A motorized vehicle carries a telescoping boom, pivotally mounted thereon by its proximal end portion for rotation about a vertical axis and for pivoting about a horizontal axis from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The distal end portion carries a limb engaging and cutting assembly having opposed outwardly diverging guide bars which converge toward a hydraulically driven rotary saw which is movable, along the longitudinal axis of the boom, outwardly to cut the limb as it is held in the throat between the guide bars. A pair of hydraulically operated pivoted grappling hooks confine a limb in the throat for severing action by the saw. The assembly is rotatable about the longitudinal axis by a hydraulic motor. Remote controls in the cab of the vehicle permit selective actuation of the components.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to limb severing apparatus and is more particularly concerned with an apparatus and method of severing limbs from standing trees, primarily for clearing the right-of-way for electrical and telephone overhead wires.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the past, the cleaning of limbs from standing trees has routinely been accomplished by power companies through the utilization of a vehicle having a boom which carries at its end a gondola. The gondola is positioned adjacent to the limb and a man in the gondola utilizes a chain saw in order to sever the limb. Of course, this procedure is expensive, time consuming and has the danger of dropping the limb onto cables which are strung therebeneath. In some instances, the limbs may be wet and touch wires which carry high voltage. Therefore, there is a danger of electrical shock involved in this procedure.
In the prior art are innumerable devices which, through various means, sever parts of a tree; however, most of these devices are employed to sever the trunk of a tree when the tree is harvested. Attempts have been made to provide the mechanism for severing the limbs of a standing tree. Such mechanisms are, however, quite complicated. The following United States patents disclose the state-of-the-art as known to the inventor:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,663,952 discloses a telescoping boom with a mechanism for clamping a tree. U.S. Pat. No. 3,252,487 discloses a device for delimbing a tree. U.S. Pat. No. 3,443,611 discloses another tree trimming device on an extendible boom. U.S. Pat. No. 3,461,928 discloses a boom mounted saw which cooperates with a clamp mechanism. Still another tree shear is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,468,352.
The applicant is also aware of the following additional prior art patents relating to devices for severing trees:
______________________________________ 3,183,949 3,720,246 3,389,728 3,763,905 3,529,642 3,974,866 3,675,691 3,991,799 4,050,488 ______________________________________

Process and apparatus for severing limbs


A method for selecting base transceiver stations to obtain radio signal timing data that is used to make a location determination of a mobile station in a wireless network. The mobile station's serving base transceiver station is selected. Base transceiver stations on the mobile station's handover candidate list that are connected to the same base station controller as the serving base station and not cosited with a previously selected base transceiver station are selected next. If a sufficient number of base transceiver stations has not been selected, base transceiver stations on a positioning neighbor list that are connected to the same base station controller as the serving base station and not cosited with a previously selected base station are selected.

Several of telephony's features and services are based on the location of the telephone. For example, a public safety ("911") system directs aid to the caller at the location of the calling telephone. Such systems function without the caller having to identify the location (an important feature for people unfamiliar with the area or unable to speak to the public safety personnel). The location of a landline telephone is static; the location is simply the point where the telephone is connected to the network. Since the location is static, the location and the telephone number are therefore stored in a database for later use. In contrast, a mobile station by definition has a dynamic relationship with locations in its wireless network; therefore, determining its position is more difficult.
To locate a mobile station with a high degree of accuracy, measurements of the distances of the mobile station from at least three fixed points are needed. The distance measurements are used in a triangulation algorithm to calculate a location relative to the fixed points. In wireless networks based on the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) standard, obtaining the distance measurement to make a location determination of a mobile station engaged in a call is relatively straightforward.
In a GSM wireless network, a mobile station's distance from fixed points is derived from the time the mobile station's radio signal takes to arrive at different base transceiver stations (BTS's). Since the locations of the BTS's are known, the location of the mobile station is calculated to a relatively high degree of accuracy. The time values are readily available because of the manner in which the GSM standard specifies multiplexing of mobile stations on a given radio frequency.
According to the GSM standard, a mobile station on a call shares a radio frequency with other mobile stations by broadcasting and receiving only within a time slot assigned by the serving BTS. Signal propagation delay generally causes the mobile station's broadcast to be received at the serving BTS after its assigned time slot. To synchronize the mobile station with the BTS, the serving BTS calculates and sends a "timing advance" (TA) value to each mobile station. The TA is the amount of time that the mobile station must broadcast in advance of its assigned time slot so that the BTS receives the transmission during the proper time slot. Thus the TA value is the difference between the time that the mobile station's signal is transmitted ant the time the signal actually arrives.
The TA value may be used to derive the distance between the BTS and the mobile station, because signal propagation delay is usually a function of distance. The speed of the radio signal (the speed of light) times the TA (propagation time) yields the distance between the BTS and the mobile station. The point where at least three distance measurements intersect is the point of transmission and thus the location of the mobile station. While this location determination procedure is well known, determining which BTS's to use to obtain the TA values from is sometimes not as simple.
One prior art method for selecting BTS's is to select the serving BTS first. Next, BTS's from the mobile station's handover candidate list are selected. A problem with this method, however, is that some of the candidate BTS's may be cosited, that is, located at or near the same location as the serving or a previously selected BTS, and thus unsuitable for position triangulation. Furthermore, BTS's on the handover candidate list that are connected to a different base station controller (BSC) than the serving BTS are unsuitable because using different BSC's requires an unacceptable increase in message traffic among the components of the wireless network. Therefore, it is difficult to find sufficient BTS's for gathering TA values to make a position determination of a mobile station when there are not enough suitable BTS's on the mobile station's handover candidate list.

Method for selecting base transceiver stations for gathering data to determine a mobile station's location in a wireless network


A graphics processing system sorts graphics primitives for rendering into lists corresponding to different sub-regions of a render output to be generated, each list indicating primitives to be processed for the render output. A primitive list building unit divides a render target into various sub-regions, determines which sub-regions a primitive falls within and adds the primitive to the primitive lists corresponding to those sub-regions. The primitive list building unit also records the positions of the primitives in a pair of histograms which show the distribution of primitives across the render output. Once all primitives for the render output have been sorted into lists, the histograms are outputted to a predictor processor. The predictor processor then determines a set of sub-region sizes to be used when sorting primitives for the next render output to be generated into lists, based on the histograms.

The technology described herein relates to a method of and apparatus for processing graphics, and in particular to such a method and apparatus for use in a tile-based graphics processing system.
Graphics processing is normally carried out by first splitting the scene to be displayed into a number of similar basic components or "primitives", which primitives are then subjected to the desired graphics processing operations. The graphics "primitives" are usually in the form of simple polygons, such as triangles, and are usually described by defining their vertices.
Many graphics processing systems use so-called "tile-based" rendering. In tile-based rendering, the two-dimensional render output or target (i.e. the output of the rendering process, such as an output frame to be displayed) is rendered as a plurality of smaller area sub-regions, usually referred to as "tiles". The tiles are each rendered separately (typically one-after-another). The rendered tiles are then recombined to provide the complete rendering output (e.g. frame for display). In such arrangements, the render output (output) is typically divided (by area) into regularly-sized and shaped rendering tiles (they are usually e.g., squares or rectangles) but this is not essential.
Other terms that are commonly used for "tiling" and "tile-based" rendering include "chunking" (the rendering tiles are referred to as "chunks") and "bucket" rendering. The terms "tile" and "tiling" will be used hereinafter for convenience, but it should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass all alternative and equivalent terms and techniques.
The advantage of such tile-based rendering is that primitives that do not appear in a given tile do not have to be processed for that tile, and therefore can be ignored when the tile is processed. This allows the overall amount of graphics processing necessary for a given render output to be reduced.
In a tile-based rendering system, it is accordingly usually desirable to be able to identify and know those primitives that are actually present in a given rendering tile so as to, e.g., avoid unnecessarily rendering primitives that are not actually present in a tile. In order to facilitate this, it is known to prepare for each rendering tile a list of the primitives to be rendered for that rendering tile (e.g. that will appear in the tile). Such a "primitive-list" (which can also be referred to as a "tile list") identifies (e.g. by reference to a primitive indicator) the primitives to be rendered for the tile in question.
The process of preparing primitive lists for each tile to be rendered basically involves determining the primitives that should be rendered for a given rendering tile. This process is usually carried out by determining (at a desired level of accuracy) the primitives that intersect (i.e. that will appear (at least in part) within) the tile in question, and then preparing a list of those primitives for future use by the graphics processing system. (It should be noted here that where a primitive falls into more than one tile (as will frequently be the case), it is included in the tile list for each tile that it falls within.) In effect, each tile can be considered to have a bin (the primitive-list) into which any primitive that is found to fall within (i.e. intersect) the tile is placed (and, indeed, the process of sorting the primitives on a tile-by-tile basis in this manner is commonly referred to as "binning").
The process of determining the primitives that should be listed (rendered) for any given rendering tile can be carried out at varying levels of precision, for example depending on efficiency optimisations for different parts of the tiling and rendering processes. For example, at the most precise level, it could be determined exactly which tiles a given primitive will appear at least in part in, and the primitive then included in the primitive lists for those tiles only. This is commonly referred to as "exact" binning.
It is also known to prepare primitive-lists with a lower precision than is achieved with exact binning. This can be useful to, e.g., simplify the preparation of the primitive-lists. One common "less precise" binning technique is "bounding box" binning. In this case, a so-called "bounding box" is drawn around a primitive or a set of primitives, and then the tiles covered by the bounding box are determined. The primitive or primitives that the bounding box represents (i.e. that are encompassed by the bounding box) are then listed (binned) for each tile that the bounding box has been found to cover (at least in part).
Once lists of primitives to be rendered (primitive-lists) have been prepared for each rendering tile in this way, the primitive-lists are stored for use, e.g., to allow the system to identify which primitives need to be considered (and rendered) when the tile in question is rendered.
Such tile-based rendering arrangements have been found to work well, as they can, for example, help to avoid primitives still being processed for regions of the render output where they are not present.
However, one drawback with the need to prepare and store primitive-lists identifying the primitives to be rendered for each tile is that depending on the distribution of the primitives for a given, e.g., frame to be rendered, the primitive-lists for different tiles to be used for the frame can be very different sizes, as can the primitive lists for tiles for different frames. This means that, e.g., a given render output or tile may have significantly different memory requirements for storing its primitive list(s) as compared to other tiles or render outputs.
The Applicants have accordingly already proposed in their UK Patent No. 2433014 an improved tile-based rendering system, which can prepare primitive lists both for single rendering tiles and (additionally or alternatively) for render output areas comprising more than one tile (i.e. primitive lists that encompass more than one rendering tile (and thereby, in effect, a larger area) of the output to be generated). In other words, as well as (or instead of) preparing lists of primitives that are exclusive to single rendering tiles only, primitive-lists that can and will be used for plural rendering tiles in common can be and are prepared.
As discussed in the Applicant's earlier patent, preparing different render output "area" primitive lists has a number of advantages, such as allowing the amount of memory that is used for the primitive lists to be varied, and facilitating better control over and knowledge of the memory usage requirements for the primitive listing process.
In the Applicant's earlier patent, the primitives are basically sorted into the primitive lists for different sized areas of the render output so as to limit the number of different primitive lists a given primitive will be listed in. This helps to control the amount of memory that will be needed for the primitive lists.
The Applicants believe there remains further scope for improvements in the primitive binning process, and in particular in selecting render output areas appropriate for use when preparing primitive lists.

Method and apparatus for processing graphics


A device for treating cardiac disease is provided. The device includes biologically compatible material, an electrotherapy instrument, and a placement apparatus capable of capable of releasably securing a lead of the electrotherapy instrument to the biologically compatible material. In one embodiment, the biologically compatible material is a patch that is configured to be secured to the epicardial surface of the heart. In an alternate embodiment, the biologically compatible material is constructed as a jacket of flexible material designed to be secured to the heart. Examples of electrotherapy instruments include a cardiac pacing device and a defibrillating device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a device and method for treating heart disease. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method and device for treating congestive heart disease, intraventricular conductance delays, and related valvular dysfunction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Congestive heart disease is a progressive and debilitating illness. The disease is characterized by a progressive enlargement of the heart.
As the heart enlarges, the heart is performing an increasing amount of work in order to pump blood each heart beat. In time, the heart becomes so enlarged the heart cannot adequately supply blood. An afflicted patient is fatigued, unable to perform even simple exerting tasks and experiences pain and discomfort. Further, as the heart enlarges, the internal heart valves cannot adequately close. This impairs the function of the valves and further reduces the heart""s ability to supply blood.
Patients suffering from congestive heart disease are commonly grouped into four classes (i.e., Classes I, II, III and IV). In the early stages (e.g., Classes I and II), drug therapy is the commonly proscribed treatment. The only permanent treatment for congestive heart disease is heart transplant. To qualify, a patient must be in the later stage of the disease (e.g., Classes III and IV with Class IV patients given priority for transplant). Unfortunately, not enough hearts are available for transplant to meet the needs of congestive heart disease patients.
Not surprising, substantial effort has been made to find alternative treatments for congestive heart disease. Recently, a new surgical procedure has been developed. Referred to as the Batista procedure, the surgical technique includes dissecting and removing portions of the heart in order to reduce heart volume. This is a radical new and experimental procedure subject to substantial controversy. Furthermore, the procedure is highly invasive, risky and expensive and commonly includes other expensive procedures (such as a concurrent heart valve replacement). Also, the treatment is limited to Class IV patients and, accordingly, provides no hope to patients facing ineffective drug treatment prior to Class IV. Finally, if the procedure fails, emergency heart transplant is the only available option.
Cardiomyoplasty is a recently developed treatment for earlier stage congestive heart disease (e.g., as early as Class III dilated cardiomyopathy). In this procedure, the latissimus dorsi muscle (taken from the patient""s shoulder) is wrapped around the heart and chronically paced synchronously with ventricular systole. Pacing of the muscle results in muscle contraction to assist the contraction of the heart during systole.
While cardiomyoplasty has resulted in symptomatic improvement, the nature of the improvement is not understood. For example, one study has suggested the benefits of cardiomyoplasty are derived less from active systolic assist than from remodeling, perhaps because of an external elastic constraint. The study suggests an elastic constraint (i.e., a non-stimulated muscle wrap or an artificial elastic sock placed around the heart) could provide similar benefits. Kass et al., Reverse Remodeling From Cardiomyoplasty In Human Heart Failure: External Constraint Versus Active Assist, 91 Circulation 2314-2318 (1995).
Even though cardiomyoplasty has demonstrated symptomatic improvement, studies suggest the procedure only minimally improves cardiac performance. The procedure is highly invasive requiring harvesting a patient""s muscle and an open chest approach (i.e., sternotomy) to access the heart. Furthermore, the procedure is expensivexe2x80x94especially those using a paced muscle. Such procedures require costly implantable sources. The cardiomyoplasty procedure is complicated. For example, it is difficult to adequately wrap the muscle around the heart with a satisfactory fit. Also, if adequate blood flow is not maintained to the wrapped muscle, the muscle may necrose. The muscle may stretch after wrapping reducing its constraining benefits and is generally not susceptible to post-operative adjustment. Finally, the muscle may fibrose and adhere to the heart causing undesirable constraint on the contraction of the heart during systole.
In addition to cardiomyoplasty, mechanical assist devices have been developed as intermediate procedures for treating congestive heart disease. Such devices include left ventricular assist devices (xe2x80x9cLVADxe2x80x9d) and total artificial hearts (xe2x80x9cTAHxe2x80x9d). An LVAD includes a mechanical pump for urging blood flow from the left ventricle and into the aorta. An example of such is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,857 to Arnold dated Feb. 26, 1991. LVAD surgeries are still in U.S. clinical trials and not generally available. Such surgeries are expensive. The devices are at risk of mechanical failure and frequently require external power supplies. TAH devices, such as the celebrated Jarvik heart, are used as temporary measures while a patient awaits a donor heart for transplant.
Other attempts at cardiac assist devices are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,477 to Lundbxc3xa4ck dated Sep. 18, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,905 to Grooters dated Jul. 21, 1992 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,132 to Snyders dated Oct. 26, 1993. Both of the Grooters and Snyders patents teach cardiac assist devices which pump fluid into chambers opposing the heart to assist systolic contractions of the heart. The Lundbxc3xa4ck patent teaches a double-walled jacket surrounding the heart. A fluid fills a chamber between the walls of the jacket. The inner wall is positioned against the heart and is pliable to move with the heart. Movement of the heart during beating displaces fluid within the jacket chamber.
Additionally, cardiac failure patients may suffer from long intraventricular conduction delays. Generally, such delays result in a slow uncoordinated contraction, resulting in poor ejection of blood from the ventricle. Inefficient ejection can lead to poor cardiac output and an increased end-diastolic volume. Increased end-diastolic volume can result in increased ventricular wall stress and stretching of the myocardium. This, in turn, may stimulate ventricular dilation and ventricular remodeling, starting a progressive heart failure spiral.
Pacing systems that stimulate heart muscle contraction with precisely timed discharges of electricity are available. Pacing has been used to resynchronize ventricular contraction, thereby increasing the efficiency of ventricular contraction, reducing end-diastolic volume and slowing the heart failure progression.
Pacing systems that pace the right ventricle (RV) and the left ventricle (LV) simultaneously via a transvenous lead introduced through the cardiac veins are available. Additionally, a left ventricular epicardial lead combined with a right ventricular lead has been used for biventricular pacing. However, when only a single point on the left ventricle is paced, delayed conduction in the left ventricle may result in a poorly synchronized contraction (i.e., part of the ventricle contracts while other portions are not contracting). This can result in a dyskinetic bulging in the non-contracting section.
Thus, selection of the left ventricular stimulation site is critical in achieving good clinical outcomes. Ideally several points on the left ventricular wall are paced to assure the most coordinated contraction. However, pacing from various or multiple sites on the left ventricle is difficult. Positioning one transvenous lead through the cardiac veins is difficult, much less positioning multiple leads. Additionally, current epicardial electrodes are screwed or sewn into or onto the epicardium. This may cause damage to the heart or create chronic exit block (high pacing energy required to simulate through the resultant scar tissue, ultimately energy greater than implantable source can apply so no stimulation occurs), particularly if multiple epicardial electrodes are used.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,343 to Alferness dated Dec. 30, 1997 teaches a jacket to constrain cardiac expansion during diastole. The present invention pertains to improvements to the invention disclosed in the xe2x80x2343 patent.
The invention provides a device for treating cardiac disease. The device includes biologically compatible material, an electrotherapy instrument, and a placement apparatus capable of removably attaching a lead of the electrotherapy instrument to the biologically compatible material. In one embodiment, the biologically compatible material is a patch that is configured to be secured to the epicardial surface of the heart. In an alternate embodiment, the biologically compatible material is constructed as a jacket of flexible material designed to be secured to the heart, such as the jackets described in U.S. Pat. Nos., 5,702,343 and 6,123,662. The disclosures of both patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
In one embodiment, the electrotherapy instrument is a cardiac pacing device. In another embodiment, the electrotherapy instrument is a defibrillating device.
According to the invention, the electrotherapy device includes at least one lead that has at least one electrode. The placement apparatus is configured to position the electrode in electrical contact with a patient""s heart, typically the myocardium of the heart. If desired, the electrotherapy instrument can have more than one lead.
Various configurations for a placement apparatus are provided. In some embodiments, the placement apparatus is initially secured to the cardiac reinforcement device. In other embodiments, the placement apparatus is initially secured to the lead.
Examples of a placement apparatus that is initially secured to the cardiac reinforcement device include a placement apparatus configured as a snap having a base and a cap, each of which define an opening capable of housing a lead. In an alternate embodiment, the placement apparatus is constructed as a non-conductive pad that defines an opening capable of housing a lead.
Examples of a placement apparatus that is initially secured to the lead include a placement apparatus constructed as at least one projection secured to said lead, typically, a plurality of projections extending radially outward from said lead. Alternately, the placement apparatus is constructed as a flange extending radially outward from said lead. The placement apparatus can also be threads coiled along a distal end of the lead, such that the threads engage fibers of the biologically compatible material to secure the lead to the biologically compatible material.
The invention also provides methods for treating cardiac disease by implanting the above-described device. According to the invention, the desired location of the electrode on the cardiac surface can be determined by stimulating various locations on the cardiac surface and observing cardiac response (e.g., contractile efficiency). According to one method of the invention, the cardiac response due to electrical stimulation at various locations on the heart is tested prior to securing the lead(s) to the cardiac reinforcement device. Advantageously, the device of the invention provides various placement apparatus(es) such that the lead(s) can be secured at a location that provides a desired cardiac response.
In another embodiment, the locations for cardiac stimulation can be tested by releasably securing the lead to the cardiac reinforcement device using at least one placement apparatus. The placement apparatus(es) permit easy attachment and removal of the electrode(s) so that various positions on the heart can be tested. Once the desired location(s) is/are determined, the lead(s) is/are secured to the cardiac reinforcement device. If desired, the lead can be secured to the cardiac reinforcement device using the placement apparatus. Alternately, or additionally, the lead(s) is/are secured to the cardiac reinforcement device by suturing or gluing the lead in place.


An initial data state is obtained for an adaptive system. A simulation is started for the adaptive system on an electronic computing device. A first trial is run of the simulation of the adaptive system until a first stop point is reached. When the first stop point is reached, one or more recursive simulations are run from the first stop point. After the one or more recursive simulations have been run, an optimized set of modified data states for the adaptive system at the first stop point is automatically determined. Using the optimized set of modified data states, the run of the first trial of the simulation is continued from the first stop point until either additional stop points are reached or the first trial of the simulation is completed. An additional set of optimized modified data states is determined for at least one of the additional stop points.

Complex systems can be dynamic and can include many components that have dependencies and that can change over time. Complex systems can also receive inputs that are external to the systems and random and that result in different system outcomes. In complex-adaptive systems, the behavior of some components can change over time based on learning from previous actions. Some examples of complex-adaptive systems can include biological organisms, chemical reactions and financial systems.
Models can be built to simulate outcomes from complex-adaptive systems. When simulations are run on the complex-adaptive systems, different outcomes can result because of the random data associated with the components and the way that some components evolve over time. Some simulation models can allow for user actions during certain points in a simulation. The inclusion of user actions in a simulation model can sometimes make accurate modeling of complex-adaptive systems difficult to achieve.

Framework for simulations of complex-adaptive systems


The present invention provides a toner for developing an electrostatic image, comprising toner particles and external additives, wherein;. said external additives comprise (A) titanium oxide particles having a weight average particle diameter of from 0.01 .mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m, having been subjected to hydrophobic treatment, (B) organic resin particles having a weight average particle diameter of from 0.02 .mu.m to 0.5 .mu.m and (C) an inorganic compound having a weight average particle diameter of from 0.5 .mu.m to 2.5 .mu.m; said external additives being added in an amount satisfying the relationship: PA1 said toner contains toner particles having a particle diameter of from 2 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m in an amount of from 15% by number to 40% by number.. (A):(B)=2:1 to 10:1 PA2 (A):(C)=1:1 to 5:1; and

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming method in which a latent image is formed on a photosensitive member which contains an organic photoconductive material (hereinafter "OPC photosensitive member") and serves as a latent image bearing member, said latent image is developed with a toner, and the developed image is transferred to a transfer medium to obtain a visible image, and then the latent image bearing member is cleaned after the transfer by means of a cleaning member for repeating use. It also relates to a toner for developing an electrostatic image, suited to such a method.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, various electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as color copying machines and printers making use of OPC photosensitive members as a latent-image bearing member are produced. In such an image forming apparatus, usually a latent image is formed on an OPC photosensitive member by a usual electrophotographic process, the latent image is developed by a developing assembly to form a developed (toner) image, end the developed image is transferred to a transfer medium to obtain e visible image. Meanwhile, the residual developed image on the latent-image bearing member is cleaned by means of a cleaning member, end the latent-image bearing member is repeatedly used.
As the cleaning means, a blade-cleaning means comprising pressing a cleaning blade made of an elastic rubber material to the latent-image bearing member, is very popular because of its simple and compact construction and cost effectiveness.
In general, an OPC photosensitive member comprises a conductive support end, provided thereon in the following order, a charge generation layer comprising e binder end dispersed charge-generating material and a charge transport layer comprising a binder end dispersed charge-transporting material. As a charge-generating material, pigments such as phthalocyanine pigments, enthrone pigments, azo pigments and indigo pigments or dyes such as cyanine dyes are used. As the charge-transporting material, carbazoles such as pyrene and isopropylcarbazole, hydrazones, pyrazolines, oxazonyl compounds, thiazole compounds, triarylmethane compounds and polyarylalkane compounds are used. As a binder, used are polyacrylate resins, polystyrene resins, polyamide resins, acrylic resins, acrylonitrile resins, methacrylic resins, vinyl chloride resins, vinyl acetate resins, phenol resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, or copolymer resins containing at least two of any of these resins as repeating units as exemplified by a styrene/butadiene copolymer, a styrene/acrylonitrile copolymer and a styrene/maleic acid copolymer.
The present inventors have revealed that the friction coefficient of a latent-image bearing member increases as temperature rises, depending on temperature characteristics of the binder that occupies most part of the surface of the OPC photosensitive member.
When the friction coefficient of the latent-image bearing member increases as stated above, the friction between the cleaning blade as a cleaning means and the surface of the latent-image bearing member increases. In particular, the friction coefficient abruptly increases when the temperature of the latent-image bearing member becomes higher than 45.degree. C., often causing the vibration of the cleaning blade, a break of the edge of the cleaning blade, or a turnover of the blade which is provided opposite to the direction of movement of the latent-image bearing member, resulting in an extreme lowering of cleaning action.
In order to solve such a problem, the external addition of a lubricant such as a fatty acid metal salt (e.g., zinc stearate) or fine particles of a fluorine compound has been attempted to form a thin layer of the lubricant on the surface of the latent-image bearing member during development so that the friction coefficient on the surface of the latent-image bearing member decreases.
When, however, such a lubricant is externally added to so-called two-component developer, which is a mixture of toner particles and magnetic particles (a carrier), the lubricant may adhere to carrier surfaces (carrier contamination) after long-time use to bring about unstable triboelectric charging of the toner, causing problems such as ground fog, decrease in image density and in-machine contamination due to toner scatter. For a full color image forming apparatus, in particular, the ground fog is transferred in plural times resulting in severe ground fog phenomenon.
As a substitutive means, it has been proposed to provide lubricant coating means in front and the rear of the cleaning means to decrease the friction coefficient of the surface of the latent-image bearing member. This, however, is not preferable since the apparatus becomes large-sized and complicated.
Meanwhile, in recent years, as the image forming apparatus such as electrophotographic color copying machines has become very popular, they are used in various fields and for various purposes and demand for their image quality has become higher and higher. In copying images such as usual photographs, illustrated catalogues and maps, very fine and faithful reproduction without blur is required even at the minute part.
In recent image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic color copying machine employing digital image signals, a latent image is formed from dots of a given potential, and solid areas, halftone areas and line areas are expressed by changing the dot density. There, however, is a problem that appropriate tone of a toner image can not be obtained based on the dot density ratio of solid black area and the solid white area of the digital latent image when the toner particles are not accurately laid on the dot area and the toner particles extend beyond the dots. Moreover, when the dot size is made smaller to improve resolution in order to improve image quality, it becomes more difficult to reproduce latent images formed from minute dots, tending to cause unsatisfactory sharpness, a poor resolution and, in particular, a poor gradation at the highlight area.
Sometimes the image quality, though good at the initial stage, deteriorates as copying or printing is continued. This phenomenon is attributed to the toner particles of poor developability accumulated in the developing assembly during copying or printing while the toner particles readily participating in development are preferentially consumed.
For the purpose of improving image quality, some developers have been hitherto proposed. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 51-3244 discloses a non-magnetic toner whose particle size distribution is controlled to improve the image quality. In this toner, most particles have a diameter of 8 to 12 .mu.m, which is relatively coarse. As a result of studies made by the present inventors, such particle diameters make it difficult for the toner particles to be uniformly and densely "laid" on the latent image. In addition, in view of its feature that particles of 5 .mu.m or smaller in diameter are not more than 30% by number and those of 20 .mu.m or larger in diameter are not more than 5% by number, the broad particle size distribution tends to lower the uniformity. In order to form sharp images using such a toner comprised of rather coarse toner particles with a broad particle size distribution, it is necessary to lay toner particles thick to fill the spaces between toner particles so that apparent image density can be increased. Thus, there is a problem of increased toner consumption to achieve given image density.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 54-72054 discloses a non-magnetic toner having a narrower distribution than the foregoing, in which, however, the size of particles with a medium weight is as coarse as 8.5 to 11.0 .mu.m. There is room for further improvement as a high-resolution color toner capable of faithfully develop minute dot latent images.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 58-129437 discloses a non-magnetic toner having an average particle diameter of 6 to 10 .mu.m, and 5 to 8 .mu.m for the most particles, in which, however, particles of 5 .mu.m or smaller in diameter are as less as 15% by number. This tends to result in image formation lacking sharpness.
As a result of studies made by the present inventors, it has been discovered that the particles of 5 .mu.m or smaller in diameter participate in clear reproduction of minute dots of the latent image and have a main function for the toner to be densely laid on the whole latent image. In particular, in electrostatic latent images on a photosensitive member, edges that contour an image have a higher electromagnetic intensity than the inner area because of the concentration of lines of electric force at the edge, so that the sharpness in image quality depends on the quality of the toner particles gathering at this part. Studies made by the present inventors have revealed that the amount of the particles of 5 .mu.m or smaller in diameter is important in solving the problem on highlight gradation.
However, the particles of 5 .mu.m or smaller in diameter show particularly strong adhesion to the surface of the latent-image bearing member so that the cleaning becomes difficult.
In addition, continuous printing may cause the fast adhesion of the toner and low electrical resistance materials, e.g., paper dust or ozone addition products, to the photosensitive member. In order to scrape off the matter of a low electrical resistance or the toner having stuck thereto, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 60-32060 or No. 60-136752 discloses the addition of as an abrasive, that is an inorganic fine powder having a BET surface specific area, as measured by the BET method using nitrogen absorption, of 0.5 to 30 m.sup.2 /g.
Although this method is effective in preventing the phenomenon of toner sticking, it is unsatisfactory to achieve the steady cleaning, when applied to a high-resistance color toner having smaller particle diameter as used in the present invention unless charge stability is improved.

Toner for developing electrostatic image comprising titanium oxide particles


A fuel injector having a body, an armature, a needle, a seat, and a flat disk that provides both a needle guide and a swirl generator. The body has an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an axially extending body passage from the inlet portion to the outlet portion. An armature proximate the inlet portion of the body. A needle is operatively connected to the armature. A seat is located proximate the outlet portion of the valve body. The seat includes a first seat surface, a second seat surface, a seat passage extending between the first seat surface and the second seat surface in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The flat disk is located proximate the first seat surface. The flat disk has a first disk surface and a second disk surface. A guide aperture and at least one opening extends between the first disk surface and the second disk surface, and a swirl generator is provided in the second disk surface that communicates with the guide aperture.

It is known in the art relating to high-pressure direct injection fuel injectors to have a swirl generator and needle guide positioned proximate a seat in a body. In known systems, seat, swirl generator, and needle guide combinations include a plurality of structural members. For example, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,972 discloses two separate flat disks adjacent a seat to provide a swirl generator and a needle guide. The flat disks are thin sheet metal members that are believed to produce minimal drag on the needle of the fuel injector. To assemble this arrangement of the seat, swirl generator, and needle guide seat combination requires each of the three components to be sequentially aligned and laser welded together. Due to the numerous individual assembly steps required, misalignments could occur with the multiple components.
Another manufacturing difficulty that could result from the three components used to form the seat, swirl generator, and needle guide combination is the need to develop new assembly steps for changes in the swirl disk configuration. The three component combination employs an individual flat swirl disk, between a flat guide disk and a seat as the swirl generator. Changes in swirl disk thickness size due to varying fuel swirl requirements for selected direct fuel injection applications requires the assembly steps to be reconfigured. A known two component seat, swirl generator, and needle guide combination, described above has been developed that addresses some of the assembly difficulties of the three component combination. Although some of the assembly difficulties the three component combination may have been overcome, the two components must be oriented during assembly. In addition, the swirl generator and needle guide component employed in known two component combination is believed to create a large drag point for the employed needle. Thus, there is a need for a two component seat, swirl generator, and needle guide combination that eliminates the need to orient the components and minimizes drag forces applied to the needle valve.

Fuel injector having a flat disk swirl generator


A chuck mechanism is described, which is easy to handle with a chuck clamping handle of increased diameter and is capable of achieving smooth movement of its reciprocally movable portion of reduced weight and assures safe operation with the least exposure of outwardly moving portion. Rotating a knurled portion of a body case rotates an intermediate transmission member which in turn rotates a slide shaft stopping member to tighten or loosen its engagement with a slide shaft, causing clamping or releasing of a collet chuck. The slide shaft, slide shaft locking member, chuck and a saw can reciprocally move as a single unit.

The present invention relates to a chuck mechanism and more particularly to a chuck mechanism for removably chucking a jig on a reciprocally-movable member.
In dental treatment, tooth cutting is carried out by using a cutting tool to be driven by a micromotor rotating at high speed. In recent years, with the progress of subdivision of medical areas and specialization of medical technology, there have appeared specialists being engaged, for example, in medical treatment of hands or feet only. In medical treatment of hands or feet, it is also necessary to carry out operations such as bone amputation or cutting, but no cutting device which is suitable for use in medical treatment of hands or feet, has been developed. Every specialist feels inconvenienced not having it.
In view of the foregoing, the present applicant previously proposed a cutting device which is suitable for amputating and/or cutting fine bones of hands and feet of human and animals. The proposed cutting device has a chuck mechanism for converting rotational movement of a shaft into linear reciprocal movement of a member reciprocally movable in an axial direction of the shaft and for removably chucking a jig to the reciprocally movable member to conduct various kinds of operations by use of the jig.
In the above-mentioned cutting device, the chuck clamping member has an increased diameter to be easily tightened or loosened when mounting or removing of a saw in or from the chuck. However, provided that the chuck clamping member has a small diameter, it is hard to handle the chuck to clamp or release when mounting or removing of the sawing plate in or from the chuck.


A wavelength converter comprising an arsenic sulfide (As—S) chalcogenide glass fiber coupled to an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) crystal and a laser system using an OPO crystal coupled to an As—S fiber are provided. The OPO receives pump laser radiation from a pump laser and emits laser radiation at a wavelength that is longer than the pump laser radiation. The laser radiation that is emitted from the OPO is input into the As—S fiber, which in turn converts the input wavelength from the OPO to a desired wavelength, for example, a wavelength beyond about 4.4 μm. In an exemplary embodiment, the OPO comprises a periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) crystal. The As—S fiber can include any suitable type of optical fiber, such as a conventional core clad fiber, a photonic crystal fiber, or a microstructured fiber.

Lasers transmitting in the infrared (IR) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum have become very important in recent years. Of particular importance are lasers transmitting in the mid-IR range, comprising wavelengths between 3 and 5 p.m. In this range, two atmospheric transmission bands exist, which are very useful for applications such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems, chemical sensing, free-space communications and IR countermeasures (IRCM). The first of these bands lies between about 3 and about 4.2 μm, while the second band lies between about 4.4 and 5.2 μm. The bands are separated by an atmospheric CO2 absorption peak which has high attenuation at about 4.3 μm.
Lasers which can transmit in these two bands are limited. The majority of such lasers are based on solid state or fiber pump lasers in the near-IR range between 1 and 2 μm and use an Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO) crystal to convert the 1 to 2 μm pump into the longer 3 to 5 μm wavelengths by a nonlinear interaction in the crystal.
Periodically Poled Lithium Niobate (PPLN) is a highly nonlinear material which is very useful as an OPO for converting a near-IR laser pump to the mid-IR. Due to the very high nonlinearity of PPLN and the ability to achieve desired phase matching by periodically poling the material, laser/OPO systems based upon PPLN have very high wavelength conversion efficiencies. PPLN based systems also can be pumped by commercial continuous wave (CW) lasers rather than by the high-peak-power pulsed lasers typically used with OPO materials.
Unfortunately, laser/OPO systems based upon PPLN can only produce output having wavelengths up to about 4 μm due to absorption of higher-wavelength radiation in the PPLN crystal. Extending PPLN-based sources to the second atmospheric transmission band beyond 4.4 μm would be highly useful for the applications noted above such as LIDAR, chemical sensing, free-space communications, and IRCM, as well as many others.
The output from a PPLN can in turn be wavelength-converted to higher wavelengths, for example, by using an appropriate glass fiber to shift the wavelength the PPLN output before it is transmitted as the final output of the laser.
The magnitude of the wavelength shift in the radiation emitted by the glass fiber is based on the "phonon energy" of the fiber, having units of cm−1. The energy of the radiation, both pump and shifted wavelength, is inversely related to its wavelength, i.e.,
      E    =          hc      λ        ,where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ, is the wavelength of the radiation. Thus the change in wavelength λ, between the pump and emitted radiation corresponds to the phonon energy of the glass and is often called the "Raman shift" or "Stokes shift," and the thus-shifted wavelength emitted by the fiber is often called the "Stokes wavelength."
Chalcogenide fiber Raman lasers and amplifiers can operate in the mid-IR range. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,928,227 to Shaw et al., which shares inventors in common with the present invention and is hereby incorporated by reference into the presents disclosure, describes a Raman laser and amplifier based upon arsenic selenide (As—Se) glass fiber. Raman amplification and lasers using As—Se fiber also is described in P. Thielen et al., "Small core As—Se Fiber for Raman Amplification," Optics Letters 28 [16] (2003) 1406-1408 and in S. D. Jackson et al., "Chalcogenide glass Raman Fiber Laser," Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 88 (2006) 88. In the case of As—Se glass, the phonon energy of the glass is on the order of about 260 cm−1. The wavelength shift in this glass will correspond to this phonon energy. For example, for a pump having a wavelength of about 1.5 μm, the wavelength shift will be about 0.06 μm.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


An alarm system for producing substantially synchronized visual output indicia of the alarm condition includes a common source of pulses which is activated in response to the presence of the alarm condition. The common source of pulses generates a trigger pulse train having a predetermined period. The trigger pulse train is fed, via power supply lines, to a plurality of visual output devices which can be triggered in response to the arrival of each of the pulses in the train thereby producing a synchronized plurality of visual indicia indicative of the alarm condition. The output devices will produce an essentially synchronized plurality of visual indicia in the presence of the alarm condition even in the absence of the trigger pulse train.

Alarm systems which incorporate a plurality of spaced apart sensors or detectors in combination with a central control panel are known. Such systems usually also incorporate a plurality of alarm indicators which are also coupled to the control panel. The alarm indicators are usually spaced apart, in the same general area as are the sensors.
The alarm indicators can be audible alarms such as horns, gongs or sirens. Alternately, the indicators can be visual alarms which are readily discernible by persons with essentially normal hearing as well as hearing impaired persons.
The visual indicators are often energized on an intermittent basis. A flashing visible light is radiated so that the alarm condition will be immediately noticed in the area adjacent to the flashing indicator. There continues to be a need for improved visual indicating systems which readily communicate to individuals in the area of the respective indicator that an alarm condition has been detected.

Fire detecting system with synchronized strobe lights


A flexible photovoltaic device comprises a first, insulating and flexible resin layer; a first electrode formed on the first resin layer; a flexible resin type locking member formed having satisfactory adherence and formed along the inner periphery of the transparent electrode; a semiconductor layer formed to cover the first electrode and the locking member for photoelectric conversion; a second electrode formed on the semiconductor layer; and a second insulating and flexible resin layer formed on the second electrode.

A flexible photovoltaic device and the manufacturing method thereof is described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 1-105581, for example.
Referring to FIG. 1, a first resin layer 2 of polyimide resin with a superior heat resistance, is formed on a supporting substrate 1 such as of glass. The first resin layer 2 is transparent and insulating, as well as flexible. A transparent electrode 3, a thin film semiconductor layer 4 for photoelectric conversion, and a back metal electrode 5 are layered in sequence on the first resin layer 2. Semiconductor layer 4 comprises a p-i-n junction, a p-n junction or the like parallel to the film face. A second resin layer 14 such as of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) sheet, is layered on the back of electrode 5. The second resin layer 14 is insulating and flexible.
Referring to FIG. 2, the photovoltaic device formed on the supporting substrate 1 is immersed in water 16 of in a container 15, for separating the device from the supporting substrate 1. This results in a flexible photovoltaic device shown in FIG. 3.
In the flexible photovoltaic device formed in the aforementioned manner, the second resin layer 14 is provided to protect the back metal electrode 5 against the water 16. The second resin layer 14 is formed so as to have a shrinking force substantially equal to that of the first resin layer 2, to prevent the flexible photovoltaic device from curling after being separated from the supporting substrate 1.
Incidentally, the flexible photovoltaic device may also be formed by stacking the component layers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 14 in inverse order on the supporting substrate 1 and then separating the inversely stacked layers from the supporting substrate 1.
In the flexible photovoltaic device obtained in the above manner, however, the layers having a weak bond with each other in the multilayered structure, i.e. the transparent electrode 3 (or the back electrode 5) and the semiconductor layer 4, are apt to be separated from each other at the edge of the photovoltaic device, due to mechanical stress such as bending or torsion exerted on the device. If the transparent electrode 3 or the back electrode 5 and the semiconductor layer 4 are locally separated, the photoelectric conversion efficiency will be reduced significantly.
It is preferred that the first resin layer 2 has a low adhesion to the substrate 1 when the flexible photovoltaic device is separated from the supporting substrate 1. However, the first resin layer 2 must have a sufficient adhesion to the substrate 1 until the second resin layer 14 is formed. It generally takes a long time of two to three days, for water 16 to permeate into the interface of the supporting substrate 1 and the first resin layer 2 to cause a natural separation therebetween.
If an additional external force is applied to separate the photovoltaic device from the supporting substrate 1 in a short period, high stress will be generated in the region A surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 2, whereby the transparent electrode 3 and the semiconductor layer 4 are separated from each other locally whereby the photoelectric conversion efficiency degraded significantly.
Furthermore, because the first resin layer 2 of the polyimide resin and the second resin layer 14 of EVA sheet have a moisture permeability, local separation may be seen in the semiconductor layer 4 of the layered structure if the photovoltaic device is kept in an environment of a high humidity for a long time.

Flexible photovoltaic device and manufacturing method thereof


A method of preparing a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material is provided. The method includes (a) providing a carbon nanotube-based film and a pre-polymer solution; (b) placing the carbon nanotube-based film at a bottom of a container, and pouring the pre-polymer solution in the container; and (c) polymerizing the pre-polymer solution and simultaneously integrating the pre-polymer solution with the carbon nanotube-based film. As such, a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material, including the polymer-impregnated nanotube layer and an upper polymer layer, is obtained. A multi-layer composite can be produced by essentially repeating this process, using the upper polymer layer as the base layer for the formation of the next layer set thereon.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a carbon-nanotube based composite material and, more particularly, to a method of preparing a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material.
2. Description of Related Art
Since the report of their discovery in 1991 by Iijima, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been extensively studied for their interesting structural, physio-chemical, mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical properties. Many potential technological applications have been proposed including hydrogen storage, nanoelectronic devices, field emission display (FED), field emission microscopy (FEM), chemical sensors, and so on. Carbon nanotubes are considered desirable, at least in part, due to their unique electrical and mechanical properties. Currently, the study of carbon nanotube/polymer composite materials is gaining significant attention. Such a nanotube-reinforced composite material has board applications because of good antistatic performance, microwave absorbing capability, electromagnetic shielding ability, and so on.
Generally speaking, a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material has been prepared via an in-situ polymerization process, solution compounding process, and/or a melt compounding process.
However, a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material prepared by the above-mentioned processes tend to have a relatively higher resistance value. Furthermore, relatively poor conductivity network is formed among carbon nanotubes. Such high resistance and poor conductivity is essentially a product of a lack of connectivity between a significant number of proximate carbon nanotubes. Therefore, the good electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity properties of carbon nanotubes has heretofore not, on the whole, been sufficiently utilized in nanotube-based composites.
What is needed, therefore, is a method of preparing a carbon nanotube/polymer composite material, in which carbon nanotubes have desirable interconnection.

Method of preparing carbon nanotube/polymer composite material


Method and apparatus for automatically supplying containers with a liquid using an electronic scale and high speed microprocessor for measuring the weight of liquid introduced into the containers. The first container is partially filled to a predetermined percentage of a target weight as measured by the scale. Flow into the container is then stopped by closing a valve controlled through the scale and microprocessor. The actual weight of the liquid introduced at this point is measured and a correction factor is determined by subtracting the predetermined percentage weight from the actual weight. Flow into the container is then resumed until a second predetermined weight is achieved as measured by the scale and equal to the target weight minus the correction factor. Flow at this point is stopped by again closing the valve. The actual weight of liquid in the container is again measured and compared with the second predetermined weight to arrive at a correction factor which is used in determining the liquid weight to be introduced into the next container. However the next and subsequent containers are supplied without stoppage until the newly calculated predetermined weight is reached as measured by the scale. For each subsequent container the predetermined weight is calculated using a correction factor calculated at the end of the fill of the previous container.

Numerous methods and apparatus for introducing liquid into containers exist in the prior art. Such methods and apparatus utilize various controls and measurements for determining when a desired amount of a substance has been introduced into the container. Included in such systems are photoelectric, volumetric, ultrasonic and weight measurements and controls.

Method and apparatus for supplying containers


Apparatus for reducing the sagging of essentially planar outside walls (3, 13) on a vacuum tank (1) under operating conditions, and for preventing displacements, resulting therefrom, of components fastened to these outside walls (3, 13), such as rollers (7, 8) of a winding apparatus (2) which is movable with respect to the vacuum tank (1) in a vacuum tape coating apparatus, wherein spacers (12, 14) are provided between two opposite outside walls (3, 13).

The invention relates to an apparatus to reduce the sagging of essentially planar outside walls of vacuum tanks, especially on vacuum tape coating installations, and to prevent the resultant displacement of components fastened to these outside walls, such as the rollers of a winding system.
In vacuum tanks there is generally a danger of the deformation and especially of the sagging in of the tank walls due to the great difference in the pressure on the two sides of the outside walls. This is true of all tanks of all sizes and geometric shapes. In a great number of vacuum tanks, deformation of the kind described above is of minor importance and can be tolerated.
However, there are applications, such as the vacuum coating of tapes, in which the sagging in of the tanks is undesirable or unacceptable. Tape coating apparatus include, as a rule, a stationary vacuum tank with a movable outer wall--the so-called receptacle plate. On this plate there is fastened a winding system for carrying the tape that is to be coated. This winding system includes a plurality of rollers disposed parallel to one another and journaled between the tank plate and a back plate. On account of the extremely slight thickness of the tape or film to be coated and the high speed with which the film runs in the apparatus, the requirements as to the parallelism of the rollers are very great. Even a slight misalignment renders the film unusable.
During the coating operation, i.e., when a vacuum prevails in the tank, the atmospheric pressure against the outer side of the receptacle plate causes the tank plate to sag inward. Since the back plate is largely free of external forces, the rollers get out of parallel to a degree depending on their shape and on how they are mounted.
These undesirable departures from the parallelism of the rollers can be countered by a more complex construction of the rollers. For example, the axles of the rollers are made to run all the way through, which creates the possibility of providing a loose bearing seat at the receptacle plate end to isolate it largely from the movement of the wall. A disadvantage in this case is the greater use of material as well as the low natural frequency of flexural vibrations of the long axle.
Another possibility for reducing o preventing the receptacle plate from sagging is to provide flexurally stiff structural members on the outside of the plate as reinforcement. This, however, has considerable disadvantages as regards production, so that the manufacture of such receptacle plates is more complex and thus more expensive than that of plain plates.
The present invention, then, is addressed to the problem of creating an apparatus which will reduce the sagging in of essentially planar outside walls on vacuum tanks, prevent resultant displacements of rollers, and will be simpler and less expensive to make than apparatus known heretofore.
This problem is solved according to the invention by placing, for example, a spacer rod between the outer walls of the vacuum chamber, if possible in the center of the receptacle plate. It will be set at a minimal distance from the back wall.
Upon the evacuation of the vacuum tank, the forces on the back wall and the receptacle plate will counteract one another through this prop and thus advantageously reduce the sagging.
In a mathematical model, the result was a reduction of the maximum sag from 4 mm, for example, to 0.4 mm, which advantageously results in a 90% reduction of the sagging of the receptacle plate.
Problems with the sagging of outer walls of vacuum tanks of all kinds can basically be reduced in this manner.

Apparatus to reduce the sagging of the outside walls of vacuum tanks


An illumination device provided in a vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode is provided with: an illumination unit configured so that light is emitted toward the outside of the vehicle; and an illumination control unit configured so that, on the basis of an illumination control signal transmitted from another vehicle capable of traveling in an automatic driving mode and provided with an illumination unit, the illumination state of the illumination unit corresponds to the illumination state of the illumination unit.

Currently, research on an automatic driving technique of an automobile has been actively conducted in each country, and each country is considering the legislation so as to enable a vehicle (hereinafter, a "vehicle" refer to an automobile) to travel in an automatic driving mode on public roads. Here, in the automatic driving mode, a vehicle system automatically controls travelling of a vehicle. Specifically, in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle system performs at least one of a steering control (control a travelling direction of the vehicle), a brake control and an accelerator control (control of braking and acceleration/deceleration of the vehicle) based on various information obtained from a camera, a sensor, a radar and the like. On the other hand, in a manual driving mode to be described later, a driver controls the travelling of the vehicle, as in most of conventional vehicles. Specifically, in the manual driving mode, the travelling of the vehicle is controlled in conformity with a driver's operation (a steering operation, a braking operation, and an accelerator operation), and the vehicle system does not automatically perform the steering control, the brake control and the accelerator control. Meanwhile, the driving mode of the vehicle is not a concept existing only in some vehicles but a concept existing in all vehicles including conventional vehicles having no automatic driving function. For example, the driving mode of the vehicle is classified in accordance with a vehicle control method or the like.
Thus, in the future, it is expected that vehicles travelling in the automatic driving mode (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "automatic driving vehicle") and vehicles travelling in the manual driving mode (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "manual driving vehicle") coexist on public roads. Particularly, in a situation where the vehicles travelling in the automatic driving mode and the vehicles travelling in the manual driving mode coexist, it is preferable that a state of inter-vehicle communication between one automatic driving vehicle and the other automatic driving vehicle is presented to an outside, from a standpoint of safety.
Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic follow-up travelling system in which a following vehicle can automatically follow a preceding vehicle. In the automatic follow-up travelling system, each of the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle has a display device, character information for preventing the other vehicle from intruding between the preceding vehicle and the following vehicle is displayed on the display device of the preceding vehicle, and character information indicative of the automatic follow-up travelling mode is displayed on the display device of the following vehicle.

Vehicle illumination device, vehicle and illumination control system


An improved retention pin assembly and method of forming a pin assembly that uses a melt in a pocket without a metallurgical joint having been formed. The assembly can be generated by a method of forming a joint which includes providing a metal shaft and a member that is operable to receive the shaft. A pocket is formed within the member which operates to receive a melt pool. Next the shaft is inserted into apertures in the member. A welding or melting operation is then performed to create a melted portion that occupies the pocket. A joint is created using a retention pin.

Traditionally mechanical fasteners are used to mechanically link two or more articles together. Mechanical fasteners come in various shapes and sizes and they have a variety of constructs. The type of construct depends in part on the environmental conditions in which the fastener system must operate. Some may operate in high stress, shear, compression or tension conditions, and some may operate in high temperature, low temperature, or just ambient temperature conditions. Thus, depending on the circumstances, the design of fastener system may be changed.
One style of mechanical fastener includes rivets. A problem with rivet type fasteners is that rivet heads have been known to be liberated into engines, causing damage. This is because the rivet construct may not have tightly controlled material strength and structural integrity. This in part may be because the quality of the rivet is subject to the quality of work of the operator who forms the rivet. If a rivet has been unknowingly overworked, it may not have the fatigue life that was assumed. Thus, rivet constructs are not dependable or desirable to use in engines, or other locations or machinery, where potentially causing damage to the machinery is an issue.
It would be helpful to provide an improved mechanical joint. Such a joint could be formed by a welder who melts a retention pin only into a pocket. The welder can watch the molten metal flow into the pocket to know that he has finished the forming operation. The fatigue properties of the melt-formed pin may be the same as the solution heat treated form of the pin material.

Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.


A platform for supporting at least one magnetic transducer for reading from and/or recording on a data carrier. The platform is supported from a carrier arm adapted to position the platform over the data carrier which may be a multi-track disc. The magnetic transducer is supported in the lower face of the main body of the platform. The lower face includes a plurality of skids and one or more grooves which receive a rigid strut for suspending the platform over the carrier. The strut is secured in the groove (s) with the plane of the strut passing through the centers of gravity of the platform. The strut may be secured to a frame surrounding the platform which in turn may be secured to a further concentric frame also surrounding the platform.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a platform for supporting at least one tranducer for reading from and/or recording on a data carrier. It is particularly applicable to magnetic reading and/or recording transducers for magnetic peripherals of data processing system, in particular disc memories.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of magnetic disc memories in data processing system is becoming increasingly popular because of their storage capacity and the relatively short time required to access data contained anywhere on the discs from the moment when the associated magnetic transducers receive an order from the processing system.
It is known that magnetic discs carry data on concentric, circular recording tracks whose radial width does not exceed a few hundredth of a millimeter and which generally cover the major proportion of both faces of the discs. The discs, which are parallelly and coaxially arranged, and usually of the same diameter, are driven in rotation at constant speed by an electric motor.
Current practice is generally to associate one or more transducers with each face of a disc, the number of transducers being very much smaller than the number of tracks. The tracks may be several hundred in number, but the number of transducers generally does not exceed approximately ten or twenty and is often equal to one. A plurality of transducers is used rather than only one when it is desired to achieve a substantial reduction in the time to access any item of data contained on on the face of a disc.
In a known manner, the transducers have electrical input and/or output wires connected to the electronic read and/or write circuits of the disc memory with which each transducer is associated. When the data recorded on face of a magnetic discs is to be read and the disc passes in front of the transducer or tranducers associated with this face, electrical signals are fed to the electronic read circuits via the electrical wires. Conversely, it will be clear that when the electronic circuits feed electrical signals to the transducer or transducers via the said electrical wires, data is recorded on the face of the associated magnetic disc.
In a known manner, transducers have a magnetic circuit provided with an air gap, around which a winding is arranged on to which is connected the electrical input and/or output wires. The air gap of each transducer is arranged opposite the face of the disc with which the transducer is associated, at a distance of a few microns, or even a few tenths of a micron so as to enable data to be read and/or recorded. It can therefore be said that the air gap constitutes the means by which the transducer picks up and/or records the data contained on the said face.
Current practice is for the transducers associated with one and the same face of a disc to be arranged on a single platform, which has to be moved radially with respect to the disc and above (adjacent) its face so that the transducers can access any item of data contained on the said face.
Such platforms are called "moving" platforms.
There are also known so-called "fixed" platforms which, during a read and/or write operation, remain at all times stationary above (adjacent) clearly defined tracks on the face of the associated disc. In such an arrangement, each transducer on a platform is associated with one and the same track.
Whether it is fixed or moving, the platform incorporating or supporting at least one transducer and associated with one face of a disc, is secured to a rigid removable arm. In a case of a moving platform, the arm is mounted on a carriage which moves externally of the discs, whereas in the case of a fixed platform the arm is mounted directly on the framework of the disc memory to which the disc belongs.
Regardless of the type platform, i.e. whether fixed or moving, the platform essentially comprises two parts, the "main body" and the suspension mechanism or means. The "main body" of the platform incorporates the transducers, and the suspension means has one end secured to the main body and its other end secured to the rigid removable arm.
Generally, but not exclusively, the main body of a platform is in the form a relatively shallow right-angled parallelepiped of which one major face, which for convenience is termed the "lower" face, contains the means or the transducers for picking up and/or recording data. The major face is for convenience termed the "upper" face and contains the ends of the electrical output and/or output wires of the transducer or transducers and the means which enable these wires to be connected to the electrical read and/or write circuits of the disc memory.
The terminology of "lower" and "upper face" will be continued throughout the specification; however, it should be noted that these terms merely signify a convenient positional relationship with respect to the platform and are not used in a limiting sense. Thus, they could equally as well be defined as first and second faces, minor and major faces or by any other suitable distinguishing description.
At the present time platforms known to those skilled in the art as "Winchester" platforms are becoming increasingly popular. Such platforms are manufactured by, inter alia, Applied Magnetic Corporation (A.M.C.) under the type numbers 3304 and 3306.
A platform of the "Winchester" type is produced as follows.
In the lower face of its main body are formed one or more gulleys, channels, grooves or the like whose depth is equal to or greater than 30 microns and may be as much as a few tenths of a millimeter. In the art these grooves are sometimes called bleed slots. This arrangement provides on the lower face a plurality of projecting portions which are called skids or longitudinal rails and which are, broadly speaking, ski-shaped.
In operation, as a result of the rotation of the discs, there is developed between the lower face of the main body of the platform and the face of the disc associated with the lower face of the platform, a cushion of compressed air which causes the platform to move away from the disc or rise, prevents the main body of the platform from touching the disc and thus damaging it. The platform is said to fly above the face of the disc with which it is associated.
The cushion of air exerts a pressure force on the surface of the skids or longitudinal rails in a direction generally normal thereto and directed from the lower face to the upper face of the main body of the platform. When in flight, dynamic equilibrium for the platform is achieved by setting up, in opposition to the force generated by the pressure of the cushion of air against the surface of the skids or longitudinal rails, a force termed a "loading force". The loading force is applied to the upper face of the main body and has a modulus equal to that of the pressure force.
It is known that the pressure force is proportional to the surface area of the skids or longitudinal rails. Thus, it can be appreciated that the presence of grooves or bleed slots in the lower face of the platform serves to reduce the surface area of the lower face adjacent a disc and enables the pressure force, and thus the loading force, to be reduced. The loading force is, for example, generated by a prestressed spring secured to the rigid arm carrying the platform. The force is relatively small and of the order of 10 to 20 grams. Because of this it is said that a platform of the "Winchester" type is a lightly loaded platform.
Generally, a platform of the "Winchester" type flies above the face of the disc with which it is associated in such a way that the surface of the skids or longitudinal rails is slightly inclined to the face of the disc. This allows the skids or longitudinal rails on the platform to produce sufficient lift to enable the platform to fly stably above the said face. The total surface area of the skids or longitudinal rails is defined as being the flight surface of the platform. The front of the flight surface is defined as being that part of the flight surface which is the first in time to have pass before it areas of the face of the disc with which it is associated. Similarly, the rear of the flight surface is defined as being that part of the flight surface which is the last in time to have these same areas of the face pass before it.
With magnetic transducers, the air gaps are arranged at the rear of the flight surface. The main body of the platform is inclined to the surface of the disc in such a way that the rear of the platform lies at a distance from the surface of the disc, termed the "altitude of flight". The distance is on the order of a few tenths of a micron and is less than the distance which separates the same face of the platform from the flight surface at the front. The distance of the front is of the order of a few microns.
Because of the fact that platforms of the "Winchester" type are lightly loaded, they enable low altitudes of flight to be achieved. Such platforms make is possible, by reason of their low altitude of flight, to obtain read signals from the transducer or transducers whose amplitude is relatively high, and allows reading of satisfactory reliability. Further, by reason of their light loading, the main body of the platform does not strike against the disc which action might damage both the disc and the main body of the platform.
However, the fact that platforms are lightly loaded does have certain disadvantages, the most important of which is that the flight of the platform above the face of the disc with which it is associated may be relatively unstable. To minimize instability, suspension of the platform should be arranged as close as possible to the face of the disc with which the platform is associated.
The current practice is for the device for suspending platforms of the "Winchester" type, which is generally formed by a resilient leaf spring, to be fixed at one end to the bottom of a groove formed in the upper face of the platform. The aim here is to maintain the point of attachment of the leaf spring close to the center of gravity of the main body of the platform with the object of improving the stability of the platform in flight. The other end of the resilient leaf spring is fixed to the rigid releasable arm which carries the platform. In this description, it will be assumed that the center of gravity of the main body of the platform virtually coincides with the center of gravity of the platform itself.
Thus, it can be appreciated that in a platform of the "Winchester" type, where the main body contains a groove formed in its upper face and a plurality of grooves or bleed slots formed in its lower face, these result in a reduction of rigidity or stiffness in the platform and an increase in its fragility. If the rigidity or stiffness of the main body of the platform is to remain adequate, it becomes necessary to restrict the depth of the groove containing the attachment for the leaf spring. Thus, there is a practical limit to the depth of this groove and it is not possible to move the suspension device sufficiently close to the center of gravity of the platform to avoid all problems connected with in-flight instability on the part of the platform.

Compagnie Internationale pour l-Informatique Cii-Honeywell Bull (Societe Anonyme)


To enable the close arrangement of right and left cooling fans that are common to each other and rotate in the same direction. A radiator is disposed forward of an engine, is horizontally lengthwise and is formed such that the center thereof bends to protrude rearward. A pair of right and left cooling fans is provided on the rear surface of the radiator. The left and right cooling fans have the same specifications, rotating in the same direction. A support plate is provided to surround the cooling fans, that is, to close left and right sides of, the upper side of and the rear of the cooling fans and open the lower side thereof. A partition portion is formed to project from the center of a rear wall to partition between the left and right cooling fans. Thus, the adjacent cooling fans can be prevented from interfering with each other and can be arranged close to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling device for a motorcycle engine. In particular, the present invention relates to a radiator structure for a motorcycle.
2. Background of the Invention
A radiator is used as a cooling device for a water-cooled engine of a motorcycle. Some radiators are provided with a cooling fan. Some horizontally long radiators are provided with right and left cooling fans that are separate from each other. See, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 6-74731 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 2-18285
If the radiator is provided with right and left cooling fans as described above; however, the right and left cooling fans used are the same in order to keep the cost down. Therefore, the cooling fans rotate in rotation in the same direction. Consequently, the right and left cooling fans must be arranged to be separate from each other in order to avoid mutual interference. This enlarges the width of the radiator and therefore the vehicle. However, if the width of the radiator is made approximately equal to that of a conventional radiator, each cooling fan must be made small. This inevitably lowers the cooling efficiency of the radiator.


The present disclosure provides apparatuses, systems, and methods involving a spotter for depositing a substance on a submerged surface. The spotter comprises an outlet cavity defined at least in part by a spotting orifice, a first opening, and a second opening. The spotter also comprises a first conduit fluidly coupled to the first opening and a second conduit fluidly coupled to the second opening. The spotter is adapted so that fluid flowing through the first conduit and the second conduit is communicated among the first opening, the second opening, and a submerged deposition surface when the sealing orifice is sealed against the submerged deposition surface to form a deposition spot on the submerged deposition surface. The submerged deposition surface is within a liquid such that the liquid covers the deposition spot upon removal of the orifice from the deposition surface.

There are many types of fluids that would benefit from interrogation systems that maintain the integrity of the fluid in the system. For example, to name one, it is understood that there complex interactions between phospholipids and membrane-associated proteins, such as those involved in Anti-Phospholipid Syndrome (APS) and a multitude of other human diseases. Yet most of the tools, methods, and approaches to interrogate these systems lack a similar level of sophistication. Some systems that better mimic in vivo membranes have been described but tend to have limited throughput. Current methods used to create micropatterned lipid arrays include microcontact printing, deep ultraviolet photolithography (UV), the use of prepatterned substrates, and 2D microfluidics. Microcontact printing utilizes a stamp to transfer material onto a substrate. Deep-UV radiation uses a photomask to protect the array regions while the exposed regions are degraded through exposure to UV radiation. Hand or robotic pipetting can be used with prepatterned substrates to corral the material into spatially distinct regions.
Many of these methods employ backfilling with vesicles to create multicomposition arrays, limiting the number of bilayers with distinct compositions. Robotics can generate multicomponent membrane arrays with small spot sizes (250 μm), but due to the small volumes (picoliters), this is typically performed in a humidity chamber (˜98% humidity) to prevent evaporation. The use of 2D microfluidics for the creation of lipid arrays involves introducing a solution of vesicles through a single plane of microchannels, producing parallel lanes of patterned lipids. This offers a simple and low-cost alternative, but the 2D flow lanes limit the ability to create high density arrays. An approach that combines both the sophistication of a fluid membrane bilayer and the robustness and throughput of solid-supported arrays is sorely needed for certain types of diagnostics, such as APS diagnostic testing.
More generally, all major human diseases including metabolic autoimmune diseases, vascular diseases, neurological diseases, and cancer have essential pathologic mechanisms involving dysfunctional cell and/or internal membranes. The combination of fluid lipid bilayers and membrane proteins constitute the major structural components of biological cell membranes. It would therefore be desirable to generate arrayed biomembrane bilayers consisting of both lipid and protein supported by a solid surface while maintaining their three-dimensional properties. This would enable analysis of important integral membrane and lipid-associated proteins in a more native-like environment, which is an environment that is needed for proper biological function.

Method and device for depositing a substance on a submerged surface


A teaching method for an industrial robot may include, while the hand is lifted up and down by the lifting mechanism, detecting, with the first sensor, a position of either the installation unit or a teaching jig to be installed on the installation unit in a vertical direction; while the hand is transferred in the first direction by the transfer mechanism, detecting, with the first sensor, a position of either the installation unit or the teaching jig in the first direction; while the hand is transferred in the first direction by the transfer mechanism, detecting, with the second sensor, a position of either the installation unit or the teaching jig in the first direction; and calculating a position of either the installation unit or the teaching jig in the second direction, in order to teach a position of the transfer object to be installed on the installation unit.

A robot for transferring a semiconductor wafer is conventionally well-known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). A robot described in Patent Document 1 includes a column section that is cylindrical and able to move up and down, an arm whose root end side is connected to the column section so as to be rotatable, and a wafer grasping section (hand) that is connected to a top end side of the arm so as to be rotatable. Moreover, the robot includes a lifting mechanism for moving the column section up and down, a rotating mechanism for rotating the arm with respect to the column section, and an arm actuating mechanism for stretching/contracting the arm. The wafer grasping section is so formed as to be Y-shaped, and a transmission sensor including a light emitting part and a light receiving part is placed at a top end of the wafer grasping section.
In the case of the robot described in Patent Document 1, a teaching operation jig is used at a time of teaching the robot a position of a semiconductor wafer to be placed at a wafer placement position such as a storing container. The teaching operation jig is provided with a large disc part and a small disc part, wherein the large disc part and the small disc part are stacked in a vertical direction, in such a way that an axis center of the large disc part and an axis center of the small disc part are consistent with each other. Meanwhile, a diameter of the large disc part is the same as a diameter of an actual semiconductor wafer. The teaching operation jig is placed for use at the wafer placement position.
Moreover, at the time of teaching the robot a position of the semiconductor wafer to be placed at the wafer placement position, in the case of the robot described in Patent Document 1; at first while the wafer grasping section is moved vertically by use of the lifting mechanism, the transmission sensor detects a position of the small disc part, in a vertical direction, of the teaching operation jig placed at the wafer placement position. Then, while the wafer grasping section is brought closer to the small disc part from an outside in a radial direction of the small disc part, by use of the rotating mechanism and the arm actuating mechanism, the transmission sensor detects a position of an outside edge in the radial direction of the small disc part. Furthermore, the detecting operation is repeated by way of bringing the wafer grasping section closer to the small disc part from various directions. Then, on the basis of a plurality of positions of outside edges in the radial direction of the small disc part, wherein the outside edges being detected by the transmission sensor; a center position of the small disc part in a horizontal direction is detected. In the case of the robot described in Patent Document 1, on the basis of detection results with respect to the position of the small disc part of the teaching operation jig in the vertical direction and the center position of the small disc part of the teaching operation jig in the horizontal direction, the position of the semiconductor wafer to be placed at the wafer placement position is automatically taught.

Industrial robot teaching method with calculating a position