A circuit arrangement for the display of a cursor symbol of variable magnitude addresses the cursor memory by means of a separate addressing device which operates only during display of the cursor field. The organization of the memory for the cursor symbol, constructed as a matrix memory, is fully independent of the rows and columns of the cursor field, i.e. to the cursor symbol the memory appears as a pure linear memory. As a result, this memory can be utilized in a substantially improved manner and the display of even large cursor symbols requires only a limited storage capacity.

The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for controlling the display of a cursor in a raster-like image, and more specifically for controlling the display of a cursor field of various size.
A circuit arrangement of this kind is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,184 and allows for display of a cursor field of selectable magnitude. This cursor field serves to accentuate an image area in a displayed image, consisting notably of a text to be processed, accentuation being realised, for example by brighter display. No cursor symbol is then displayed in the cursor field.
Also known are circuit arrangements whereby a cursor symbol, for example, an arrow, can be displayed in the cursor field, the parts of the cursor field outside the cursor symbol generally not being visible. The shape of the cursor symbol is determined by the contents of a storage field whose magnitude is defined by the circuitry. In many case the image presents not only the cursor but also characters, i.e. letters and digits whose shape is also determined in storage sections of a memory which may be the same as that for the cursor and which are displayed in character fields of uniform magnitude. The magnitude of a character field then corresponds to the magnitude of the cursor field. In the position in which the cursor is displayed, the pans of the characters displayed in this position in the absence of the cursor are covered, but the cursor may in principle also be at least partly transparent, so that the covered parts of the characters can still be displayed, be it, for example in different colours for background and foreground. When the position data of the cursor indicate arbitrary raster pixels and raster lines of the raster-like image, the cursor field can be adjusted independently of the normally flexed position of the character fields, so that the cursor covers parts of several characters. When the cursor is determined by the display of a fixed symbol, the shape of this cursor symbol can also be changed by erasure or modification of the contents of the storage field determining the cursor shape. The magnitude of the cursor field, however, is always the same.
However, it may be useful to display not only different shapes of the cursor symbol, but also different magnitudes of this symbol. This is not allowed for by the known circuit arrangements for the display of a cursor symbol. In the cited circuit arrangement for displaying a cursor field of variable magnitude, a storage field of variable magnitude with more complex addressing circuitry would have to be used for the display of a cursor symbol of variable magnitude.

Circuit arrangement for controlling the display of a cursor symbol of variable magnitude and shape in a cursor field of variable magnitude


A cable connection is environmentally protected using an assembly which comprises a polymeric sleeve positioned over the coupling nut of the connector and a segment of the cable adjacent the connector, the polymeric sleeve being secured to said coupling nut so as to prevent motion between the sleeve and the nut and a layer of encapsulant positioned between at least a portion of the polymeric sleeve and the underlying cable, the encapsulant providing a circumferential environmental seal between the cable and the sleeve while permitting rotational motion between the cable and the sleeve. A further layer of encapsulant preferable extends from the coupling nut over the hardware mounting the connector receptacle into a bulkhead. This further layer of encapsulant is preferable contained in a cap to which a force is applied by a flange provided in the polymeric sleeve. The encapsulant is preferable a silicone gel.

This invention comprises an assembly and method for environmentally protecting a cable connection.
Cables are connected using a variety of connectors and hardware to black boxes, bulkheads and production break connector receptacles. The connector typically has a metallic coupling nut which joins the connector on the cable end to the connector receptacle on the black box, or the like. The coupling mechanism may be provided with threads and are screwed together, or provided with bayonet connection means or the like. The metal components of the connection are subject to corrosion, the degree of corrosion depending on the environment in which it is located. Corrosion leads to the deterioration of the connection and even failure of the connectors. Further, it is generally desired that the connection be readily reenterable, that is that the connector and cable can be readily removed from the receptacle. Extensive corrosion of the connectors, plug and receptacle, and mounting hardware can prevent functionality and demating of the connectors. It is therefore desirable to provide a connection which is protected from the environment and resistant to corrosion. Further, the connectors should remain dematable.


A quantitative fluorometer for multiple fluorophores having dual time-modulated beams of excitation light. Each beam is synchronized with a separate detector and lock-in amplifier. The fluorophores are simultaneously excited and the combined fluorescent emission is resolved into components corresponding to each fluorophore. Confocal scanning means are used to excite and detect fluorescent emission from locations throughout a volume. The location specific output of each amplifier is stored in a computer which resolves the emission into the components corresponding to each fluorophore. The location specific data may be further processed or visually displayed. Multiple amplifiers for each detector channel allow phase discrimination in each channel so that prompt and delayed fluorescence may be measured, allowing use of multiple fluorophores in each detector channel.

Recent development of fluorescent indicator dyes for biologically important intracellular components has made it possible to follow the time-dependent distribution of these components in intact cells. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,049,673, 4,849,362 and 4,603,208.
The emitted fluorescent radiation from a fluorophore in response to excitation of a single wavelength generally includes a broad band of wavelengths. Spectra of emissions from different fluorophores will generally overlap. Also, when using radiations of different wavelengths to excite each of two fluorophores, their emission spectra may still overlap.
Fluorophores absorb excitation radiation at more than one wavelength. The absorption spectra of different fluorophores may overlap. As a consequence, radiation of a wavelength chosen to efficiently excite a certain fluorophore will also to some extent excite other fluorophores. There may occur spectral overlappings between these cross-excited emission spectra of other fluorophores and the emission spectrum of the fluorophore predominantly excited by the chosen wavelength. In summary, in many applications involving multiple fluorophores the fact that their emission spectra generally overlap and that their absorption spectra also may overlap constitutes a major problem. Making simultaneous quantitative measurements of the individual fluorophores is difficult or impossible. Therefore, in the past, simultaneous fluorescent detection has been primarily limited to cases where the wavelength regions of spectral overlap of the emissions can be suppressed by optical filtering. Then separation is achieved at the expense of losing valuable signal intensity.
The different emission spectra of a single fluorophore obtained by exciting it with different wavelengths generally overlap heavily and can not be separated by optical filtering. The relative intensities of these spectra depend on the shape of the absorption spectrum. This shape may convey valuable information about the fluorophore and its environment. Thus, there is a need to separately measure the cross-excited emission of a fluorophore and the main emission, thereby collecting information about the shape of the absorption spectrum. To achieve this in the case when two different fluorophores are present and two excitation wavelengths are simultaneously applied, the individual contributions from each fluorophore must be measured separately. This can not be done by optical filtering exclusively.
When a fluorophore is excited by light having a sinusoidally modulated intensity, the fluorescence emitted is also sinusoidally modulated. The modulation frequencies are the same but the phase of the emitted fluorescence is shifted by an amount related to the lifetime of the fluorophore's excited state. Mitchell U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,457 discloses a frequency domain spectrofluorometer which uses a single wavelength of excitation modulated at multiple harmonically related phase-locked frequencies to simultaneously determine the spectral response and phase shift of a single fluorophore to the entire range of modulation frequencies employed. The data produced is used to determine the fluorescence lifetime of a fluorophore.
In Takahashi U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,714 et al., a light waveform measuring device is used for measuring the lifetime of fluorescent light produced due to pulsed laser excitation. Two laser beams of different frequencies, at least one of which is pulsed, are used to produce a single-frequency pulsed beam selected from the sum frequency mixing of the beams. The output beam is pulsed at the same rate as the pulsed input beam which is used to trigger a single-photon detector or streak camera. The detector is thereby synchronized to the exciting beam.
Identification and discrimination of multiple fluorophores in a sample is disclosed in Loken U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,321 et al. Each component must have a distinguishable characteristic peak emission wavelength at which a detector is set. Fluorophores may be excited with a single wavelength or multiple wavelengths, but detection occurs in regions where the peak emission spectra do not overlap.
In Gardell U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,026 et al., an automated system for the sequential and alternate irradiation of a specimen by two distinguishable wavelengths of light is disclosed. The system classifies specimens based on the quotient of the fluorescent light intensities sequentially received from the specimen in response to the two excitation wavelengths.
Simultaneous recording of multiple fluorophores excited by a single wavelength using spectral filtering or separation is disclosed in Robertson, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,332 to et al. The fluorophores which have overlapping emission spectra are distinguished by the ratio of their emissions transmitted by two spectral filters having complementary transmission spectra. The system is not capable of quantitative determinations.
The prior art devices which measure fluorescence at only one peak emission wavelength are unable to simultaneously quantify multiple fluorophores using the total emission from each fluorophore. Those devices which rely on spectral separation to distinguish multiple fluorophores are unable to separate the total contribution of each fluorophore from the combined emission spectrum detected.
Use of lock-in amplifiers for signal detection is known. Using a two-phase, rather than a single-phase lock-in amplifier, the value of the phase angle can be derived from the outputs of the in-phase and the quadrature channels of the amplifier. This has been used, for example, in cytometry by Steinkamp and Crissman (1992) to distinguish between fluorophores that have different decay times. It has also been proposed by Morgan et al. (1992) that this technique should be used in a confocal scanning microscope to produce images that represent the decay time measured at each picture point. A non-confocal system that records the decay times in all picture elements simultaneously has been implemented by Lakowicz and Berndt (1991). In a system reported by Kurtz (1987) for studying objects in a continually flowing solution, a single fluorophore is excited using two modulated excitation wavelengths. Two lock-in amplifiers are used in the system, which performs measurements at a single point and produces no images.
Another method to distinguish between fluorophores with different decay times is to use a repetitive source of short optical pulses and employ time-correlated single-photon counting. This technique has also been combined with imaging. A non-confocal system of this kind has been implemented by Morgan and Murray (1991). A confocal system using time gating has been implemented by Buurman et al. (1992).
The term fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is used for techniques that represent a combination of decay time measurements and imaging, see Lakowicz and Berndt, (1991).
It is an object to provide an improved microfluorometer capable of simultaneously quantifying multiple fluorophores with greater efficiency.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved microfluorometer which simultaneously utilizes the entire emissions of multiple fluorophores or the entire emission spectra except possibly for minor parts.
It is a further object to provide an improved microfluorometer capable of separating the individual contributions from fluorophores having overlapping absorption spectra from the combined emission spectrum detected.

Apparatus for quantitative imaging of multiple fluorophores using dual detectors


This invention relates to a revolution indicator housed inside a casing. The indicator has a plurality of wheels with the numerals 0-9 on the outer periphery of the wheels. The numerals are viewed through a window from the outside of the casing. Each wheel is also encoded magnetically such that each wheels' rotational position can be determined electronically. The rotational position of each wheel can be displayed electronically at a remote location outside the casing.

1. (a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a revolution indicator which is suitable for use in measuring distances, particularly, for use in measurement of moving distances or positions of movable elements such as a table of a machine tool or the like.
2. (b) Description of the Prior Art
It is well known such a distance-measuring device that it includes a plurality of character-displaying wheels adapted to be rotated by rotational motions which are converted from linear motions of various mechanical elements. Such device is widely utilized at present due to its reliable operation.
On the other hand, the development of the automatic control technique provides a method of controlling the operations of various machines in various producing steps which is widely used nowadays. An encoder for such a purpose and an apparatus for indicating detection values by electronic means are provided.
Although the above electronic indicators are suitable for automatic control of the apparatus, there is a problem such that they don't operate in case of a power failure. When a power failure occurs, the recorded values just before the occurrence of the power failure are lost. In the machine tool or the like, therefore, it is dangerous to rely on only those electronic indicators. In many cases, accordingly, the mechanical revolution indicator is still often used.
On the basis of such circumstances, in JP-U-1-65839, the same inventor as the present inventor has already disclosed an electro-mechanical counter in which a rotary encoder is attached to a mechanical revolution indicator and an output of the encoder is counted by an electronic counter.
The encoder used ill such an apparatus, however, is of the incremental type and its output pulse is counted by the electronic indicator. When a power failure occurs, therefore, the recorded value of the electronic indicator returns to zero and thus differs from the indication value of the mechanical revolution indicator.
Therefore, in the case where such an apparatus is used as an apparatus for indicating the displaced position of a mechanical element from a reference point, it is necessary that such a mechanical element is once returned to the reference point and the recorded value of tile counter is reset and the indicated values of two indicators are made to coincide with each other.
Even when the operation of the machine is restarted after the stop of the operation or when the indication values of the mechanical revolution indicator and of the electronic indicator differ to each other, the adjustment as mentioned above are necessary.

Revolution indicator for measuring distances


A feedthrough capacitor filter assembly includes a capacitor having first and second sets of conductive electrode plates embedded within an insulative or dielectric body, and a leak detection vent for facilitated hermetic seal testing prior to use. At least one feedthrough terminal pin extends through the capacitor in conductive relative with the first set of electrode plates, and an outer ferrule is mounted about the capacitor in conductive relation with the second set of electrode plates. A hermetic seal is seated within the ferrule at one side of the capacitor to prevent leakage of fluid through the filter assembly. The hermetic seal is spaced from a face of the capacitor to form a gap therebetween.

This invention relates generally to feedthrough capacitor filter assemblies, particularly of the type used in implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals. More specifically, this invention relates to an improved feedthrough capacitor filter assembly of the type incorporating a hermetic seal to prevent passage or leakage of fluids through the filter assembly, wherein a leak detection passage is provided to accommodate and facilitate post-manufacture and pre-usage testing of the hermetic seal.
Feedthrough terminal pin assemblies are generally well known in the art for use in connecting electrical signals through the housing or case of an electronic instrument. For example, in implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators and the like, the terminal pin assembly comprises one or more conductive terminal pins supported by an insulator structure for feedthrough passage of electrical signals from the exterior to the interior of the medical device. Many different insulator structures and related mounting methods are known for use in medical devices wherein the insulator structure provides a hermetic seal to prevent entry of patient body fluids into the medical device housing, where such body fluids could otherwise interfere with the operation of and/or cause damage to internal electronic components of the medical device.
In the past, two primary technologies have been employed to manufacture the hermetic seal. One technique involves the use of an alumina insulator which is sputtered to accept brazing material. This alumina insulator is brazed to the terminal pin or pins, and also to an outer metal ferrule of titanium or the like. The alumina insulator supports the terminal pin or pins in insulated spaced relation from the ferrule which is adapted for suitable mounting within an access opening formed in the housing of the medical device. In an alternative technique, the hermetic seal comprises a glass-based seal forming a compression or fused glass seal for supporting the terminal pin or pins within an outer metal ferrule.
The feedthrough terminal pins are typically connected to one or more lead wires which, in the example of a cardiac pacemaker, sense signals from the patient""s heart and also couple electronic pacing pulses from the medical device to the patient""s heart. Unfortunately, these lead wires can act as an antenna to collect stray electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals for transmission via the terminal pins into the interior of the medical device. Such unwanted EMI signals can disrupt proper operation of the medical device, resulting in malfunction or failure. For example, it has been documented that stray EMI signals emanating from cellular telephones can inhibit pacemaker operation, resulting in asynchronous pacing, tracking and missed beats. To address this problem, hermetically sealed feedthrough terminal pin assemblies have been designed to include a filter capacitor for decoupling EMI signals in a manner preventing such unwanted signals from entering the housing of the implantable medical device. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,424,551; 5,333,095; 5,751,539; 5,905,627; 5,973,906; and 6,008,980.
While feedthrough capacitor filter assemblies have provided a significant advance in the art, one potential area of concern is that the filter capacitor is often incorporated into the terminal pin assembly in a way that can mask a defective hermetic seal. More particularly, a defective braze or a defective glass-based seal structure, which would permit undesirable leakage of patient body fluids when mounted on a medical device and implanted into a patient, can be obstructed by the mounting of the filter capacitor and its associated electromechanical connections. For example, with reference to the feedthrough filter capacitor shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,424,551, a ceramic filter capacitor is bonded to a glass seal and then embedded in epoxy material. Typical post-manufacture leak testing is performed by mounting the feedthrough assembly in a test fixture, and then subjecting one side of the feedthrough assembly to a selected pressurized gas such as helium. While the bulk permeability of the epoxy material is such that helium under pressure can penetrate therethrough in the presence of a defective hermetic seal, the duration of this pressure test (typically a few seconds) is often insufficient to permit such penetration. Accordingly, the epoxy material can mask the defective hermetic seal. The thus-tested feedthrough assembly can then mistakenly be incorporated into a medical device and implanted into a patient, wherein slow leakage of patient body fluids through the feedthrough assembly can cause the medical device to malfunction or fail.
The present invention is directed to an improved feedthrough capacitor filter assembly suitable for use in an implantable medical device or the like, wherein the feedthrough assembly includes a leak detection passageway for accommodating and facilitating post-manufacture hermetic seal testing.
In accordance with the invention, an improved feedthrough capacitor filter assembly is provided for use in human implant applications and the like, such as in a cardiac pacemaker or defibrillator, wherein the filter assembly includes a leak detection passage for facilitated hermetic seal testing subsequent to manufacture and prior to use.
In one form, the feedthrough capacitor filter assembly comprises a capacitor having first and second sets of conductive electrode plates embedded within an insulative or dielectric body such as a monolithic ceramic body. At least one feedthrough terminal pin extends through the capacitor in conductive relation with the first set of electrode plates. An outer ferrule is mounted about the capacitor in conductive relation with the second set of electrode plates. A hermetic seal formed typically of an alumina insulator or a fused glass dielectric material is seated within or over the ferrule at one side of the capacitor, in hermetically sealed relation with the ferrule and the at least one terminal pin to prevent leakage of fluid, such as patient body fluid in a human implant application, through the filter assembly. A leak detection vent is formed in the assembly to accommodate and facilitate post-assembly fluid leak testing of the hermetic seal, as by subjecting the hermetic seal to a selected pressurized test gas such as helium or the like, prior to implantation of the filter assembly in a medical device into a patient.
In several of the preferred embodiments, the hermetic seal and the capacitor are separated by a short gap by a dissolvable washer. This gap provides a leak detection vent which facilitates detecting the presence of the test gas leaking past the hermetic seal. In other preferred embodiments of the invention, a leak detection passage is provided through the capacitor which further facilitates detecting the presence of the test gas leaking past the hermetic seal into the gap.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

Feedthrough capacitor filter assemblies with leak detection vents


Sorbent compositions, comprising a solid sorbent, a dispersive agent, and optionally a capture agent for enhanced wet-Flue Gas Desulfurization (wFGD) or wet scrubber unit function in a flue gas pollutant control stream is disclosed. The sorbent composition may include a sorbent with a dispersive agent, designed to enhance the dispersion of the sorbent in an aqueous sorption liquid of a wet scrubber unit, and therefore may be especially useful in EGU or industrial boiler flue gas streams that include one or more wet scrubber units. The sorbent composition may also include a capture agent useful in sequestering mercury and bromine, as well as other contaminants that may include arsenic, selenium and nitrates.

Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic compound and exposure at appreciable levels can lead to adverse health effects for people of all ages, including harm to the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, and immune system. Mercury is naturally occurring but is also emitted from various human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and other industrial processes. For example, in the United States about 40% of the mercury introduced into the environment comes from coal-fired power plants.
In the United States and Canada, federal and state/provincial regulations have been implemented or are being considered to reduce mercury emissions, particularly from coal-fired power plants, steel mills, cement kilns, waste incinerators and boilers, industrial coal-fired boilers, and other coal combusting facilities. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has promulgated Mercury Air Toxics Standards (MATS) which would, among other things, require coal-fired power plants to capture approximately 90% of their mercury emissions beginning in 2015.
The leading technology for mercury control from coal-fired power plants is activated carbon injection (ACI). ACI involves the injection of sorbents, particularly powdered activated carbon (PAC), into flue gas emitted by the boiler of a power plant. PAC is a porous carbonaceous material having a high surface area, which exposes significant amounts of beneficial chemically functional and catalytic reaction sites, creating high adsorptive potential for many compounds, including capturing mercury from the flue gas.
ACI technology has shown the potential to control mercury emissions in most coal-fired power plants, even those plants that may achieve some mercury control through control devices that are primarily designed for the capture of other pollutants, such as wet or dry scrubbers used to capture sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other acid gases from the flue gas stream. Acid gases and acid gas precursors in the flue gas stream typically come from three primary sources. The first is the coal feedstock fed to the boiler. Certain types of coal inherently have high concentrations of sulfur, nitrogen, chlorine, or other compounds which can form acid gases in the flue gas. For example, coals such as Illinois Basin coal with high sulfur content (e.g., above about 0.5%) are becoming more common as a boiler feedstock for economic reasons, as high sulfur coals tend to be cheaper than low sulfur coals. A second source is the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) step for controlling emissions of NOR. An unintended consequence of this process is that SO2 in the flue gas can be oxidized to form SO3. A third source is that the power plant operator may inject SO3 into the flue gas stream to enhance the efficiency of the particulate removal devices, e.g., to avoid opacity issues and increase the effectiveness of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) in removing particulates from the flue gas stream.
Flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) is a set of technologies used to remove sulfur dioxide from exhaust flue gases of coal-fired power plants. One of the common methods is to use a wet flue-gas desulfurization (wFGD) unit (i.e., a wet scrubber unit) that uses a slurry of a calcium-based or sodium-based alkaline compound, usually limestone or lime. Contacting the flue gas with the slurry scrubs (i.e., removes) contaminants from the flue gas, forming calcium sulfite or sodium sulfite. In FGD systems utilizing forced oxidation, the corresponding sulfites are converted to sulfate byproducts that are collected while the scrubbed flue gas is emitted. The wet scrubber units have also been shown to be co-beneficial with respect to the removal of mercury. The wet scrubber unit is often the last emission control equipment before the stack, so it is critical to ensure that mercury capture is achieved in or before the wet scrubber unit.
According to the U.S. EPA sixty-nine percent of coal-fired capacity will be wet scrubbed by 2025, indicating a huge need for emission control in the wet scrubber unit. Mercury control additives may also be utilized in wet scrubber units, and may include sulfur-based compounds that can tightly bond with mercury to form mercury sulfide. However, a large amount of the additive (e.g., 1:1 to mercury) is typically required to achieve a high removal rate of mercury, adding to the cost of emission control. Additionally, sulfur-based additives only work well for mercury capture in low oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) environments, or may even bring the ORP down, which can cause the acid gas capture in the wet scrubber unit to be less effective.
In addition to mercury emission, stringent regulations in regards to emission of other contaminants, such as selenium, arsenic, nitrates, and bromine, have been proposed. In a forced-oxidation wet scrubber unit, selenium exists as selenite (SeO32−) or selenate (SeO42−), depending on the ORP in the aqueous phase. Selenate is more difficult to capture than selenite, due to its higher water solubility. Halogens such as bromine, which may be in the form of a bromide compound such as calcium bromide, are often used to enhance mercury capture in the flue gas stream by adding the bromide compound to the combustible material (e.g., coal) or directly to the flue gas stream, resulting in bromine build-up in the aqueous sorption liquid of the wet scrubber unit. Therefore, it may be necessary to monitor bromine levels in the wet scrubber unit. Although bromine in oxidized forms, e.g., bromine (Br2), bromate (BrO32−), etc. can be easily adsorbed by PAC, in low ORP conditions, the bromine exists as bromide (Br−) and therefore may not be readily captured by PAC. The wet scrubber unit serves as the last opportunity to capture target emission compounds such as mercury, selenium, arsenic and bromine, as well as potentially arsenic and nitrates. Therefore, effective capture of these and other contaminants in the wet scrubber unit is crucial.

Sorbent compositions for use in a wet scrubber unit


A semiconductor circuit device wiring is provided in which the wiring connected to a semiconductor element is composed of a crystalline material. The crystal axis direction along which nearest neighboring atoms in a single crystal constituting the crystalline material are arranged and the electric current direction through the wiring are crossed with each other at an angle of 22.5.degree. or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor circuit device such as LSI which is mounted on an electronic equipment such as a computer, and more particularly to a wiring thereof.
2. Related Background Art
The wiring metal for LSI may be commonly a metal containing Al as the main component or pure Al, or a metal containing Al as the main component and a slight amount of Si or Cu. To meet the demand of faster speed and a higher density, the film thickness and the line width of the Al wiring have been reduced. However, the breaking of wire due to the electric current flow, or the disconnection failure due to a so-called electro-migration, or a so-called stress migration due to being subjected to a high temperature, may reduce the reliability of the Al wiring, making it difficult to make a minute structure.
The wiring metal is crystallographically polycrystalline. Conventionally, with such an Al wiring, it has been known that the disconnection failure due to the electro-migration may be caused by the occurrence of voids or hillocks at a grain boundary of each crystal grain, or the occurrence of voids or hillocks within a crystal grain. Also, regarding a polycrystal Al wiring, there is a report that the electro-migration resistance (thereinafter referred to as the EM resistance) of a {111} oriented Al is superior to a {100} oriented polycrystal.
However, the {111} oriented polycrystal and {100} oriented polycrystal only have a lattice plane parallel to a wiring metal surface which is {111} or {100} plane. Thus, voids or hillocks often occurred if the wiring was formed using a polycrystal Al film. Although there is a report that a single crystal Al has been preferably used as the wiring, the EM resistance was often not as excellent as expected.
Thus, the present inventors have found a causal relation between the current flow direction and the void or hillock arising positions, and a qualitative relation between the current direction and the crystal axis. This came about as a result of analyzing a crystal structure of an electrically conductive thin film composed of a crystalline material consisting of a polycrystal or single crystal with a special measuring method.
The above measuring method is a simple evaluation method which allows for a nondestructive measurement of how the plane parallel to a wiring surface and the plane perpendicular thereto are directed with respect to the crystal axis of crystal grain of a polycrystal thin film, using a scan-type .mu.-RHEED microscope. In Japanese Journal of Applied Physics 29 (1989) L2075, is described the scan-type .mu.-RHEED microscope.

Semiconductor circuit device wiring with F.C.C. structure, plane oriention (100) and aligned with the current direction


There is provided a non-flammable expanded fiber comprising carbonaceous polymeric substantially irreversibly heat set fiber having an LOI value of greater than 40, and the fibrous structures thereof. Also, provided are stabilized expanded polymeric fibers.

The prior art has prepared filaments from polymeric compositions such as polyacrylonitrile by the conventional technique of melt spinning into fibers or filaments which can be converted into multi-filament assemblies and thereafter oxidatively stabilized. Such fibers or assemblies are then subjected to carbonizing procedures to improve fire resistance.
Expanded fibers are desirable because they provide excellent feeling, bulkiness and elasticity. Crimped expanded fibers are even more desirable because the bulkiness is increased together with rapid return after compression. Such fibers find particular use as insulation for clothing, carpet material and in fiber blends for fabric.
Attempts have been made to prepare crimped aromatic fibers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,914, discloses the preparation of highly crimped fibers of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) which as a result of the mechanical crimping suffers from mechanical damages that often results in an appreciable decrease in fiber tenacity. The crimping is performed by a steam stuffer-box crimping process which produces bending strains in the fibers.
Stuffer box crimping results in sharp V-type bends in the fiber that produces excessive tension on the outer bend and severe compression on the underside. This leads to unacceptable fiber damage especially with rigid or stiff fibers.
In the Paper of Hall et al entitled "Effects of Excessive Crimp on the Textile Strength and Compressive Properties of Polyester Fibers", J. of Applied Polymer Sci, Vol. 15, p. 1539-1544 (1971), there is described the effect of forming sharp crimps on polyester fibers as well as other man-made fibers. Excessive crimping such as found in the V-type crimps leads to surface damage of the fiber and a reduction in tenacity and elongation properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,076, to Mc Cullough, Jr. et al, which is herein incorporated by reference, relates to the preparation of non-linear carbonaceous fibers and to carbonaceous fibers having different electroconductivity. This patent discloses a process which can be used to heat treat and carbonize expanded polymeric fibers to yield the fibers of the invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,514, to Windley, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses crimped and expanded polyamide fibers. The crimps in the fiber are caused by collapsed portions. There is also disclosed a process for preparing the precursor fibers useful in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,093, to Murata et al, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses porous expanded acrylonitrile based fibers and a process for their preparation. The process can be used for preparing one of the precursor fibers of the invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,881, to Arnold Jr. et al, discloses the preparation of low density, microcellular carbon foams from polyamides, cellulose polymers, polyacrylonitrile, etc. The foams are rigid and brittle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,193,252, to Sheppherd, et al discloses the making of partially carbonized, graphitic and carbon fibers from stabilized rayon which have been knitted into a carbon assembly. When the fabric is deknitted, the partially carbonized and the carbonized fibers contain kinks. The fully carbonized or graphite fibers have kinks which are more permanent in nature. It has now been found that partially carbonized rayon fibers are flammable, do not retain their reversible deflection and lose their kinks at relatively low temperatures or under tension.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,664, of Goldberg et al, which is herewith incorporated by reference, discloses the use of carbonized aromatic polyamides for use as conductors in electrical devices. However, there is only disclosed non-expanded fibers.
It is understood that the term "expanded fiber" as used herein includes porous, hollow or cellular fibers, or a combination thereof.
All percentages herein are by weight unless otherwise indicated.
The carbonaceous expanded fibers of the invention have a limited oxygen index value greater than 40, as determined by test method ASTM D 2863-77. The test method is also known as "oxygen index" or "limited oxygen index" (LOI). With this procedure the concentration of oxygen in O.sub.2 /N.sub.2 mixtures is determined at which a vertically mounted specimen is ignited at its upper end and just continues to burn. The size of the specimen is 0.65.times.0.3 cm with a length of from 7 to 15 cm. The LOI value is calculated according to the equation: ##EQU1##
The term "stabilized" herein applies to fibers or tows which have been oxidized at a specific temperature, typically less than about 250.degree. C. for acrylic fibers. It will be understood that in some instances the filament and/or fibers are oxidized by chemical oxidants at lower temperatures.
The term "reversible deflection" as used herein applies to a helical or sinusoidal compression spring. Particular reference is made to the publication, "Mechanical Design--Theory and Practice," MacMillan Publishing Co., 1975, pp 719 to 748, particularly Section 14-2, pp 721 to 724.
The term "carbonaceous fiber" relates to polymeric fibers whose carbon content has been irreversibly increased as a result of a chemical reaction such as a heat treatment as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,076, and is at least 65%.
The term "fibrous structure" as utilized herein is intended to mean an arrangement of one or more fibrous elements or materials into a complex entity such as a textile fabric which includes mats, battings, knitted, woven and non-woven materials, and the like.
The term "non-graphitic" relates to those carbonaceous fibers having an elemental carbon content of not more than 92%, are substantially free of oriented carbon or graphite microcrystals of a three dimensional order, and are as further defined in U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,183, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Stabilized and carbonaceous expanded fibers


A radio receiver for frequency modulated (FM) tones. Received signals are split and one split portion of the signal is phase shifted relative to the other and mixed with a local oscillator. The signal as received clocks a flip-flop. The phase shifted signal is fed to the switching input of the flip-flop. The input signal having been modulated with an FM tone which oscillates about the frequency of the local oscillator, the output of the flip-flop is a digital waveform the frequency of which is the same as that of the modulating tone. This digital waveform is applied to a band pass filter accepting the fundamental frequency of the digital wave form from the flip-flop for passage to a detector.

This invention relates to a radio receiver for frequency modulated tones, such as is used in radio-paging systems and some navigation systems.
In such systems the input signals at the receiver consist of a sinewave tone (audio) frequency modulated onto a radio frequency carrier wave. Existing receivers for these signals generally use the superheterodyne principle which requires filtering to remove first order responses (so called image response). Homodyne (zero intermediate frequency) receivers are known which will demodulate frequency modulated signals in general but these require complex hardware to realise them. For the reduced requirement of detecting simply the presence or absence of a modulating tone the more simple receiver described herein may be employed.

Radio receiver for tone modulated signals

International Standard Electric Corporation


A method to provide resiliency with a destination volume in a replication environment is disclosed. Data from a source volume, such as a primary volume or a secondary volume in a replication relationship, is migrated to the destination volume. A snapshot representing data on a source volume is generated. The replication relationship between the source volumes is broken, and a new relationship between a source volume and the destination volume is established. A delta of data between the snapshot and one of the volumes in the new relationship is generated. The delta is sent to the other of the volumes in the new relationship.

In data storage technology, data replication is the process of copying specified content from a primary storage system to a secondary, or backup, storage system. The secondary storage system can be located on the same site as the primary storage system, but it is often remote from the primary storage system. For example, the primary storage system may be located across country or across the world from the secondary storage system. Data replication is achieved through an initial transfer of the specified data often using standard data migration techniques. After the initial transfer, the backup storage system is kept updated with the primary storage system with any changes that are made to the data in the primary storage system. The backup storage system provides for redundancy and quick recovery of systems in case of a catastrophic failure of the primary storage system.

Resiliency with a destination volume in a replication environment

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Disclosed is a method for positron emission tomography and to a PET scanner. The positron emission tomography method employs the following steps: a) two photons are emitted in opposite directions by an annihilation event in the sample, b) at least two of a plurality of detectors arranged around the sample are prompted to output a signal by the two photons, c) a signal line on which the event may have taken place is determined from the location of the detectors which have output a signal, d) this signal line is evaluated in the tomographic reconstruction of the sample, wherein for each event a plurality of signal lines are determined and evaluated in the tomographic reconstruction of the sample. As described at the outset, the reconstructed image thus becomes more accurate and noise is reduced. The method and the apparatus can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of images.

In a PET measurement, the key is to detect the annihilation of electron-positron pairs in the sample and to localize the signal line on which the respective event has taken place. Based on a plurality of such events, it is then possible to determine the inner activity distribution of the sample using tomographic reconstruction.
During each event, two photons are emitted simultaneously in opposite directions, the spatial orientation thereof not being predictable, as this is isotropic. For this reason, a plurality of detectors are arranged around the sample in a PET scanner, thereby ensuring that each of the two photons resulting from an event strikes a detector. If two of the detectors, which generally are scintillation crystals having PMTs (photomultiplier tubes) or APDs (avalanche photodiodes), register an event simultaneously, which is monitored by a coincidence circuit, information is obtained to the effect that an event took place on a connecting line between the two detectors. This line is referred to as the signal line or line of response (LOR).
Previously, the measured coincidences of individual crystal combinations were associated with a certain signal line. Typically, a signal line is established by connecting a select central or representative point in the two crystals involved.
The disadvantage is that noise, and frequently also artifacts, are present in the recorded data. These interferences are decisively amplified by the tomographic reconstruction, which is equivalent to solving an inverse problem, and reduce the quality of the image that is ultimately obtained from the reconstruction.

Method for positron emission tomography and PET scanner


A system for use in a surgical procedure comprising a pneumatic instrument having an inlet and an outlet, a tank fluidly coupled to the inlet of the pneumatic instrument, wherein the tank provides pressurized helium gas to power the pneumatic instrument, and a compressor fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pneumatic instrument. The compressor receives the helium gas exhausted from the pneumatic instrument and compresses the exhausted helium gas to supply the tank with pressurized helium gas.

Doctors and other medical professionals often use pneumatic powered surgical instruments for dissecting bones and tissue. While various pneumatic powered instruments are known in the art, helium gas has not been used for powering these surgical instruments. Accordingly, there remains a need in the pertinent art to provide a closed system that recycles helium gas to use with pneumatic powered surgical instruments.


Beams, that are rectangular in cross-section and feature at least one undercut groove running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extruded section in at least one outer face for the purpose of accommodating an element for connecting a further hollow section, are in the form of hollow sections of rectangular cross-section and different cross-sectional length (a) and cross-sectional breadth (b). The cross-sectional length (a) of one hollow section corresponds to the cross-sectional breadth (b) of the other, related hollow section.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a beam, that is rectangular in cress-section and in particular is made from a hollow section of an extruded light metal alloy, having at least one undercut groove running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extruded section in at least one outer face to accommodate an element for connecting a further hollow section. The related cross-sectional faces bearing the longitudinal grooves for the connecting element of a pair of beams are of approximately the same cross-sectional dimensions. Also within the scope of the invention is a construction unit made up of such beams.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Known e.g. from EP 0 589 380--for the purpose of arm-like or frame-like beams for installation in machines of all kinds--are hollow sections having a quadratic cross-section and cylindrical opening along the central axis and, parallel to this axis, undercut grooves in each of the outer faces. Hollow sections of this design may be joined together e.g. by means of screws introduced transverse to their longitudinal axis and also to other items such as plates or similar flat elements. These screws are situated towards the ends in a block that can be inserted in the undercut groove. It is also possible to fit together in parallel two of the same hollow sections of quadratic cross-section, thus forming a post or the like construction unit to manufacture display stands for industrial fairs or similar constructions.

Beam, that is rectangular in cross-section, in particular made from a hollow section of an extruded light metal alloy, and a construction unit made up of such beams


An improved paper for printing and other uses can be made from a paper pulp that contains pulp derived from hardwoods if the pulp is refined in a refiner that has at least one abrasive surface disk. The pulp can be refined to give a vessel picks count of 2/cm.sup.2 or less and have a Freeness of less than that which can be achieved using a refiner having conventional barred disks.

This invention relates to a method for making paper products using hardwood paper pulps. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for processing hardwood pulps to produce a pulp that when made into a paper product has improved printability.
Paper products are made from a variety of fiber sources. In the United States, paper products are usually made from either softwoods or hardwoods. The softwoods are the evergreen trees which are also known as conifers. The hardwoods are the deciduous trees. Typical hardwoods are oak, maple, poplar, eucalyptus, birch, chestnut, aspen, beech and walnut. Both softwoods and the hardwoods provide good sources of fiber for making various paper products. The softwood sources have a longer fiber, about 3 to 4 millimeters in length as compared to the hardwood sources where the fiber length is about 1 to 1.5 millimeters. However, while the softwood fibers generally have a larger diameter, the hardwoods have fibers that are of a smaller diameter and yield a paper with a smoother texture. Paper products are made from softwood pulp, hardwood pulp and from mixtures hardwood and softwood pulp. The type of product being produced and the pulp sources on hand will many times dictate the composition of the pulp to be used.
In the manufacture of higher quality printing papers, it is desirable to use a large percentage of hardwood pulp because of its superior opacity, ability to reduce apparent density, improved formation and favorable economics. However, one problem with regard to the use of hardwood pulps results from the basic structure of hardwoods. Hardwoods contain two principal cell types. These are fiber cells and vessel element cells. The vessel element cells are that part of the hardwood tree that transports water and nutrients from the root system up into the tree. The vessel element cells are not fibrous in nature. Consequently, they do not add to the strength or quality of the paper. Quite the opposite, these vessel elements after undergoing digestion, bleaching and conventional refining are still present and are mixed into and onto the paper product. The problem in printing is caused by the vessel elements that remain on the surface of the paper product. The large unbonded vessel elements on the surface of the sheet get picked from the surface by the printing roll during the printing operation. This results in ink not being applied to all parts of the paper where it was intended to be applied and also to the problem of these vessel elements remaining on the printing roll and causing undesirable spots or voids during the printing of subsequent copies. The net result is a printed paper which is not of the intended quality.
This problem associated with the vessel elements in paper products being lifted from the paper during printing is a longstanding problem. This problem came to be realized on a broad scale in the 1950's when the use of bleached hardwood pulp increased dramatically in printing papers. Many solutions have been tried over the years. The only one to have achieved any commercial success is to coat a sheet of paper with a starch solution. The starch solution films over and/or pastes the vessel elements to the sheet preventing them from being picked off during printing. However, this increases the cost of the paper since another substance must be added during the manufacture of the paper. It has now been found that this problem of the picking of vessel elements from the paper surface during printing can be alleviated through the use of a particular refining technique after the hardwood has been formed into a pulp.
It has been found that if after the hardwood has been formed into a pulp using any of the known thermochemical digestion processes the hardwood pulp is refined in a refiner wherein at least one of the refiner disks has an abrasive surface the problem of vessel picks is alleviated. In conventional processing after the digestion of the hardwood source, the fiber is sent to a refiner containing standard metal surfaced disks. These disks which can contain bars on the surface work the fibers in order to produce a more homogeneous pulp. After one or more passes through the refiner, the pulp is pumped to the headbox of a paper machine for conversion into the paper product.
Pulp refiners having abrasive surface disks are known in the art. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,495 there is disclosed a process and apparatus for comminuting wood chips to form a pulp using a disk refiner having abrasive disks. The feed material is wood chips and the end product is a ground wood. In the example in this patent, Southern Pine chips are converted into a thermo-mechanical pulp using this type of a disk refiner. This patent discloses the disk refining of large pieces of wood rather than of a digested pulp.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,603 discloses an apparatus having abrasive surface sectors which is used for grinding rejects as well as for other uses. However, there is no disclosure with regard to the refining of a pulp derived from hardwoods.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,934 discloses the digestion of hardwood chips. Subsequent to digestion there is a step of hot stock refining and subsequent to washing there is a step of refining. Neither of these steps of refining is disclosed to be conducted using a refiner having abrasive surface disks.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,814,587 discloses a pulp refining apparatus which has a pair of relatively rotatable abrasive stones. However, there is no disclosure in this patent with regard to the types of pulps to be used nor that any unusual benefit to the pulp occurs.
Russian patent No. 730,916 discloses an apparatus for the grinding of fibrous suspensions in the production of paper. It is disclosed that the fibrous material is first beaten by blades of a metal ring and then the slurry is subject to action by the projections of a ceramic disk. The abrasive grains of the ceramic disk are described to act as micro-knives which card out the microfibrils. However, there is no disclosure with regard to the processing of hardwood pulps. There is also no indication that the fibers in suspension benefit from this process.
None of these patents disclose the benefits of processing a hardwood derived pulp in a refiner which has one or more abrasive surface disks. Also, none of these patents is directed to solving the problem of vessel picks with regard to hardwood fiber sources. As noted above, those in the art have resorted to using starch and related materials to bind the vessel elements to the surface of the paper. This is an effective solution but it is not ideal. The present solution approaches the ideal in that the pulp must be refined in any regards. Consequently, this is not an added step. The refining of the pulp in a particular refiner using a particular technique, very effectively solves the problem.

Method of paper making using an abrasive refiner for refining bleached thermochemical hardwood pulp


A gas sensor comprises a sensing element detecting a gas concentration, a heater heating up the sensing element, an element-holding body holding the sensing element, and an atmosphere-side insulator. A pair of contact fittings is arranged between a base end part of the sensing element or the heater and an inner wall surface of the atmosphere-side insulator, and contacts a pair of electrodes disposed on the sensing element or the heater so as to press thereof. The contact fitting is provided with a base plate contacting the inner wall surface and an electrode contact member located to each of the electrodes and contacting the electrode. The gas sensor comprises suppressing means for suppressing the contact fittings from shifting relative to the electrodes in directions crossing the longitudinal direction. As an example, suppressing means are a plurality of fixing spring members pressing the inner wall surface from inside the insulator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of a specific gas component contained in a gas to be measured.
2. Description of the Related Art
In most automobiles, exhaust systems are employed by internal combustion engines, in which the exhaust systems comprise a gas sensor disposed for measuring the concentration of a specific gas component contained in the exhaust gas. The gas component is oxygen, nitrogen oxides and others. One such an example of the gas sensor is set forth in Japanese Patent Laid-open (unexamined) No. 2000-193629, for example.
The gas sensor disclosed by this publication is illustrated in FIG. 1, in which a gas sensor 9 comprises an element-holding body 913 which allows a sensing element 910 to be inserted and held therein. The gas sensor 9 has a heater 911 for heating up the sensing element 910. An atmosphere-side insulator 914 is disposed at a base end part of the element-holding body 913 to cover a base end part of the sensing element 910 in the longitudinal (axial) direction thereof.
As shown in FIG. 1, between a base end part 912 of the heater 911 and an inner wall surface 941 of the atmosphere-side insulator 914, a pair of contact fittings 92 are arranged so as to be opposed to each other, in which the contact fittings 92 are in contact with a pair of electrodes 920 of the heater 911 in such a manner that the base end part of the heater 911 be compressed. Each of the contact fittings 92 comprises a base plate 921 abutted on the atmosphere-side insulator 914 and an electrode contact member 922 located in front of the base plate 921. Each electrode contact member 922 is in contact with each electrode 920 of the heater 911, so that the heater 911 is electrically connected to an externally provided electric power source.
However, in cases where the pair of contact fittings 92 hold the base end part 912 of the heater 911 under pressure as shown in FIG. 2, the contact fittings 92 occasionally causes a state in which the atmosphere-side insulator 914 and each electrode 920 come contact with each other at two points therebetween. For example, in cases where deformations such as warpage occurred at the base plate 921, the inner wall surface 941 of the atmosphere-side insulator 914 and the base plate 921 are point-contacted, which causes each contact fitting 92 to be supported at two point contacts.
When the gas sensor 9 receives vibration from the outside under such a two point contact state, with the contact points between each contact fitting 92 and the atmosphere-side insulator 914 and between each contact fitting 92 and each electrode 920 as rotating fulcrums, the contact fitting 92 may vibrate laterally so that the contact fitting 92 is deviated from a central axis direction S of the heater 911, as shown in FIG. 3. As a result, if such a case happens, a contacted part between the electrode contact member 922 and the electrode 920 is worn away, resulting in that it is difficult to keep stable electrical conductance therebetween.

Gas sensor for use in detecting concentration of gas


A passive cooling system for an aircraft includes a rotor assembly and a closed heat pipe. The closed heat pipe is carried by the rotor assembly and configured to extract heat energy from a heat source positioned away from the rotor assembly and configured to dissipate the heat energy through the rotor assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates generally to the removal of heat from a helicopter gearbox.
2. Description of Related Art
Aircraft drivetrains include various components that produce and transfer power. For example, engines and gearboxes are common components. Such components generate heat and require lubrication. Excessive levels of heat can cause premature failure and create safety risks. Proper lubrication serves to reduce heat production and assist in heat removal from within moving components.
Typically, aircraft use a variety of primary lubrication systems to provide wear protection and control heat transfer within components. Under normal operating conditions, primary lubrication systems provide proper lubrication and heat removal. However, in cases of emergency, primary lubrication systems can fail resulting in excessive wear and failure of components, such as a gearbox or transmission.
Aircraft are generally required to maintain manageable flight operations for selected durations of time if the primary lubrication system fails (low-pressure). One method used to satisfy the requirements of manageable flight during an emergency is to increase the amount of lubricant reserves and increase the weight of the lubricant. Another method is to use a secondary lubrication system to operate when the primary lubrication system fails. Although not commonly used, secondary systems typically provide only sufficient lubricant to lubricate moving parts but fail to adequately remove heat. Both methods increase the overall weight of the aircraft and fail to remove adequate amounts of heat. An improved method of controlling heat transfer from an aircraft is required.
Heat pipes are a device commonly used to transfer heat. Heat pipes are a transfer mechanism that can transport large quantities of heat with a very small difference in temperature between hot and cold interfaces. However, heat pipes are typically used in static environments and experience design limitations from difficulties in moving a working fluid between a condenser end and an evaporator end. External forces, such as gravitational and centrifugal forces, can hinder performance of the heat pipe.
Although great strides have been made in managing heat transfer in aircraft, considerable shortcomings remain.
While the system and method of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the application to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the process of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

Passive cooling of transmission using mast mounted heat pipes


The invention provides a modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry, which can repair different types of defects using an addressing line and an enabled line, thereby increasing the yield of the memory device. The modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry includes: a plurality of main memory blocks to store data; a plurality of redundancy memory blocks to replace the defective memory blocks; a plurality of fuse sets to generate replacement signals by programming the plurality of fuse sets to replace the defect memory positions on the main memory blocks with the corresponding redundancy memory blocks.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a memory structure, and particularly to a modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry, which uses an enabled line to reduce the fuses required by a programming redundancy circuit and determines the optimized replacement range of defective memory to avoid memory resource waste during the early development phase.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a semiconductor memory device, for example, in a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM) module, redundancy circuitry is widely used. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical memory block, including redundancy circuitry. As shown in FIG. 1, during the verification of each and every cell on the chip before shipping, in the event of data stored into the memory array 16 through the port 12 and the interface 14 encountering defective cells in the memory array 16, redundancy cells 18 are commonly used to replace defective cells produced by the manufacturing process, thereby increasing the yield. Following the increment of memory density, a hierarchical decoding (not shown) scheme, e.g. top, middle, and bottom addressing, is employed in order to further increase the operating speed and reduce the switching power of decoding operation in DRAM and SRAM. Redundancy replacement is activated where a single row of memory cells or column of memory cells with defects is replaced with a redundancy row or column 18 by making the fuses connect or blow, i.e., programming, to map failure addresses (not shown). However, the number of fuses becomes prohibitively large for this conventional redundancy scheme, particularly in high-density memory, in which a lot of room is consumed by thousands of fuses, so that normal memory cells are compressed into a limited space and the implementation of the circuitry becomes overly complicated.
Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry, which can repair different types of defects to increase the yield of the memory device.
A further object of the invention is to provide a modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry, which uses an addressing line and an enabled line to reduce the required fuse sets and avoid memory resource waste.
To realize the above and other objects, the invention provides a modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry, which can repair different types of defects by using an addressing line and an enabled line, thereby increasing the yield of the memory device. The modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry includes: a plurality of main memory blocks for storing data; a plurality of redundancy memory blocks for replacing the defect memory blocks; a plurality of fuse sets to generate replacement signals by programming the plurality of fuse sets to replace the defect memory positions on the main memory blocks with the corresponding redundancy memory blocks. The replacement signals include an MAT replacement signal, a memory sector replacement signal, and a memory row and column replacement signal. Thus, the optimized replacement range is defined by the signals with the sizes of MAT, sector, and row or column.

Modular memory structure having adaptable redundancy circuitry

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A sleeve is disclosed for a leg of a ladder. The sleeve includes a length of generally “U”-shaped cross-sectional material, and the sleeve slides over an end of the leg of the ladder. Each rung of the ladder slides along an open portion of the generally “U”-shaped cross-section as the sleeve is slid over and along the leg of the ladder. When the ladder rests against an object, the sleeve can be longitudinally adjusted along the leg to reduce marring the object from contact by the leg of the ladder.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to ladders and, more particularly, to safety devices for ground-supported ladders.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a user ascends a ladder, safety is of utmost importance. Ladder safety, in fact, is so important that many industries and companies require various safety procedures when using ladders. One telecommunications service provider, for example, requires that a technician utilize a special safety procedure to secure a ladder to prevent sliding/slippage as the technician ascends the ladder. This safety procedure requires much time and effort before the ladder can be extended and ascended. Because this safety procedure requires much time and effort, repairs take longer.
One example of these safety procedures involves communications cables. Sometimes a technician must access a terminal to provide communications service to a customer. Although most terminals are readily accessible (such as when mounted on utility poles), some terminals are not so easily accessed. Some terminals, in fact, are located far from a utility pole, and the technician must lean a ladder on a communications cable. When the technician must lean/prop the ladder against a communications cable, the safety procedures are very strict. The safety procedures require the technician to "tie" the ladder to the communications cable. That is, the technician must wrap a rope around the ladder and the communications cable, and the rope must be tied with a special knot. This safety procedure is time consuming, and the required, special knot is difficult to master. Even though the ladder is "tied off," the ladder can sometimes still slide along the communications cable and compromise stability. There is, accordingly, a need in the art for new methods of securing a ladder, a need in the art for an apparatus that allows a user to secure a ladder, and a need in the art for an apparatus that is quickly and easily adapted to various situations/applications.

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation


A computer system operative during an initialization phase to initialize modules of the system and during a subsequent non-initialization phase to transfer information between the initialized modules. A module bus (MB) has 32 signal lines beginning with a least-significant-bit signal line and ending with a most-significant-bit signal line. The bus (MB) connects the modules for data transfers after the initialization phase over bidirectional address lines and data lines connected to the module bus. A system support module (SSMI) starts the initialization phase by energizing an initialization signal line (INIT). In response, a processor (GDP) generates identification command information over the bus (MB) that continas a first data record and a second data record. The first data record is comprised of bits equal to the number of signal lines in the 32-bit module bus, with only one logical one in the first data field, the position of the logical one advancing consecutively from the least significant bit position to the most significant bit position for each successive identification command generated by the processor. The second data record is an identification code uniquely identifying the one of the modules activated by the first record to receive the second record and hence its identification code.

In high-availability computer systems it is necessary that the usually numerous modules involved in data processing be made identifiable and that, within certain limits, tasks and priorities be assigned to the modules. Said procedures are to be carried out before the startup of the computer system. These goals are accomplished either by providing electronic identification sources, i.e., ROM or other hardware devices, i.e., switches, solder straps, etc., or on the other hand by implementing software-controlled transmissions of appropriate bit masks over the data and address buses. In the latter case, separate decoders are further required for nearly every module; these decoders decode and generate the identification commands from the transmitted signals typically referred to as chip select signals. The possibilities for identification are, however, restricted by the corresponding hardware cost, the capability of the decoders, switches, etc., and by the limited time available for initialization of the system.

High-availability computer system with a predefinable configuration of the modules


A method for controlling movement of an automated machine. The movement is defined by a plurality of steps. First, a buffer of a predetermined size is defined. The buffer stores a current step and one or more previous steps in the movement of the automated machine. Then a current step in the movement of the automated machine is executed. Next, the buffer is checked to see if the current step executed in the movement of the automated machine movement is the same as a predetermined step of interest. If the current step is a predetermined step of interest, the buffer is checked to determine what at least one previous step was. If the current step was the step of interest, a new step is executed in the movement of the automated machine, the new step executed depending on what the at least one previous step was.

This invention relates to automated robotic software and more particularly to a method and system for using a buffer to track robotic movement.
The use of robots in various manufacturing processes is becoming more common place. These robots typically perform repetitive tasks involving a series of different robotic movements. In current systems robots typically move sequentially through a plurality of states without any consideration of the movement steps made to reach the current state. That is, the next step executed by a robot depends at most on the immediate previous step. However, at certain time a robot may be in a state that can be reached via two or more sequence of steps. The knowledge of which sequence of steps was used to reach the current state can be used to determine future steps to take. Unfortunately, because the movement of robots in current systems depends entirely on the robot""s current state, inefficient operations may take place.
For example, in a wafer handling machine a robot arm may automatically return to a center position after either a load carrier step or an unload carrier step. After a load carrier step the move to a center position is correct because after loading the cassette, individual wafers in the cassette will need to be counted in a map cassette step. However, after an unload cassette step, the next step that should be performed is most likely be a load cassette step. In that case, moving the robot arm to a center position is not needed and delays the loading of additional wafers. However, currently the movement of the robot arm to a center position is done after both the load step and the unload step because the robotic system moves through states without retaining knowledge of how the state was reached.
Thus a need has arisen for a method for using a buffer to track robotic movement.
Thus, a need has arisen for a method for tracking movement in a robotic system that overcomes drawbacks associated with other methods.
In one embodiment, a method for controlling the movement of an automated machine is disclosed. The movement is defined by a plurality of steps. First, a buffer of a predetermined size is defined. The buffer stores a current step and one or more previous steps in the movement of the automated machine. Then a current step in the movement of the automated machine is executed. Next, the buffer is checked to see if the current step executed in the movement of the automated machine movement is the same as a predetermined step of interest. If the current step is a predetermined step of interest, the buffer is checked to determine what at least one previous step was. If the current step was the step of interest, a new step is executed in the movement of the automated machine, the new step executed depending on what the at least one previous step was.
Technical benefits of the present invention include increased efficiency by correctly positioning a robot arm where it is needed for a next step based on one or more previous steps. Other technical benefits are apparent from the following descriptions, illustrations and claims.

Method and system for using a buffer to track robotic movement


The effectiveness of thermal insulation of barriers, such as walls, floors, or ceilings of a residence, is assessed by measuring the effective values of insulation or R values, of thermal barriers. Suitable devices and procedures for utilizing such devices are provided. The R values so measured can be compared with those suggested for economic insulation in such sources as government publications to determine the desirability of augmenting existing insulation.. The device comprises a holder and a temperature sensor and indicator means supported on a support slidably mounted in the holder. In one embodiment, a single device combines measurement of thermal insulation and comparison with suggested values for economic insulation. A direct measurement of whether installed insulation is adequate is thus provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to determining the effectiveness and sufficiency of thermal insulation in barriers such as walls, floors, and ceilings.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Heat flows between the interior of residential structures and the exterior by means of conduction, convection and radiation. Heat loss from the structure during the heating season and heat gain during the air conditioning season are economically and physiologically undesirable. This flow is impeded by the addition of thermal insulation placed between the inner and outer walls, in the ceilings above the heated space, and, occasionally, in the floors under it.
Many of the residential dwellings in the United States have less insulation than that considered economically desirable at the current cost of heating or cooling, or have gaps in the existant insulation at various locations, e.g., around windows. It would be desirable for the owners of such dwellings to be able to identify such locations of missing insulation, or to assess the efficacy of that insulation which is present. From such a survey, the owner can determine the need for adding insulation to reduce heat flow.
Several measurement devices exist for assessing the performance of installed residential insulation. These devices typically work on one of two principles. The first type is a heat flow meter in which two termperature-sensitive elements are placed on either side of a suitable, known thermal resistance. This assembly is placed in contact with the surface to be measured, and the temperature difference across the known thermal resistance is measured by means of electrical or electronic circuitry. The heat flow through the known resistance, and hence, through the surface whose heat flow is to be measured is, therefore, determined. A practical equipment for this measurement is marketed under the name of Model HA-100 HEATPROBE.RTM. System by International Thermal Instrument Company, Del Mar, Calif. The complexity and precision of this equipment would not make it suitable for individual residential ownership or use. Hence, the cost of its use by a suitably trained individual would inhibit its widespread application.
The second type of equipment usable for insulation performance survey makes use of the fact that any object warmer than absolute zero temperature emits radiation whose quantity is dependent on its temperature and emissivity. A number of sensors of this radiation are in existence, and when coupled with a suitable optical system and electronic amplification, a two-dimensional optical "picture" of the temperature distribution of the surface can be obtained. A practical equipment for this measurement is marketed under the name of AGA THERMOVISION.RTM. Systems by AGA Corporation, Secaucus, N.J. This equipment is also complex and costly, and would, therefore, be used only by a trained individual.
A need remains for an inexpensive, easily usable device for determining the effectiveness of thermal insulation.

Testing effectiveness of thermal insulation


A combustion engine based on the principle of pulsating combustion and a method of operating the engine includes a pressure-resistant housing in which a combustion chamber is provided, an intake mechanism for fuel and combustion air, and an exhaust mechanism connected to the combustion chamber for the exhaust gases produced during combustion. A piston is movably arranged in a cylinder which is connected to the combustion chamber, with spring energy being applied to the piston on the side facing away from the combustion chamber. This effectively transfers the energy of the pressure waves produced during pulsating combustion to a mechanical driving element.

The present invention relates to an engine based on the principle of pulsating combustion and a method for operating the engine. Previously proposed gas turbines based on the principle of pulsating combustion, in which energy of the pressure waves reaching the outside via an exhaust pipe is transmitted to a turbine wheel are described in the publication entitled The Pulsejet Engine--A Review of Its Development Potential, U.S. Govern. Report, Monterey, Calif., USA, 1974).

Engine working according to the method of pulsating combustion


The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of formulating a treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore. The treatment fluid comprises water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4×106, and any combination in any proportion thereof. The invention also provides a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising: water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4.106, and any combination in any proportion thereof.

A well treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is generally prepared by mixing a base fluid and a viscosifying agent. The base fluid is made up of an aqueous fluid and can be of any convenient source, including, but not limited to fresh water, seawater, natural brine and formulated brines such as 2% KCl solution. The viscosifying agent thickens or viscosities the base fluid and may assist in the transport of solid particles in the fluid. A typical viscosifying agent includes or is made from a polysaccharide.
Polysaccharides have been used to alter the viscosity and rheology of aqueous solutions and are typically used in drilling, completion, and remedial operations. Among other uses, polysaccharides may be used as a part of fracturing gels for hydraulic fracturing, to viscosify drilling fluids, to control fluid loss, as blocking gels, as a part of gravel packing, frac pack fluids, etc. Heteropolysaccharides, in particular, have been used to alter the viscosity and other rheological characteristics of aqueous solutions as well as for secondary functions, such as emulsification, suspension of solids, stabilization, flocculation, etc. See, for example, the many applications of heteropolysaccharides in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,052 filed Aug. 14, 1990, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,760 filed Oct. 21, 1981, both assigned to Merck & Co., Inc, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
However, a treatment fluid can suffer a complete loss of viscosity under certain conditions to which it may sometimes be subjected in treating a subterranean formation. Examples of such conditions include high shear (caused by the pumping and placement), high temperatures, high pressure, high salinity, and low pH. Under such conditions, the polymeric material used to viscosify the treatment fluid may degrade rather quickly and lose its viscosifying properties.
In fact, many heteropolysaccharides are ineffective at temperatures above 80° C. Xanthan, in particular, is commonly used to viscosify treatment fluids for applications such as gravel packing, but becomes less effective above 80-90° C.
In order to maintain reservoir fluid control and formation/fluid compatibility, the density of the fluid may be controlled by addition of soluble materials such as salts. These salts can also contribute to loss in viscosity of the treatment fluid.
Accordingly, there is a need for a viscosifying agent that provides high stability in a treatment fluid at elevated temperatures in solutions containing electrolytes.

Viscosified treatment fluids comprising scleroglucan or diutan and associated methods


A locking apparatus for portable devices and having a base member for securing to a surface, the base member having a conically tapered receptacle for rotatably receiving a similarly configured bearing plug of a base plate member configured for securing to a portable device. The bearing plug is provided with a reduced diameter portion in alignment with the lock pin of a key operated lock, movement of the lock pin into the neck portion retaining the base plate member relative to the base member while permitting rotation of the base plate member.

The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts:
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to locking apparatus for portable devices, and more particularly to a locking apparatus for rotatably securing a portable device to a surface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Property losses annually are extremely high with a significant percentage of the property losses arising due to theft of portable devices. In a business environment, the theft can extend to instruments used by technicians, calculators or other similar type portable devices.
In the home, in the hotel or motel businesses, such theft often extends to such portable appliances as televisions, stereo sets or the like.
With some such portable devices, if such devices are retained in a captive position, it is desirable that the mounting permit swiveling or rotating of the device during use. One such device in the prior art is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,976 to Popowitz issued Dec. 11, 1962 entitled: "Theft-Proof Television Swivel". The swivel unit for removal requires a special type spanner wrench, the component parts being bolted to connect the television set to a surface.
Another such apparatus is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,724,798 to Lucasey issued Apr. 3, 1973 entitled: "Stand for Supporting an Appliance". The particular structure shown in this patent requires that the stand be secured to the floor.
Another such device is shown as a "Mounting Means for Television Sets and the Like" issued to Keith, et al on Sept. 30, 1979, bearing U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,942. In the device of this patent, a mounting plate is secured to the bottom of the television set and a complementary supporting bearing plate is secured to a supporting means, the co-action between the two being by means of flanged brackets on one member engaging slots in the other member with relative rotation between the parts. The slotted member passes beneath the flanges to establish the interlock. The locking assembly is by means of a bolt.
Other such devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,936,026 (issued Feb. 3, 1976 to Hampel, et al) and 4,066,231 (issued Jan. 3, 1978 to Bahner). The first of these two patents illustrates a swivel base assembly for swiveling a portable device through an angle approximately 270.degree. where the portable device has electrical cable passing through the swivel. The other patent is directed to a locking stand for small portable devices in which a cable passes through an opening in the supporting surface with a bar rigidly attached to the cable, the bar being accessible beneath the supporting surface for securing a nut and a padlock thereto.
Such prior art devices have generally used nuts and bolts as the securing means, or required special tools for removal of the device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved locking apparatus for portable devices.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved locking apparatus for a portable device such as a television set in which a key operated lock is used as the locking mechanism for readily separating the parts.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus permitting full rotation and utilizing a plug or thrust bearing for enabling the support of heavy devices or appliances.


An illuminated golf club head defines a cavity and includes a top surface and a face for impacting a golf ball during a swing. A light is mounted at the top surface, and a power source for energizing the light is disposed within the cavity and electrically connected to the light. A switch is mounted within the cavity and electrically connected to the light and battery to form an electrical circuit. In an embodiment, the switch closes, completing the circuit and momentarily illuminating the light, upon impact of the face with a golf ball. In another embodiment, the switch closes to momentarily illuminate the light upon impact of a golf ball at approximately the center of the face.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of golf and, more particularly, to an illuminated golf club head.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
One of the most important factors in executing a proper golf swing is keeping the eyes focused on the ball during the entire swing, and particularly during the forward stroke. Golfers have a natural tendency to raise their head Just prior to the moment of contact between the club head and the ball and watch the ball's flight. This tendency is so strong that golfers may do it unknowingly and actually believe that their eyes are fixed on the ball throughout the entire swing.
Failing to focus on the ball during the entire swing detrimentally affects the ball's travel. Most importantly, the club head does not consistently contact the ball at the "sweet spot", located approximately at the center of the face of the head, and, consequently, the ball does not travel with the desired velocity and accuracy.
A number of devices have been developed for use in golf clubs to allow golfers to monitor different aspects of their swings. Devices that sense club speed or momentum during a swing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,158,211 to Aitken and 5,401,030 to Haliburton, and Canadian Pat. No. 653,471.
Devices that include lights to enable golfers to follow the path of the club during a swing are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,787,470 to Barrus et al. and British Pat. Nos. 1,270,422; 2,039,749 and 2,110,095.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,787 to Nobles, Jr. discloses a putter including a signaling device which is illuminated when the putter is non-parallel to the horizon or is rotated during the backstroke.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,939 to Hooper discloses a swing indicator for detecting inside-out and outside-in swings.
Japanese 6-165845 discloses a golf club including a light source and a sensor to sense the centrifugal force created during a swing or the impact force of the club with a golf ball.
The known devices for golf clubs are inadequate, however, for important reasons. The known devices do not visually aid golfers in watching the ball through the entire stroke and, consequently, in forming the habit of doing so. The known devices also do not provide a positive visual signal to golfers that the club head is consistently contacting the golf ball at the desired location. Furthermore, the known devices are generally heavy and bulky, and may alter the balance of the associated golf club. Consequently, the known devices may actually have the adverse effect of increasing the difficulty of performing a proper swing. In addition, some of the known devices are mounted to the exterior of the shaft or club head and make the associated golf clubs aesthetically unattractive.


Hafnium is recovered from irradiated tantalum by: (a) contacting the irradiated tantalum with at least one acid to obtain a solution of dissolved tantalum; (b) combining an aqueous solution of a calcium compound with the solution of dissolved tantalum to obtain a third combined solution; (c) precipitating hafnium, lanthanide, and insoluble calcium complexes from the third combined solution to obtain a first precipitate; (d) contacting the first precipitate of hafnium, lanthanide and calcium complexes with at least one fluoride ion complexing agent to form a fourth solution; (e) selectively adsorbing lanthanides and calcium from the fourth solution by cationic exchange; (f) separating fluoride ion complexing agent product from hafnium in the fourth solution by adding an aqueous solution of ferric chloride to obtain a second precipitate containing the hafnium and iron; (g) dissolving the second precipitate containing the hafnium and iron in acid to obtain an acid solution of hafnium and iron; (h) selectively adsorbing the iron from the acid solution of hafnium and iron by anionic exchange; (i) drying the ion exchanged hafnium solution to obtain hafnium isotopes. Additionally, if needed to remove residue remaining after the product is dried, dissolution in acid followed by cation exchange, then anion exchange, is performed.

Tantalum is irradiated, generally with protons, for use as a target material. Naturally occurring tantalum having therein tantalum-180 and tantalum-181 is irradiated to form the target materials. After a number of years of decay, depending upon the half-lives of the isotopes, most of the hafnium radioisotopes such as hafnium-172, hafnium-173, hafnium-175 and hafnium-179.sup.m decay away, leaving higher proportionate amounts of hafnium-178.sup.m2. After the tantalum is irradiated for employment as a target material, it is useful to be able to recover the hafnium radioisotopes for a variety of uses including use as precursors for radioactive materials for medical diagnosis and treatment and use for nuclear physics studies, including use in gamma ray lasers.
Traditionally, separation techniques for recovering hafnium isotopes from irradiated tantalum which has been irradiated employ solvent extractions with reagents that are now considered hazardous. The solvent extraction techniques are now considered problematic because solvent extraction techniques generate a mixed-waste stream containing radioactive and hazardous components that cannot easily be treated for disposal.
Therefore, there is a need for methods of recovering hafnium radioisotopes from irradiated tantalum targets without creation of undesirable waste streams.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method for obtaining hafnium radioisotopes from irradiated tantalum.
It is another object of this invention to provide a solvent-free method for recovering hafnium-178.sup.m2 from irradiated tantalum.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. The claims appended hereto are intended to cover all changes and modifications within the spirit and scope thereof.

Hafnium radioisotope recovery from irradiated tantalum

The Regents of the University of California


A pen type cosmetics case that pushes contents to a nozzle through a forward movement of a piston, and more particularly, a pen type cosmetics case capable of recovering contents injected into a nozzle by constituting a piston so as to be able to move forward as well as backward.

In general pen type cosmetics (eyeliner, concealer, lip tint, lip gloss, etc.), when a filling liquid suitable for the purpose of use is put into a cylinder type case and an operation part such as a knock button is operated, a piston moves forward and an inner filling liquid has been used to draw an eyebrow or as cosmetics such as concealers, lip lacquers, and lip tints by being pushed out through a brush, sponge or soft silicone typically called an applicator.
However, as described above, the pen type cosmetics case operated by the knock button was not able to recover the liquid cosmetics pushed out through the brush, the sponge, or the soft silicone.
In addition, since the cosmetics case of the knock type is difficult to adjust an amount of contents injected into the nozzle, there is an inconvenience that when the contents are excessively pushed out to the nozzle, the contents may not be recovered and therefore, the pushed contents should be wiped with a tissue or the like and used.
In particular, in a case in which the liquid cosmetics are stored in a state in which the liquid cosmetics are injected into the nozzle such as the brush, the sponge, or the silicone, the liquid cosmetics become solidified and are difficult to use, and the nozzle is clogged due to the solid matter, which is troublesome to use after cleaning the nozzle.