liquid is so selected as to be between the density of a first component and the density of a second component.
Each separation cell comprises a securing means for securing an upper edge of a separation bag so that the upper edge is the portion of the separation bag that is the closest to the rotation axis.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings, which are to be considered exemplary only.

Method for separating discrete volumes of a composite liquid


When a start SW 3 is pressed, a one-shot multivibrator circuit 15 turns on and releases a pulse. The pulse is transmitted to a self-hold circuit 16 which in turn stays in self-hold mode and releases an H level output continuously until it is reset. This cause a transistor 17 to turn on and actuate a ram downward movement relay R1. When the ram arrives at the lower limit of its movement, a lower LS 4 is opened causing a self-hold circuit 21 to produce an H level signal in accordance with an output of a one-shot multivibrator 18. The H level signal from the self-hold circuit 21 is delayed by a delay circuit 22 and turns on a transistor 23. As the result, a ram upward movement relay R2 is actuated. Because of the function of the one-shot multivibrator circuit 15, the ram will not restart when the start SW 3 is continuously depressed. The delay circuit 22 contributes to the longer operational life of a directional valve switching mechanism. Also, a combination of another delay circuit 19 and a logical product circuit 24 is provided for preventing any fault action derived from chattering of the lower LS 4.

One of such hydraulic driven punchers is a reciprocal, automatic-return type puncher. An example of the reciprocal, automatic-return puncher is schematically illustrated in FIG. 7.
As shown, there is a punch 32 attached to the lower end of a ram 31. An upper limit switch 33 and a lower limit switch 34 are provided on both sides of the upper part of the ram 31. A hydraulic pump 36 is arranged for delivering a flow of hydraulic oil via a directional control (solenoid operated) valve 37 (abbreviated to directional value 37 hereinafter) to a cylinder 35. This allows the ram 31 to move upward and downward in reciprocal action. A controller 41 is provided responsive to command signals from a start (downward operation) switch 42 and an upward operation switch 43 and detection signals from the upper 33 and the lower limit switch 34 for controlling the actions of the hydraulic pump 36 and the directional valve 37.
It is now assumed that the ram 31 stays at the upper end of its movement and the upper 33 and the lower limit switch 34 remain pressed down with its contacts closed. When the start switch 42 is turned on, an upper chamber 35a of the cylinder 35 is loaded with the hydraulic oil while a lower chamber 35b is exhausted. As the ram 31 starts moving downward, the contact of the upper limit switch 33 is opened. When the ram 31 arrives at the lower limit of its movement, the contact of the lower limit switch 34 is opened and the arrival of the ram 31 at the lower end is detected. The opening of the contact of the lower limit switch 34 causes the controller 41 to shift the directional valve 37 for filling the lower chamber 35b of the cylinder 35 with the hydraulic oil and exhausting the upper chamber 35a. This allows the ram 31 to automatically move upward. As the ram 31 starts moving upward, the contact of the lower limit switch 34 is closed. Upon the ram 31 arriving at the upper end of its movement, the contact of the upper limit switch 33 is closed. Simultaneously, the controller 41 detects the arrival of the ram 31 at the upper limit and stops the action of the hydraulic pump 36. In this manner, an automatic return movement of the puncher is implemented.
However, said prior art has a problem that if the start switch 42 is maintained turned on, the ram 31 may automatically start again after its cycle movement. If the start switch 42 is turned on with the ram 31 staying off the upper limit of its movement, the ram 31 may move undesirably.
In common, the directional valve 37 comprises two, first and second, solenoids 37a and 37b, two pushrods 37c and 37d made of e.g. stainless steel, and a directional chamber 37e, as shown in FIG. 8. The directional chamber 37e has a spool 37f provided in its tubular oil passage for movement leftward and rightward in response to the magnetization of the first 37a and the second solenoid 37b. It is known for shifting the valve 37 upon the ram 31 arriving at the lower limit to demagnetize one 37a (or 37b) of the two solenoids and magnetize the other 37b (or 37a) at once. This however causes a remaining magnetic force of the demagnetized solenoid to activate both the left 37c and the right pushrod 37d for a brief moment thus driving the spool 37f from both sides. As the result, either the pushrod 37c or 37d may be deformed and the operating life of the directional valve 37 may be decreased.
Also, the contact of the lower limit switch 34 remains closed before the ram 31 arrives at the lower limit during the punching action. It is opened only when the punching action has been finished and then the ram 31 arrives at the lower limit. The punching in a hard material such as a stainless sheet often produces a great force of impact causing chattering or malfunction of the contact of the lower limit switch 34. If worse, the contact of the lower limit switch 34 may physically be disconnected.

Hydraulic drive tool controlling apparatus


Described herein is a process for the preparation of a compound of Formula I,

The listing or discussion of an apparently prior-published document in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge.
7-Amino-5-thio-thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidines are known to be antagonists of the fractalkine receptor (Karlström et al. J. Med. Chem., 2013, 56, 3177-3190). Among these compounds, those containing chiral α-alkyl branched benzyl thioether groups are of considerable interest. In particular, the compound (2R)-2-[(2-amino-5-{[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]thio}[1,3]thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)amino]-4-methylpentan-1-ol is known to be a potent antagonist.

The stereocenter at the top of the molecule can be set by using the desired enantiomer of leucinol (which derives from the amino acid leucine, and is available with very high enantiomer purity). However, providing a scalable route that provides sufficient chiral purity at the second stereocenter (marked with *) has proved a significant challenge.
In the published laboratory-scale route (Karlström et al.), the stereochemistry of this chiral centre is set in the final step through the reaction of the thiothiazolopyrimidine intermediate with (R)-1-chloroethylbenzene, which yields a 9:1 ratio of diastereomers in favour of the desired R,S-diastereomer. Purification by chiral HPLC then gave the desired compound with a chiral purity of 99.7%. However, it is not feasible to perform chiral HPLC on the scale required for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The basic route to 6-Amino-2-{[(1S)-1-phenylethyl]sulfanyl}pyrimidin-4-ol is published in WO 2006/107258.
However, scale up of known methods are likely to yield lower chiral purity materials. While purer materials might be prepared, up to a limit, by e.g. successive recrystallisation steps, such purification steps would greatly reduce the yield of the process and are also highly undesirable in a chemical production process.

Process for the steroselective preparation of chiral 2- [(hetero)arylalkylsulfanyl] pyrimidines and products obtainable therefrom

Abstract: wherein R1 and R2 each have the meanings provided in the description. Also described is a process for the preparation of pharmaceutically-active compounds including the process for the preparation of compounds of Formula I.


Flow control in pulse detonation engines is accomplished using magnetohydrodynamic principles. The pulse detonation engine includes a tube having an open forward end and an open aft end and a fuel-air inlet formed in the tube at the forward end. An igniter is disposed in the tube at a location intermediate the forward end and the aft end. A magnetohydrodynamic flow control system is located between the igniter and the fuel-air inlet for controlling detonation in the tube forward of the igniter. The magnetohydrodynamic flow control system utilizes magnetic and electric fields forward of the igniter to dissipate or at least reduce the ignition potential of the forward traveling detonation flame front.

This invention relates generally to pulse detonation engines and more particularly to pulse detonation engines utilizing magnetohydrodynamic flow control.
Most internal combustion engines currently used for propulsion rely on deflagration combustion whereby the combustion effects occur at relatively slow rates (i.e., less than the speed of sound within the combustible mixture) and at constant pressure. Detonation combustion, however, occurs at rates well in excess of the speed of sound and simultaneously provides a significant pressure rise. Because of the advantageous thermodynamic cycle, there is a high degree of interest in developing propulsive devices that rely on detonation combustion rather than deflagration combustion.
One such device is a pulse detonation engine that uses an intermittent combustion process to create a temperature and pressure rise by detonating a flammable mixture. The conditions for detonation are governed by the environment of the mixture (pressure, temperature, equivalence ratio, etc.) such that when enough energy is released to start ignition, the chemical kinetics occur at supersonic speeds. A pulse detonation engine is typically a tube of a specified length that is open at the aft end and includes some sort of valve device at the front end to keep the detonation process from traveling forward. In operation, a charge of air and fuel is fed into the tube through the valve, and the valve is then closed. Detonation of the fuel-air mixture is initiated by an igniter located in the tube, and the resulting detonation shock waves travel down the tube, raising both the temperature and the pressure of the products. The combustion products are expelled out of the open aft end, creating a pulse of forward thrust. When the shock waves have reflected within the tube to the appropriate conditions, a new charge is fed into the tube through the valve and the cycle repeats. It is generally desirable to generate pulses at a high frequency to produce smooth, nearly steady state propulsion.
Upon ignition, the resulting pressure waves and detonation flame front will tend to travel in both longitudinal directions. In current pulse detonation devices, however, ignition is initiated at the forward end of the tube so that the waves will generally travel downstream toward the open exhaust end. The valve is provided at the forward end of the tube to prevent pressure waves from escaping out the front of the device and, more importantly, to prohibit the detonation flame front from traveling into the fuel-air inlet system. The pulse detonation cycle requires that the valve operate at extremely high temperatures and pressures and must also operate at exceedingly high frequencies to produce smooth propulsion. These conditions significantly reduce the high cycle fatigue (HCF) reliability of conventional valve systems, such as poppet or flapper-type valves.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a high frequency valving or flow control system for pulse detonation engines that is lightweight, reliable, easily controlled and offers minimal performance loss.
The above-mentioned need is met by the present invention, which provides a pulse detonation engine that includes a tube having an open forward end and an open aft end and a fuel-air inlet formed in the tube at the forward end. An igniter is disposed in the tube at a location intermediate the forward end and the aft end. A magnetohydrodynamic flow control system is located between the igniter and the fuel-air inlet for controlling detonation in the tube forward of the igniter. The magnetohydrodynamic flow control system creates a magnetic field forward of the igniter to dissipate the forward traveling detonation flame front.
The present invention and its advantages over the prior art will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Magnetohydrodynamic flow control for pulse detonation engines


A process for etching tungsten silicide on a semiconductor wafer in a vacuum etch chamber in the presence of a plasma is described using chlorine (Cl.sub.2) and oxygen-bearing etchant gases in a ratio of not more that 20 volume % oxygen-bearing etchant gas, and preferably from about 6 to about 10 volume % oxygen-bearing etchant gas. The process is also capable of etching polysilicon and exhibits a high selectivity for both photoresist and oxide.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved process for etching tungsten silicide. More particularly, this invention relates to a tungsten silicide etch process which is highly selective to photoresist and oxide.
2. Description of the Related Art
The use of tungsten silicide over polysilicon as a gate contact or as an interconnect between circuit elements is becoming more prevalent in VLSI technologies as devices geometries become smaller. Tungsten silicide over polysilicon lowers the resistivity and this lower resistivity allows integrated circuit structure geometries to shrink while maintaining the desired performance improvements needed for advanced integrated circuit structures.
Fluorine-based chemistry such as SF.sub.6 has been used to etch tungsten silicide. However, the tendency to undercut both the tungsten silicide and the underlying polysilicon has been a major drawback of the use of this etching system. The use of a BCl.sub.3 /Cl.sub.2 etch system to etch tungsten silicide has also been proposed in an article by Lum and Bondur entitled "Precision 5000 Etch: Tungsten Silicide Process Capability", published in Applied Materials Etch Bulletin Volume VII, Number 1, Spring 1990. In that article the use of a multi-step process is described wherein BCl.sub.3 /Cl.sub.2 chemistry is used to etch tungsten silicide layer and part of the underlying polysilicon until the entire tungsten silicide film is removed, after which a standard polysilicon etch may be carried out using standard HBr/Cl.sub.2 chemistry.
However, the use of a BCl.sub.3 gas is sometimes not preferred because of the low purity of the gas, which may result in the deposition of particles on the wafer; and because of the low vapor pressure of the gas, which may cause it to condense in the apparatus used to convey the gas to the etch chamber.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a tungsten silicide etch system which uses gases which will not deposit particles on the wafer, will not easily condense in the apparatus used to deliver the gas to the etch chamber, and which will have a good selectivity for both photoresist and oxide, while permitting the etching of both tungsten silicide and polysilicon.

Tungsten silicide etch process selective to photoresist and oxide


A method for soldering components to opposite sides of a receptive element includes the steps of applying a solder formulation to both sides of the receptive element (201) and placing components on a first side of the receptive element (204). The solder formulation is hardened on the first side of the receptive element (205). Components are placed on a second side of the receptive element and the solder formulation on the second side of the receptive element is hardened. The components are fixed to the receptive element by performing a single reflow operation (208).

The conventional approach to assembling components on both sides of a double sided printed circuit board (PCB), using a reflow soldering process, consists of applying solder paste screen on one side of the PCB, placement of the components on the solder paste and soldering of the components in the reflow oven. This process is repeated on the second side of the PCB. The solder paste screen printing (cladding) is the most difficult and critical stage with regard to the reliability of the soldering process. Some techniques, that are in use to avoid this cladding stage, provide flat solid solder deposit and are carried out by the printed circuit board manufacturer. The process at an assembly plant consists of flux dispensing on the cladded pads, placement of the components on the flux, soldering of the components in the reflow oven, followed by a repetition of all the above process stages on the second side of the PCB. During the first reflow the cladding of the second side of the PCB changes its flat shape to a meniscus form, thus resulting in slippage of the components from the pads and faulty soldering of components.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved soldering process that prevents a meniscus formation of the solder paste during reflow operations, in particular with regard to the cladding of double sided PCBs.


The invention concerns an assembly comprising a tube in composite material including carbon fibers embedded in a resin, an extremity of which is equipped with a sleeve in plastic material such as polyamide, optionally equipped with a jointing thread. According to the invention, the tube comprises at least one layer of composite material, and the sleeve is obtained by overmolding injection of material on the tube. Preferably, the composite material constituting the tube comprises two adjacent layers of carbon fibers embedded in carbon, the inner layer being a layer whose fibers are substantially longitudinal, whereas the outer layer comprises helically arranged fibers.

The present invention concerns tubes in composite material including carbon fibers embedded in a resin and, more particularly, such tubes of which at least one extremity is equipped with a sleeve allowing two coaxial tubes to be immobilized together. The invention also concerns support devices of the three-leg or one-leg type, for example used in the field of filming or measurement taking.
It is well known that the use of composite materials including carbon fibers embedded in an epoxy resin brings characteristics of a higher mechanical resistance for a relatively low weight.
Document FR-A-2 772 301 describes such an element in composite material and its fabrication process. A gel is disposed on a mandrel so as to create a superficial layer which provides good sliding characteristics on the internal wall of the finished tube, then it is prepolymerized. Subsequently, the layers of fabric with carbon fibers are applied and cooked at appropriate temperature until complete polymerization. An exterior layer of an additional gel can promote the constitution of an exterior surface with a low friction coefficient.
The tubes or cylinders in carbon can only be made with relatively short lengths, which makes it necessary, for many applications, to realize a connection between several successive tubes to obtain the required length for the application.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,692 thus provides profiled adhesive couplings between successive tubes, where a sleeve in appropriate resin also containing carbon fibers is placed in the junction zone to reinforce the longer tube thus obtained.
When the tubes must present lengths which are able to vary, it is preferable to use a telescopic assembly utilizing the gels of document FR-A-2 772 301 to ensure the relative sliding of the tubes. However, in that case, a means for fixing the total length is required. An extremity of the tube is then advantageously provided with a sleeve optionally equipped with a thread to allow cooperation with a tightening part or the like. In such case, the sleeve must be solidly anchored to the carbon tube, which is contrary to the low superficial friction coefficient of the carbon tubes.
The present invention is situated in this context and provides an assembly comprising a primary tube in composite material equipped with a sleeve which makes it possible to avoid the above-described drawbacks, the sleeve being provided to ensure a junction by tightening of a coaxial secondary tube.
According to the invention, the assembly comprises a primary tube in composite material including carbon fibers embedded in a resin, one extremity of which is equipped with a sleeve in plastic material, such as a polyamide, optionally equipped with a jointing thread, the sleeve being obtained by overmolding injection of material on the tube.
Preferably, the tube comprises at least two adjacent layers of carbon fibers, the inner layer being a layer whose fibers are substantially longitudinal, whereas the outer layer comprises helically arranged fibers.
Preferably, the material constituting the sleeve is reinforced with short fibers, so as to have a thermic dilatation coefficient approximately equivalent to that of the tube over a temperature range comprised between about xe2x88x9250xc2x0 C. and about +100xc2x0 C. These short fibers can advantageously be glass fibers.
Advantageously, the extremity of the tube equipped with the sleeve has a plurality of embossments which are filled with the sleeve material during the overmolding injection step.


A rack has a frame and a plurality of shelves. Each shelf has an enclosing frame member that has two first sides connected by two second sides, a connecting bar that connects the first sides at about the center of the first sides, a plurality of slots provided on the inner surfaces of the second sides, and a plurality of slats, each slat having opposing ends that are fitted into opposing slots at the second sides, and with each slat being connected to the connecting bar. At least one connector is provided for removably connecting each shelf to a portion of the frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an article-holding rack for placing common household articles, and in particular, to a rack for holding articles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Article-holding racks are used by people in their daily lives to hold common household articles such as towels, clothes, shoes, etc. Many of these racks can be folded or dis-assembled to reduce that overall size and profile for storage and transportation. Unfortunately, many of these conventional racks are still difficult to fold, or assemble and disassemble, so that storage and transport can be inconvenient. In this regard, the construction of many of these racks is rather complex, leading to increased costs of production or inconvenience to the user.


A scan test method of an integrated circuit including a combinational circuit and flip-flops forming a scan chain is disclosed. The method first sets an initial test value to the flip-flops forming the scan chain by serial scan input. Then, it repeats a capture operation and a feedback shift operation. The capture operation captures an output of the combinational circuit, to which a value set to a flip-flop has been applied, by another flip-flop. The feedback shift operation feeds an output of the scan chain back to an input side of the scan chain for re-input during a shift operation in the scan chain. Finally, it compares an output of the scan chain with an expected value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scan test method, an integrated circuit, and a scan test circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
A scan test is a technique to test an integrated circuit to detect defects. The scan test requires a scan chain placed in the integrated circuit. The scan chain includes flip-flops connected in series to form a shift register.
A combinational circuit has its output determined entirely by concurrent inputs. Thus, the presence of defects in the combinational circuit can be detected as follows. First, an input is applied to the combinational circuit, and the output of the combinational circuit is provided to the flip-flops by capture operation. The captured values are then output serially by the scan chain and compared with an expected value. From the comparison result, the presence or absence of defects in the combinational circuit is determined.
Referring first to FIGS. 5 and 6, a conventional integrated circuit (IC) 100 having a scan test function includes combinational circuits 101a, 101b, 101c, and flip-flops 111, 112, 113, 114. The flip-flops 111 to 114 are placed between the combinational circuits. The flip-flops 111 to 114 are connected in series with each other to serve as a shift register, thereby forming a scan chain 110.
Each of the flip-flops 111 to 114 is a scan cell having a multiplexer (not shown). The multiplexer allows switching a shift register operation mode and a capture operation mode. In the capture operation mode, values pass through the combinational circuits. The multiplexer selects the output of the combinational circuit in the normal operation mode and selects the output of the flip-flop of the previous stage in the shift register operation mode. The multiplexer then inputs the selected output to the flip-flop of the next stage.
FIG. 5 schematically shows a conventional IC in the shift register operation mode. FIG. 6 schematically shows the conventional IC in the capture operation mode.
For simplification, FIGS. 5 and 6 show only one scan chain, four flip-flops forming the scan chain, and three combinational circuits. An actual circuit, however, includes more flip-flops and combination circuits in the left side of the combination circuit 101a and in the right side of the combination circuit 101c of FIGS. 5 and 6. The number of scan chains and flip-flops forming each scan chain depend on the size of the IC 100.
The scan test of the IC 100 is explained below with reference to FIG. 7.
Initialization (S101)
Initially in the scan test process, the IC 100 is set in the mode shown in FIG. 5. A test value of "1" or "0" is set to all the flip-flops forming the scan chain 110. For example, the values "1", "1", "1", "1" are set to the flip-flops 111 to 114. These values are serially input to the flip-flops 111 to 114 of the scan chain 110 from an input terminal 110a of the scan chain 110 in synchronization with a clock signal input to the flip-flops 111 to 114 from a clock input terminal (not shown). This operation, called the shift operation, is repeated the number of stages of the flip-flops 111 to 114 forming the scan chain 110, thereby setting the values to all the flip-flops 111 to 114.
Capture Operation (S102)
Next, the IC 100 is set in the capture operation mode shown in FIG. 6. The values of the flip-flops 111 to 114 set in the previous step S101 are captured by other flip-flops through the combinational circuits 101a to 101c. The values of the flip-flops 111 to 114 are thereby updated. The capture operation is unidirectional in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 6.
Output, Comparison, and Reset (S103)
Then, the IC 100 is set in the shift register operation mode again. The values of the flip-flops 111 to 114 are output from an output terminal 110b of the scan chain 110. These output values are compared with an expected value to see if they match. In parallel with the output, next values are input to the flip-flops 111 to 114 of the scan chain 110 to reset them. The next values are different from the values input previously. In this case, since the values "1", "1", "1", "1" have been input initially, the values "1", "1", "1", "0", for example, are input in this step. The values of the flip-flops 111 to 114 are thereby updated.
The steps S102 to S103 are repeated the number of times required to detect defects in all the part of the combinational circuits 101a to 101c. The process determines if the repeat number reaches a preset number in the step S104 in FIG. 7. If not, the process repeats from S102, and, if so, the process ends.
If any comparison result of a plurality of comparisons shows that the output value is different from the expected value, the IC 100 is determined to be defective. If it shows that all the output values are the same as the expected value, the IC 100 is determined to be non-defective.
The expected value is a value to be output if the IC 100 is non-defective. This value is calculated by simulation based on input values and the configuration of the combinational circuits.
Another conventional scan test method is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 05-134007 (Yamashita) and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This technique feeds the output of a scan chain through a logic circuit L1 in FIG. 1 or L2 in FIG. 2 back to an input terminal of the scan chain for re-input, thereby compressing the data of a test pattern, which is a test vector for scan pass in this art. Since this technique inverts the re-input value to a specific flip-flop by the logic circuit L1 or L2, it allows update and reset of the value of each flip-flop without input of a new test pattern.
In the IC 100 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, if the number of times to perform the capture operations is "m", the number of flip-flops of the scan chain 110 corresponding to the number of clocks required for serial data input by the scan pass is "n", and the number of clocks required for one capture operation is "c", the number of test patterns (clocks) required is given by:m*(n+c)+n  (1)where the values of "m", "n", and "c" are positive integers. For example, the value "m" is 3000 to 10000, "n" is 10000 to 200000, and "c" is 1. This means that the value of "n" is the most critical for the test pattern number.
The present invention has recognized that, it is necessary in the IC 100 to input a new value from the input terminal of the scan chain to set it to the flip-flops each time the capture operation is performed. This requires a large number of test patterns (clocks) and takes a long test time. Further, it is necessary to store all the input values supplied each time, requiring a large memory capacity. Furthermore, since the output of the scan chain is compared with the expected value in each capture operation, it is necessary to store a large number of expected values for comparison, also requiring a large memory capacity. In addition, the comparison takes a long time to process a large amount of data.
The present invention has also recognized that, the technique taught by Yamashita requires the logic circuit L1 or L2 for inverting the re-input value to a specific flip-flop. It further requires data for determining a signal, "1" or "0", to be input to an input terminal DAT1 (or DAT2) of the logic circuit L1 (or L2) from test vector memory MEM1 (or MEM2). This inhibits the reduction of the amount of data required.

Scan test method, integrated circuit, and scan test circuit


The present invention automatically selects the wireless mode of a device. The user of a Bluetooth device has the benefit of discoverable mode with the relative safety of connectable mode. The mode of the device is automatically switched from discoverable to connectable and back based on the activity of the device. For example, the mode may be switched to discoverable mode when the device is determined to be active and to connectable mode when the device is determined to be inactive. The device may be determined to be active based on many criteria, including, but not limited to: determining when a screen associated with the device is active; determining when the device is not key locked; and determining when the device is active further comprises determining when a lid associated with the device is open.

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to exchange data without cables, providing greater flexibility in configuration. Most people today use infrared wireless devices, which have to be in line of sight of each other to operate correctly. The small degree of error allowed by the infrared devices is limiting to most users. Bluetooth devices, on the other hand, such as printers, cell phones, mice, keyboards and more, can communicate with each other as long as they are within approximately 30 feet (9.1 meters) of each other.
While Bluetooth devices are generally designed to be simple to use, users may have to select certain modes in order for other devices to communicate with them. For example, Bluetooth devices generally force the user to manually select different modes whenever it's required, such as discoverable mode to receive a music file from a friend. This can be fairly confusing to the user since many users may not understand the different Bluetooth modes. Many users, for instance, may only understand that the Bluetooth radio is on or off.

Bluetooth smart mode switching for security and privacy


A hydraulic control system for a steplessly variable power transmission includes primary and secondary pulleys, a belt connected with both pulleys and, hydraulic chambers for controlling effective diameters of the pulleys for changing a speed ratio steplessly. A speed ratio control valve controls the hydraulic pressure applied to the hydraulic chamber in accordance with a pilot pressure introduced into a pilot chamber provided in the speed ratio control valve means. A solenoid valve controls the pilot pressure applied to the speed ratio control valve, and a fluid pressure producing device produces a control pressure in accordance with a vehicle driving condition. A switch valve selectively connects the pilot chamber with either the solenoid valve or the fluid pressure producing device. The switch valve is actuated so as to connect the pilot chamber with the fluid pressure producing device when a deviation between an actual pilot pressure and a desirable pilot pressure is increased beyond a predetermined value. A stable speed ratio control therefore can be provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system for a steplessly variable power transmission and, more specifically to a hydraulic control system controlling a speed ratio (rotation speed of an input member/rotation speed of an output member) in the transmission under a certain driving condition of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There has been known a steplessly variable power transmission provided with a pulley mechanism as an engine power transmission mechanism having a primary pulley member connected with an engine and a secondary pulley member connected with vehicle wheels of which an effective diameter is changeable by controlling a hydraulic pressure therefor so that a speed ratio therebetween can be controlled. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,152,947 (corresponding to Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-27592), 4,665,775, 4,671,138, 4,671,140, 4,673,377 and 4,796,489 all disclose controls for belt-pulley type steplessly variable power transmissions.
Japanese Patent Public Disclosure No. 60-53257 discloses a line pressure regulating valve actuated by employing a pilot pressure introduced thereinto for adjusting a line pressure introduced into respective hydraulic chambers for the primary and secondary pulleys and a speed ratio control valve of a pilot pressure action type for controlling an introduction of the line pressure into the hydraulic chamber for the primary pulley wherein the pilot pressures of the line pressure regulating valve and the speed ratio control valve are controlled by a solenoid valve providing a duty control.
With such a duty control, the following problems can occur. The viscosity of converter oil or hydraulic fluid increases as the temperature thereof is decreased. If the duty ratio of the solenoid valve providing pilot pressure at a low temperature of the hydraulic fluid is maintained at the same value as that at a normal temperature, the quantity of fluid drained by the solenoid valve is reduced because of the high viscosity of the hydraulic fluid. Therefore, the pilot pressure is unduly increased beyond a desirable value. This causes an unstable control of the pilot pressure; and thus an unstable speed ratio control.
In addition, a problem may occur in a control circuit for the solenoid valve. When shortcircuiting occurs in the control circuit, the solenoid valve is kept Off so that the pilot pressure is fixed at the maximum value. As a result, an effective control of the speed ratio cannot be accomplished.

Hydraulic control system for steplessly variable power transmission


A walk-behind implement, e.g., lawn mower, having a handle assembly, and a handle assembly release apparatus for use with such an implement. The release apparatus, in one embodiment, may permit unlocking of the handle assembly from a first operating position relative to a housing of the implement. Once unlocked, the handle assembly may be moved, e.g., pivoted, to a second storage position. In one embodiment, the release apparatus may include a lever member that may be actuated by the application of a force applied by an operator's foot.

Rotary lawn mowers are generally known in the art. Typically, such mowers include a wheeled housing forming a cutting chamber in which a rigid cutting blade rotates. A generally U-shaped handle assembly extending upwardly and rearwardly from the housing allows a walking operator to guide and manipulate the mower. The handle assembly may include two transversely spaced handle members, e.g., tubes, joined together at their respective upper ends by a cross tube forming a hand grip portion of the handle assembly. The handle assembly may be rigidly locked to the housing during operation of the mower so that the user may impart directional and control forces to the mower through the handle assembly.
While effectively configured for operation, the handle assembly, when in this conventional operating position, may extend substantially rearwardly beyond the mower housing. Thus, the mower may take up what is considered to be excessive room when not in use, i.e., when the mower is stored with the handle assembly in its conventional operating position, the mower may have a relatively large storage footprint.
To remedy this situation, mowers in which the handle assembly folds relative to the housing have been developed. Such a foldable handle assembly is usually pivotally connected, at its lower end, to the mower housing and is often formed in two sections—a lower section and an upper section—which may also be pivotally connected to one another. Locking mechanisms are provided for securing the handle assembly in its conventional operating position. However, when the locking mechanisms are released, the handle assembly may be pivoted relative to the housing until the lower section of the handle assembly extends generally vertically over the housing. In some mower configurations, the upper section of the handle assembly may also be folded back over the lower section to further reduce storage volume.
While effective, some implementations of foldable handle assemblies do have drawbacks such as, for instance, requiring time consuming and/or complex manual interaction on the part of the operator to initiate folding. To illustrate, when it comes time to move some of these folding handle assemblies out of their conventional operating position, the user typically must unlock both handle tubes from the housing to allow the handle assembly to be pivoted to its stored position. Since the locking mechanism is usually at the base of the handle assembly (near where the lower ends of the handle tubes connect to the housing) manipulation of the locking mechanisms on both sides of the mower housing may involve bending down, or even getting on one's knees. Such interaction may be inconvenient, or for some operators, difficult to accomplish.
To alleviate this problem, some mowers have utilized alternative locking mechanisms. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,119 to Leibengood. The '119 patent describes a hand-actuated device that applies a load between both lower ends of the mower handle in an effort to displace the ends and thus unlatch them from the mower frame. While effective, Leibengood applies the load directly between the members of the handle assembly. As a result, one member may potentially be displaced more than the other, resulting in only partial disengagement of the handle assembly (e.g., only one handle end) from the mower housing.

Walk-behind implement and handle assembly release apparatus for use with same


A method of providing directional information associated with moveable objects can include periodically receiving identification (ID) information at a mobile terminal from a moveable object via a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) signal. Location information associated with the ID information can be updated to provide updated location information for the moveable object. Updating the location information can be ceased when the moveable object is out of RFID range of the mobile terminal to maintain the updated location information as the most recently known location information for the moveable object.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFIDs) refers to the use of low-cost "tags" embedded in or attached to items that can store "bar code" type information, as well as more detailed information about the items. The tags are generally small labels, or the like, with a miniature embedded antenna. A tag reader interrogates the tag by transmitting an RFID signal, which energizes the embedded antenna to provide power for the tag to transmit a responsive RFID signal to the reader.
Various commercial applications have been suggested for RFID tags, particularly in the area of retail marketing and sales. For example, RFID technology may be used to gather information related to consumer trends, purchasing habits, consumption rates, etc. It is also known to use RFID technology in the areas of inventory control, manufacturing process and control, product accountability and tracking systems, etc. Manufacturers, shippers, and retailers may be able to follow a given product through their respective systems from initial production through to point of sale using RFID tags. It has been suggested that other applications may include shopping carts that automatically charge a bank account, refrigerators that connect to the Internet to automatically reorder items, and interactive televisions linked to such refrigerators that will feed targeted commercials and special offers to consumers.
RFID readers have been incorporated into various electronic devices such as Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) and mobile cellular telephones.

Methods, computer program products, mobile terminals, and web pages for providing directional information associated with RFID enabled moveable objects