An assembly structure having a plurality of shield casings which are polygonal and substantially equal in cross section. The shield casings are stacked in a direction of their height. A shield cover is interposed between the shield casings. The shield cover is made up of a flat plate that covers the bottom surface of a first shield casing, the top surface of a second shield casing, and retaining springs that extend upward and downward from the outer edges of the flat plate. The retaining springs press against the walls of the first and second shield casings.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an assembly of shield casings stacked in a direction of height, and more particularly to a plurality of shield casings having an intermediate flat plate disposed there between.
2. Related Art
Heretofore, as shown in FIG. 3, in an antenna unit 1 first and second shield casings 61 and 62 are provided between an antenna cover 2 and a base 3 in such a manner that those casings 61 and 62 are stacked in the direction of height thereof. The first shield casing 61 accommodates a GPS antenna section for receiving signals from a GPS satellite. The GPS antenna section comprises a patch antenna, a signal receiving circuit, an RF converter. The second shield casing 62 accommodates a tuner section which comprises an FM tuner section, a digital demodulator section, and a connector.
The first and second shield casings 61 and 62 are made of a metal sheet, and are equal and rectangular in cross section. The top surface and the bottom surface of the first shield casing 61 are covered with a top surface shield cover 71 and a bottom surface shield cover 72 which are both made of a metal plate. Similarly, the top surface and the bottom surface of the second shield casing 62 are covered with a top surface shield cover 73 and a bottom surface shield cover 74 which are both made of a metal plate.
The shield covers 71, 72, 73 and 74 are made up of: flat plates 71A, 72A, 73A and 74A which covers the top surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the two shield casings 61 and 62; and several side surface retaining springs 80 which press against the side walls of the shield casings 61 and 62. The retaining springs 80 are extended from the outer edges of the flat plates 71A, 72A, 73A and 74A, and are bent upwardly or downwardly depending on the positions of the flat plates 71A through 74A.
The retaining springs 80 have holes 85 as shown in FIG. 4, while side walls (four side walls) of the first and second shield casings 61 and 62 have protrusions 65 which are engaged with the aforementioned holes 85.
The above-described antenna unit 1 is assembled as follows: First, the GPS antenna section is built in the first shield casing 61, and then shield casing 61 is covered with the top surface shield cover 71 and the bottom surface shield cover 72. Next, the tuner section is built in the second shield casing 62, and the latter 62 is covered with the top surface shield cover 73 and the bottom surface shield cover 74. Thereafter, the first shield casing 61 with the shield covers 71 and 72 is mounted on the second shield casing 62 with the shield covers 73 and 74 through an insulating sheet 90, and the first and second shield casings 61 and 62 are secured to each other with suitable means.
As was described above, heretofore in the case where the first and second shield casings 61 and 62 which are polygonal and substantially equal in cross section are stacked in the direction of height thereof, the following method is employed: The first and second shield casings 61 and 62 are assembled separately, and in the final assembling step the shield casing 61 is mounted on the second shield casing 62. Hence, the shield casings 61 and 62 need four shield covers 71 through 74, two shield covers for each shield casing. Additionally, it is essential to place the insulating sheet between the first and second shield casings 61 and 62, and therefore the resultant antenna unit is relatively high in manufacturing cost. Furthermore, the first and second shield casings 61 and 62 thus stacked must be fixedly positioned. That is, it is rather troublesome to assemble the conventional antenna unit.

Assembly structure of a plurality of shield casings


Cooling systems and methods are provided for an integrated electric motor-inverter, where the integrated electric motor-inverter includes a housing, a motor, and an inverter, the motor and the inverter are disposed within the housing, and the motor includes a stator. The system includes a cooling jacket, a first coolant, a condenser, a spray head, and a second coolant. The cooling jacket is disposed concentric to the stator and includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall is in direct contact with the stator. The first coolant is disposed between the cooling jacket inner and outer walls. The condenser is disposed concentric to the cooling jacket. The spray head is disposed adjacent the inverter. The second coolant is in flow communication with the spray head.

Vehicles that utilize electric traction motors to drive wheels of a vehicle typically use a three-phase alternating current ("AC") motor coupled with an inverter having circuitry that converts direct current ("DC") from a power source to alternating current. The inverter circuitry generally includes insulated gate bipolar transistors ("IGBTs") and diodes mounted on a direct bonded copper ("DBC") substrate. The DBC has integrated bus bars that operate with a circuit card and signal connector to provide a power electronics package.
During operation, the inverter converts DC current to AC current with an associated efficiency. Some energy produced by the inverter may be removed as heat to ensure that components thereof remain within allowable operating temperature limits. Currently, this is accomplished by circulating fluids through heat sinks associated with the DBC or by flowing air over the power electronics package to absorb and carry away heat. Although these configurations generally operate sufficiently, they may be improved. For example, conventional systems that cool by circulating fluids or flowing air typically operate in conjunction with other separately packaged motor cooling systems. However, as the demand for smaller vehicles has increased, optimization of space utilization has increased as well, and the current packaging of the inverters, motors, and cooling systems may be too large for these smaller vehicles.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have an electric traction motor and inverter package that is smaller than a conventional motor and inverter package. In addition, it is desirable to suitably cool the inverter such that component temperatures may be controlled. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the inventive subject matter will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Cooling systems and methods for integration electric motor-inverters


An arithmetic processing circuit includes an fetch unit configured to generate fetch addresses, an address table configured to store a branch address and a first tag for each of a plurality of indexes, the indexes being a first bit string extracted from a fetch address by including at least one bit among instruction address bits whose values vary within one fetch line, the first tag being a second bit string situated at higher bit positions than the first bit string, an upper tag storage unit configured to store a second tag situated at higher bit positions than the first tag, and a branch determination unit configured to supply to the fetch unit the branch address retrieved from the address table, upon determining that the first tag retrieved from the address table and the second tag in the upper tag storage unit match respective portions of the fetch address.

With respect to a branch instruction to be executed, a branch prediction technique, which is one of the techniques for enhancing processor speed, predicts a branch direction indicative of whether the branch is taken or not taken, and also predicts the target address of the branch instruction (i.e., branch destination address). With this arrangement, subsequent instructions can be speculatively executed according to a prediction outcome before whether the branch is taken is determined at the time of execution of the branch instruction.
When the branch prediction is wrong, all the speculatively executed subsequent instructions are discarded, and execution needs to start over with correct subsequent instructions, which results in reduction in processor performance. Avoiding reduction in processor performance by improving the accuracy of branch prediction involves performing complex, computationally intensive arithmetic for branch prediction. As a result, latency longer than one-cycle latency ends up being needed to complete a branch prediction.
With long latency for branch prediction, however, an instruction fetch sequence may have a gap created therein, which gives rise to the problem of failing to maintain a sufficient throughput. For example, the branch prediction latency may be three cycles. Branch prediction for a first instruction is performed while performing instruction fetches in a sequential direction (i.e., instruction fetches by constant address increments) in successive cycles following the fetching of the first instruction. The outcome of branch prediction for the first instruction is obtained after the fetching of a third instruction (i.e., after the completion of three cycles). When the outcome of branch prediction indicates "branch taken", the second instruction and the third instruction which have been fetched in the sequential direction are canceled, and a new instruction fetch is started with respect to the target address indicated by the branch prediction outcome. In this case, the throughput drops in accordance with the length of branch prediction latency.

Arithmetic processing circuit and arithmetic processing method


A manufacturing system for fabricating optical waveguides includes a diffusion channel with a plurality of inlets at a first end and an outlet at a second end opposite to the first end and separated from the inlets by a channel length. Each of the plurality of inlets includes a central inlet flowing a first resin into the diffusion channel such that the first resin flows along the channel length of the diffusion channel toward the outlet, and an outer inlet flowing a second resin along a periphery of the first resin. The second resin may have an index of refraction different than the first resin. The diffusion may occur between portions of the first resin and portions of the second resin over the channel length to form a composite resin having a profile with a plurality of indices of refraction in at least one dimension.

The present disclosure generally relates to waveguide displays, and specifically to a method of manufacturing a planar waveguide with a graded index profile in waveguide displays.
Graded index lenses (GRIN) create optical power within an optical material. Such GRIN lenses are widely used for collimating and imaging light in optical devices. Most GRIN lenses are in the form of a round lens or fiber with a gradient in refractive index present along two dimensions. Conventional GRIN lenses are manufactured by processes such as ion exchange, chemical vapor deposition, ion stuffing, partial polymerization, non-uniform distribution of high index molecules in a polymer matrix, neutron irradiation, and polymer layer coextrusion of polymers with a relatively high and low index of refraction, etc. In such processes, the GRIN lenses include layers that are significantly thinner than the wavelength of light, and the effective refractive index of the GRIN lenses is controlled by the ratio of the total amount of high and low index polymers.
Unfortunately, current methods for making GRIN lenses have several problems. For example, waveguides made by layer coextrusion produces optics with much less scatter for light propagating at near-normal angles to the surface of the waveguide, but can have very high scatter for light propagating parallel to the surface of the waveguide. Accordingly, conventional processes are not suitable for making GRIN waveguides with better durability and compactness.

Manufacturing a graded index profile for waveguide display applications


The object of the present invention is to provide an excellent-quality polarization phase difference plate that enables, by a simple structure: decrease in light loss and in oscillation of the intensity of the transmitting emission light through effectively suppressing Fresnel reflection in the polarization phase difference plate; improvements in the optical property, cut in the cost; and decrease in the manufacture inferior. In the polarization phase difference plate, cross-sectional shape of the convex part is formed in a taper shape from the bottom part thereof towards the top part; a flat part is formed at least between the convex parts being adjacent to each other; and the period of the diffraction grating is formed in a size that is equal to or smaller than the wavelength of light to be used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polarization phase difference plate and, particularly, to a polarization phase difference plate utilizing structural birefringence caused due to the fine structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
The polarization phase difference plate enables conversion of polarization state of incident light by birefringence. As such polarization phase difference plate, λ/4 plates, λ/2 plates and the like are well known.
The polarization phase difference plates can be roughly classified into following three types.
The first type is a polarization phase difference plate formed by stretching an optical polymer film that is optically uniaxial in such a manner that a total amount of birefringence (described in detail later) for the wavelength λ of the light to be used becomes λ/4 (90°) or λ/2 (180°).
The second type is a polarization phase difference plate formed in such a manner that a total amount of birefringence for the wavelength λ of the light to be used becomes λ/4 (90°), by adjusting the film thickness through optically polishing uniaxial crystals such as quartz crystals.
The third type is a polarization phase difference plate that utilizes structural birefringence generated due to the fine periodic structure.
All of those three types of polarization phase difference plates are used as elements for converting polarized light.
Specifically, those are used to convert linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light by directing the light of the linear polarization in the direction at 45° with respect to the fast axis (advance phase axis) or the slow axis (delay phase axis) of the polarization phase difference plate. Inversely, those are used to convert the circularly polarized light into the linearly polarized light by directing the circular polarization towards the polarization phase difference plate.
The aforementioned structural birefringence will now be described in detail. The structural birefringence is known as a phenomenon where birefringence is generated from an anisotropic-shaped one-dimensional periodic structure in a region about a half the wavelength of the light or smaller.
As an example of such structural birefringence, let us look into the case where, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, there periodically exist two kinds of media, i.e. a medium (an air layer) having permittivity ∈1 and a medium (convex part 2 of diffraction grating 1) having permittivity ε2 particularly in a minute-size region with only zero-order diffraction gratings present, and light makes incidence in the z-axis direction (in the longitudinal direction of FIG. 1).
It is known in this case that average permittivity in the x-axis direction (in the lateral direction of FIG. 1) and in the z-axis direction can be expressed by following expressions based on ideas of an effective refractometry.∈∥(0)=(1−f)·∈1+f·∈2 (filling factor f=w/Λ)  (1-1)1/∈⊥(0)=(1−f)/∈1+f/∈2  (1-2)Each of expressions (1-1) and (1-2) is applicable on the assumption that the media spread infinitely in the x-axis and y-axis directions. Further, each expression applies approximately on the assumption that the periods Λ of each medium with the permittivity of ∈1, ∈2 (see FIG. 1) are much smaller than the wavelength of the light. f in the expression (1-1) is a parameter called the filling factor, which is expressed as w/Λ, the ratio of the size of the medium (convex part 2) with the permittivity ∈2 in the x-axis direction with respect to the period Λ.
The square of diffractive index n is the permittivity ∈. Further, birefringence amount Δn, i.e. the amount of the birefringence generated per unit height of the polarization phase difference plate (in other words, the polarization phase difference amount) is proportional to the amount of ∈∥(0)−∈⊥(0) in the above-described expressions. Further, the amount of birefringence generated in the entire polarization phase difference plate, i.e. the total amount of birefringence, is roughly proportional to the depth d of the diffraction grating 1 (in other words, the height of the convex part 2).
As can be seen from each of the expressions (1-1), (1-2), use of uniaxial medium that utilizes the structural birefringence provides such an advantage that the birefringence amount Δn and, moreover, the total amount of the birefringence can be controlled artificially by changing the value of the filling factor f of the periodic structure of the diffraction grating.
Regarding this, there is described in detail in Optical Review vol. 2 (1995) pp. 92–99. It is known that precise birefringence amount Δn and total amount of the birefringence can be calculated almost accurately by RCWA method (Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis) that is one of the rigorous electromagnetic analyzing methods.
In order to minimize the loss of light in the polarization phase difference plate having such structural birefringence, it is necessary for the period Λ to be in such a size that high-order diffraction light is not generated.
As an expression of a condition for not generating the light of first order or higher, the following expression (2) needs to be satisfied.(Λ/λ)<1/(max[ns, ni]+nj·sin θmax)  (2)where, Λ is a period of the diffraction grating that constitutes the polarization phase difference plate, λ is the wavelength of the light to be used, and θ is an incident angle of the light with respect to the polarization phase difference plate. Furthermore, in the expression (2), ns is the diffractive index of the base material that constitutes the polarization phase difference plate, and ni is the diffractive index of the medium (air) on the incident side.
Assuming that the wavelength of the light to be used is 650 nm, the diffractive index is 1.512, and the incident angle is 0°, the period Λ becomes smaller than 0.429 μm.
That is, it is found that the period needs to be smaller than 429 nm in order to form the polarization phase difference plate with less light loss.
There have been proposed various kinds of polarization phase difference plates so far, which utilize such type of structural birefringence.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses, as a polarization phase difference plate, a wave plate 4 utilizing a lamellar-shape diffraction grating 1 of a sub-wavelength region as shown in FIG. 2.
[Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication 2003-207636
[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication 2005-99099
[Patent Literature 3] Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication 2005-44429
However, there are problems in the conventional polarization phase difference plate in terms of its optical properties or manufacture as described below.
That is, conventionally, Fresnel reflection is caused on the surface of the polarization phase difference plate in the thickness direction due to a difference between the diffractive index of the diffraction grating constituting the polarization phase difference plate and the diffractive index of the air layer. This Fresnel reflection increases the power loss of the transmission light that transmits the polarization phase difference plate.
Furthermore, conventionally, interference (Fabry-Perot multiple interference) is generated between the Fresnel reflection on the surface of the polarization phase difference plate in the thickness direction and the Fresnel reflection on the other surface of the polarization phase difference plate in the thickness direction. Therefore, particularly in the case where the light to be used is light with high interference such as laser beams, the intensity of the transmitting emission light becomes oscillated, thus causing it to be unstable.
These problems are factors for deteriorating the quality of the polarization phase difference plate.
As a method for eliminating such Fresnel reflection, there is a method as disclosed in Patent Literature 2, for example, which perform coating of an antireflection layer made of a dielectric multilayer film on the surface of the polarization phase difference plate (wave plate in Patent Literature 2) using vacuum deposition or the like. In this case, the dielectric multilayer film can be formed by alternately laminating a high-diffractive layer and a low-diffractive layer such as SiO2, TiO2.
However, when employing such antireflection film, there is required a device for coating the antireflection film in vacuum. Thus, it is disadvantageous in terms of the cost.
Furthermore, many of the cases use an inorganic substance such as oxide for the dielectric multilayer film so that, particularly when the polarization phase difference plate is of high polymer, adhesion between the antireflection coating and the polarization phase difference plate tends to be weak. In addition, due to a difference between the thermal expansion coefficients, there may cause manufacture inferior such as separation of the antireflection film, cracks, etc.
In the art disclosed in Patent Literature 3, the top end of the fine periodic structure is formed in a taper shape for reducing Fresnel reflection on the surface of the wave plate. However, there is no mention of parameters for specifying the taper shape and taper angle which are effective for reducing the Fresnel reflection. Further, the wavelength band that is effective for antireflection is not mentioned either.


A device for detecting an analyte present in a fluid includes a fluorous sensing phase into which the analyte enters selectively in comparison with other components of the fluid.

1. Field
The subject matter of the present invention relates to sensors. More particularly, the subject matter relates to sensors for detecting analytes.
2. Background
Conventional chemical sensors based on receptor-doped polymeric membranes (e.g., ion-selective electrodes or optical sensors) are routinely used worldwide in clinical medicine and chemistry. Every year, for example, over 200 million measurements of potassium in human blood samples are performed ex vivo with receptor-based ion-selective electrodes in hospital laboratories in the United States alone. Since also sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium and carbonate are measured routinely in many blood samples, it is estimated that the clinical market represents over one billion measurements per year in the United States.
Conventional receptor-based chemical sensor membranes typically consist of receptors, lipophilic ions, and an inert polymer matrix. The polymer matrix is often plasticized (softened) with a compound of low molecular weight and high boiling point. The polymer matrix and plasticizer typically make up approximately 90% to 99% of the total membrane composition. Representative polymers are silicones, poly(vinyl chloride), and polyurethanes. For a review of conventional chemical sensors, see Bakker et al., Chem. Rev. 1997, 97, 3083; Bühlmann et al., Chem. Rev. 1998, 98, 1593; and Bakker et al., Talanta, 2004, 62, 843.
Unfortunately, these conventional sensors are prone to biofouling as a result of the various lipid, protein and other components present in biological samples such as blood and urine. These lipids, proteins and other components adsorbed onto, or extracted into, the sensor membranes (see Bühlmann et al., Anal. Chem. 2001, 73, 3199), causing "drifting" of the measured signal and requiring frequent replacement of the sensing membranes. Attempts have been made to reduce biofouling by counteracting surface adsorption, for example, by using membranes having modifications that cause them to release nitric oxide (Frost et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004 126(5), 1349; U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,166 (Zhang et al.; issued Jan. 11, 2005)). However, biofouling as a result of extraction or partitioning of lipids, fats, cholesterol, porphryrins and other hydrophobic and oily substances into conventional membranes remains a problem. A sensor with higher selectivity and/or reduced biofouling would represent a significant advance over existing technology for ex vivo monitoring. There is, in addition, a great need for implantable sensors (in vivo measurements) since none of the existing technologies has been shown to resist biofouling in vivo for much more than a few days.


A composition for preservation of wood and wood-based materials, comprising 0.001%-5% by weight of 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole, 0.001%-3% by weight, of at least one of cyano-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-methyl-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimeth ylcyclopropylcarboxylate, ((pentafluorophenyl)-methyl)-1R,3R-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyc lopropylcarboxylate, methylbisthiocyanate, and N,N-dimethyl-N'-phenyl-N'-(fluorodichloromethyltolyl-N'-(dichlorofluoromet hylthio)sulfamide and suspending agent comprising at least one of a diluent, an emulsifier, and a wetting agent, is provided together with a process for preparing such compositions.

The present invention relates to a composition for preservation of wood and wood-based materials comprising 1-[[2-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of (i) cyano-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-methyl-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimeth ylcyclopropylcarboxylate, (ii) ((pentafluorophenyl)-methyl)-1R,3R-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyc lopropylcarboxylate, (iii) methyl-bisthiocyanate, (iv) N,N-dimethyl-N'-phenyl-N'-(fluorodichloromethyl-thio)sulfamide, and (v) N,N-dimethyl-N'-p-tolyl-N'-(dichlorofluoromethylthio)sulfamide. Optionally, the composition further comprises at least one of the group consisting of one other insecticide, a processing auxiliary, a processing additive, an organic chemical binding agent, a fixative, a dye, and a pigment.
This invention also relates to a process for preparation of a composition for preservation of wood and wood-based materials.
The chemical compound 1-[[2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole ("azaconazole") having the structural formula ##STR1## is known and has been described in German Patent No. 2,551,560 as a fungicidal and plant growth regulatory agent for agricultural use. Requirements placed on wood preserving agents, however, are considerably different from those placed on fungicides for plant protection.
The chemical compounds cyano-(4-fluoro-3-phenoxyphenyl)-methyl-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimeth ylcyclopropylcarboxylate and ((pentafluorophenyl)-methyl)-1R,3R-3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-dimethylcyc lopropylcarboxylate are known and have been described in German Offenlegungsschrift 2,709,264 as insecticides for plant protection. However these insecticides do not comply with the requirements with regard to resistance to aging and resistance against atmospheric influences which are placed on wood preservatives.
The object of the present invention is, therefore, to find a wood preservative which is highly active against wood-discoloring and wood-destroying fungi and also against wood-damaging insects, particularly against termites, and which exhibits a good long-term action, wherein the activity of the fungicide is not impaired by the insecticide or vice versa. Moreover, this wood preservative should exhibit good penetrating power in wood and in wood-based materials.

Composition for preservation of wood and wood-based materials


The invention provides methods and devices for delivering low level radiation to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia following angioplasty or other intravascular procedures. In an exemplary method, a balloon is inflated within a stenosed region of a blood vessel to produce a treated region. The balloon is then deflated and a radioactive source within a sleeve is aligned over the deflated balloon. The balloon is again inflated at the treated region to engage the sleeve having the radioactive source against the blood vessel within the treated region for from 1 to 40 minutes to deliver a sufficient dose of radiation to inhibit neointimal hyperplasia.

This invention relates generally to the treatment of diseased arteries. More specifically, the invention provides for the internal irradiation of a blood vessel preceding or following an angioplasty or atherectomy procedure, or the implantation of a stent.
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an exemplary procedure in treating peripheral vessels or the coronary vessels surrounding the heart. During angioplasty, a catheter having an expansible distal end, usually in the form of a balloon, is positioned in a lumen of a blood vessel with the distal end disposed within a stenotic atherosclerotic region of the vessel. The expansible end is then expanded to dilate the vessel and restore adequate blood flow through the diseased region.
While angioplasty has gained wide acceptance, it continues to be limited by two major problems, abrupt closure and restenosis. Abrupt closure refers to the acute occlusion of a vessel immediately after or within the initial hours or days following the dilation procedure. This complication, occurring in approximately one in twenty cases, may result in myocardial infarction and death if blood flow is not quickly restored.
Restenosis refers to the re-narrowing of an artery after a successful angioplasty procedure. Restenosis usually occurs within the initial six months after angioplasty and afflicts approximately one in every two or three cases. Therefore, over one-third of treated patients will require additional revascularization procedures. Many different strategies have been tried to reduce the restenosis rate with mixed results, including mechanical (e.g., prolonged balloon inflations, atherectomy, laser and stenting) and pharmacologic (e.g., calcium antagonists, ace inhibitors, fish oils and steroids) approaches.
One promising new strategy for preventing restenosis is to irradiate the treated section of the coronary artery. Such procedures have been proposed in the past by placing a radiation-emitting source in the coronary artery before or after dilatation. Several of such irradiation procedures are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,059,166, 5,199,939 and 5,302,168 and PCT Application WO 95/19807. Although a variety of procedures have been proposed for irradiating a treated vessel region, most of such procedures lack the ability to conveniently and safely introduce a radiation source into a treated vessel region, to distribute the radiation source(s) uniformly within the treated vessel region, or to provide the best suited type of radiation to the vessel of the lowest activation level, preferably over a short period of time.
For these and other reasons it would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus which would reduce or greatly eliminate such drawbacks. Such methods and devices should allow for the easy and rapid introduction and withdrawal of the radioactive source and provide for the rapid and uniform irradiation of the treated vessel region.

Devices and methods for radiation treatment of an internal body organ


A circuit board is provided that includes an outermost conductor layer including a plurality of terminals for flip-chip bonding and an outermost resin insulating layer defining a first opening and a second opening in an electronic-component mounting region. One of a power supply terminal and a ground terminal is exposed in the first opening. A plurality of signal terminals are exposed in the second opening. The resin insulating layer includes a reinforcing portion that defines an inner bottom surface of the second opening. A height of a portion of the terminal exposed in the first opening, the portion projecting from an inner bottom surface of the first opening, is greater than a height of portions of the terminals exposed in the second opening, the portions projecting from the inner bottom surface of the second opening.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit board including a plurality of terminals to which an electronic component, such as an integrated circuit (IC) chip, is connected by flip-chip bonding.
Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor integrated circuit devices (IC chips) used as microprocessors of computers or the like generally include many external connection terminals on the bottom surface thereof. In particular, IC chips having many signal terminals arranged along the outer periphery of the bottom surface thereof are called peripheral-type IC chips. Terminals to which the terminals on the IC chips are to be connected by flip-chip bonding are provided on a principal surface of a circuit board on which the IC chips are to be mounted. In recent years, with the increase in the terminal density of the IC chips, the number of terminals on the circuit board has been increased and the terminal pitch has been reduced.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2011-14644 discloses an example of a circuit board to which a peripheral-type IC chip can be connected by flip-chip bonding. This circuit board has a chip mounting region on a principal surface thereof, the chip mounting region having a rectangular shape that corresponds to the external shape of the IC chip. A plurality of signal terminals are arranged along the outer periphery of the chip mounting region. The signal terminals are provided on portions of band-shaped wiring conductors. The wiring conductors are covered with a solder resist layer that is provided on the principal surface of the board as an outermost resin insulating layer, so that most part of each wiring conductor is not exposed. The signal terminals are exposed at the same opening formed in the solder resist layer. In other words, the signal terminals have a non-solder mask defined (NSMD) structure. The exposed terminals and terminals on the IC chip (for example, terminals having a copper pillar structure) are arranged so as to face each other, and are electrically connected to each other with solder bumps or the like provided therebetween.
If the pitch of the signal terminals arranged in the same opening formed in the solder resist layer is small, there is a risk that solder will flow between the adjacent terminals and the terminals will be short-circuited. In addition, when only the lower surfaces of the fine signal terminals are bonded to the underlying resin insulating layer, there is a risk that the bonding strength will be insufficient. Accordingly, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-239603, for example, proposes a structure in which insulating reinforcing portions are provided between the signal terminals in the opening. This circuit board is structured such that the lower surfaces and portions of side surfaces of signal terminals are supported by reinforcing portions that define the inner bottom surface of the opening. With this structure, the risk of short-circuiting between the terminals is reduced and the bonding strength of the terminals is increased. In addition, formation of voids in an underfill that fills the space between the IC chip and the circuit board can be suppressed.
The above-described circuit boards according to the related art generally include power supply terminals and ground terminals arranged in a central area of the chip mounting region in addition to the signal terminals arranged at the outer periphery of the chip mounting region. If these terminals are all provided with the above-described reinforcing portions, the following problem occurs when the terminals on the circuit board are connected to the terminals on the IC chip by soldering. That is, the areas of portions of the surfaces of the power supply terminals and ground terminals, the portions being connected to the solder, are reduced, and the solder cannot reliably flow to the side surfaces of the terminals on the circuit board. Therefore, there is a risk that the connection areas between the solder and the power supply terminals and between the solder and the ground terminals will be insufficient and the efficiency of power supply to the IC chip will be reduced. As a result, there is a possibility that the IC chip cannot reach its full performance potential.


A data recording device. A random data generator randomly generates substitute data. A recording data generator receives original data and a recording address from a host, receives the substitute data, compares the recording address with a reference address, and outputs the substitute data according to the comparison result. An encoder generates a first data block according to the substitute data. A modulator modulates the first data block. An optical pickup records the modulated first data block on the optical recording medium according to the recording address.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for recording data onto an optical recording medium, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for selecting data input sources according to the destination address of an optical recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
For application of data rewritable optical discs, such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-RAM (Random Access Memory), DVD-RW (Rewritable), and the like, data is written to a different format according to the type of optical recording medium. For example, to record data to a DVD-RAM recordable optical recording medium, user data is processed as a data sector, a record sector and an error correction code (ECC) block. The data sector, of 2064 bytes, includes 2048-byte main data and 16-byte ID record parts recording sector information or the like. The user data is written to the main data part.
The record sector generated by writing data to the main data part is scrambled and added with error correction codes. The ECC block composed of 16 record sectors is modulated in an eight to fourteen modulation (EFM) plus method and a synchronous signal is added to the modulated data. In the EFM plus method, the current 8 bit data is modulated to a 16 bit data according to a previous state. Accordingly, the modulated data of the ECC block generated from the user data is recorded to the recordable optical recording medium.
FIG. 1 shows construction of a data sector. The data sector includes 12 rows of a main data part, and an ID record part consisting of 12 bytes at the starting portion of the first row of the main data part and 4 bytes at the ending portion of the 12th row of the main data part. Each row of the main data part includes 172 bytes. Since the first row includes the 12 byte ID record part, the main data part is 160 bytes, and since the 12th row includes the 4 byte ID record part, the main data part is 168 bytes.
A 4 byte data ID (Identification), a 2 byte IDE (ID Error detection code), a 6 byte RSV (Reverse) and a 4 byte EDC (Error Detection Code) are written to the ID record part. Information such as the sector number or a sector layer or area is written to the data ID. A parity bit detecting errors in the data ID is written to the IDE. Information such as copy prevention information is written to the RSV. A parity bit detecting an error of the whole sector is written to the EDC. The user data is written to the 2048 byte main data. The record sector with this structure is generated as the data is scrambled and an error correction code added thereto.
FIG. 2 shows construction of a record sector. As shown in FIG. 2, the record sector has 13 rows and each row has 182 bytes. An error correction code (ECC) is inserted as the last 10 bytes of each row. Accordingly, the record sector is modulated, for example, using an EFM plus method, and when a synchronous signal is added to the modulated data, a physical sector as shown in FIG. 3 is generated.
FIG. 3 shows construction of a physical sector. As shown, the physical sector has 13 rows, and having 2976 bytes. The physical sector is generated as the record sector is modulated by the EFM plus method and a 4 byte synchronous signal (SY) is added for every 1456 bytes of the modulated data. Here, 16 physical sectors form an ECC block, a basic data unit to be written to the DVD disc. The EFM plus modulation is performed to reduce a high frequency component of a record pulse and to restrain a DC component. The 4 byte synchronous signal (SY) is inserted for every 182 bytes of the EFM plus modulated data. Thus, two synchronous signals (SY) are inserted in each row consisting of 372 bytes. The data of the generated physical sector is NRZI (Non Return to Zero Inversion) converted and sequentially written to the recordable optical recording medium, as indicated by a dotted line.
During recording, as digital data is to be recorded, data as a long run of only one of two values, symmetry of RF (Radio Frequency) signals read upon reproduction is lost, thus adversely influencing various servo systems. For this reason, digital data to be recorded undergoes a scramble process based on a scramble pattern generated by a pseudo random number generator or the like, so as to control one and the other values of data to have nearly equal frequencies of generation upon recording.
On the other hand, in the DVD format, digital data to be recorded is segmented into predetermined reference units called sectors, and is written to an optical disc while assigning addresses for respective sectors. In this case, the scramble process for digital data to be recorded is performed for each sector, and scramble patterns to be used are permanently determined for respective addresses.
In the DVD specification, reserve data segments, user-defined data area and buffer zones in an ECC block, are usually undefined data or all set as default value "0x00". Thus, identical EFM plus modulated data is generated when writing identical main data to the optical disc because the scramble key is determined according to the sector of the physical address. Thus, the rewrite life of the optical disc on which data is recorded using phase change marks may be impaired upon repeated writing of identical main data to identical addresses of the optical disc.

Data recording devices and methods thereof


An vertebral implant for fusing adjacent vertebrae or for replacing vertebral bodies is disclosed. The implant is a biocompatible metal, resorbable, or radiolucent implant conforming substantially in size and shape with an end plate of a vertebra. The implant preferably has a wedge-shaped profile to restore disc height and the natural curvature of the spine. The top and bottom surfaces of the implant have areas with a plurality of teeth to resist expulsion and provide initial stability and areas devoid of any protrusions to receive implantation instrumentation. The implant also has a stackability feature. The implant provides initial stability needed for fusion without stress shielding.

A number of medical conditions such as compression of spinal cord nerve roots, degenerative disc disease, tumor, and trauma can cause severe back pain. Intervertebral fusion is one surgical method of alleviating back pain. In intervertebral fusion, two adjacent vertebral bodies are fused together by removing the affected intervertebral disc and inserting an implant that would allow for bone to grow between the two vertebral bodies to bridge the gap left by the disc removal. Another surgical method of relieving back pain is by corpectomy. In corpectomy, a diseased or damaged vertebral body along with the adjoining intervertebral discs are removed and replaced by a spinal implant that would allow for bone to grow between the closest two vertebral bodies to bridge the gap left by the spinal tissue removal.
A number of different implant materials and implant designs have been used for interbody fusion and for vertebral body replacement with varying success. Current implant materials used include metals, radiolucent materials including plastics, elastic and polymeric materials, ceramic, and allografts. Current implant designs vary from threaded cylindrical implants to rectangular cages with teeth-like protrusions.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,919 to Zdeblick et. al. discloses an interbody fusion device which has a tapered body defining a hollow interior for receiving a bone graft or bone substitute material. Furthermore, the body of the device defines exterior threads for gripping the adjacent vertebrae and has a series of vascularization openings for promoting bony ingrowth. A variant on this design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,740 to Ray et. al. The Ray patent illustrates a hollow, cylindrical fusion cage having a helical thread disposed on the outer surface of the cage with a plurality of holes leading to the hollow center between the threads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,252 to Henry et. al. discusses a rectangular interbody spinal spacer that has vertically opposite upper and lower load bearing surfaces spaced apart a distance corresponding to the desired spacing. The rigid member has a wedge-shaped configuration with an ogival tip at the front end of the member.
While each of the foregoing prosthesis, address some problems relating to intervertebral disc replacements or vertebral body and intervertebral disc replacements, they present others. Thus, there is a need for an intervertebral implant whose design takes into consideration the anatomy and geometry of the intervertebral space sought to be filled by the intervertebral prosthesis as well as the anatomy and geometry of the end plates of the adjacent vertebral bodies. There is also a need for a spinal disc implant which integrates well with the vertebral bone tissue of the adjacent vertebral bodies between which the implant is to be inserted.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A light-up coaster for beer bottles, and the like, has an outer housing in which is vertically-slidable an inner housing. The upper surface of the inner housing is used to support a bottle thereon, and a spring biases the inner housing upwardly. A pair of switches are controlled by the movement of the inner housing. The first switch is a normally-closed switch, and the second switch is a normally open switch. The two switches are arranged in series with a light bulb and battery power-source. When there is no bottle supported on the upper surface of the inner housing, the upper surface of the inner housing is raised by the spring to its highest level and into abutting contact with an interior, upper, annular lip of the outer housing. In this state, the first switch is closed but the second switch is open. When a full bottle of beer, or the like, is supported on the upper surface of the inner housing, the inner housing is lowered against the force of the spring, and the first switch is open and the second switch is closed. When the bottle is empty, then the inner housing is raised slightly to close the first switch again but still keeping the second switch in its closed state, whereby the light bulb is illuminated.

The present invention is directed to a coaster for a bottle, can, or mug of beverage, such as beer or ale. The conventional coaster is placed under a beer bottle, or the like, in order to prevent the slipping or sliding the bottle on the supporting surface, and to catch and retain liquid condensation or any minor spillage that may occur. There is known to provide a coaster that is continuously lit up, in order to provide an aesthetic effect.
The present invention is directed to a coaster that is lit up only when the bottle of beer, or the like, supported thereon is empty or near-empty, in order to inform the bartender, or the like, of the need to approach the customer or person to see if he or she wishes another, full bottle.

Light-up coaster for beverage containers


A new unique value to be added to a column of a database table can be written to an in-memory array representing a dictionary of the column, and space can be allocated in at least one dictionary block on at least one page maintained on a persistent storage without writing the new unique value to the at least one dictionary block. A pending materialization bit for the at least one page can be set to identify the at least one page for deferred materialization.

Data in a relational database management system (RDBMS) is generally loaded into main system memory for the performance of various database operations (e.g. inserting, selecting, updating, deleting, calling, etc. of records; copying, creating, joining, etc. of tables or other objects; executing queries, supporting operations of higher level database access applications; and the like). In an in-memory, high speed RMDBS, such as for example the HANA database system available from SAP SE of Walldorf, Germany, database files may be retained in persistent storage (e.g. on one or more hard disk or solid state drives or the like that provide a persistent version of the database between re-boots, in case of power loss, or other factors that might cause data retained in volatile main system memory to be lost) and loaded into main system memory for performance of the database operations. Performing operations on data loaded into main system memory can provide significant performance gains relative to disk-based or even solid-state memory-based systems. Various compression approaches are generally used to reduce resource demands (e.g. memory, processor cycles, bandwidth, etc.).

Unified table delta dictionary lazy materialization


Robotic hand includes retractable paddles for supporting an article and a vertically-movable top paddle for engaging an upper surface of the article. The top paddle is mounted on an upper free end of a band of sheet-like material, which may be extended above the top surface of a housing of the robotic hand. Inflatable bladders in the retractable paddles have a relatively high coefficient of friction, and the top surface of the paddles has relatively low coefficient of friction. A force sensor may be provided in the lower surface of the top paddles.

This invention relates to mechanisms for the gripping and handling of articles and in particular to robotic hands or grippers.
In the handling of articles by machine, it is conventional to provide a member at the end of an arm for gripping the article. Such a gripping member is often referred to as a robotic hand. In the handling of packages and parcels being shipped by common carriers, particular demands are placed on the robotic hand. The majority of such packages and parcels are generally rectangular. However, the size of the packages varies. Consequently, the robotic hand must be able to grip packages of various sizes.
Packages and parcels often contain fragile or poorly-packed items. Any sudden movements or bumps can result in damage to the contents of the package. As a result, it is important that the robotic hand be capable of picking up and setting down the packages as gently as possible.
Package walls are frequently made from low-quality materials, or have been reused, and have hence become weak. Thus, there is a danger that a gripping force will damage or even rupture the package walls. Accordingly, the robotic hand must be able to grip packages securely without exerting more force than necessary.
Packages that are being shipped must be loaded and unloaded from stacks of packages, or nests, within the confined space of a trailer or shipping container. In such a confined space, it is important to stack packages with a minimum of wasted volume. Consequently, packages are stacked quite closely. It may be necessary to reach between packages in order to place packages of various sizes. Small packages may be stacked near walls or a ceiling of the shipping container or trailer. As a result, the hand must be able to maneuver in the vicinity of the wall or ceiling of the container.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a robotic hand which fulfills the above objectives.
It is specifically an object of the invention to provide a robotic hand which can be maneuvered in small spaces in the interior of trailers and cargo containers.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a robotic hand that can gently handle packages within the confined environment of a trailer or cargo container.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a robotic hand that can easily engage and disengage articles but can carry articles securely.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment which follows.

Robotic gripper for handling objects of various sizes


Animal feed compositions having utility in reducing the incidence of and treating the symptoms of fescue toxicosis in mammals that consume endophyte-infected fescue are disclosed. Methods of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis and making animal feed compositions are further disclosed.

Tall fescue is a hardy, rangeland grass, which is a primary forage for grazing ruminants, especially during the hot summer months. It is grown on approximately 1.4 million hectares throughout the United States. The ability of tall fescue to withstand temperature extremes is, at least in part, a result of a symbiotic relationship between the plant and an endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium coenophialum. It is estimated that greater than 80% of all fescue is infected with the fungus.
Although the symbiosis has advantages for the grass, N. coenophialum also produces ergovaline and ergot alkaloids. These naturally occurring chemicals are responsible for fescue toxicosis, a widespread problem affecting both beef and dairy cattle. Data indicates that feeding ruminants ergovaline impairs their performance (Gadberry M. S., Denard T. M., Spiers D. E., Piper E. L., "Effects of feeding ergovaline on lamb performance in a heat stress environment," J. Anim. Sci. 2003 June; 81(6):1538-45). Conversion of ergovaline to ergot alkaloids leads to detectable concentrations of alkaloids in the urine, which are correlated with toxicosis symptoms (Hill N. S., Thompson F. N., Stuedemann J. A., Dawe D. L., Hiatt E. E., "Urinary alkaloid extraction as a diagnostic tool for fescue toxicosis in cattle," J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 2000 May; 12(3):210-7). Absorbed ergovaline and ergot alkaloids cause a reduction in vasoactivity (Oliver J. W., Abney L. K., Strickland J. R., Linnabary R. D., "Vasoconstriction in bovine vasculature induced by the tall fescue alkaloid lysergamide," J. Anim. Sci. 1993 October; 71(10):2708-13) and subsequent impairment of heat regulation. Impairment of immune function also is observed. Cattle affected by fescue toxicosis suffer from reduced appetite and growth, impaired reproduction and lactation, and impaired circulation to the extremities, which leads to the inability to dissipate heat during summer heat stress or, in winter, the inability to maintain circulation to the feet and tail. Often tails will turn gangrenous and fall off. In more severe situations, feet also will be affected and lost.
Currently, no dietary intervention is available to effectively prevent or treat fescue toxicosis. Methods such as ammoniation of feedstuffs (Simeone A., Boissonneault G. A., Bush L. P., Mitchell, Jr., G. E., "Comparison of two ammoniation procedures to reduce the toxicity of endophyte-infected tall fescue seed fed to rats," Drug Chem. Toxicol. 1998 August; 21 (3):387-404) require additional handling and expense and are not applicable to grazing situations where fescue toxicosis is predominantly observed. The use of vaccines (Filipov N. M., Thompson F. N., Hill N. S., Dawe D. L., Stuedemann J. A., Price J. C., Smith C. K., "Vaccination against ergot alkaloids and the effect of endophyte-infected fescue seed-based diets on rabbits," J. Anim. Sci. 1998 September; 76(9):2456-63) or dopamine antagonists (Samford-Grigsby M. D., Larson B. T., Forcherio J. C., Lucas D. M., Paterson J. A., Kerley M. S., "Injection of a dopamine antagonist into Holstein steers to relieve symptoms of fescue toxicosis," J. Anim. Sci. 1997 April; 75(4):1026-31) require multiple injections of pharmacological materials which are expensive. Injections lead to high labor and animal handling requirements and place additional stress on animals.
Combinations of mineral clay and yeast cell wall extracts have been used to bind and inactivate ergot alkaloids when admixed with feeds or fed directly to animals (U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,221 B1). Calcined aftapulgite clay (U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,623) or a combination of mineral clay and modified yeast wall extracts (U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,834) have been used to remove mycotoxins from animal feeds. While these compositions and methods may help prevent the introduction of ergot alkaloids into the system of the animal, they do not treat the symptoms of fescue toxicosis such as impaired thermoregulation and impaired immune response that result from absorption of ergovaline and ergot alkaloids.
Thus, feed compositions that limit absorption of ergot alkaloids in digestive systems and/or treat the symptoms of fescue toxicosis in fescue-consuming animals would be of value. Low-cost and non-stressful methods to improve the health and performance of animals consuming endophyte-infected fescue also would be advantageous.

Animal feed compositions capable of reducing the incidence of fescue toxicosis in mammals


A method for preparing a stimulable phosphor is disclosed, comprising forming a stimulable phosphor and coating the formed stimulable phosphor with a metal oxide and a silane coupling agent, or a metal oxide and a metal alkoxide. Another method is also disclosed, comprising forming a stimulable phosphor precursor, calcining the formed precursor in the presence of a metal oxide or metal alkoxide, and coating the calcined precursor with a silane coupling agent or metal alkoxide. Further disclosed is a preparation method of a radiation image conversion panel containing the stimulable phosphor.

Radiographic images such as X-ray photographic images are generally employed for medical diagnoses. To obtain X-ray photographic images is generally employed conventional X-ray photography. Thus, X-rays, having passed through a photographic object, are allowed to be irradiated onto a phosphor layer (fluorescent screen) to produce visible light, and the visible light produced is irradiated onto a conventionally used silver salt film, which is further developed to obtain the images. Recently, there is known a method of taking out images directly form a phosphor layer without the use of the silver salt film. The radiation, having passed through an object, is allowed to be absorbed in the phosphor, then the phosphor is excited by light or heat energy to release the radiation energy stored in the phosphor as fluorescence, and the resulting fluorescence is detected to form images. Exemplarily, there is known a radiation image conversion method using a stimulable phosphor, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,859,527 and JP-A 55-12144 (hereinafter, the term, JP-A means a Unexamined and Published Japanese Patent Application).
In the method, a radiation image conversion panel (in other words, an image storage phosphor sheet) comprising a stimulable phosphor is employed, and the method comprises the steps of causing the stimulable phosphor of the panel to absorb radiation which passed through an object or having radiated from an object, sequentially exciting the stimulable phosphor with a electromagnetic waves such as visible light or infrared rays (hereinafter referred to as "stimulating rays") to release the radiation energy stored in the phosphor as light emission (stimulated emission), photoelectrically detecting the emitted light to obtain electrical signals, and reproducing the radiation image of the object as a visible image from the electrical signals.
In the radiation image recording and reproducing methods described above, a radiation image is advantageously obtained with a sufficient amount of information by applying radiation to an object in a considerably smaller dose, as compared to conventional radiography employing a combination of a radiographic film and a radiographic intensifying screen.
The stimulable phosphor, after being exposed to radiation, exhibits stimulated emission upon exposure to the stimulating ray. In practical use, phosphors are employed, which exhibit an emission within a wavelength region of 300 to 500 nm stimulated by stimulating light at wavelengths of 400 to 900 nm.
Examples of the stimulable phosphor used in the radiation image conversion panel include,
(1) a rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide phosphor represented by the formula of (Ba.sub.1-x,M.sup.2+.sub.x)FX:yA, as described in JP-A 55-12145, in which M.sup.2+ is at least one of Mg, Ca, Sr, Zn and Cd; X is at least one of Cl, Br and I; A is at least one of Eu, Tb, Ce, Tm, Dy, Pr, Ho, Nd, Yb, and Er; x and y are numbers meeting the conditions of 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.6 and 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.2; and the phosphor may contain the following additives: PA1 (2) a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal halide phosphor described in JP-A 60-84381, represented by the formula of M.sup.2 X.sub.2.aM.sup.2 '.sub.2 :xEu.sup.2+ (in which M.sup.2 is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Ba, Sr and Ca; X and X' is a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I and X.noteq.X'; a and x are respectively numbers meeting the requirements of 0.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.1 and 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.2); PA1 (3) a rare earth element activated rare earth oxyhalide phosphor represented by the formula of LnOX:xA, as described in JP-A 55-12144 (in which Ln is at least one of La, Y, Gd and Lu; A is at least one of Ce and Tb; and x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x<0.1); PA1 (4) a cerium activated trivalent metal oxyhalide phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.3 OX:xCe, as described in JP-A 58-69281 (in which M.sup.3 is an oxidized metal selected from the group of Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Bi; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x<0.1; PA1 (5) a bismuth activated alkali metal halide phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.1 X:xBi, as described in Japanese Patent Application No.60-70484 (in which M.sup.1 is an alkali metal selected from the group of Rb and Cs; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x.ltoreq.0.2; PA1 (6) a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal halophosphate phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.2.sub.5 (PO.sub.4).sub.3 X:xEu.sup.2+, as described in JP-A 60-141783 (in which M.sup.2 is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Ca, Sr and Ba; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x.ltoreq.0.2); PA1 (7) a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal haloborate phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.2.sub.2 BO.sub.3 X:xEu.sup.2+, as described in JP-A 60 157099 (in which M.sup.2 is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Ca, Sr and Ba; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x.ltoreq.0.2); PA1 (8) a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal halophosphate phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.2.sub.2 PO.sub.4 X:xEu.sup.2+, as described in JP-A 60-157100 (in which M.sup.2 is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Ca, Sr and Ba; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x.ltoreq.0.2); PA1 (9) a divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal hydrogenated halide phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.2 HX:xEu.sup.2+, as described in JP-A 60-217354 (in which M.sup.2 is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Ca, Sr and Ba; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; x is a number meeting the following condition, 0<x.ltoreq.0.2); PA1 (10) a cerium activated rare earth complex halide phosphor represented by the formula of LnX.sub.3.aLn'X.sub.3 ':xCe.sup.3+, as described in JP-A 61-21173 (in which Ln and Ln' are respectively a rare earth element selected from the group of Y, La, Gd and Lu; X and X' are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I and X.noteq.X'; a and x are respectively numbers meeting the following conditions, 0.1<a.ltoreq.10.0 and 0<x.ltoreq.0.2; PA1 (11) a cerium activated rare earth complex halide phosphor represented by the formula of LnX.sub.3.aM.sup.1 X':xCe.sup.3+, as described in JP-A 61-21182 (in which Ln and Ln' are respectively a rare earth element selected from the group of Y, La, Gd and Lu; M.sup.1 is an alkali metal selected from the group of Li, Na, k, Cs and Rb; X and X' are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; a and x are respectively numbers meeting the following conditions, 0.1<a.ltoreq.10.0 and 0<x.ltoreq.0.2; PA1 (12) a cerium activated rare earth halophosphate phosphor represented by the formula of LnPO.sub.4.aLnX.sub.3 :xCe.sup.3+, as described in JP-A 61-40390 (in which Ln is a rare earth element selected from the group of Y, La, Gd and Lu; X is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; a and x are respectively numbers meeting the following conditions, 0.1<a.ltoreq.10.0 and 0<x.ltoreq.0.2; PA1 (13) a divalent europium activated cesium rubidium halide phosphor represented by the formula of CsX:aRbX':xEuM.sup.2+, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 60-78151 (in which X and X' are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; a and x are respectively numbers meeting the following conditions, 0.1<a.ltoreq.10.0 and 0<x.ltoreq.0.2; PA1 (14) a divalent europium activated complex halide phosphor represented by the formula of M.sup.2 X.sub.2.aM.sup.1 X':xEu.sup.2+, as described in Japanese Patent Application No.60-78153 (in which M.sup.2 is an alkaline earth metal selected from the group of Ba, Sr and Ca; M.sup.1 is an alkali metal selected from the group of Li, Rb and Cs; X and X' are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I; a and x are respectively numbers meeting the following conditions, 0.1<a.ltoreq.20.0 and 0<x.ltoreq.0.2. PA1 (1) forming a stimulable phosphor and PA1 (2) coating the formed stimulable phosphor with particles of a metal oxide, and a silane coupling agent or a metal alkoxide; PA1 (1) forming a stimulable phosphor precursor, PA1 (2) calcining the formed precursor in the presence of particles of a first metal oxide, and PA1 (3) coating the calcined precursor with a silane coupling agent or metal alkoxide; PA1 (1) forming a stimulable phosphor precursor, PA1 (2) calcining the formed precursor in the presence of a metal alkoxide, and PA1 (3) coating the calcined precursor with a silane coupling agent or metal alkoxide, and particles of a metal oxide; PA1 (1) forming a stimulable phosphor precursor, PA1 (2) calcining the formed precursor in the presence of a first metal alkoxide and particles of a first metal oxide, and PA1 (3) coating the calcined precursor with a silane coupling agent or a second metal alkoxide; PA1 forming a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor prepared according to the method as described in 1; PA1 forming a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor prepared according to the method as described in above 9. PA1 forming a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor prepared according to the method as described in above 19; PA1 forming a phosphor layer containing a stimulable phosphor prepared according to the method as described in above 22. PA1 coating particles of the stimulable phosphor with particles of a metal oxide and PA1 subjecting the particles of the stimulable phosphor to surface treatment using a silane coupling agent; PA1 calcining precursor particles of the rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluoroiodide stimulable phosphor in the presence of first metal oxide particles with a particle size of 2 to 50 nm and then coating the calcined particles with a silane coupling agent, or PA1 calcining the precursor particles in the presence of the metal oxide and then coating the calcined particles with second metal oxide particles with a particle size of 2 to 50 nm and a silane coupling agent; PA1 calcining precursor particles of the rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluoroiodide stimulable phosphor in the presence of first metal oxide particles with a particle size of 2 to 50 nm and then coating the calcined particle surface with a metal alkoxide of at least one of aluminum, zirconium, titanium, silicon and barium, or PA1 calcining the precursor particles in the presence of the metal oxide and then coating the calcined particle surface with second metal oxide particles with a particle size of 2 to 50 nm and a metal alkoxide of at least one of aluminum, zirconium, titanium, silicon and barium; PA1 precursor particles of the stimulable phosphor, a first metal oxide particles coated on the precursor particle surface, and PA1 a metal alkoxide of at least one of aluminum, zirconium, titanium, silicon and barium which is, after calcination, coated on the stimulable phosphor, or the metal alkoxide and second metal oxide particles; PA1 preparing within a reaction vessel an aqueous mother liquor containing at least 1 mol/l (preferably at least 1.35 mol/l and more preferably 3.0 to 4.5 mol/l) BaX.sub.2 (BaI.sub.2, BaBr.sub.2 except for a fluoride) and a halide of Ln, provided that when x of the formula (1) is not zero, the mother liquor further contains a halide of M.sup.1 and when y is not zero, the mother liquor further contains a halide of M.sup.2, PA1 adding an aqueous solution containing a at least 5 mol/l (preferably, at least 8 mol/l and more preferably 10 to 13 mol/l) inorganic fluoride (preferably, ammonium fluoride or alkaline metal fluoride) into the mother liquor, while maintaining the mother liquor at 50.degree. C. or more (preferably, 80.degree. C. or more) to form a crystalline precipitate of a precursor of the rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluoroiodide stimulable phosphor, PA1 separating the crystalline precipitate of the precursor from the mother liquor, and PA1 calcining the separated precipitate while avoiding sintering of the precipitate, to form the stimulable phosphor. Herein, the expression, "avoiding sintering of the precipitate" means to avoid fusing of precipitated particles of the phosphor precursor during calcination. PA1 (a) preparing within a reaction vessel an aqueous mother liquor containing an at least 3 mol/l (preferably, at least 4 mol/l) BaX.sub.2 (BaI.sub.2, BaBr.sub.2 except for a fluoride) and a halide of Ln, provided that when x of the formula (1) is not zero, the mother liquor further contains a halide of M.sup.1 and when y is not zero, the mother liquor further contains a halide of M.sup.2, PA1 (b) adding continuously or intermittently an aqueous solution containing an at least 5 mol/l (preferably at least 8 mol/l, and more preferably 10 to 13 mol/l) inorganic fluoride (preferably, ammonium fluoride or alkaline metal fluoride) and an aqueous solution containing BaI.sub.2 to the mother liquor, while maintaining a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. (preferably, at least 80.degree. C.) and keeping constant a molar ratio of fluorine of the fluoride solution to barium of the BaI.sub.2 solution, to form a crystalline precipitate of a precursor of the rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluoroiodide stimulable phosphor, PA1 (c) separating the precipitate of the precursor from the mother liquor, and PA1 (d) calcining the separated precipitate while avoiding sintering of the precipitate. PA1 1. a radiation image conversion panel comprising a phosphor sheet having a stimulable phosphor layer provided on a support and a moisture-proofing film provided thereon so as to cover the phosphor layer side of the phosphor sheet, wherein the moisture-proofing film is a laminated film in which plural resin films including a metal oxide-deposited resin film are layeredly adhered, the laminated film having plural adhesive layers and the adhesive layers not containing a hardenable adhesive layer with a thickness of not more than 2.5 .mu.m; PA1 2. the radiation image conversion panel described in 1 above, wherein the outermost resin layer of the moisture-proofing film of the side in contact with the phosphor sheet is comprised of a heat-adhesive resin, the heat-adhesive resin layer containing 0.01 to 1.0% by weight of fine inorganic particles; and PA1 3. the radiation image conversion panel described in 1 or 2 above, wherein the moisture-proofing film is provided on the upper and lower sides of the phosphor sheet so that the moisture-proofing film coats the entire surface of the phosphor sheet and is substantially not adhered to the phosphor layer, the periphery of the moisture-proofing film being set outside the periphery of the phosphor sheet, and that a moisture-proofing film on the support-side is one which is laminated with an aluminum film.
X', BeX" and M.sup.3 X.sub.3 '", as described in JP-A 56-74175 (in which X', X" and X'" are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of CL, Br and I; and M.sup.3 is a trivalent metal); PA2 a metal oxide described in JP-A 55-160078, such as BeO, BgO, CaO, SrO, BaO, ZnO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, La.sub.2 O.sub.3, In.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, GeO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 or ThO.sub.2 ; PA2 Zr and Sc described in JP-A 56-116777; PA2 B described in JP-A 57-23673; As and Si described in JPA 57-23675; PA2 M.L (in which M is an alkali metal selected from the group of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs; L is a trivalent metal Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Al, Ga, In, and Tl) described in JP-A 58-206678; PA2 calcined tetrafluoroboric acid compound described in JPA 59-27980; PA2 calcined, univalent or divalent metal salt of hexafluorosilic acid, hexafluorotitanic acid or hexafluorozirconic acid described in JP-A 59-27289; PA2 NaX' described in JP-A 59-56479 (in which X' is at least one of Cl, Br and I); PA2 a transition metal such as V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co or Ni, as described in JP-A 59-56479; PA2 M.sup.1 X', M'.sup.2 X", M.sup.3 X'" and A, as described in JP-A 59-75200 (in which M.sup.1 is an alkali metal selected from the group of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs; M'.sup.2 is a divalent metal selected from the group of Be and Mg; M.sup.3 is a trivalent metal selected from the group Al, Ga, In and Tl; A is a metal oxide; X', X" and X'" are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I);M.sup.1 X' described in JP-A 60-101173 (in which M.sup.1 is an alkali metal selected from the group of Rb and Cs; and X' is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I); PA2 M.sup.2 'X'.sub.2.M.sup.2 'X".sub.2 (in which M.sup.2 ' is at least an alkaline earth metal selected from the group Ba, Sr and Ca; X' and X" are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of Cl, Br and I, and X'.noteq.X"); and PA2 LnX".sub.3 described in Japanese Patent Application No. 60106752 (in which Ln is a rare earth selected from the group of Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; X" is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I); PA2 the phosphor may contain the following additives; PA2 M.sup.1 X" described in JP-A 60-166379 (in which M.sup.1 is an alkali metal selected from the group of Rb, and Cs; X" is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; PA2 KX", MgX.sub.2 '" and M.sup.3 X.sub.3 "" described in JP-A 221483 (in which M.sup.3 is a trivalent metal selected from the group of Sc, Y, La Gd and Lu; X", X'" and X"" are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl Br and I; PA2 B described in JP-A 60-228592; PA2 an oxide such as SiO.sub.2 or P.sub.2 O.sub.5 described in JP-A 60-228593; PA2 LiX" and NaX" (in which X" is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; PA2 SiO described in JP-A 61-120883; PA2 SnX.sub.2 " described in JP-A 61-120885 (in which X" is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; PA2 CsX" and SnX.sub.2 '" described in JP-A 61-235486 (in which X" and X'" are respectively a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; PA2 CsX" and Ln.sup.3+ described in JP-A 61-235487 (in which X" is a halogen atom selected from the group of F, Cl, Br and I; Ln is a rare earth element selected from the group of Sc, Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu;
Of stimulable phosphors above-described, an iodide-containing divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide phosphor, an iodide-containing divalent europium activated alkaline earth metal halide phosphor, an iodide containing rare earth element activated rare earth oxyhalide phosphor and an iodide-containing bismuth activated alkaline metal halide phosphor each exhibit stimulated emission with high luminance.
The radiation image conversion panel using a stimulable phosphor, after storage of radiation image information, releases stored energy by scanning the panel with stimulating light so that after scanning, radiation images can again be stored. Thus, the radiation image conversion panel can be used repeatedly. In the conventional radiography, a sheet of the radiographic film is consumed for each photograph; on the other hand, this radiation image converting method, in which the radiation image conversion panel is employed repeatedly, is also advantageous in terms of conservation of resources and economical efficiency.
Accordingly, there is desired a radiation image conversion panel capable of use over a long period of time without deteriorating.
However, stimulable phosphors used in the radiation image conversion panel generally have a marked tendency of moisture sorption. When allowed to stand under ordinary climatic conditions, the stimulable phosphor absorbs atmospheric moisture and markedly deteriorates over elapsed time.
When allowed to stand under high humidity, for example, sensitivity to radiation of the stimulable phosphor is lowered with an increase of adsorbed moisture. Latent images of radiation images recorded in the stimulable phosphor generally fade over time after exposure to radiation, exhibiting the tendency that the longer the time between exposure to radiation and scanning with stimulating light, the smaller the reproduced radiation image signal intensity. Thus, moisture sorption of the stimulable phosphor accelerates the latent image fading. The use of a radiation image conversion panel comprised of a moisture-sorbed stimulable phosphor leads to deteriorated reproduction of signals when reading radiation images.
To prevent stimulable phosphors from deterioration due to moisture sorption, there were proposed a method of reducing moisture reaching a stimulable phosphor layer by coating the phosphor layer with a moisture-resistant protective layer or moisture-resistant resin film, a method of using fine hydrophobic particles described in JP-B 62-177500 (hereinafter, the term, JP-B means a published Japanese Patent), a method of using silane coupling agents described in JP-B 62-209398, a method of using titanate type coupling agents described in JPB 2-278196, and a method of using silicone oil described in JP-B 5-52919. However, there has not yet been achieved a fundamental solution to the problems described above.
As is known, stimulabilty of a stimulable phosphor depends on its particle size, and JP-A 55-163500 teaches the preferred average particle size being 1 to 30 .mu.m. JP-B 3-79680 also discloses the relationship between the phosphor particle size and characteristic values such as sensitivity, graininess and sharpness. JP-A 7-233369 discloses a means to control the stimulable phosphor particle size and form ina liquid phase process. Thus, contrary to the conventional preparation of a rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide stimulable phosphor, in which raw materials of an alkaline earth metal fluoride, an alkaline earth metal halide other than the fluoride, a rare earth halide and ammonium fluoride are mixed in a dry process or are mixed while being dispersed in an aqueous medium and thereafter are calcined and ground, the rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide stimulable phosphor is precipitated in an aqueous solution. According the above liquid phase process of precipitating the rare earth activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide stimulable phosphor in an aqueous solution was obtained fine phosphor particles with homogeneous size with no deterioration of performance. However, as sensitivity is enhanced and the particle size decreases, problems such as deterioration due to moisture becomes evident. The deterioration starts as soon as calcined phosphor particles are exposed to air. To prevent this, it is contemplated to store the calcined phosphor particles in an atmosphere shielded from air. However, it is impractical to conduct all of the process of preparing the phosphor plate in such an atmosphere.

Stimulable phosphor and radiation image conversion panel by use thereof


A building support structure has a rigid support body for supporting a building, and a pressurized gas structure provided in the support body. The pressurized gas structure is provided in the support body so as to apply a vertical tension force to the support body. The pressurized gas structure may be a pressure chamber which is provided in the support body, or a saclike membrane. The saclike membrane is connected to the support body under a vertical compression force which is applied by the support body, thereby the saclike membrane applies a vertical tension force to the support body.

The present invention relates to a support structure for supporting a building or the like.
Recently, skyscrapers and high-rise buildings such as Tokyo Sky Tree (height 634 m) in Japan are constructed in many countries around the world. And, construction of much taller buildings is now under contemplation. However, strength of a building support structure must be increased with the height of the building, materials such as steel used for the support structure is considerably increased, resulting in escalating cost of construction. And, when a low height, but very large building such as an arena is constructed, in particular in a snowy region, its support structure must be strong sufficient to bear a lot of snow which piled up on its roof, hence consumption of materials such as steel for the support structure is also considerably increased, also resulting in escalating the cost of construction. Even for general buildings, neither high-rise buildings nor very large buildings, the consumption of the materials such as steel for the support structure must be saved to reduce the cost of construction.
It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems, specifically, to provide a building support structure for allowing for constructing a building which has a sufficient strength even though the consumption of the materials such as steel is saved.


The present invention relates to an extension rod assembly for a screw driving tool, which includes a base, a slide sleeve, a rear compression spring, a front compression spring, a fixing ring and a magnetic iron. The rear and front compression springs are disposed in the slide sleeve. When pushing the slide sleeve toward the tool head, the magnetic iron at end of the slide sleeve can provide a magnetic force to make the tool head pick up a screw to be screwed easily, besides, when pushing the slide sleeve toward the rod, the tool head will be caused to slide out of the slide sleeve, so as to facilitate replacement of the tool head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an extension rod assembly for a screw driving device, and more particularly to an extension rod assembly that has a wider application and can enable the tool head to be replaced more easily.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
An automatic screw driving tool is generally provided with an extension rod assembly, an end of the extension rod assembly is connected with a replaceable tool head, while another end of the extension rod assembly is clamped and rotated by the screw driving tool. The tool head connected to the extension rod assembly, in turn, will be rotated to tighten or loosen a screw. In operation, the extension rod can produce a magnetic force to pick up the screw automatically.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, TW Patent 94103623 discloses an extension rod assembly comprises: a base 11, a slide sleeve 12, a spring 13, a fixing ring 14 and a magnetic iron 15. The base 11 is provided for insertion of a rod 111 and a tool head 112. The slide sleeve 12 is moveably mounted on the rod 11. The spring 13 is mounted on the rod 11 and biased between the shoulder 113 of the rod 11 and the slide sleeve 12. The fixing ring 14 is mounted on the rod 11. The magnetic iron 15 is disposed at an end of the slide sleeve 12 for passage of the tool head 112, so that the tool head 112 can pick up screw automatically.
In operation, however, this extension rod assembly still has the following disadvantages that need to be improved:
First, as can be seen in FIG. 2, the slide sleeve 12 is only able to move towards the tool head 112 but unable to move in the opposite direction (toward the rod 111), so if the tool head 112 only projects slightly out of the slide sleeve 12, then it will be a problem to pull the tool head 112 out of the slide sleeve 12 and replace it.
Second, although the replacement can be done by clamping the head of the tool head 112 with a clamping device, the clamping activity may cause damage to the tool head 112.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.


An adjustable elevator rail repair device (14) is provided with a means for forcing raised damaged areas (18) of an elevator rail (10) back into the corresponding depressions (20) of the rail surface (9). The forcing means comprises a roller (24) rotatably mounted within a wedge (22), adjustably positioned in a housing (16). A method is disclosed for repairing the damaged rail (10) comprising a calculating step to determine the amount of adjustment necessary for the rail repair device (14).

Safety regulations concerning the operation of elevators require a progressive safety on an elevator car or on its counterweight. A progressive safety decelerates an elevator when the elevator's speed exceeds a predetermined value. The deceleration increases with distance traveled by the elevator, thereby comfortably slowing the elevator.
One of the more popular progressive safeties is that disclosed by Koppensteiner in U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,706. Koppensteiner discloses a safety device which straddles an elevator rail. The device employs a brake surface on one side of the rail and a leaf spring and roller assembly on the opposite side. When the elevator governor activates the safety, the roller wedges in between the leaf-spring assembly and a rail face. As a result, the brake lining located on the opposite side of the rail contacts the opposite rail face, producing a braking force on the elevator car. To ensure that the roller properly wedges between the leaf-spring assembly and the rail face, Koppensteiner teaches that a section of the roller face should be knurled. The knurling increases the coefficient of friction between the roller face and the elevator rail. The direct contact of the knurled roller and the brake surface with the rail faces, however, may result in a scored and damaged rail.
A scored rail face causes several problems. In an elevator with sliding guides, scored rails will damage the guides resulting in a decrease in guide life. Similarly, scored rails may also affect the smoothness of the elevator ride as well as create undesirable running noise. Elevators with roller-type guides are also susceptible to these problems when the rails become scored.
Prior art methods of rehabilitating a scored rail include hand filing the scored section and subsequently filling the indentation or pits with a filler material such as lead. One disadvantage of this method of repair is that the rail is compromised by using a softer filler material which is more susceptible to later scoring. Another disadvantage lies in the build-up of debris that occurs as the softer material wears due to the movement of the guides.

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Disclosed is an automatic row-guiding method for maize combine harvester based on the situation of missing plants, comprising: S1, guiding calculation of missing plants according to a traveling speed of a harvester and output values of left and right detecting sensors; and S2, performing guiding calculation of missing plants if there is a situation of missing plant, obtaining a first target turning angle of an electric steering wheel; or obtaining a second target turning angle according to the output values of the left and right detecting sensors if there is no situation of missing plant, then adjusting the steering wheel in terms of controlling direction, and finally, realizing automatic row-guiding of the combine harvester.

Maize is the third major food crop in China. As for harvesting, pair-row maize combine harvesters are widely used for their high efficiency. Nonetheless, the pair-row maize combine harvesters require precise alignment of the rows, and most scholars and manufacturers therefore provide contact sensors on the splitter to detect the relative position between the plants and the splitter to determine the relative position between the harvester and the plant rows; however, such a method determines the relative position of the plants through continuous contacting of the maize plants with the detecting sensor, and the method fails when the distance between adjacent maize plants is relative large, especially in the case of multiple missing plants, at this time, the harvester deviates seriously from the harvesting route.

Automatic row-guiding method for maize combine harvester based on situation of missing plants


An electrical cut-off device (1) with a single cut-off which comprises fuse boxes (5) that are each provided with a fuse (50) connected in series with the single cut-off element. The fuse box is a separate element mounted onto the electrical cut-off device and comprises a handle (55) that is movable, relative to the electrical cut-off device, into a passive position where the fuse box is connected to the electrical cut-off device but not locked, the electrical cut-off device being in an open position, an active position wherein the fuse box is connected and locked to the electrical cut-off device, the electrical cut-off device is switchable between open and closed positions and an intermediate position where the fuse box is partially removed from the electrical cut-off device and forms a disconnected position. The electrical cut-off device being able to be padlocked, in the intermediate position, so that it is isolated, and the disconnected position of the contacts being visible to the operator through the fuse box.

In the area of the distribution of electrical energy, one commonly uses electrical cut-off devices such as fused switches, fused isolating switches or similar, single-phase or multi-phase, in order to protect the electrical power supply of the industrial equipment located downstream of these cut-off devices. There are two architecture types. The fuse is located downstream of the switch, which is a single cut-off switch. The main disadvantage of this architecture lies in the fact that the access to the fuse is not protected, and that nothing prevents an operator from accessing the fuse when the switch is in the closed position, that is to say when the electrical circuit is closed. Furthermore, a voltage backfeed due to the load always remains possible, since no protection prevents it.
Another safer architecture provides mounting the fuse between the two cut-offs, which requires another switch type, i.e. a double cut-off switch, such as for example in publication FR 2 890 781 by the applicant. In this architecture, the fuse is totally isolated when the switch is in the open position, i.e. when the electrical circuit is open, thus protecting the operator. Nevertheless, the constraint of having to provide a double cut-off requires a high operating effort, implying a suitable actuation mechanism whose dimensions and production cost are higher than for a single cut-off. This kind of architecture is also illustrated in publications WO 01/08180 and DE 196 00 413, which describe fused isolating switches wherein the electrical cut-off performed at the level of the fuse is not visible and is not dissociated from the electrical contacts of the switch.
Furthermore, the switch-off devices have ratings that can vary from some ten to some hundred amperes and are thus provided with fuses whose size is chosen according to the rating of the device and of the national and/or international standards in force. Each fuse format distinguishes itself by its dimensions, the shape of its connection areas and its connection mode. There are therefore, for every fuse format, specific support elements for each cut-off device type, which makes the management of these multiple references complicated and costly. Publication FR 2 890 781 by the applicant offers an electrical cut-off device whose box is designed specially to house fuses with different formats, wherein this box has no visible cut-off and the fuses are not integrated in a removable cartridge.

Fuse box and electrical cut-off device provided with such a box


A surrounding circumstance monitoring apparatus (3) has a housing (31) forming a housing space (31s) therein; and a monitoring unit (32) in the hosing space that monitors a surrounding circumstance of a vehicle, the housing has two housing parts (311, 312) that are bonded to each other via flanges (311f, 312f), a first flange part (311f1, 312f1) protruding upwardly from an upper surface (31U) of the housing is inclined with respect to the upper surface and/or a second flange part (312f2, 312f2) protruding downwardly from a bottom surface (31L) of the housing is inclined with respect to the bottom surface.

A vehicle having a surrounding circumstance monitoring apparatus (for example, a radar, a LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or a camera) that is configured to monitor a surrounding circumstance (in other words, a surrounding condition) is becoming available widely. The surrounding circumstance monitoring apparatus is often fixed to an inside of an exterior member (for example, a bumper or a grill) of the vehicle. For example, a Patent Literature 1 discloses a vehicle in which a radar apparatus that is one specific example of the surrounding circumstance monitoring apparatus is fixed to an inside (namely, a backside) of a front grill.

Surrounding circumstance monitoring apparatus