An information record medium (1) is provided with: an audio information recording area on which a plurality of audio information (210) which are different in recording method are recorded; and a control information recording area on which control information (211) required to reproduce the plurality of audio information recorded on the audio information recording area is recorded. The control information recorded on the control information recording area includes a plurality of first division information for identifying first division units (260) respectively so as to divide each of the plurality of audio information recorded on the audio information recording area by the first division units respectively. The first division information, which indicates that the audio information divided by the first division units belongs to a same first division unit, is provided for each of the plurality of audio information same in content and different in recording method. The plurality of audio information same in content and different in recording method, which are identified by the first division information, are recorded on recording positions different from each other in the audio information recording area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information record medium such as a DVD disc, on which audio information of music and the like which are different in the recording methods or encoding methods are recorded, and a reproducing apparatus for reproducing the audio information and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a video DVD (which is a disc conformable to a DVD-Video standard) as a recording medium for recording video information such as a movie and the like. The video DVD is used as a recording medium for recording the movie and the like, since it has a large capacity.
There is an audio DVD (which a disc conformable to a DVD-Audio standard) to record only the audio information such as a music and the like but not the video information such as the movie and the like. In a case of this audio DVD, the audio information corresponding to a plurality of CDs (Compact Discs) can be recorded on a single audio DVD, because of its large capacity as the DVD. In addition to the video information such as the movie and the like, the audio DVD can also record the audio information corresponding to a music CD that is a sound track version of that movie.
It is intended that the audio DVD mainly records the audio information such as a music and the like, and also enables the reproduction of unprecedented multi-channel. Moreover, it is intended that the audio DVD enables the reproduction of unprecedented high quality even as not only the multi-channel but also a two-channel stereo.
In such a DVD audio disc, if only the audio information of the multi-channel is recorded, this results in such a problem that a user having the two-channel reproducing apparatus can listen to only a part of the sound thereof, or the reproduction cannot be performed at all.
So, it is necessary to record the audio information for the two-channel reproduction together with the audio information for the multi-channel reproduction on the disc, in order for even the user having only the reproducing apparatus dedicated to the two-channel to enjoy this disc.
However, in this case, these two kinds of audio information are duly the same title and the same song. Thus, recording these two kinds of audio information as they are on the disc leads to the existence of the two kinds of titles having the same name and songs having the same name. Hence, this results in a first problem that the user is confused. This first problem is similarly brought about not only in a case when a reproducing manner of the channel and the like is different, but also in a case when a recording manner such as a binaurally recording operation and the like is different, in a case when an encoding method such as an AC-3 and the like is different and in a case when a combination of the reproducing manner, the recording manner or the encoding method is different.
Next, in an already-standardized DVD video format, a plurality of audio information can be recorded together with video information, at the same time. For example, it is possible to switch between a voice of an original language and a voice dubbed in Japanese, for a certain movie. Similarly, it is also possible to switch between an LPCM stereo voice and an AC-3 multi-channel voice, under the same title. Thus, the plurality of audio information can be treated as the same title and the same song. Hence, it is possible to change an audio stream to thereby change the kind of audio information to be reproduced.
On the other hand, it is desired to record the video information even on the audio DVD, so as to record the video information such as a menu and additional information. In this case, if an image is recorded by using a method different from the DVD video format, this cannot attain the compatibility with the video format. It is desirable to reproduce a portion where the image is attached on the audio disc, even for a video player which is presently marketed.
Thus, from these viewpoints, it is desirable that the structure to record the substantial information containing the image is similar to that of the DVD video format.
However, in order to achieve that structure, it is necessary to multiplex a plurality of kinds of audio information and then record them on the disc as one object. Also, in order to manage a plurality of streams, it is necessary that management information is included in the data. Thus, the case of having the same structure as the video format reduces the process necessary for the switching operation of the reproducing apparatus at the time of the reproduction. However, this case brings about such a trouble that the process at the time of the recording becomes complex.
The performance for the recording operation and the conformity with a presently-used studio unit are significant, and the non-complex process in the recording operation are desired for the audio format. In particular, the structure that the management information is not included in the data is desired.
Thus, there are two kinds of structures i.e., a structure peculiar to the DVD audio format in the case of recording only the audio information and a structure conformable to the DVD video format containing the image. When only the audio information is reproduced for the data having the two kinds of structures, there are the two kinds of formats, which are completely different from each other, in the reproduction control information, unless the logical structures are common. Hence, the process in the reproducing apparatus becomes heavy, which cannot provide a unified operation. Therefore, this results in a second problem that the user is confused.

Information record medium and apparatus for reproducing the same


A weight based load limiting system for a refuse vehicle. The system includes a weight determination module that generates a signal that varies in accordance with a vehicle weight. If the vehicle weight approaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, the signal inhibits a portion of the loading or packing operation to prevent overloading the vehicle. In various configurations, the inhibiting can be to prevent a lifting of a refuse container to prevent empting the container into the vehicle hopper. In other various configurations, the inhibiting occurs by maintaining engine power to less than the engine power typically output during a packing operation.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Refuse vehicles play a key role in dispensing of refuse by traversing an area, stopping at a location where the user, resident, commercial business, or the like has deposited refuse for collection, depositing the refuse in the refuse vehicle, and transporting the refuse to a processing center, such as a recycling center, landfill, or incineration center. With a continuing need to reduce energy and emissions, there has been a trend towards designing and building lighter refuse vehicles. Lighter refuse vehicles are typically more limited in the payload that they can carry, but are more fuel efficient. This trend towards designing and building more economically operated vehicles has resulted in refuse vehicles having lighter components, and, consequently, lighter payload capacities. It is thus easier to overload contemporary refuse vehicles than their traditional counterparts.
In typical refuse collection operations, it is often difficult to estimate the weight of the refuse collected because of the many variables that determine the weight of the refuse. For example, the nature of the refuse itself can vary from collection to collection. Some refuse may be more dense resulting in more weight for a given volume when such refuse is added to the vehicle. Other refuse might be less dense resulting in less weight for a given volume when such refuse is added to the vehicle. Environmental conditions can cause the weight of a particular load to vary significantly. For example, if a load of refuse includes material which may absorb liquid, the weight of that load will vary depending on whether it is collected on a rainy or a dry day. Thus, vehicle operators cannot determine with certainty that a predetermined number of collections will result in maximizing the payload of the vehicle, without overloading the vehicle, prior to returning to the processing center to dump the collected refuse. It is generally desirable to not return to the processing center before the vehicle payload has been maximized. Because of this variability in load-to-load and to overall payload weights, vehicle operators presently have limited knowledge of the payload of the vehicle.
Further, operators are sometimes prone to push the limits of payload capacity. While pushing the payload capacity may have had less impact when utilizing traditional refuse vehicles, newer, more efficiently designed refuse vehicles are less tolerant of overload conditions and could damage the vehicle. Present refuse vehicles have no way of limiting further intake of refuse based upon weight. While in certain instances, the volume of the container portion of the refuse vehicle imposes limits, when moving particularly dense materials, it may be necessary to return to the processing center prior to the container becoming full.

Scale based load limiting for refuse vehicles


Systems and methods where a delay time between a first card processing mechanism, such as a drop-on-demand printer that prints with UV curable ink, and a second card processing mechanism, such as a UV curing station, can be altered to adjust the travel time of the card from the first card processing mechanism to the second card processing mechanism. First and second card buffers can be provided between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism. Each of the first and second card buffers is independently logically controlled to permit independent control of the transport time of a card through each card buffer. Alternatively, a single card buffer or more than two card buffers can be provided between the first card processing mechanism and the second card processing mechanism.

The use of drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet printing using ultra-violet (UV) curable ink to print on plastic cards is known. After printing, the ink needs to be cured by exposure to UV light. The time from print to cure, referred to as the cure delay time, will have a major effect on the resulting print quality and ink behavior. The cure delay time, which normally ranges anywhere from 0.5 to 2.00 seconds, can vary depending on the surface energy of the media or substrate the UV curable ink is applied to, ink surface energy, and ink type. Common practice in the plastic card printing industry is to adjust the distance between the print head(s) and the UV curing station to achieve the optimum cure delay time.

Card processing system with adaptable card transport delay


Method for patterning organic polymer layers comprising the sequential steps:. A. Applying to a substrate an unpatterned layer of acidic polymer dissolved in a plasticizer, PA1 B. Applying to the unpatterned layer a second patterned layer which is a liquid solution of organic base dissolved in a volatile solvent; PA1 C. Heating the patterned layer to effect removal of the volatile solvent from the layer and diffusion of the second layer plasticizer and organic base into the underlying areas of the acidic polymer layer; and PA1 D. Washing the layers with aqueous solution to effect solubilization of the acidic polymer underlying the patterned areas and removal therefrom of the solubilized polymer and plasticizers.

Thick film technology has historically been an attractive method of producing conductors, dielectrics and resistors that are rugged and reliable. The technology is well suited for economical production of short production runs. Its ability to be patterned in multilayer configurations has allowed fabrication of devices with namely high circuit density. The successive levels of conductors in the multilayer structure are separated by insulating dielectric layers and are interconnected by vias through the dielectric layers.
The multilayer approach is more expensive than a single layer approach because it requires painstaking inspection, realignment between the layers, and careful processing to avoid blistering and cracking.
The most obvious way to reduce these problems associated with multilayer production is to reduce line and space dimensions, thereby reducing the number of layers in a given structure. The problem with this approach has been the limited resolution capability of thick film screen printing, which limits the size of vias used to connect layers of circuitry to 10 to 15 mils diameter. Likewise, conductors are limited to a narrowest line width and spacing of 5 to 7 mil lines and spaces in production quantities.
Many different approaches have been tried to obtain finer pitch lines and smaller vias. Extremely fine screen mesh and improved emulsion backing have allowed line resolution of as low as four mils line/space to be obtained in limited production. Photoformable pastes have been developed that allow five mil or finer vias, and two to three mil line/space pitch. Thick film metallizations have also been patterned with photoresists and etched to produce fine line patterns and thin film conductors have been plated up to produce fine line patterns with high conductivity.
All the above approaches have associated drawbacks. For example, fine mesh screens typically lay down thinner conductor and dielectric layers than are desirable. Photoformable pastes have a larger amount of organic matter that increases shrinkage during firing and can produce dirty burnout that may render fired parts useless. Conductors produced with photoformable pastes have an undesirable edge curl that can reduce the reliability of circuits fabricated with them. The processes that require etch, photoresists or plating are lengthy, process-sensitive and expensive. Furthermore, some of the processes use solvent that is difficult to handle. Accordingly, the need continues for a fast, environmentally safe method for making high resolution images in polymer films, and particularly in thick films, that avoids the above mentioned problems.


A process for producing chlorine comprising the step of oxidizing hydrogen chloride in a gas containing hydrogen chloride with a gas containing oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the oxidation of hydrogen chloride is carried out in at least two reaction zones each comprising a catalyst-packed layer, which are arranged in series, and a temperature in at least one of said reaction zones is controlled with a heat exchange system. According to this process, the stable activity of the catalyst is maintained and chlorine can be stably obtained at a high yield since the excessive hot spot in the catalyst-packed layer is suppressed and the catalyst-packed layer can be effectively used.

Chorine is a useful raw material for the production of vinyl chloride, phosgene, etc. and it is well known that chlorine is obtained through the oxidization of hydrogen chloride. For example, a process comprising catalytically oxidizing hydrogen chloride with molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain chlorine is known. With this process, a copper base catalyst, which is called a Deacon catalyst, is known to have a good catalytic activity, and various Deacon catalysts comprising copper chloride, potassium chloride and various kinds of compounds as third components are proposed. Besides the Deacon catalysts, processes using chromium oxide or its compound, or a ruthenium oxide or its compound, as a catalyst are also proposed.
However, since the oxidation reaction of hydrogen chloride is an exothermic reaction with 59 kJ/mol-chlorine, it is important to suppress excessive hot spot in a layer packed with the catalyst from the viewpoint of reducing the thermal degradation of the catalyst and maintaining the stability and easiness of operation. Furthermore, the excessive hot spot may induce a runaway reaction in the worst case, or the high temperature gas corrosion of a reactor material may be caused with hydrogen chloride and/or chlorine.
"Catalyst" Vol. 33, No. 1 (1991) describes that, in the reaction of pure hydrogen chloride with pure oxygen in the presence of chromium oxide as a catalyst, it is difficult to remove the hot spot in a fixed bed reaction system, and that it is necessary to use a fluidized bed reactor in a practical apparatus.


An optical switch wherein mirrors move between two positions in order to transmit optical signals between input fibers and output fibers. In a first position, the optical signal is transmitted by input fibers through a one-quarter pitch of Grade Index Refractive (GRIN) lens. The light signal is then reflected by a first mirror and second mirror such that its path carries it to a focusing one-quarter GRIN lens, and to output fibers. With the mirrors in its second position, the optical signal is transmitted directly from input fibers, through one-quarter pitch of Grade Index Refractive (GRIN) lens, to a focusing one-quarter GRIN lens, and to output fibers, thereby resulting in an unreflected light signal path.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a fiber optic switch, and more particularly concerns a two-by-two fiber optic switch for use in Local Area Network (LAN) applications using an optical fiber dual ring system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Modern Local Area Networks are experiencing increasing data transmission rates. The electrical signals traditionally used (either digital or analog) in LANs cannot satisfy the increased data transmission rates. Because of this, LANs are increasingly being constructed with optical fiber instead of more traditional electrical cables. Optical fiber cable is ideal for use in LANs because they can carry much larger quantities of data than traditional cable. Also, optical fiber cable does not create the electromagnetic interference (EMI) associated with electrical cable used in a LAN.
These optical fiber cables are connected by fiber optic switches. An optical fiber switch is used to change the optical path to allow transmission of data into the LAN, reception of data by a terminal from the LAN, or allow transmission of data around the LAN and the local (where data is transmitted between a transmission location to a receiving location), respectively.
By switching the optical switch between the inserted state (where data is either inserted or retrieved from the information ring) and bypass state (where data is transmitted inside the information ring), the two-by-two switch can change the optical path in the LAN. Optical signals from the information ring can also be isolated while the continuity of the information ring is maintained.
A de facto industrial standard known as fiber data distributed interface (FDDI) has developed that outlines basic requirements for fiber optic switches.
In optical fiber switches, either multi-mode fiber or single-mode fiber can be used. Regardless of what type of fiber is used, it has always been very difficult to align optical paths when bare fiber is used. Because fiber cores are so small, a misalignment of a few micrometers can cause large insertion losses. This is especially true when using single-mode fiber.
This misalignment problem has been addressed to some extent in the prior art through the use of a Grade Refractive Index (GRIN) lens. The GRIN lens makes the fiber act as if its core diameter has been enlarged to the size of the GRIN lens diameter, thereby making the fiber core diameter behave as if it was at least ten to one-hundred times larger. As a result insertion losses will be minimized when there is a few micrometers of misalignment between the light path from the input fiber to the output fiber. Inherent misalignments cannot be corrected thought the use of a GRIN lens.
Currently, there are two different technologies used to make optical fiber switches (exclusive of the integrated optic switch). A first is known as moving fiber. In this technology either the input optical fibers or the output optical fibers are actually reoriented to switch the light path between outputs. The second is known as moving prism or mirror. in this technology the refractive medium, i.e. the prism, or the mirror is reoriented to switch the light path between outputs while the fibers do not move. These prior art technologies, however, have suffered from slow switching speeds, unacceptable insertion losses and low stability (e.g. alignment problems).
An example of an optical system that uses a moving reflector assembly is disclosed in co-pending application, U.S. Ser. No. 08/028,398, by the same inventor as this application. It is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Apparatus for switching optical signals among optical fibers


A multiple channel rotary joint design is described in which the channel components are laid out in a manner to reduce the number of layers of microwave circuitry necessary to provide rotary coupling with the antenna. The reduction of layers in each channel allows room for larger conductors in each channel, providing greater power handling capability. Compactness is also achieved through the use of a novel central extrusion that replaces the usual coaxial input lines, novel choke designs, and a novel stripline configuration that makes dual use of various components and minimizes losses within the joint. The central extrusion provides all the high power inputs, while allowing the passage through its center of a plurality of low power coaxial lines to low power channels residing on top of the high power channels. Cooling of the rotary joint is simplified by keeping the center of the joint stationary, and cooling air is fed through the transmission lines to make this function more efficient. One pair of bearings is used for the entire multiple channel joint rather than using individual channel bearings in order to reduce tolerance buildup and weight. The use of numerically controlled machining in the manufacturing process guarantees channel-to-channel reproducibility and achieves tolerances suitable for high performance chokes.

The subject invention is a shipboard radar/antenna interface coupling system. Such systems, in which radio frequency (r.f.) signals must pass to the antenna from a transmitter located below decks, are well known in the art. In this particular type of radar system, the antenna rotates through 360 degrees of azimuth coverage. Therefore, a rotary coupling system is needed.
Shipboard radars require stabilized systems to maintain elevation coverage and also for beam steering to find height and target location. Innumerable techniques have been used, utilizing either large mechanical devices or active electronics on the antenna. These approaches often have reliability and maintenance problems. Radar systems having a rotary array with control of individual rows to form elevation beams, but having only straight-forward azimuth rotation, represent a sound, economical design. To simplify maintenance it is desirable that outputs from each row be brought off the rotating platform so that the electronics can be accessible and protected below decks. The present emphasis on solid state transmitters that combine the outputs of dozens of modules in a given space allows an alternative to mechanical devices and active antenna electronics: multiple rotary joints (see FIG. 1). Elevation steering is electronic, and takes place below decks. Each array row 2 is fed by at least one module with controllable phase. The phase shift can be accomplished at low power. By thus eliminating the electrical loss due to both the phase shifters and their combiners, the transmission line loss in the run up the mast becomes less critical. To be successful, this method requires multiple, high power, low loss, and phase stable rotary joint paths.
All 360 degree rotary joints must provide a circularly symmetric junction between the stationary and rotary paths, so that rotation can take place without signal variations caused by the coupling the term (WOW) as used in the industry as a variation of an electrical property of a rotary device as a function of rotation of the device through 360 degrees. Further, with N multiple paths, N-1 transmission lines must pass inside the largest coupler.
For up to three high power channels, concentric coaxial rotary joints of progressively smaller diameters are commonly used, with progressively less power handling from outer to innermost joint. Beyond three paths, stacking must be done vertically instead, using thin "pancake" joints 3. These have oversized, inner diameter holes 4 sufficiently large to allow the passage of all transmission lines 5 from the joints 3 to the antenna above them, as illustrated in FIG. 2a and 2b. This usually makes the circumference large in number of wavelengths, requiring multiple drive points around the joints 3 to obtain a uniform field at the circular junction. In order to transfer energy across this large diameter junction without sensitivity to rotation, each side must be uniformly driven. If the excitation points are spaced more than one wavelength apart on the circumference, at least two modes will propagate unattenuated at different velocities, and drastic variations with azimuth will occur. Even if driving points are closer than a wavelength, the attenuation to non-propagating modes is limited for short lengths of coax, so carefully designed input and output networks are required to meet a specified WOW level. Clearly the larger the diameter the more complex the driving network. For high power level and wide bandwidth, 15/8" diameter coax might typically be required for input and output lines such as transmission lines 5. As shown in FIG. 5a, if densely packed into the inner diameter hole 4, at least a 10" diameter hole 4 would be required for the specific case considered herein in detail, using 21 high power lines and 6 low power lines, along with different styles of connections depending on where the coax was placed. If all were at a single radius, the diameter of hole 4 would reach 13", which would create serious design problems. The number of drive point taps required is directly proportional to the diameter, and the divider size is proportional to both, making the diameter of hole 4 the primary determinant of rotary joint unit size and weight
Usually the entire outside of the rotary coupler is the stationary component, while the inside section rotates with the antenna. The input line divides into enough drive point taps to drive a low impedance coaxial line. The output has multiple taps as well to collect the signals, which are recombined at the antenna port. The rotor-to-stator junction itself must be a non-contacting type to allow rotation and to have significant life at high power. Normally a multiple section choke joint is employed to realize the junction, with the section impedances chosen to provide low VSWR across the band.
Such rotary couplers are not new to the art, but are usually associated with multiple low power applications, for the following reasons. If the many channels are to fit within the above decks antenna platform, they must be of minimum height and less than a specific diameter. Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, which show two planar cross-sections of the current state of the art in pancake joints, minimizing the size of joints is seen to be quite difficult. The joint has coaxial inputs and outputs, and uses many layers of microwave circuitry. In FIG. 3a, starting at the bottom, there is an inner conductor choke 6, an outer divider 8, a choke on the divider balun 10, an outer conductor choke 12, a combiner balun 14, a combiner 16, and a return of the combiner to the center 18. Each joint 3 is tied to the low impedance coax and each layer will function more effectively as its thickness increases, both in power handling and in bandwidth. With 1" striplines and 0.5" chokes provided to achieve desired power handling and bandwidth characteristics, 5" minimum thickness is required for each channel. This makes the system as it exists prohibitively large for high power applications. In high power applications, excessive heat may also be a problem in these prior art systems. Excessive heat must be avoided especially, as liquid cooling can be difficult on board ship; any cooling system used must be kept simple and reliable.
Since each of these prior art channels contains chokes, baluns, and transformers, bandwidth is often limited and losses are moderately high. Large conductors can be used, as they have a higher peak power capacity. However, the large dimensions strain the size and weight limitations and put a premium on optimal location of each part and on mechanical design. Also, larger conductors can be significant fractions of a wavelength wide, complicating the already difficult task of microwave design over the wide bandwidth.
Also, in most conventional designs of pancake modules, each channel is entirely self contained, with its own bearing or bearings. Assembly of several channels into a package involves stacking the required number of modules one above another, with some method of tying the stators and rotors of each module to its neighbors. This process necessarily gives rise to concentricity and alignment problems. Also, because the individual module bearings are relatively small, and undergo continuous use, bearing loads can become quite high, with resultant short bearing life.
In addition, when individual module bearings are used, the module design is often complicated by the need to shield the bearings from r.f. energy, particularly in a high power module. Improperly shielded bearings may arc in the presence of r.f., seriously reducing their lifetimes, or resulting in catastrophic failure. To protect them requires extensive choke and load designs modification.
What is needed is a design that will accommodate a high average power r.f. signal with a large bandwidth, that is of compact size and weight, and that suffers low losses in order to keep temperatures reasonable and has facilities for cooling to permit high power level use.


An electronic module substrate assembly and fabrication method, the assembly providing good thermal conductivity between an electronic device and an aqueous coolant, while maintaining physical separation between the coolant and electronic device, and relieving mechanical stresses caused by mismatches in thermal coefficients of expansion of materials within the device assembly. The assembly includes a substrate, at least one electronic device, and a preformed, thermally conductive, impermeable barrier. The barrier is preformed into a plurality of regions, some of which are bonded to other structures. One barrier region preferably forms a fluid tight seal with the substrate perimeter. At least one other barrier region forms a low thermal resistance bond with the at least one electronic device. When incorporated into an electronic module assembly including a module cap, the substrate assembly provides physical separation between a cooling fluid introduced into the module cap, and both the substrate and electronic devices.

The present invention relates in general to devices used for removing heat from electronic modules, and methods of constructing such devices. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for passivating an electronic module substrate assembly by preventing contact between a cooling fluid and the electronics to be cooled while providing a high thermal conductivity path between the electronics to be cooled and the cooling fluid.
As is known, operating electronic devices produce heat. This heat should be removed from the devices in order to maintain device junction temperatures within desirable limits: failure to remove the heat thus produced results in increased device temperatures, potentially leading to thermal runaway conditions. Several trends in the electronics industry have combined to increase the importance of thermal management, including heat removal for electronic devices, including technologies where thermal management has traditionally been less of a concern, such as CMOS. In particular, the need for faster and more densely packed circuits has had a direct impact on the importance of thermal management. First, power dissipation, and therefore heat production, increases as the device operating frequencies increase. Second, increased operating frequencies may be possible at lower device junction temperatures. Finally, as more and more devices are packed onto a single chip, power density (Watts/cm2) increases, resulting in the need to remove more power from a given size chip or module. These trends have combined to create applications where it is no longer desirable to remove the heat from modern devices solely by traditional air cooling methods, such as by using traditional air cooled heat sinks. These trends are likely to continue in the foreseeable future, furthering the need for alternatives to traditional air cooling methods.
One approach to avoiding the limitations of traditional air cooling is to use a cooling fluid. As is known, different fluids provide different cooling capabilities. In particular, fluids such as refrigerants or other dielectric fluids exhibit relatively poor thermal conductivity and specific heat properties, when compared to fluids such as water or other aqueous fluids. Dielectric fluids have an advantage, however, in that they may be placed in direct physical contact with electronic devices and interconnects without adverse affects such as corrosion or electrical short circuits. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,284, entitled xe2x80x9cPrinted Circuit Board with Electronic Devices Mounted Thereon,xe2x80x9d describes an apparatus in which a dielectric fluid flows over and around several operating electronic devices, thereby removing heat from the devices.
Other cooling fluids, such as water or other aqueous fluids, exhibit superior thermal conductivity and specific heat compared to dielectric fluids. Water-based coolants, however, must be kept from physical contact with electronic devices and interconnects, since corrosion and electrical short circuit problems are likely to result from such contact. Various methods have been disclosed for using water-based coolants, while providing physical separation between the coolant and the electronic devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,146, entitled xe2x80x9cApparatus for Cooling High-Density Integrated Circuit Packages,xe2x80x9d discloses the use of a conductive foil barrier; U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,629, entitled xe2x80x9cLiquid Cooled Multi-chip Integrated Circuit Module Incorporating a Seamless Compliant Member for Leakproof Operation,xe2x80x9d and IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin Vol. 20, No. 2, July 1977, entitled xe2x80x9cLiquid Cooled Module with Compliant Membrane,xe2x80x9d disclose the use of a flexible barrier with thermal conduction enhancements (thermal studs and heatsinks, respectively); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,032, entitled xe2x80x9cApparatus for Cooling High-Density Integrated Circuit Packages,xe2x80x9d and U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,830, entitled xe2x80x9cApparatus for Indirect Impingement Cooling of Integrated Circuit Chips,xe2x80x9d disclose the use of flexible barriers, where pistons are used to maintain contact between the barrier and the devices to be cooled.
An additional problem may arise with the use of a barrier, where the barrier material differs from any of the other materials used to construct the electronic module assembly. While solids in general tend to expand with increasing temperature, the rate of expansion for a given temperature change tends to be characteristic of a particular material. This characteristic, known as the thermal coefficient of expansion, varies from material to material. Therefore, two structures of different materials, when bonded together at one temperature, will tend to expand at different rates as the temperature of the two materials increases. This difference in expansion rates results in mechanical stresses in the structure, as the temperature of the structure varies in either direction from the temperature at which the devices were bonded (zero stress condition). It is desirable, therefore, for a device employing a coiling fluid barrier to provide a stress relief mechanism in order to relieve stresses produced within permanently bonded structures composed of materials having different thermal coefficients of expansion.
For the foregoing reasons, therefore, there is a need in the art for a device capable of providing a high thermal conductivity path between a device to be cooled and a water-based coolant, while simultaneously maintaining physical separation between the coolant and electronic devices and providing relief from mechanical stresses caused by mismatches in the thermal coefficients of expansion of various materials within the device assembly.
The present invention is directed to a device capable of providing a high thermal conductivity path between a device to be cooled and a water-based coolant, while simultaneously maintaining physical separation between the coolant and electronic devices and providing relief from mechanical stresses caused by mismatches in the thermal coefficients of expansion of various materials within the device assembly.
In one aspect of the present invention, an electronic module substrate assembly is disclosed, including a substrate, an electronic device which is electrically connected to the substrate, and a metal barrier. The substrate includes a periphery. The metal barrier includes a perimeter area which is sealably affixed to the substrate periphery; at least one fold to accommodate thermal expansion; and a device contact area which is thermally coupled to an upper surface of the electronic device.
In another aspect of the present invention, an electronic module assembly is disclosed, including a substrate, an electronic device which is electrically connected to the substrate, and a metal barrier. The substrate includes a periphery. The metal barrier includes a perimeter area which is sealably affixed to the substrate periphery; at least one fold to accommodate thermal expansion; and a device contact area which is thermally coupled to an upper surface of the electronic device. The electronic module assembly further includes a module cap sealably affixed to the upper surface of the barrier perimeter area, the module cap inner surface and the barrier upper surface thereby defining an internal volume capable of containing a cooling fluid.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a passivated electronic module substrate assembly is disclosed. The substrate assembly includes a substrate and at least one electronic device. The substrate includes a perimeter area. The method includes: sealably affixing a metal barrier to the substrate perimeter area, where the metal barrier includes at least one fold to accommodate thermal expansion; thermally coupling the metal barrier to at least one electronic device.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a passivated electronic module substrate assembly. It is a further object of the present invention to passivate an electronic module assembly by providing a thermally conductive barrier, thermally coupled to at least one electronic device. It is a further object of the present invention to provide relief from mechanical stresses caused by mismatches in thermal coefficients of expansion by using a folded barrier.
The recitation herein of a list of desirable objects which are met by various embodiments of the present invention is not meant to imply or suggest that any or all of these objects are present as essential features, either individually or collectively, in the most general embodiment of the present invention or in any of its more specific embodiments.

Electronic device substrate assembly with impermeable barrier and method of making

International Business Machines Corporation


A medical laser system is disclosed for generating a pulsed output beam of variable pulse duration and wavelength. The on time of the laser is the pulse duration which is generated by a Q-switch operated in a repetitive mode as a train of micropulses. According to one embodiment, a repetitively Q-switched frequency-doubled solid state laser produces an input beam which is subsequently used to excite a dye laser. An excitation source of the solid state laser is modulated to control the pulse duration of the input beam. The dye laser receives the input beam and responsively generates an output beam of adjustable wavelength having a pulse duration corresponding to the pulse duration of the input beam. The wavelength of the output beam is controlled by adjusting a tuning element of the dye laser. The dye laser is coupleable to a delivery system for directing the output laser beam to a biological tissue target. By carefully controlling the pulse duration and wavelength of the beam delivered to the target tissue, a user of the laser system may avoid or minimize damage to tissue adjacent to the target tissue.

The present invention relates generally to lasers, and more particularly to dye lasers suitable for medical therapies such as selective photothermolysis and photodynamic therapy.
Many medical procedures employing lasers require relatively long pulse durations at specific wavelengths to achieve optimal results. Therapies such as laser removal of hair and vascular and pigmented lesions rely upon the selective photothermolysis of blood vesicles and/or cells. The principles of selective photothermolysis were first described by Anderson and Parrish in xe2x80x9cSelective Photothermolysis: Precise Microsurgery by Selective Absorption of Pulse Radiationxe2x80x9d, Science, Vol. 220, pp. 524-27 (1983).
To provide selective photothermolysis in an efficient manner, the following three criteria must be satisfied:
(1) The target tissue must absorb more of the incident laser light than the adjacent tissue;
(2) The intensity of the laser light and the absorption of the target tissue must be sufficiently high to coagulate, kill, or vaporize the target tissue, and;
(3) The pulse duration of the laser light must be short enough to avoid or minimize overheating of adjacent tissue due to thermal diffusion from the target tissue, but long enough to prevent explosive boiling of the target and/or adjacent tissue.
The foregoing criteria are generally satisfied by matching the laser pulse duration and wavelength to the thermal and spectral characteristics of the target tissue. In order to accommodate targets of varying size and absorption coefficients, it is necessary to adjust pulse duration and wavelength over a fairly wide range.
To date, prior art lasers used or intended for use in selective photothermolysis and similar procedures have fallen into one of two categories: fixed pulse duration, variable wavelength lasers, and fixed wavelength, variable pulse duration lasers. The former category includes long pulse flashlamp pumped dye lasers (known as FLPDLs), various examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,293; 5,287,380; 5,624,435, and; 5,668,824. FLPDLs designed for medical use have maximum pulse durations of approximately 1.5 milliseconds, which limits their use to very small blood vessels. Another problem associated with FLPDLs is that while they allow adjustment of the output beam wavelength, they do not offer the ability to adjust the pulse duration over a clinically relevant range.
Examples of lasers in the second category (fixed wavelength, variable pulse duration lasers) include xe2x80x9cStar Pulsedxe2x80x9d KTP lasers available from Laserscope, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. These lasers employ a pulsed arc lamp to generate high intensity light having a wavelength of 532 nanometers and pulse durations ranging from 1-100 ms. Variable duration long pulse 532 nanometer light can also be generated using flashlamp-pumped lasers, such as the Versipulse laser available from Coherent Laser of Santa Clara, Calif. Although the pulse durations of these lasers render them suitable for treating medium- and large-sized blood vessels, the wavelength of the output beam of lasers of the foregoing description cannot be adjusted to match the spectral characteristics of the target tissue.
In view of the limitations of prior art lasers, there is a need for a medical laser system that offers the ability to adjust both pulse duration and wavelength in order to match thermal and spectral characteristics of the target tissue and thereby achieve highly efficient and effective results.
The present invention provides a medical laser system having an output beam that can be adjusted over a clinically relevant range of pulse durations and wavelengths.
According to one embodiment, the medical laser system includes a solid state laser for generating an input beam of adjustable pulse duration. The solid state laser includes a laser medium, such as a neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) rod, which is pumped by an excitation source typically comprising an arc lamp. Light emitted by the laser medium is passed through an acousto-optic Q-switch and a frequency doubling non-linear crystal. Power supplied to the excitation source is modulated to produce pulses of a specified duration, each pulse comprising a train of repetitively Q-switched micropulses.
The input beam is coupled to a dye laser, either directly or through an optical fiber. The dye laser generates an output beam of adjustable wavelength having a pulse duration corresponding to the pulse duration of the input beam. The dye laser includes a dye cell onto which the input beam is focussed, and a tuning element, such as a birefringent filter. Adjustment of output beam wavelength is accomplished by changing the dye composition and/or varying the filter orientation. A portion of the output beam may be split off and diverted to power and wavelength detectors, which provide feedback signals to a control processor driving the excitation source, Q-switch and tuning element. A conventional delivery system, which may comprise an optical fiber and associated focussing optics, is coupleable to the dye laser and serves to direct the output beam onto a biological tissue target.
In accordance with certain embodiments of the medical laser system, the wavelength of the output beam produced by the dye laser may be varied between 550 nanometers and 750 nanometers, and the pulse duration varied between 0.1 and 900 milliseconds. A clinician operating the laser may thus adjust the beam characteristics in order to achieve optimal selective photothermolysis of the target tissue. The medical laser may also be advantageously used for a variety of other therapies and procedures, including hair removal, drug activation in photodynamic therapy (PDT), and cutting and/or drilling tissue.

Variable pulse duration, adjustable wavelength medical laser system


A ballot depository is provided having a baffle which includes a base frame engaging member, a stabilizing member, and a slot obstructing member. In a preferred form, the stabilizing member is supported by at least one of a slot guide, a base frame guide, or a trough, preferably supported by two of the three, and most preferably supported by all three.

A ballot is typically a paper sheet or card used to cast or register a vote, usually a secret one. While a receptacle may be adapted to receive and store ballots it is also useable as a depository for materials other than ballots, for example, sheets or cards, completed survey forms, other forms that must be collected, or any sort of identification or token used as a marker for making a choice.
A conventional ballot box receptacle may be made of, for example, metal, wood, plastic, or fabric and is provided with a locked hinged cover having an entry slot to receive ballots. One problem with a conventional ballot box is that it is possible to shake out the deposited ballots through the entry slot.
Efforts have been made to prevent such tampering. For example, in one form a ballot box has a slotted, locked hinged cover and a closure mounted on the underside of the entry slot. The closure takes the form of a pivoted plate that is weighted at one end so that the plate normally lies against the slot and is swung open only by a ballot inserted in the slot. A deposited ballot cannot be shaken out of the box because the entry slot is blocked by the plate.
One preferred form of a ballot depository is a ballot bag or pouch fabricated from, for example, leather, fabric or other flexible material. These bags are more easily carried and transported to and from a polling place than a rigid ballot box. In one known form, a ballot bag comprises a flexible material which has a rigid cover disc provided with an entry slot. To prevent tampering with the pouch a spring-biased, hinged flap is mounted below the entry slot so that the flap is swung open by an inserted ballot. Once a ballot is deposited the slot is then blocked by the closed flap preventing the ballot from being withdrawn through the entry slot. Of course, use of spring-biased hinged flap increases the difficulty of inserting a paper ballot into the receptacle.
Accordingly, there is still a continuing need for improved ballot depository designs. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages.


A photoreceptor belt control apparatus for a printer having a photoreceptor belt that circulates around rollers rotatably installed on a belt frame. The apparatus includes a pair of auxiliary frames slidably and pivotally installed on the belt frame, and a steering roller whose ends are rotatably installed respectively on the auxiliary frames. The steering roller rotates in contact with the photoreceptor belt. A shaft is rotatably installed on the belt frame, and a cam unit is installed on at least one end of the shaft for controlling the inclination of the steering roller by pivoting each of the auxiliary frames according to the rotational position of the shaft. A tension control unit controls the tension in the photoreceptor belt by sliding the pair of auxiliary frames.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a photoreceptor belt control apparatus, for a printer, which steers a photoreceptor belt, and applies tension to and removes tension from the photoreceptor belt. More particularly, the present invention relates to a photoreceptor belt control apparatus for preventing the photoreceptor belt from traveling laterally, and for applying tension to and releasing tension from the photoreceptor belt by driving auxiliary frames that support a steering roller.
2. Description of the Related Art
A general printer, such as a laser printer, forms a latent electrostatic image by scanning a photoreceptor belt using a laser scanning unit, develops the latent electrostatic image with a color ink using a developing unit, and transfers the developed image onto a printing paper.
Referring to FIG. 1, a general printer includes a photoreceptor belt 10 that circulates continuously around a set of rollers 12, 14 and 21 installed in the main body of the printer. The general printer further includes an erase lamp 15 for erasing a surface potential formed on the photoreceptor belt 10, a charger 17 for charging the photoreceptor belt 10 with a predetermined potential, a plurality of laser scanning units (LSU) 18 for scanning the photoreceptor belt 10 with laser beams to form latent electrostatic images for respective colors, and a plurality of developing units 19 for developing the latent electrostatic images.
As the photoreceptor belt 10 circulates around the rollers 12, 14 and 21, it tends to travel laterally, i.e., in the length direction of the rollers 12, 14, and 21. Also, it is necessary to release the tension in the photoreceptor belt 10, for example, upon attachment and detachment of a belt unit including the photoreceptor belt 10 and the rollers 12, 14, and 21.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional photoreceptor belt control apparatus for the general printer includes a photoreceptor belt steering unit 20 for correcting the lateral travel of the photoreceptor belt 10 on the basis of information detected by a lateral travel detector (not shown), and a tension applying/releasing unit 40 for controlling the tension in the photoreceptor belt 10.
The photoreceptor belt steering unit 20 includes a frame 23 installed on a printer main body 1, a pivot member 25 pivotally installed on the frame 23, a steering roller 21 installed on the pivot member 25 for supporting the photoreceptor belt 10 so that the photoreceptor belt 10 rotates along a fixed path, a pair of stable rollers 27 installed on the frame 23 to prevent the photoreceptor belt 10 from being crumpled as it passes over the steering roller 21, and a control unit 30 installed on the printer main body 1 for controlling the upward and downward (direction indicated by arrow A) tilt of the steering roller 21.
The tension applying/releasing unit 40 includes a guide bar 41 with one end hinged to the center of the pivot member 25, a first cam member 43, an elastic member 45 installed on the outer circumference of the guide bar 41, the elastic member 45 having ends that respectively contact the first cam member 43 and the frame 23, and a control knob 47 for controlling the first cam member 43. The control knob 47 controls the elasticity of the elastic member 45 to adjust the pressure of the steering roller 21 against the photoreceptor belt 10, thereby adjusting the tension in the photoreceptor belt 10.
The pivot member 25 is coupled to the guide bar 41 by a coupling pin 39, and pivots in an X-Y plane about the coupling pin 39. The pivot member 25 pivots in a direction to compensate for an unbalanced pressure that the steering roller 21 applies against the photoreceptor belt 10. A sliding plate 46 is slidably installed on the outer circumference of the guide bar 41 so as to compress the elastic member 45 according to the rotation position of the first cam member 43.
A shaft 21a of the steering roller 21 is inserted into a holding hole 25a formed in the pivot member 25. An elastic piece 26, for pressing the shaft 21a of the steering roller 21 into the holding hole 25a, is installed on the pivot member 25 adjacent to the holding hole 25a.
The control unit 30 includes a driving motor 31 fixed to the printer main body 1, a second cam member 33 whose center is combined with a shaft 31a of the driving motor 31, the second cam member 33 having a cam hole 33a, and a rotating guide protrusion 35 coupled to the pivot member 25 and inserted into the cam hole 33a. The position of the cam hole 33a varies with the rotation of the driving motor 31, thereby changing the relative position of the rotating guide protrusion 35. The steering roller 21 pivots on the guide bar 41 in the direction indicated by arrow A.
When a lateral travel degree of the photoreceptor belt 10 is detected by the lateral travel detector, the second cam member 33 rotates to adjust the tilt of the steering roller 21. The tilt of the steering roller 21 causes the photoreceptor belt 10 to return to its initial lateral position. In this way, the lateral travel of the photoreceptor belt 10 is corrected.
The pair of stable rollers 27 are installed parallel to the steering roller 21, and respectively contact a portion of the photoreceptor belt 10 heading for the steering roller 21 and a portion of the photoreceptor belt 10 that has passed across the steering roller 21. These stable rollers 27 prevent the photoreceptor belt 10 from crumpling.
Although generally thought to be acceptable, the conventional photoreceptor belt control apparatus is not without shortcomings. In particular, the steering roller 21 pivots about the coupling pin 39, which is located at the end of the guide bar 41. This pivoting action requires structure that occupies valuable internal space in a printer main body. The structure includes the pivot member 25, guide bar 41, and frame 23. Thus, the miniaturization of the photoreceptor belt control apparatus is limited.
Also, the first cam member 43 adjusts the elastic force applied to the guide bar 41, and thus the tension in the photoreceptor belt 10 is adjustable. This conventional structure, however, does not allow a convenient retreating movement of the steering roller 21 in the direction indicated by arrow X.

Photoreceptor belt control apparatus for printer


Disclosed herein is a passive vapor intrusion measurement device including a barrier layer having first and second major sides; an absorbent stack disposed on a first portion of the surface of the barrier layer first major side, the absorbent stack including a first absorbent layer, an optional second absorbent layer; and spacer layer(s) disposed between the first and second (if present) absorbent layer and the barrier layer; and an adhesive disposed on a second portion of the surface of the barrier layer first major side and transversely surrounding the absorbent stack. The device is applied to a substrate in need of vapor intrusion sampling. A method of vapor intrusion analysis includes individually collecting the first and second (if present) absorbent layers after a test period; analyzing the amount of an analyte the absorbent layer(s); and subtracting the amount of the analyte in the second absorbent layer (if present) from the amount of the analyte in the first absorbent layer.

Vapor intrusion, sometimes called subsurface vapor intrusion, occurs when there is a migration of volatile chemicals from contaminated groundwater or soil into an overlying building. Volatile chemicals may migrate through subsurface soils and into indoor air spaces of overlying buildings in ways similar to that of radon gas seeping into homes. Notoriously, many compounds are able to diffuse easily through concrete and other construction materials used in e.g. building foundations. The compounds can accumulate within the interior space of the building, giving rise to actual or potential health risks to building occupants.
For these reasons, measurement of vapor intrusion has become an important environmental topic. Vapor sampling of soil gas and air provides a direct measurement of compounds both beneath and within a building in order to evaluate health risks. However, the actual flux of compounds through the building slab itself can only be inferred by these measurements. Numerous published procedures and guidance documents discuss air and soil gas sampling techniques, sample analysis, and interpretation of data. Most of these publications discuss well-known active vapor sampling techniques. These methods forcefully or mechanically extract a known volume of vapor, which is hopefully a representative sample, from the soil pore space or from free air (e.g., indoor air), and are analyzed on-site or at fixed off-site laboratories following a variety of accepted sampling and analytical methods.
While passive vapor sampling is known, there is a paucity of information on passive methods to obtain accurate measurements in a vapor intrusion application. While some passive vapor sampling devices are known, they tend to be complicated, must be assembled on site from multiple components, and must be carefully situated in an attempt to avoid contamination from non-target sources which destroys the accuracy of the test.
Passive vapor sampling for clothing is known; see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,068 describing pouch-like vapor detecting devices. Such devices will not work in a vapor intrusion application—that is, where vapors issuing from the ground must be quantified and separated from ambient vapors present in a building or other space arising from sources other than the ground. This is because the clothing-bound pouch devices measure compounds that arrive via diffusion of ambient air. Such a device does not differentiate volatiles issuing from the ground from those arising from other sources.
An exemplary type of passive sampling device specifically for vapor intrusion is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,981. A rigid, dome shaped cover includes a weighted ring that is placed around the dome to hold the dome against a floor. A container of absorptive material is placed under the dome to absorb vapors. While in theory such an arrangement may work to accurately measure vapors issuing only from the ground, an uneven floor destroys the usefulness of such a device: if the rigid dome is not completely seated (sealed) against the floor, ambient air will leak into the dome. Such leakage destroys the accuracy of any measurement of vapors obtained from the absorbent. Since many concrete floors are less than perfectly planar, such a device has extremely limited utility. Additionally, multiple equipment components are required to assemble the sampling device, which complicates its use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,981 illustrates the challenge in designing passive vapor intrusion devices. Specifically, such devices must accurately measure vapors issuing only from the ground, and must exclude ambient vapors arising from other sources, such as vapors previously issued and present in the atmosphere proximal to the device. While a passive measuring device may be placed subsurface to effectively eliminate above-ground ambient vapors, such an approach is not always possible or practical. Surface contact devices are needed in such applications. We are unaware of any passive vapor intrusion surface devices or methods that completely exclude measurement of ambient vapor sources in practical, real world situations where imperfect exclusion of ambient vapors may be operative.
Thus, there is a need in the industry for a passive vapor sampling device that accurately and repeatably measures vapor intrusion for a range of compounds, including volatile, organic and non-organic compounds, and under a wide range of site conditions. There is a need in the industry for devices, methods of deployment thereof, and analytical measurements taken therefrom that are simple to use, repeatable, accurate, and inexpensive to obtain. There is a need in the industry for a passive vapor intrusion device and method of vapor intrusion quantification that excludes the contribution of ambient vapors in the quantification of vapor intrusion.

Passive device for vapor intrusion sampling


An infrared detector assembly for infrared spectrometers includes a circuit board on which electronic components and an infrared detector and cooler unit are mounted. The detector unit includes a thermal electric cooler which cools the detector and transfers heat to a flange of the detector unit. A front side heat sink is mounted to the flange to dissipate heat to the air on the front side of the circuit board. Heat is also transferred from the flange of the heat detector unit by a heat conductive post or posts through openings in the circuit board to a heat sink mounted to the back side of the circuit board. The back side heat sink can include an adjustment plate to which the circuit board is detachably mounted and which is itself mounted on an assembly which allows lateral adjustment of the position of the circuit board and the detector thereon. Adequate cooling of the detector is thus obtained through heat transfer to the front side and back side heat sinks, while allowing the entire circuit board and detector unit to be detached from the adjustment plate when it is necessary to replace the detector or the circuit board electronics.

Infrared spectrometers, particularly Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, are widely used for measuring the chemical composition and characteristics of materials. In an FTIR spectrometer, infrared radiation provided by a source having a relatively broad emission bandwidth is passed through an interferometer, typically a Michelson interferometer, to modulate the beam, and then through a sample before reaching a detector. The interferometer cancels out a narrow band of the wavelengths in the beam depending on the position of a moving element within the interferometer. Canceled wavelengths are scanned across a selected portion of the bandwidth of the infrared source by the interferometer in a time varying periodic fashion. The information obtained from the detector as the interferometer modulates the beam is provided to a computer which calculates a Fourier transform on the data to determine information concerning the sample, for example, to determine an absorbance spectrum of the sample in the infrared range. This spectrum may then be utilized to identify the chemical composition of the sample.
A variety of devices using various materials have been employed to produce the infrared detectors used in FTIR spectrometers. The output signal of the detector is a time varying signal which corresponds to the time varying intensity of the infrared beam that is focused on the detector. The responsivity of virtually all infrared detectors varies as a function of the temperature of the detector itself. For certain types of detectors, such as mercury-cadmium-telluride (MCT) detectors, the detector is typically cooled down to cryogenic temperatures, e.g., by use of coolant such as liquid nitrogen, to obtain a high and stable level of sensitivity for the detector. Other types of detectors, such as DTGS detectors, are able to operate at room temperature (e.g., about 72.degree. F.) but nonetheless have responsivity characteristics that vary significantly depending on the actual temperature of the detector itself. Where the FTIR instrument is used in a "plant" or industrial environment, the ambient temperature can vary widely, up to 40.degree. C. Moreover, the detector itself absorbs the energy of the focused infrared beam, which tends to increase the temperature of the detector. It is possible to control the temperature of the optics enclosure within which the detector is contained, but forced air cooling can create vibrations and temperature gradients which adversely affect the other mechanisms in the optics enclosure. Thus, it is generally desirable to cool the detector itself by some means. While water cooling and the use of cryogenic liquids is feasible, such equipment adds significantly to the cost of the instrument, as well as imposing additional operating and maintenance burdens.
For spectrometers which are utilized in a production type environment, it is highly desirable that the components of the instrument be readily accessible and easily replaceable if necessary. Prior detectors have often been mounted semipermanently within the optics enclosure and replacement of such detectors generally requires the services of a skilled technician who is trained to replace and realign the detector.

Infrared detector of the type used in infrared spectrometers


Methods for making emulsifiers, emulsified drilling fluids, and methods for using the same are provided. In one or more embodiments, the method for making an emulsifier can include mixing a tall oil and a triamide. The triamide can have the chemical formula:

Field
Embodiments described generally relate to methods for making emulsifiers that can include one or more tall oils and one or more triamides, emulsified drilling fluids, and methods for using same.
Description of the Related Art
The oil and gas industry has used drilling fluids or "drilling muds" for a number of years to tap subterranean deposits of natural resources. As the total reserves of oil diminish, it has become necessary to drill in areas that were previously inaccessible due to technological or economic difficulties. This has led to the widespread use of oil-based drilling fluids or invert emulsion drilling fluids, which offer greater thermal and chemical stability than water-based fluids, allowing for drilling at extended depths and in other demanding services, such as those involving exposure to high electrolyte concentrations and soluble gases. For example, invert emulsion drilling fluids have been used successfully in drilling hot (e.g., greater than 150° C.) formations as well as those containing hydrogen sulfide. Also, to maximize recovery from each platform in offshore drilling, invert emulsion drilling fluids are favored due to their effectiveness for drilling deviated wells (e.g., angled wells). In particular, the high lubricity of invert emulsion drilling fluids is necessary because of the increased torque exerted on the drill string in deviated drilling.
Invert emulsion drilling fluids are typically formed by blending a hydrocarbon oil with water or brine under high shear conditions and in the presence of a suitable emulsifier. The emulsifier is required not only to form a stable dispersion of water droplets in the oil phase, but also to maintain any solids such as weighting material additives (e.g., barites) or drill cuttings in an oil-wet state. With space at some well sites limited, such as on offshore platforms, and with increasing costs of transport of materials to a well site, there is industry wide interest particularly in drilling fluid compositions that can be formulated and maintained (e.g., stored) with minimal or fewer quantities of solvent and other additives, compared to prior art compositions.
There is a need, therefore, for improved emulsifiers for use in invert emulsions that can be used, for example, in oil well drilling.

Methods for producing emulsifiers for oil-based drilling fluids

Abstract: where:                    x, y, and z are integers independently selected from 1 to 10,            R1 is a C8-C20 alkyl, a C8-C20 alkenyl, a C8-C20 dialkenyl, or a C8-C20 alkynyl,            R2 is H or

Abstract: independently selected for each [(CH2)xNR2(CH2)y] unit, where R4 is a C1-C3 alkylene or a C1-C3 alkylene alcohol, and where at least one R2 is

Abstract: and            R3 is a C8-C20 alkyl, a C8-C20 alkenyl, a C8-C20 dialkenyl, or a C8-C20 alkynyl.


Comb filter apparatus for comb filtering NTSC or PAL video signals includes sampling circuitry to sample the video signal at 45 degrees relative to the I,Q or U,V axes. The sampled signal is coupled to delay circuitry arranged to concurrently provide video samples from three successive horizontal lines, designated top, middle and bottom. The video samples from the middle line are combined with samples alternately selected from the top and bottom lines to provide a comb filtered signal.

In processing video signals, it is known to be particularly advantageous to separate the luminance and chrominance components from composite video signal with comb filters. The reason being that the separated luminance component is of full bandwidth, e.g., 4.2 MHz for NTSC signal, and cross components are substantially eliminated from both of the separated luminance and chrominance components. Typical intraframe comb filters for NTSC video signals include circuitry for combining signals which are displaced in time by an odd integral number of horizontal line periods. Because the phase of the chrominance subcarrier changes by exactly 180.degree. from line to line, additively combining NTSC video signals displaced by one line interval produces a signal in which the luminance components from the two lines constructively combine and the chrominance component is cancelled. Conversely, if the signals are subtractively combined the luminance component is cancelled while the chrominance components from the two lines constructively combine. The vertical resolution of the luminance component is compromised but is acceptible.
PAL signals on the otherhand have a chrominance subcarrier which exhibits a 180.degree. phase change every two horizontal line periods. Therefore, typical intraframe PAL comb filters combine video signals which are displaced in time by two horizontal intervals. The PAL comb filter function is basically the same as for the NTSC comb filter however, since the signals that are combined are spatially displaced by two lines, the vertical resolution of the PAL luminance component is significantly impaired, and tends towards not being acceptable.
Yoshimitsu Nakajima et al in an article entitled "Improvement of Picture Quality For NTSC And PAL Systems By Digital Signal Processing," IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, Vol. CE-31, No. 4, November, 1985, pp. 642-654 describe adaptive comb filters which combine samples from three successive lines of video signal. In this system, the NTSC embodiment combines samples which are vertically aligned, similar to the aforedescribed typical NTSC and PAL comb filters. The PAL embodiment however combines diagonally aligned samples from adjacent lines. This tends to preserve the vertical resolution of the luminance component, reduces memory requirements for delaying the video signals but tends to have an adverse affect on images containing vertical lines.
Published West German Application No. DE 3007520 A1 shows a comb filter apparatus for PAL signals including an intraframe comb filter. The intraframe comb filter includes a one line delay element for delaying alternate samples of the video signal from successive lines of signal. The delayed samples are coupled to one input of a combining circuit and intervening samples from the current line are coupled to a second input of the combining circuit. Since the combined signals correspond to alternate samples on alternate lines, the intraframe filter function corresponds to a diagonal rather than a vertical comb filter. Further since the apparatus operates on alternate samples, there is a loss in horizontal resolution.
Richard C. Spiero in U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,265 describes a circuit for comb filtering separated PAL chrominance signals by combining signals from adjacent video lines. In this system one of the signals to be combined is first applied to a phase inverter which inverts the phase of the (R-Y) component of the chrominance signal before combining. The line of chrominance which undergoes phase inversion has its components phase aligned with the chrominance components of adjacent lines. The phase inverted line and an adjacent line is additively combined to develope a noise reduced chrominance signal. This system is limited to comb filtering chrominance signal and cannot be utilized to separate the luminance and chrominance components from composite PAL video signals.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a comb filter for processing at least PAL video signals, without any of the aforementioned shortcomings.

Circuitry for comb filtering PAL and NTSC video signals


A method and system for computer aided design (CAD) is disclosed for designing geometric objects. The present invention interpolates and/or blends between such geometric objects sufficiently fast so that real time deformation of such objects occurs while deformation data is being input. Thus, a user designing with the present invention obtains immediate feedback to input modifications without separately entering a command for performing such deformations. The present invention utilizes novel computational techniques for blending between geometric objects, wherein weighted sums of points on the geometric objects are used in deriving a new blended geometric object. The present invention is particularly useful for designing the shape of surfaces. Thus, the present invention is applicable to various design domains such as the design of, e.g., bottles, vehicles, and watercraft. Additionally, the present invention provides for efficient animation via repeatedly modifying surfaces of an animated object such as a representation of a face.

A designer using a computer aided design (CAD) computational system will typically approach the design of a free form geometric object (such as a surface) by first specifying prominent and/or necessary subportions of the geometric object through which the object is constrained to pass. Subsequently, a process is activated for generating the geometric object that conforms to the constraining subportions provided. In particular, such subportions may be points, curves, surfaces and/or higher dimensional geometric objects. For example, a designer that designs a surface may construct and position a plurality of curves through which the intended surface must pass (each such curve also being denoted herein as a "feature line" or "feature curve"). Thus, the intended surface is, in general, expected to have geometric characteristics (such as differentiability and curvature) that, substantially, only change to the extent necessary in order to satisfy the constraints placed upon the surface by the plurality of curves. That is, the designer expects the generated surface to be what is typically referred to as "fair" by those skilled in the art. Thus, the designer typically constructs such feature curves and positions them where the intended surface is likely to change its geometric shape in a way that cannot be easily interpolated from other subportions of the surface already designed.
As a more specific example, when designing containers such as bottles, an intended exterior surface of a bottle may be initially specified by subportions such as: (a) feature curves positioned in high curvature portions of the bottle surface, and (b) surface subareas having particular geometric characteristics such as having a shape or contour upon which a bottle label can be smoothly applied. Thus, the intention of a bottle surface designer is to construct a bottle design that satisfies his/her input constraints and that is also fair. Moreover, the designer may desire to generate holes for handles, as well as, e.g., ergonomic bottle grips by deforming various portions of the bottle surface and still have the bottle surface fair.
There has heretofore, however, been no CAD system wherein a designer (or more generally, user) of geometric objects can easily and efficiently express his/her design intent by inputting constraints and having the resulting geometric object be fair. That is, the designer/user may encounter lengthy delays due to substantial computational overhead and/or the designer/user may be confronted with non-intuitive geometric object definition and deformation techniques that require substantial experience to effectively use. For example, many prior art CAD systems provide techniques for allowing surfaces to be designed and/or deformed by defining and/or manipulating designated points denoted as "control points." However, such techniques can be computationally expensive, non-intuitive, and incapable of easily deforming more than a local area of the surface associated with such a control point. Additionally, some prior art CAD systems provide techniques for defining and/or deforming surfaces via certain individually designated control vectors. That is, the direction of these vectors may be used to define the shape or contour of an associated surface. However, a designer's intent may not easily correspond to a surface design technique using such control vectors since each of the control vectors typically corresponds to only a single point of the surface isolated from other surface points having corresponding control vectors. Thus, such techniques are, at most, only able to deform an area of the surface local to such points having corresponding control vectors.
Additionally, such prior art CAD systems may also have difficulties in precisely performing blending and trimming operations. For example, two geometric objects intended to abut one another along a common boundary may not be within a insufficient tolerance to one another at the boundary. That is, there may be sufficiently large gaps between the geometric objects that the boundary may not be considered "water tight," which may be problematic in certain machining operations and other operations like Boolean operations on solids.
Accordingly, it would be very desirable to have a CAD system that includes one or more geometric design techniques for allowing CAD designers/users to more easily, efficiently and precisely design geometric objects. Further, it would be desirable to have such a system and/or computational techniques for graphically displaying geometric objects, wherein there is greater user control over the defining and/or deforming of computational geometric objects, and in particular, more intuitive global control over the shape or contour of computationally designed geometric objects.

Computational geometry using control geometry having at least two dimensions


A dispensing system and apparatus for introducing contrast media intravascularly during catheterization procedures, which includes connected segments of tubing that serve as a flow path into the vascular system. A spike is provided at one end of a first segment of the tubing for "spiking" a bottle of contrast media. A stopcock is also provided in the first segment of tubing and a luer lock fitting is attached to the stopcock for connecting a second length of IV (intravascular) tubing fitted with a companion luer lock fitting. In a first preferred embodiment a top check valve is provided in the second segment of tubing, which terminates in the top of a reservoir. A second stopcock is connected to the bottom of the reservoir and a third length of IV tubing projects from the second stopcock and receives a bottom check valve and a second luer lock fitting for securing the bottom end of the third length of IV tubing to a conventional manifold. In alternative embodiments of the invention the top and bottom check valves are omitted from the dispensing system. When the dispensing system is operational, contrast fluid is allowed to flow into the reservoir by manipulating the top stopcock, from which reservoir it flows into the manifold by manipulating the second stopcock and is injected intravascularly into the body from the manifold during the catheterization procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
Many techniques and various apparatus for administration of various fluids intravenously into the body for a variety of purposes are well known in the art. Solution administration devices are commonly known as intravascular or "IV" systems and generally include a tubular flow line of selected length having a spike at the upper end which may be inserted into an IV solution bag or bottle and a catheter tip at the opposite end for infusing fluid from the bag or bottle into a patient's vein or artery. The flow line or tube also typically includes a flow regulator in form of a drip chamber and an automated or a thumb-operated device for controlling the rate of fluid flow from the bag or bottle into the flow chamber and to the patient. Variations of this IV system are used during heart catheterization procedures, where a catheter is inserted in a patient's artery or vein, extended into the heart or other area of investigation and a supply of diagnostic radiopaque contrast media is injected from a manifold into the vascular system for angiography in this area. The contrast media is conventionally used for angiography throughout the cardiovascular system, including cerebral and peripheral arteriography, coronary arteriography, ventriculography and the like. Intravascular injection of the radiopaque diagnostic agent contrast media opacifies those vessels in the path of flow of the contrast media, permitting radiographic visualization of the internal structures of the human body. Although the contrast media is particularly well indicated and effective for angiography throughout the cardiovascular system, it is very expensive.
During normal catheterization procedures where contrast media is used, a bottle of contrast media is typically suspended and spiked by one end of a conventional IV apparatus, the opposite end of which is attached to a manifold to facilitate injection of contrast media into the area of investigation at the proper time. Each such procedure requires varying amounts of contrast media and upon completion of each procedure, the IV tubing and unused contrast media, still in the contrast media bottle, are discarded, regardless of the quantity of contrast media remaining in the bottle. This procedure is necessary to avoid the possibility of contamination of the contrast media remaining in the bottle due to pathogens which may reverse-flow by reflux through the IV tubing from the patient into the contrast media. This normal operating technique frequently results in a significant expensive waste for many catheterization procedures, depending upon the quantity of contrast media remaining in the dispensing bottle after the procedure has been completed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various types of intravenous systems are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,563, dated Mar. 14, 1978, to Robert D. Tuseth, details a "Disc Valve In A Container For Dispensing Liquids". The patent describes an improved disc valve in a container for dispensing liquids, which device includes at least two upstanding posts adjacent an outlet passage in the bottom of the container and a floatable disc member with apertures near its periphery, through which the posts extend. The posts are fitted with disc-retaining stops at the upper end. The posts position the disc and the relationship between the size of the apertures and the thickness of the posts assures that the disc will seat over the outlet passage to prevent the passage of air when all the liquid has been dispensed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,123, dated Jan. 10, 1984, to F. DiSalvo, details a "Parenteral Liquid Application Apparatus". The apparatus includes a liquid flow control device fitted with a membrane which intermittantly closes and opens flow communication from beneath the dripping tube. A cannula serves to apply the liquid to the patient, the side of the membrane remote from its control side being connected by a capillary tube to the interior of the dripping tube to equalize the pressure changes occurring on both sides of the membrane as the liquid level and supply vessel decreases. The flow rate is initially adjusted by lowering the level of the liquid stabilization device with respect to the level of the dripping chamber. U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,643, dated Jun. 14, 1988, to Theodore S. Wortrich, details a "Sterile Fluid Dispensing System and Method". The system is disposable to enable a succession of individuals to be supplied with a sterile medical solution during operative and other procedures. The system uses a number spaced-apart, penetrable, elastomerically sealed funnels branching from an outlet from the solution container or attached drip chamber. A standard sterile administration set having a spike end may be inserted into the seal of a first funnel to provide flow to a first individual. After the first procedure is completed, the conduit to the first funnel is clamped and the sequence is repeated, but with the spiked end of a second administration set inserted for supply to a second individual. The sequence may be repeated for a selected number of branches. U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,619, dated Aug. 22, 1989, to Marie A. Toth, details an "Intracranial Pressure Monitoring System". The device includes a first valve having a first input port and first and second output ports, with the first output port adapted for connection to a drainage collection bag. A tube connects the input port of the first valve to a patient. A second valve has an input port connected to the second output port of the first valve. A dome member has a first opening for connection with an input port of the second valve, a second opening for receiving a pressure transducer and a third opening to permit balancing of the system. Through this configuration, the drainage collection bag is located before the pressure sensor, but at a maximum distance from the patient to reduce the risk of infection and an automatic relief valve may replace the second valve to provide for automatic venting of dangerously high levels of intracranial fluids. An "Intravenous Administration System" is detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,524, dated Jan. 9, 1990, to Gordon Smith. The apparatus is designed to administer a volumetric flow of parenteral liquids into a patient's system, through which the quantity of liquid flowing into the system may be easily adjusted. The apparatus includes two separate hydrostatic head pressure systems. The first head pressure is applied from a container, through a metering device with an adjustable fixed orifice to a regulator located a fixed distance below the container. The second head is applied from the regulator, which is designed to prevent air flow through it to the patient. U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,173, dated Oct. 22, 1991, to John J. Sacco, details an IV Apparatus. The IV apparatus includes a gravity flow path fluid for administering IV fluids to a patient, in which multiple IV fluids can be delivered at different flow rates to the patient without having to replace the system apparatus.
It is an object of this invention to provide a contrast media dispensing system or apparatus for dispensing contrast media from a source of supply to a patient, wherein the contrast media unused from a first procedure may be utilized in a second procedure without fear of media contamination during the first procedure.
Another object of this invention is to provide a contrast media dispensing apparatus for safely using substantially all of the contrast media located in a bottle in more than one catheterization procedure, which apparatus includes a spike for spiking a contrast media bottle and a first length of tubing attached to the spike and provided with a stopcock having a luer lock fitting for attachment to a second length of tubing provided with a check valve and terminating in a reservoir. A third length of tubing extends from a second stopcock connected to the reservoir and is fitted with a second check valve and a luer lock fitting for attachment to a conventional manifold. The contrast media may be selectively drained from the bottle into the reservoir during a first catheterization procedure, the entire apparatus below the top stopcock removed and discarded after the first procedure, a second sterile apparatus attached to the in-place first length of tubing and a second catheterization procedure undertaken without contaminating the contrast media remaining in the bottle.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a contrast media dispensing apparatus for dispensing contrast media from a supply bottle in multiple sequential catheterization procedures without contaminating the remaining contrast media, which apparatus includes a spike for spiking the contrast media bottle, a vent provided in or near the spike, a first length of IV tubing fitted with a stopcock and a luer lock fitting for attachment to a second length of tubing having a check valve and terminating in the top of a reservoir. A third length of IV tubing extends from a second stopcock at the bottom of the reservoir and terminates in another luer lock fitting for attachment to a conventional manifold, wherein the connected second IV tubing, reservoir, second stopcock and third IV tubing may be discarded after the first procedure and a second like apparatus attached to the top stopcock, for using substantially all of the contrast media in the bottle without fear of contaminating the contrast media remaining in the bottle during the first or subsequent procedure.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a contrast media dispensing apparatus for dispensing contrast media from a supply bottle in multiple catheterization procedures without contaminating the contrast media during each procedure, which apparatus includes a vented or unvented spike for spiking the rubber plug in the contrast media bottle and a first length of IV tubing fitted with a stopcock having a luer lock fitting for attachment directly to a reservoir. A third length of IV tubing may be fitted with an optional check valve and extends from a second stopcock connected to the bottom of the reservoir and terminates in a second luer lock fitting for attachment to a conventional manifold, wherein the connected reservoir and third IV tubing may be discarded after the first procedure and a second twin apparatus attached to the top stopcock and the original first length of tubing for using substantially all of the contrast media in the bottle without fear of contaminating the contrast media in the bottle during the first procedure.


According to the present invention, a problem of closed systems, namely minimizing the number of electromagnetic valves required to control a plurality of flow paths, can be addressed, and thus a low-cost cell culture device can be achieved. In this flow-path control method for X number of flow paths satisfying X≤2N, the X number of flow paths are selected by using N number of valves to simultaneously and selectively control the opening and closing of the plurality of flow paths.

There is a valve called multiple switching valve for dispensing a plurality of reagents with one cylinder. An example of an automatic analysis device including the valve is described in JP-A-60-93356.
There is a valve called pinch valve for crushing (pinching) a flow path having elasticity from the outer side and controlling fluid. Examples of a cell culture device and an automatic analysis device including the valve are respectively described in JP-A-2011-142837 and JP-A-1-12265.

Flow-path control method, and cell culture device


A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an engine of a motor vehicle is disclosed in which the engine is restarted while the vehicle is in motion by bump starting it if the speed of the vehicle falls within predetermined speed limits but is otherwise restarted using a starter motor. The number of starts for which the starter motor is used is thereby reduced advantageously reducing wear of the starter motor and increasing the life and/or reducing the duty cycle of the battery or source of power used for the starter motor.

It is known to stop an engine of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is in motion in order to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Such engine stops are performed automatically in the case of hybrid motor vehicles and free rolling stop-start vehicles when one or more predetermined conditions exist. A free rolling stop-start motor vehicle is one in which the engine is stopped while the vehicle is in motion unlike a conventional stop-start motor vehicle in which the engine is only stopped when the motor vehicle is determined to be stationary. A hybrid motor vehicle is one in which the motor vehicle has at least two sources of motive power, namely an internal combustion engine (hereinafter engine) and one or more electric traction motors.
In both cases it is desirable in certain circumstances to stop the internal combustion engine in order to save fuel and reduce emissions.
One of the features of such free rolling engine stop-start and hybrid systems is that the engine is stopped and started more often than is the case with a conventional motor vehicle or a conventional stop-start vehicle due to the increased opportunities to stop the engine. Although this increased opportunity has significant fuel saving and emission reduction benefits it produces a much increased burden on the battery or electrical energy storage device. This is because every time the engine is restarted a starter motor has to be engaged to restart the engine causing a drain on the battery or electrical energy storage device used to power it and potentially utilizing a larger battery or electrical energy storage device than is ideal.
It has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,217 to use the inertia of the motor vehicle to restart the engine in certain circumstances by a method known as a bump start in which a clutch is engaged causing the motion of the motor vehicle to be transmitted back through the drive-line to the engine, thereby causing it to rotate at a sufficiently high enough speed to permit starting to occur.
It is a problem with a system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,217 that because the vehicle speed only has to be that at which sufficient inertia is available to start the engine, jerking of the motor vehicle may occur which is unacceptable to many vehicle owners. It is a further disadvantage that over-revving of the engine could occur if the vehicle speed is higher than expected when the restart occurs.
The inventors herein have recognized the issues with the above approach and provide a method to at least partly address them. In one embodiment, a method of controlling an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle comprises, in response to a request for a start-up of the engine, determining whether the motor vehicle is currently travelling at a vehicle speed within a predetermined range of speed and, if the motor vehicle is travelling within the predetermined range of speed, using the inertia of the motor vehicle to bump start the engine.
This has the advantage that the number of times the starter motor has to be used can be reduced, thereby reducing the additional wear on the starter motor compared to a conventional stop-start device. Further, by restricting the use of the bump start to predetermined vehicle speeds, over-revving of the engine, jerky starts, and/or undesired torque fluctuations may be avoided.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Method and apparatus for controlling an engine of a motor vehicle