A novel polyester is provided which has been found to exhibit an optically anisotropic melt phase at a temperature which enables it readily to undergo melt processing to form quality fibers, films, molded articles, etc. The polyester contains substantial concentrations of recurring 3-phenyl-4-oxybenzoyl and/or 2-phenyl-4-oxybenzoyl moieties in combination with 4-oxybenzoyl and/or 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moieties in the proportions indicated. The wholly aromatic polyester is capable of forming the desired anisotropic melt at a temperature below approximately 350.degree. C.

Wholly aromatic polyester resins long have been known. For instance, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid homopolymer and copolymers have been provided in the past and were commercially available. Those wholly aromatic polyesters normally encountered in the prior art have tended to be somewhat intractable in nature and to present substantial difficulties if one attempts to melt process the same while employing conventional melt processing procedures. Such polymers commonly are crystalline in nature, relatively high melting or possess a decomposition temperature which is below the melting point, and when molten frequently exhibit an isotropic melt phase. Molding techniques such as compression molding or sintering may be utilized with such materials; however, injection molding, melt spinning, etc., commonly have not been viable alternatives or when attempted commonly have been accomplished with difficulty.
Representative publications which discuss wholly aromatic polyesters include: (a) Polyesters of Hydroxybenzoic Acids, by Russell Gilkey and John R. Caldewell, J. of Applied Polymer Sci., Vol. II, Pages 198 to 202 (1959), (b) Polyarylates (Polyesters From Aromatic Dicarboxylic Acids and Bisphenols), by G. Bier, Polymer, Vol. 15, Pages 527 to 535 (August 1974), (c) Aromatic Polyester Plastics, by S. G. Cottis, Modern Plastics, Pages 62 to 63 (July 1975); and (d) Poly(p-Oxybenzoyl Systems): Homopolymer for Coatings: Copolymers for Compression and Injection Molding, by Roger S. Storm and Steven G. Cottis, Coatings Plast. Preprint, Vol. 34, No. 1, Pages 194 to 197 (April 1974). See also, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,039,994; 3,169,121; 3,321,437; 3,549,593; 3,553,167; 3,637,595; 3,651,014; 3,723,388; 3,759,870; 3,767,621; 3,778,410; 3,787,370; 3,790,528; 3,829,406; 3,890,256; and 3,975,487. U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,593 discloses certain aromatic polyesters of hydroxybenzoic acids wherein every moiety of the polyester is substituted by alkyl and/or aryl groups (i.e., a phenyl group).
Also, it more recently has been disclosed that certain polyesters may be formed which exhibit melt anisotropy. See for instance, (a) Polyester X7G-A Self Reinforced Thermoplastic, by W. J. Jackson Jr., H. F. Kuhfuss, and T. F. Gray, Jr., 30th Anniversary Technical Conference, 1975 Reinforced Plastics/Composites Institute. The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., Section 17-D, Pages 1 to 4, (b) Belgian Pat. Nos. 838,935 and 828,936, (c) Dutch Pat. No. 7505551, (d) West German Nos. 2520819, 2520820, 2722120, 2834535, 2834536 and 2834537, (e) Japanese Nos. 43-223; 2132-116; 3017-692; and 3021-293, (f) U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,991,013; 3,991,014; 4,057,597; 4,066,620; 4,067,852; 4,075,262; 4,083,829; 4,118,372; 4,130,545; 4,130,702; 4,153,779; 4,156,070; 4,159,365; 4,161,470; and 4,169,933; and (g) U.K. application No. 2,002,404. See also commonly assigned U.S. Ser. Nos., 877,917, filed Feb. 15, 1978 (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,996, issued Nov. 22, 1980); 10,392, filed Feb. 8, 1979, and 10,393, filed Feb. 8, 1979 (now U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,238,599 and 4,238,598, respectively, issued Dec. 9, 1980) 21,050, filed Mar. 16, 1979 (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,433, issued Sept. 23, 1980); 32,086, filed Apr. 23, 1979 (now U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,461, issued Aug. 26, 1980); and 54,049, filed July 2, 1979.
In my commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 128,759, filed concurrently herewith, entitled "Polyester of Phenyl-4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid, Aromatic Diol, and Aromatic Diacid Capable of Forming an Anisotropic Melt" is disclosed another wholly aromatic polyester which readily undergoes melt processing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wholly aromatic polyester which particularly is suited for the formation of quality molded articles, melt extruded fibers, and melt extruded films.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved melt processable wholly aromatic polyester capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 350.degree. C.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel wholly aromatic polyester which can be formed on a more economical basis since only a portion of the aromatic rings present therein are substituted.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wholly aromatic polyester which forms a highly tractable melt phase.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wholly aromatic polyester which forms an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature well below its decomposition temperature and which may form quality high performance fibers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved wholly aromatic polyester fibers of relatively high strength and modulus which particularly are suited for use as fibrous reinforcement in a rubber matrix.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved wholly aromatic polyester which readily may be melt extruded to form a film.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved wholly aromatic polyester which readily may be injection molded to form a molded article (which optionally may be fiber and/or filler reinforced).
These and other objects, as well as the scope, nature and utilization of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.

Polyester of phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and/or 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid capable of forming an anisotropic melt


A facsimile apparatus includes a plurality of one-touch keys, a plurality of function keys, and a memory. The plurality of function keys are used to set predetermined functions. The memory holds a plurality of different functions which are set by the function keys with respect to each one-touch key.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a memory capable of registering all the operations required for transmission with one-touch keys.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
In functional memory used in conventional facsimile apparatus, contents which can be stored in the memory areas of one-touch keys are limited to telephone numbers (and names) of destinations for transmission.
In such conventional memory, only one function can be registered in the memory area of a one-touch key, and hence a one-touch key and a function have one-to-one correspondence.
With an increase in the number of functions of facsimile apparatus and a decrease in the size thereof, of facsimile apparatus a demand recently has arisen for a decrease in the number of on keys of an operation display section arranged in the apparatus. For this reason, in conventional apparatus, a plurality of keys are combined to store and reproduce a required number of functions.
Consequently, key operation becomes complicated. A strong demand, therefore, has arisen for a one-touch key capable of storing a plurality of functions in its memory area. Such a one-touch key is advantageous in that necessary functions can be quickly reproduced without a complicated operation sequence.
In a conventional facsimile apparatus, however, a one-touch key and a function have one-to-one correspondence. Since two key operations for, e.g., selecting a phone number and a line density are often required in transmission, operation becomes complicated in spite of the use of one-touch keys. If an apparatus is designed such that a plurality of desired functions can be stored in the memory area of a one-touch key, it is difficult to ensure a required memory capacity.
In the conventional apparatus, according to the relationship between a one-touch key and a function to be stored, one memory area is assigned to one function as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the memory capacity of one touch-key must be increased with an increase in the number of functions to be registered in its memory area.
There are almost an innumerable number of combinations of functions. With multi-address calling, about 200 combinations of functions are required. Therefore, if the number of one-touch keys is set to be 40; and the number of functions, 200, and five bytes are assigned to each function, 40 Kbytes are required as a memory capacity for the functions.
In addition, functions are seldom registered in the memory area of a one-touch key to its maximum registration number. That is, memory tends to be wasted.
If the number of functions is limited, the memory capacity can be reduced accordingly. However, since limitation in number of functions means limitation in number of functions to be registered, an original purpose, i.e., easy operation cannot be achieved.


Various finger tip controlled manual interface devices that can be used as inputs to personal computers, electromechanical systems and video game consoles utilize concentrically arranged magnets. The polarities of the magnets are oriented to provide restoration forces on a one of the magnets to bias it toward a neutral position. A magnetic sensor including a plurality of sensing elements such as Hall effect devices generates output signals representative of direction and amount of movement of the magnet that is biased to the neutral position.

There are many electronic computing systems, such as personal computers and video game consoles, that have interface circuitry and/or interface software designed to function with a manual user input device that can be readily manipulated by a user to input commands, move a cursor, select an icon, move a player in a video game, etc. The QWERTY keyboard is often not the best user interface device for a given application. Computer mouse devices, track balls, drag pads, joy sticks, and touch screens have therefore been extensively developed and commercialized over the years. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. There is still a need for improved manual user interface devices, and in particular, compact, durable manual user interfaces with high resolution, that provide tactile feedback to the user.


An inversion prevention device to prevent inversion and provide the best S/N ratio detects a point where the zero crossing is missing from a quantized FM signal. An output is provided by switching between the digital FM signal and the output signal of at least one sideband suppression filter based on a result of the inversion detection. Alternatively, an output is provided by switching between the digital FM signal and a specified value based on a result of the inversion detection. As a further alternative, an output is provided by switching between the digital FM signal, the output signal of a low-sideband emphasis filter and the output signal of a sideband suppression filter based on a result of the inversion detection.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an inversion prevention device to prevent inversion of FM signals.
2. Description of Related Art
When the point where an FM signal crosses the zero-level disappears, there happens the phenomenon that the demodulation signal of the FM signal being the white level in itself drops to the black level. This phenomenon is called as "inversion" hereinbelow.
As a generally known inversion prevention device of the prior art, there is a device called a double limiter. For example, FIG. 1 shows a block circuit diagram of a double limiter which is a conventional inversion prevention device disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-219372 (1987). In FIG. 1, numeral 601 denotes an input terminal for reproduced FM signal. The FM signals are inputted to a high-pass filter (hereinafter called LPF) 602 and to a low-pass filter (hereinafter called LPF) 605 via the input terminal 601. The HPF 602 passes carrier wave component of the input FM signals and significantly attenuates lower sideband componet, then outputs the resultant signals to a limiter 603. The limiter 603 eliminates a difference in the amplitudes of the input signals arid sends sinusoidal output signals having a constant amplitude to a phase compensator 604. The phase compensator 604 compensates the phase of the input signals and outputs the compensated signals to a synthesizer 606. On the other hand, the LPF 605 attenuates the carrier wave component of the input FM signals sufficiently and outputs the resultant signals to the synthesizer 606. The synthesizer 606 synthesizes both input signals and outputs the synthesized signals to a limiter 607. The limiter 607 regulates the amplitude to a constant level to prevent the demodulated output from the FM demodulator later at a later stage from being distorted by AM component, then outputs the FM signals via an outpost terminal 608.
In the conventional inversion prevention device in such a constitution as described above, carrier wave component is amplified until a specified amplitude is obtained by the limiter 603 (at a cost of decreased S/N ratio) in a portion of the input FM signals where the carrier wave component is so small that an inversion is likely to occur, thus FM signals wherein only the carrier wave component is amplified and which are not susceptible to inversion are obtained at the output terminal of the synthesizer 606. In a portion of the input FM signals where the carrier wave component is large enough to prevent an inversion, the carrier wave component attains the specified amplitude without being subject to significant amplification by the limiter 603 (therefore the S/N ratio does not decrease), and consequently FM signals substantially equal to the input FM signals are obtained at the synthesizer 606. Therefore FM signals free from inversion are always outputted.
An example of a digital signal processing circuit which achieves the same functions of the inversion prevention device described above to deal with digital FM signals which are quantized is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-219372 (1987), with its block circuit, diagram being shown in FIG. 7.
This device handles digital FM signals which are quantized FM signals as an input and output. Numeral 701 in FIG. 7 denotes an input terminal for the digital FM signals. The digital FM signals are inputted to a HPF 702 and a LPF 706 via an input terminal 701. The HPF 702 outputs carrier wave component to an amplitude detector 704 and a divider 705 provided in a limiter 703 which regulates the amplitude of the output from the HPF 702 to a constant level. The amplitude detector 704 outputs the amplitude signal which represents the amplitude of the output signal of the HPF 702 to the divider 705. The divider 705 divides the output signal from the HPF 702 by the amplitude signal from the amplitude detector 704, and outputs the carrier wave component of a constant amplitude to a synthesizer 707. The synthesizer 707 synthesizes the output of the limiter 703 (divider 705) and the output, of the LPF 706, while the synthesized digital FM signals are outputted from the outputted terminal 708.
Because it is easy to make the HPF 702 and the LPF 706 operate with linear phase characteristics, a phase corrector is not necessary and the limiter 607 in FIG. 6 has no direct implication to the prevention of inversion and is therefore omitted. The basic operation in the digital inversion prevention device shown in FIG. 7 is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.
However, the conventional device shown in FIG. 7 requires the amplitude detector 704. To construct the amplitude detector 704 requires a quadrature phase shifter which shifts the phase of input X to the amplitude detector 704 by 90.degree. and an arithmetic logic unit which calculates the square root of (X.sup.2 +Y.sup.2) by using a signal Y having a phase which is shifted by 90.degree., leading to a considerably large circuit.
The divider 705 having a circuit substantially larger than the arithmetic logic unit is also required. Moreover, because the output signal of the HPF 702 is a carrier wave component having a large amplitude in contrast to the output signal of the LPF 706 which is the sideband component having a small amplitude, it is necessary to increase the data word length thereof. As a result, circuits of the divider 705 and the amplitude detector 704 become even larger, causing a problem that it is difficult to make a digital inversion prevention device. In addition, while the conventional device has a function of minimizing the deterioration of S/N ratio of the input FM signals, it cannot provide a S/N ratio higher than that of the input FM signals.


Provided is a method of reliably operating a highly integratable nonvolatile memory device. The nonvolatile memory device may include a string selection transistor, a plurality of memory transistors, and a ground selection transistor between a bit line and a common source line. In the nonvolatile memory device, data may be erased from the memory transistors by applying an erasing voltage to the bit line or the common source line.

Nonvolatile memory devices, e.g., electronically erasable programmable read only memories (EEPROMs) or flash memories may store data even when power is turned off, and further, stored data may be erased therefrom and new data may be programmed thereto. Nonvolatile memory devices may be used in semiconductor products, e.g., storage media for mobile devices or portable memory sticks, etc.
Recently, with the trend toward smaller semiconductor products, nonvolatile memory devices used in the semiconductor products have become more highly integrated. For example, three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices may have a higher degree of integration in a plane compared to two-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices. Further, three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices may be manufactured using silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates or nanowire structures.
In three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices, a channel layer may not be directly connected to a substrate. Thus, in three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices, it may be more difficult to erase data by applying a body bias to a substrate, unlike in conventional two-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices. In this regard, data may be erased by applying a negative voltage to a control gate electrode. However, this may lower the reliability of a tunneling insulating layer.

Nonvolatile memory device and method of operating and fabricating the same


A laser device for generating multiline emissions when appropriately energized. The device consists of two major components, an anode-cathode assembly and, in a first embodiment, an adjustable brewster end section or in a second embodiment, an integral mirror end section. The anode-cathode assembly comprises one center located short cylindrical anode and two segmented cylindrical hollow cathodes located symmetrically on each side of the anode. The anode and cathode are electrically insulated by a cylindrical metal ceramic seal. The outer surface of the cathode is covered with quartz insulating sleeves to prevent electrical discharge from the outer cathode surface and to encourage effective inner cathode discharge. The cathode is thermally connected to the external environment through a structure coupled to the cathode and the laser tube envelope thus allowing heat generated within the cathode due to the electrical discharge to be effectively conducted away thereby allowing higher input power load into the cathode for selected lasing action which requires a relatively high excitation input. A metal vapor reservoir may be provided and is preferably attached to the anode section for metal vapor laser operation. While the controlled amount of the metal vapor is released into the anode section, it is transported through each cathode section by natural diffusion and cataphoretic action which provides near uniform vapor density throughout the cathode sections. The laser device of the present invention can be made up of one or more anode-cathode assemblies depending on the laser medium and the selected output requirement.

The present state of laser technology has advanced substantially from that available in prior years. For example, a variety of laser devices, including gas lasers, dye lasers and solid state lasers are available for particular customer applications. At this time, a substantial portion of the commercially marketed lasers are of the gas variety. The gas lasers available are generally limited to a laser device which produces only a single wavelength (emission line) or a single color output. For example, helium-neon laser devices which are available commercially generates only the red wavelength (i.e. 6328A) output. Although argon ion gas lasers are available which are capable of simultaneously producing blue and green output light, the argon gas laser is considered to be too costly, inefficient and cumbersome as far as size is concerned to have extensive commercial applications.
The laser disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,021,845 produces white light (light having multiple lines) which includes three of the primary colors; red, blue and green. The laser is very advantageous since an end user has the capability of selecting a desired wavelength(s) for a particular application from a plurality of available wavelengths, the laser being relatively inexpensive and of a physical size which makes it attractive for many commercial applications.
Although the laser described in the aforementioned patent has performed satisfactorily, a more compact and controllable type of laser which can be operated at a higher input density would be desirable. Further, it would be desirable if the basic configuration of the laser could be easily expandable to allow the power level for a selected wavelength to be increased depending on the type of application required. In other words, what is desired is a multiline laser device which is capable of operating at high input power densities which in turn allows the power level for a particular wavelength desired to be increased, has improved stability characteristics, is compact and is cost effective while providing the multiple line output.


A main CPU (a mounting determination part) in a camera body makes a determination by detecting voltage, at a lens detection terminal, n1 consecutive times at time intervals of dl, at the time of turning on a power supply with a power switch. After a result of the determination turns out to be non-mounting, the main CPU makes a determination by detecting voltage, at the lens detection terminal, n2 consecutive times at time intervals of d2 (where n2 and d2 are equal to or greater than to n1 and d1, respectively) on condition that any one of conditional expressions d1<d2 and n1<n2 is met.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interchangeable-lens camera having a camera body to which a lens unit is removably attached, a camera body and a method of determining the mounting of a lens.
2. Description of the Related Art
Interchangeable-lens cameras in which a lens unit having an imaging lens is removably attached to a camera body have become widely available. Examples of such an interchangeable-lens camera include, in general, single-lens reflex cameras equipped with a reflecting mirror that reflects light incident on the lens unit to guide the light to the optical viewfinder, and mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras without a reflecting mirror. In addition, there are known interchangeable-lens cameras that are provided with an imaging element in the camera body and others that are provided with an imaging element in the lens unit.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-114087 (PTL 1) discloses the configuration of a camera having a camera body with a detachable lens unit. The camera includes a lens detection terminal dedicated to the detection of the lens unit. When the lens unit is not mounted, a pull-up resistor causes the lens detection terminal to be at a high level, and when the lens unit is mounted, the lens detection terminal is connected to a ground terminal in the camera body through the lens unit. A CPU of the camera body detects a change in the level of the lens detection terminal from high to low so as to determine if the lens unit is mounted.

Camera body, interchangeable-lens camera, and method of determining mounting of lens


An artificial anus device consists of a device body and an excreta receptacle bag, and is fastened to the abdomen of a user with a belt. The device body is provided in its central portion with a through hole into which the excreta receptacle bag and an artificial anus are to be inserted, and on the portion thereof which is around the through hole with an abdomen pressure contacting portion of a predetermined thickness formed integrally therewith. The abdomen pressure contacting portion is provided in the outer circumferential surface of its base part with a recessed locking portion with which the excreta receptacle bag can be detachably engaged. The device body is provided in the portions thereof which are on the left and right sides of and symmetric with respect to the through hole and which are formed integrally with the abdomen pressure contacting portion with locking holes in which both end portions of the belt are locked. The excreta receptacle bag has a cylindrical bag body formed out of flexible rubber or synthetic resin and having at its open end a ring type locking portion to be engaged detachably with the recessed locking portion, and a closed end portion on the opposite side of the open end thereof, the film which constitutes the excreta receptacle bag covering the abdomen pressure contacting portion of and the inner surface of the through hole in the device body, the open end of this bag being engaged detachably with the recessed locking portion.

This invention relates to an artificial anus device used by a person who has had his rectum cut off due to for example rectum cancer, and who has an artificial anus provided with a throwaway excreta receptacle bag, free from the leakage of excreta and a gas while the device is used, and capable of disposing excreta easily.
A conventional commercially available artificial anus device has a mount member formed out of for example a synthetic resin and provided with a pad attached with a double coated adhesive tape to the surface thereof which is on the side of the skin of a user, and an excreta receptacle bag attached with a double coated adhesive tape to the surface thereof which is on the opposite side of the same skin, the device being fixed to the waist of the user with a belt.
The mount member is provided in its central portion with a hole into which an artificial anus is to be inserted, and in the portions thereof which are on the left and right sides of and symmetric with respect to the central hole with locking holes with which both end portions of the belt are to be engaged. The skin-side surface of the mount member is provided with a hollow frustoconical projection extending from the circumferential portion of the central hole. The pad consists of sponge, and is provided in its central portion with a hole into which the artificial anus is to be inserted, and in a hole-surround portion thereof with a plurality of radially extending cuts. The excreta receptacle bag is formed out of vinyl and provided in its side wall with a hole larger than these artificial anus-inserting holes.
However, with the above-described conventional artificial anus device, it is difficult to remove the excreta receptacle bag easily from the mount member with the excreta held in the bag perfectly without causing the excreta to leak to the outside. Moreover, when the user has loose bowels, the excreta receptacle bag has to be replaced frequently, and this very much displeases him who use an artificial anus device out of necessity.
Since the pad which is in contact with the skin of a user in this artificial anus device consists of sponge, a gas leaks therefrom, and the excreta leaks out sometimes to cause the underwear to be soiled or even an offensive odor to be emitted. Since the excreta permeates into the pad, the portion of the skin which is in contact with the pad has often eruption or roughening.
The first named one of the joint inventors of the present invention underwent an operation for rectum cancer about four years ago, and has used a conventional artificial anus device until a recent date but this device has various kinds of problems mentioned above. Under the circumstances, he has taken in his daily life such food that does not cause him to have loose bowels, and restrained himself from going out and making a trip so that the offensive odor emitted from the artificial anus device does not annoy people around him.


Provided is a coffee maker where a heated state coffee liquid can be obtained by performing an extraction operation in an extraction unit, and can be sufficiently cooled down to a temperature, to provide tasty iced coffee, and in which a cooled state of the coffee liquid can be maintained. An ice basket is arranged inside a server, and is disposed to receive and disperse the coffee liquid that is dripping from an extraction unit. The ice basket is formed in a vertically elongated shape, and internally includes an ice storage. A liquid feeding hole, which feeds the coffee liquid inside the ice storage to the server, is formed in a peripheral edge portion of a bottom portion. The bottom portion is arranged at a position close to a bottom surface of the server while being separated from the bottom surface.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coffee maker including a water tank that stores water, a heating and hot water supply mechanism that heats the water supplied from the water tank so as to generate hot water, and that supplies the generated hot water via a guide passage, an extraction unit that extracts a coffee liquid by receiving the hot water supplied from the heating and hot water supply mechanism, in a state of containing coffee powder, and a server that stores the coffee liquid extracted in the extraction unit.
Description of Related Art
A coffee maker having this configuration can store a coffee liquid in a server in such a way that a user operates an extracting switch in a state where water is supplied to a water tank and coffee powder is contained in an extraction unit.
Here, the coffee liquid stored in the server is extracted in the extraction unit after hot water is supplied from a heating and hot water supply mechanism, thereby providing so-called hot coffee (coffee liquid in a heated state).
When in use, the user puts a predetermined amount of coffee powder into the extraction unit in accordance with the user's desired number of cups, and pours the water into the water tank to reach the amount corresponding to the same number of cups. In this manner, a predetermined amount of hot coffee liquid can be obtained. The concentration of the coffee liquid can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of water poured into the water tank (in a case where the water poured into the water tank is always used up), or by adjusting the amount of the water supplied from the water tank via the heating and hot water supply mechanism (in a case where a dispensing amount of the water inside the water tank is adjustable).
With regard to the coffee maker which can obtain this hot coffee, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a coffee maker which can also obtain iced coffee.
A technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 relates to a "coffee machine", and the coffee machine includes an ice storage rack 12 (corresponding to an ice basket in the present Patent Application) inside a decanter 7 (corresponding to a server in the present Patent Application). The iced coffee can be obtained by delivering the coffee liquid dripping from a chamber 6 (corresponding to an extraction unit in the present Patent Application) containing the coffee powder to a surface of ice stored inside the ice storage rack 12.
A technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 relates to a "dripping coffee machine which also provides iced coffee", and the machine includes a basket 15 (corresponding to the ice basket in the present Patent Application) inside a coffee bottle 9 (corresponding to the server in the present Patent Application). The iced coffee can be obtained by delivering the coffee liquid dripping from a filter 10 (corresponding to the extraction unit in the present Patent Application) containing the coffee powder to a surface of ice stored inside the basket 15.
Both technologies can obtain iced coffee by causing the coffee liquid in a heated state to drip from the extraction unit including the ice basket. However, the ice basket has a shallow shape whose bottom portion is located in a central portion of the server from a bottom surface of the server. It is understood that the ice inside the basket is not immersed in the obtained coffee liquid.
Furthermore, the coffee liquid is not supposed to be taken out from the ice basket itself.


A visualization system includes an image capturing apparatus configured to observe an object region having an object plane, an illumination apparatus that is mechanically decoupled from the image capturing apparatus, having an actuator for controlling at least one property of the illumination apparatus, a control unit connected to the actuator, and a pose capturing unit connected to the control unit. The pose capturing unit is embodied so that a relative pose between the illumination apparatus and the image capturing apparatus is ascertainable, wherein the actuator is actuable by the control unit, in dependence on the relative pose ascertained by the pose capturing unit, in a manner such that the at least one property of the illumination apparatus is settable such that the object region having the object plane is illuminated by the illumination apparatus.

In medical technology, optical visualization apparatuses are used during surgery. One known visualization apparatus is an optical surgical microscope comprising an observation optical unit and eyepieces for observing an object region and an illumination apparatus for illuminating said object region. The object region is a surgical site. Surgical microscopes can be additionally or alternatively equipped with an image capturing apparatus, for example one or more cameras. The image recorded by the image capturing apparatus is displayed on a display apparatus, for example on a screen.
The image capturing apparatus and the illumination apparatus are mechanically coupled, that is to say mechanically connected in such a way that during a position or pose change of the surgical microscope, the image capturing apparatus and the illumination apparatus are moved together. In this way, illumination of the object region recorded by the image capturing apparatus, the surgical site, is ensured at every positional and angular setting.
However, mechanical coupling between the illumination apparatus and the image capturing apparatus can no longer be assumed in future systems. Image capturing apparatus and illumination apparatus can form systems that are independent of one another and that are arranged at different holders or stands.
Optimum lighting of a surgical site, however, is essential during surgical interventions. For the observer and surgeon, optimum lighting of the region to be operated on is a prerequisite for good visualization in order to be able to see extremely fine tissue structures. Incorrectly set illumination can cause tissue damage in a patient due to overheating.

Visualization system having an illumination apparatus


Apparatus for holding and selectively releasing a plurality of wrench sockets of the type having a drive opening therein includes an elongated rack having a pair of slots open on outer faces thereof and in communication with an internal, longitudinally extending recess having a width greater than the width of the slots and a plurality of retainer assemblies mounted in spaced relation along the length of said recess. Each retainer assembly includes a support post projecting outwardly of one face of the rack through an adjacent slot therein for engagement within the opening of a wrench socket placed on the post. A releasable detent is provided on each post for detaining engagement with a wrench element placed on the post, and a release button, accessible through the slot on an opposite face of the rack is provided for manual, quick releasing of the detent to permit easy withdrawal of the wrench socket from the post.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the general field of storage devices, particularly those for holding, retaining and or the detention of articles. Being more specific, an improved wrench socket storage rack not only enables the organization of socket sets by dimensional graduations, but also includes means providing instantaneous socket release from the wrench socket storage rack with the touch of a finger tip on a release button.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Wrench socket storage devices have been on the market and in the work place since the advent of wrench sockets. These devices have ranged from a tool box having divisions therein carefully configured to accommodate the graduated size of each socket to hand held devices having extremely sharp spring clip socket retaining devices, which devices leave quite a bit to be desired. Inventors have made futile and not so futile attempts at securing sockets to holding fixtures. Credit should always be given where credit is due especially for their part in trying to solve the age old problem of wrench socket storage. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,712,473 to McWethy's for "socket set" is a fine example of how sockets may be stored, although design does not provide for mobility or movement of multiple socket posts in a socket storage rack, nor does McWethy provide a release mechanism for the ease of socket removal/or reattachment. U.S. Pat. No. 2,065,341 to McNaught for a "Socket Wrench Kit" is quite limited whereas the sockets are not compatible to turning devices such as a ratchet, a speed handle but must use a bar of hexagonal stock with the bar bent laterally, e.g. ninety degrees to resemble a one half inch "Allen" wrench. U.S. Pat. No. 3,405,377 Pierce, for a "Holder For Socket wrench heads" does not have much to offer within the realm of practicality, the holder does not compensate for the majority of tool manufacturers having variable wall thicknesses in their tools. Additionally, magnets for securing the sockets to the holder seems to be counterproductive and costly. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 256,425 for a "Socket Wrench Holder" of Hayes is also limited to the manufacture of sockets used in the "Socket Wrench Holder". U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,860 Carrigan for a "Detachable Wrench Set Organizer And Storage Unit" appears to have too much complexity in the mechanics of its own design. U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,021 to Burrell for a "Wrench Socket Holder" does not provide a would be purchaser the assurance that each socket will remain in place should the "Wrench Socket Holder" be inadvertently dropped onto a hard surface. It would appear that each of the sockets would be seeking their own direction, and the absence of a socket retaining/release system is quite evident. U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,571 to Barrett and Malloy for a "Wrench Socket Holder" follows suit like the above mentioned patent because any unintended misuse of the well thought out concept thereof does not provide a consumer with any additional protection should the "Wrench Socket Holder" be advertently dropped. The items being stored upon the holder could/would become dislodged causing an unwanted problem contrary to the intended purpose of this invention which is to function as a "Wrench Socket Holder", for keeping sockets secure and safe, i.e., free from danger or risk of loss.
Quick release mechanisms for securing a wrench socket to a ratchet and for permitting removal of a wrench socket from a ratchet have been known and racks have been known for the sole purpose of storing wrench when not in use. For example, a type of ratchet assembly shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,318 awarded to Roberts and entitled "Quick Release for Socket Wrenches" depicts a rounded button and movable pin machined as one unit incorporating a compression spring. When depressed, a ball is allowed to withdraw into a detent thus freeing a wrench socket to be installed/removed from the ratchet wrench. U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,652 to Wenzel and Duke and U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,653 to Konecy are somewhat identical in their principal concept and are quite elaborate in their design over the simple well engineered design of Roberts. U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,100 to Palm involves a "Push-on/Quick Release Locking Arrangement for Socket Wrench Extension". This application is intended to function for a push-on mounting of a socket on an extension having a locking/quick release arrangement but fails to provide any usefulness in the field of mechanics. U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,453 for a "Stepless Wrench Including Quick Release Mechanism" to John D. and Jock D. Dempsey incorporates a quick release mechanism as identified with all of the above mentioned patents. The primary function of ratchets, regardless of how elaborate the chemistry the inventors have built into their designs, all produce the same result which is to install/remove a nut/bolt by means of a ratcheting device and by flipping a lever or a twist of a thumb switch to change the direction of ratcheting for either removal/installation of a nub/bolt. A spring pressured pawl against gear teeth is a substantial part of the elaborate properties within the workings of ratchet wrenches which have a depressible lever or button for permitting a wrench socket to be removed or replaced. These type of ratchets are a must for any mechanic's tool box.
The prior art of previously issued patents on holding devices for sockets do not provide a user with the means for securing a socket to a holder for proper storage and having the capability to removal of that same socket from the storage device by pressing a quick release/quick disconnect button or lever. The present invention allows flexibility and mobility in that the device can be hand carried, rough handled and even inadvertently dropped onto a hard surface presumably without the discharge of a single socket from the storage rack. Referencing now, the term "presumably" is used because of the known fact that some wrench socket manufacturers do not provide indentations within female end of a wrench socket to accept the "spring loaded closed" ball check detents common on male member driving devices, e.g. ratchet wrenches. In accordance with the rack system of the present invention, the only means by which a socket can be removed/installed/replaced is by depressing a release button on "QUICK RELEASE MECHANISM". All of the patents including the patent numbers listed in References Cited for all devices with Quick Disconnects and the likes and all Socket Storage devices and the likes are well intended, well thought out submissions by their inventors, but of the prior art that has been researched from 1886 to the present, none have approached the reality of the basic needs of the mechanic until now.

Wrench socket storage rack with quick release mechanisms


A high-luminance light emitting element is manufactured by a method comprising: forming a light emitting layer on a first surface of a GaP substrate including the first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface and having an area smaller than the first area, the light emitting layer emitting light of a wavelength λ permitted to pass through the GaP substrate; forming a plurality of side surfaces on the GaP substrate to be respectively aslant by substantially the same angle to become narrower toward the second surface; and forming a plurality of depressions and protrusions as high as 0.1 λ to 3 λ on the side surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor light emitting element and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Related Background Art
Semiconductor light emitting elements, including light emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting visible light, are widely used as light sources for display purposes because of their excellent features, namely, compactness, low power consumption, high reliability, and so on. Once they are enhanced in luminosity, their application as outdoor displays and light sources for communication will be broadened exponentially. There are AlGaAs, GaAlP and GaP are examples of materials of high-luminance LED already brought into practice, and those for emitting light of red, orange, yellow, green and other colors are actually being supplied at low costs.
Recently, InGaAlP having a band structure of a direct transition type from red to green has been remarked as a high-luminance LED material in this wavelength range. For its crystalline growth, metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are currently used because, with liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) heretofore used to grow GaAlAs, GaP and other conventional materials, it is difficult to control the composition because of large segregation of Al. In MOCVD and MBE, InGaAlP is formed on a GaAs substrate that is in lattice-matching with InGaAlP.
However, such a GaAs substrate is opaque to light from an InGaAlP active layer. Therefore, there is a development of a method of removing the opaque GaAs substrate and instead bonding a GaP substrate transparent to light from the InGaAlP active layer to obtain a relatively high-luminance LED.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a LED using a GaP substrate 200 mentioned above. A light emitting layer 201 made of InGaAlP compound semiconductors and having an InGaAIP active layer is bonded on the GaP substrate. The light emitting layer 201 emits light by current injection from the p-side electrode 202 and the n-side electrode 203. The GaP substrate 200 is transparent to the light from the light emitting layer 201. The transparent substrate 200 has side surfaces 200A, 200B that are slanted. Slanting angles of these side surfaces 200A, 200B can be changed as desired. In the LED of FIG. 16, however, the side surfaces are shown as slanting by 45° relative to the plane shown as the top surface in FIG. 16 for purposes of easier explanation about plane orientation. This LED of FIG. 16, using the transparent substrate 200 and slanting the first side surface 200A and the second side surface 200B of the transparent substrate 200, enables extraction of light from the light emitting layer 200 also from the side surfaces 200A, 200B, and is therefore enhanced in light extraction efficiency. Moreover, light from the light emitting layer 201 is extracted also from the third side surface (not shown) opposed to the first side surface 200A and from the fourth side surface (not shown) opposed to the second side surface 200B, and the light extraction efficiency is enhanced even more. The GaP substrate 200 is a just substrate having no gradient in plane orientation. As shown in FIG. 17, the first side surface 200 is (1-11) oriented, the second side surface 200B is (111) oriented, the third side surface is (11-1) oriented, and the fourth side surface 200D is (1-1-1) oriented.
To increase the light extraction efficiency of a semiconductor light emitting element still more, also used is a method of providing surfaces of elements with a plurality of projections and depressions that are high or deep by approximately the emission wavelength (sub-micron). This contributes to improving the light extraction efficiency by enlarging the surface area of the element and thereby improving the transmission probability of light, or making use of a change ineffective refractive index. Even in the element shown in FIG. 16, light extraction efficiency can be enhanced by providing, for example, the first side surface 200A and the opposed third side surface 200C of the substrate 200 with such depressions and protrusions. In case of a GaP substrate having slanted side surfaces, it is known to be relatively easy to form depressions and protrusions on the (1-11) oriented surface and the opposed (11-1) oriented surface by wet etching. Therefore, with the element shown in FIG. 16, it is relatively easy to form such depressions and protrusions on the first side surface 200A and the opposed third side surface 200C.
If conventional InGaAlP compound semiconductor light emitting elements can be enhanced in light extraction efficiency, they must be effectively usable to various applications. Heretofore, however, it has been believed very difficult to enhance the light extraction efficiency more than that of the element of FIG. 16. This is because, in the element of FIG. 16, the second side surface 200B and the fourth side surface 200D were believed to be difficult for making depressions and protrusions.
More specifically, in case of the element of FIG. 16, the first side surface 200A of the GaP substrate 200 is (1-11) oriented, but the second side surface 200B is (111) oriented. Thus the first side surface 200A is relatively easy to process for forming depressions and protrusions by wet etching, but the second side surface 200B is difficult to process by the same method. Similarly, the third side surface 200C opposed to the first side surface 200A is (11-1) oriented and relatively easy to process for forming depressions and protrusions, but the fourth side surface 200D opposed to the second side surface is (1-1-1) oriented and difficult to process for forming depressions and protrusions. Even when the slanting angle of the side surfaces is 60°, although the first side surface 200A and the third side surface 200C are relatively easy to process for making depressions and protrusions, the second side surface 200B and the fourth side surface 200D are difficult to process.
A such, in case of forming depressions and protrusions on side surfaces of the substrate 200, since a variety of crystal orientations appear on the respective side surfaces, it is difficult to make uniform depressions and protrusions by chemical etching whose etching rate varies with the surface orientation. Therefore, no structure has been realized in which all of the side surfaces have depressions and protrusions. Accordingly, it has been the common technical knowledge that any more light extraction efficiency than that of the element of FIG. 16 is very difficult to attain.

Semiconductor light emitting element with improved light extraction efficiency


The preparation of compounds of formula (I), wherein R and R.sub.1 have the meanings specified in claim 1, is disclosed compounds (I) are useful intermediates for the preparation of chelating agents.

The chemistry of polyazamacrocycles with coordinating side arms, which increase the ligating ability of the macrocycles, has developed quickly over the last decade (P. V. Dernhardt and G. A. Lawrance, Coord. Chem. Rev., 1990, 104,297) . Derivatives of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (TAZA) which contain additional donor groups, have been widely investigated due to the applications found for some of their metal complexes. Relevant examples are given by the use of the Gd complex of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (DOTA) as a contrast agent for in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (M. Magerstaedt, O. A. Gansow, M. W. Brechbiel, D. Colcher, L. Baltzer, R. H. Knop, M. E. Girton Naegele and M., Magn. Reson. Med., 1986, 3, 808) and of .sup.90 Y complexed DOTA derivatives attached to monoclonal antibodies in radioimmunotherapy (D. Parker, Chem. Soc. Rev., 1990, 19, 271; S. V. Deshpande, S. J. De Nardo, D. L. Kukis, M. K. Moi, M. J. McCall, G. L. De Nardo and C. F. Meares, J. Nucl. Med., 1990, 31, 473). Well known are derivatives of TAZA bearing four identical residues on the nitrogen atoms. On the contrary, TAZA derivatives containing different. coordinating side arms on the nitrogen atoms have received little attention, likely due to the difficulties involved in their synthesis. In this context, 1,7-disubstituted-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanes can be very useful in order to obtain chelating agents with prefixed symmetry. These compounds can, in principle, be synthesized (T. A. Kaden, Top. Curr. Chem., 1984, 121, 154) by classical condensation according to Richman and Atkins (J. E. Richman and T. J. Atkins, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1974, 96, 2268; T. J. Atkins, J. E. Richman and W. F. Oettle, Org. Synth., 58, 86). However, the nature of the residues, which can be introduced into positions 1 and 7 by this synthetic approach, is severely limited by the harsh conditions required, in particularly during the deprotecting steps.

Intermediates for chelating agents with prefixed symmetry and process for their preparation


A method of monitoring a patient includes recording physiological parameter data from the patient and detecting a first alarm event. A group alarm timer is activated based on an initiation time of the first alarm event, and one or more subsequent alarm events are detected while the group alarm timer is active. For each detected subsequent alarm event, a determination is made whether the respective subsequent alarm event is part of an incident group with the first alarm event. The group alarm timer is stopped at a termination time based on termination of all alarm events in the incident group. An incident group designator is generated identifying the incident group.

The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more specifically, to medical monitoring devices for monitoring a patient's physiology and health status and for managing alarms based on the patient's physiology and health status, as well as technical alarms generated by medical monitoring and other devices and systems associated with patient care delivery.
In the field of medicine physicians often desire to continuously monitor multiple physiological characteristics of their patients. Oftentimes, such monitoring of multiple physiological characteristics involves the use of several monitoring devices simultaneously, such as a pulse oximeter, a blood pressure monitor, a heart monitor, a temperature monitor, etc. These monitoring devices may be separate devices or elements within a larger multifunction patient monitoring device. Additional monitoring, treatment, and/or support devices and systems may further be connected to or associated with the patient, such as for delivering fluids, medication, anesthesia, respiration assistance, patient requested assistance, lab/imaging results, EMR/EHR notifications/alerts, etc. or analyzing various patient-related data to determine and alert a clinician to a condition or patient state (e.g., sepsis protocols, APACHE scores, early warning scores). Each of these devices and systems may generate one or more alarms to alert a clinician of a problem, which may be a problem with the patient's physiology or health status, or may be a technical problem with the monitoring and/or care delivery device. Thus, at any given time one or more devices may be generating alarms requiring the attention of a clinician.

Patient monitoring method and system providing incident grouping of alarm events


An assembly for applying hot melt adhesive to the backbone of a book block to attach a cover includes a bath of hot melt glue heated to approximately 350.degree. F. A metal wheel is submerged in the bath. The metal wheel is rotated and scrapers meter the hot melt adhesive on the surface of the metal wheel. The metal wheel transfers the hot melt adhesive to flexible adhesive distribution wheel. The flexible wheel is fabricated of a silicone rubber with iron oxide capable of withstanding the elevated temperatures of the hot melt adhesive while maintaining its flexibility. In addition, the cut and mold of the wheel results in greater flexibility of the wheel, allowing the wheel to flex to engage completely the backbone of each book block to apply the adhesive fully and completely.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new and improved assembly for applying hot melt glue to book blocks, and specifically, to a new and improved assembly including a flexible wheel fabricated of a material capable of withstanding the high temperature of hot melt glue without deteriorating and of remaining flexible for applying the hot melt adhesive to book blocks.
B. Description of the Background Art
The assembly of a book with endsheets or end leaves attached to a hard or flexible cover requires several distinct operations. The body of the book must first be collated to provide for proper pagination of the text. The integrity of the assembled endsheets or signatures is then accomplished utilizing existing technology such as adhesive binding, "Smyth" sewing, side wire stitching or saddle stitching. The bound book block is then trimmed on three sides to provide the final size.
The book block backbone is then reconfigured to a specific configuration such as a flatback without joints, a flatback with joints, a round configuration only, or a round configuration with joints. To retain the selected shape placed into the backbone of the book, an adhesive, typically animal glue or hot melt in a film is applied, followed by the application of a reinforcing woven material. This is followed by a film of adhesive to which a liner with head bands is applied. The book is completed by joining the book block with a cover.
The current technology for metering and applying adhesive to the backbone of a book block can be accomplished by several different methodologies. One methodology involves facing the backbone of the book block downwardly while held in a clamp or a belt. In this position, the book block passes over a rigid wheel with a diameter cut to match the contour of the backbone of the book block. The wheel rotates in a bath of adhesive such as animal glue or hot melt and a scraper blade meters the adhesive on the wheel prior to frictional application of the adhesive from the rotating wheel onto the book block. The continuous rotating motion of the glue wheel is typically actuated by cams to cover the backbone from edge to edge without running over the head or tail of the backbone. The wheel size and radius are determined by the bulk of the book block. It can also, however, be affected by the flexibility of the book block. The contour of the backbone of the book block must match the glue wheel to achieve proper glue application since an improper fit can result in dry streaks that are a result of inadequate glue dispersion and thus, a weak overall binding.
Another methodology known in the art provides for the backbone of the book block to be facing upwardly while held between chains. A metal wheel is submerged in a bath of animal glue that is heated to approximately 150.degree. F. As it rotates, the metal wheel transfers adhesive to a black butyl rubber wheel. The adhesive on the black butyl rubber wheel is then transferred to the backbone of each book as the backbones pass under and in engagement with the rubber wheel. This methodology has several shortcomings. It is restricted to animal glues, the black butyl rubber wheel material destructs at temperatures above 160.degree. F., the wheel is stiff rubber that does not always conform to the shape of the backbone, and since animal glue is used, the bond provided by the glue is not as strong, flexible, durable or as compatible with other adhesives.
A third methodology is the extrusion of an adhesive which is usually hot melt glue by commercial equipment such as that provided by Nordson, Valco, Slautterback, or Spraymation. These systems allow for the use of hot melt adhesives but have several distinct disadvantages. For example, an extruded hot melt adhesive bond to the backbone is susceptible to delamination. Also, application inconsistencies can occur due to temperature and viscosity variances. Irregularity in beginning and ending of the application of the adhesive can cause the adhesive to run over the head and tail of the book. Stringing of adhesive on the trailing edge of the book can also occur when using this methodology.
It would be desirable to have an assembly available that could apply hot melt adhesive to the backbone of the book block without the disadvantages experienced by the existing methodologies.

Assembly with flexible glue wheel for application of adhesive of book block


A method for displaying electronic text and synchronizing the playback of a soundtrack for the electronic text. The soundtrack contains multiple audio regions configured for playback during corresponding text regions of the electronic text. Playback of the audio regions of the soundtrack over an audio output system is based on a reading position counter indicative of the user's estimate reading position, and which increments based on a user reading speed variable. The user reading speed variable is updated by processing eye tracking signals from an eye tracker to determine the user's reading scan rate.

To enhance the reading experience, various systems have been proposed in which audio soundtracks relating to the content of text, such as an e-book, are produced and played to the user while they read the text. Some of these systems aim to synchronize the playback of the soundtrack with the user's reading speed.
One such system is described in the applicant's co-pending international PCT patent application publication WO2013/015694, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In this system, a soundtrack for electronic text, such as an e-book, is produced that comprises audio tracks of different types that are configured to play concurrently and/or sequentially while the user is reading the electronic text. Playback of the soundtrack is synchronized with the reading speed of the user. The soundtrack may comprise a combination of different audio types, including ambient noise, sound effects, and background music that are configured to playback at a specific point or over specific portions of the electronic text in a synchronized manner as the user is reading those portions of the electronic text. The soundtrack in WO2013/015694 comprises multiple audio regions that are designated to playback during designated text portions of the electronic text. Each audio region comprises audio data defining the audio track to playback, the start position in the electronic text at which the audio region is to commence playback, and a stop position in the electronic text at which the audio region is to cease playback. In one embodiment described, the electronic text is indexed based on the number of words and the start and stop positions of the audio regions relate to a specific start and different stop word.
WO2013/015694 describes various user playback systems for displaying the electronic text and controlling playback of the associated soundtrack. The user playback system may be implemented on various user hardware devices, including portable consumer electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets and dedicated e-reader devices or personal computers, whether desktop or laptop. The soundtrack data file or files, including all the audio tracks, are entirely downloaded in advance and stored locally on the user device before playback can commence. In some embodiments, the soundtrack and audio track files are combined with the electronic text file as a single multimedia data file for download and playback. The user playback system processes the locally stored downloaded file or files and co-ordinates playback of the audio in accordance with a reading position counter that estimates the user's reading position in the electronic text. The reading position counter increments at a rate that is dependent on a user reading speed variable that is indicative of the user's reading speed. The accuracy of the user reading speed variable impacts on the accuracy of the synchronization of the soundtrack playback. In some forms, the reading speed variable is adjusted manually by the user, and in other forms the reading speed variable may be calculated and adjusted automatically from each page turn based on the number of words in the page and the time required to read the page.
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Playback system for synchronised soundtracks for electronic media content


A baseboard molding with passage for running electrical conduit therethrough for running electrical conduit such as cable wires, stereo wires, and computer wires along a wall structure behind a baseboard molding. The baseboard molding with passage for running electrical conduit therethrough includes a top piece and a bottom piece. The top piece has a longitudinal tongue ridge downwardly extending from a bottom face of the top piece. A bottom piece has a top, a bottom, front and back faces extending between the top and bottom of the bottom piece, and upper and lower portions. The top of the bottom piece has a spaced apart front and back extents upwardly extending therefrom which define a longitudinal groove therebetween. The tongue ridge of the top piece is inserted into the longitudinal groove of the bottom piece. The upper and lower portions of the bottom piece forming a lower shoulder therebetween on the back face of the bottom piece. The lower shoulder of the bottom piece and the bottom face of the top piece define a rear conduit channel therebetween extending along the back face of the bottom piece. The lower portion of the bottom piece has at least one access channel in the back face of the bottom piece and extending between the rear conduit channel and the bottom of the bottom piece.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to baseboard molding systems and more particularly pertains to a new baseboard molding with passage for running electrical conduit therethrough for running electrical conduit such as cable wires, stereo wires, and computer wires along a wall structure behind a baseboard molding.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of baseboard molding systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, baseboard molding systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,175,144 by Davison; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 354,733 by Ingraham; U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,284 by Kaplan; U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,147 by Cristell; U.S. Pat. No. 4,037,900 by Schmidger; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,984,355 by Abbott.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new baseboard molding with passage for running electrical conduit therethrough. The inventive device includes a top piece and a bottom piece. The top piece has a longitudinal tongue ridge downwardly extending from a bottom face of the top piece. A bottom piece has a top, a bottom, front and back faces extending between the top and bottom of the bottom piece, and upper and lower portions. The top of the bottom piece has a spaced apart front and back extents upwardly extending therefrom which define a longitudinal groove therebetween. The tongue ridge of the top piece is inserted into the longitudinal groove of the bottom piece. The upper and lower portions of the bottom piece forming a lower shoulder therebetween on the back face of the bottom piece. The lower shoulder of the bottom piece and the bottom face of the top piece define a rear conduit channel therebetween extending along the back face of the bottom piece. The lower portion of the bottom piece has at least one access channel in the back face of the bottom piece and extending between the rear conduit channel and the bottom of the bottom piece.
In these respects, the baseboard molding with passage for running electrical conduit therethrough according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of running electrical conduit such as cable wires, stereo wires, and computer wires along a wall structure behind a baseboard molding.

Baseboard molding with passage for running electrical conduit therethrough


A method and apparatus for folding multi-sheet paper products, especially for forming a further longitudinal fold at newspapers having a transverse break. During the formation of the fold or shortly before there is produced a bend in the sheets to be folded, whose curvature is opposite to the curvature of the fold to be formed. In this way there are avoided ray-like extending crease folds in the innermost sheets of the folded product. The apparatus for performing the method contemplates providing a folding element having at least one pair of folding edges which extend in the same direction at their effective region and are laterally spaced from one another, so that there is left free an intermediate space into which there can be displaced the innermost sheets of the product to be folded during the folding operation. The folding edges can be formed at the circumference of rotating, preferably coaxial folding disks, which coact with a smooth or profiled counter disk.

The present invention relates to a new and improved method of folding multi-sheet paper products, especially for applying a further longitudinal fold to paper products in the form of newspapers having a transverse break, and further, the invention pertains to novel apparatus for the performance of the aforementioned method.
During the folding of multi-sheet paper products phenomena arise with increasing thickness of such products, which at least are disturbing, when the paper product is again opened. These phenomena are attributed to the fact that theoretically it is only the innermost situated sheet of the fold which is to be formed which in the strictest sense really is "folded," whereas the remaining sheets so-to-speak are more or less "bent" about the "fold" of each next inner sheet. Therefore, during the folding operation the sheets of the paper products, which are comparable to the layers or plies of a layered product, must be capable of displacement relative to one another. Yet, particularly when forming the folds by automatic folding machines, this possibility of achieving such displacement is not always ensured, particulary in those cases where there is already formed in the paper product a pre-fold extending transversely with respect to the fold to be formed. If, however, during the course of the folding operation there is not possible such displacement of the sheets relative to one another, then the spine of the fold tends to so-to-speak "split," i.e., the outermost sheet or sheets of the fold tear or, however, there occurs an undesired creasing of the innermost sheets. To understand this more fully, reference at this point will be made to FIGS. 1, 2a, 3a, where the foregoing shall be explained in detail in conjunction with the folding of a newspaper.
Now in FIG. 1 there is shown a newspaper 10 composed of a number of sheets 11 which have been thrice commonly folded. The first performed fold, referred to in the art as the "first longitudinal fold," has been designated in the drawing by reference character 12 and the next subsequent fold which is formed, designated in the art as the "transverse break," is designated by reference character 13. If the newspaper is again folded and, specifically, transverse to the transverse break 13, then there is formed a second longitudinal fold, or, as it is referred to the so-called "post office fold" or briefly "post fold" 14. This expression "post office fold" is predicated on the fact that certain postal authorities refuse to handle single copies if they are in a shape of format resulting from the transverse break 13. FIGS. 1 and 3a illustrate the newspaper in a position where it is halfways open about such post fold 14. When producing the post fold or post office fold 14 there is not possible a relative displacement of the sheets 11 with respect to one another owing to the presence of the transverse break 13 and also the first longitudinal fold 12. As a result the sheets located innermost at the post fold 14 are creased. This can be clearly recognized by referring to FIG. 2a where there is shown a photographic section through the newspaper 10 with closed post fold 14 at the region of the transverse break 13. Now if the newspaper of FIG. 2a is opened then such creases appear in the form of ray-like crease folds 15 which emanate from the intersection point of the post fold 14 with the transverse break 13. These crease folds 15 are disturbing and can retard the readability of the printed text appearing at the innermost sheets near the post fold 14. This becomes even more disturbing since at the sheet innermost with respect to the post fold 14 there also is printed the title sheet or the final sheet of the newspaper, and these, as is well known, have particular significance in promoting the sale of the newspaper and attracting the attention of a potential reader.
Now in order to avoid these crease folds, German Pat. No. 931,656 has already proposed perforating the sheets at the location of the second longitudinal fold and then, after producing the transverse break, but prior to producing the second longitudinal fold, separating these sheets along the perforations. However, when doing so there appears at the centre of each sheet a slot, which is just as, if not more, disturbing than the aforementioned crease folds.

Method and apparatus for folding multi-sheet paper products, especially for the further longitudinal folding of newspapers having a transverse break


An exemplary method of forming an endwall with a contour includes casting an endwall with at least one cooling channel having an opening from the endwall, and covering the opening with a cupped contour formed on the endwall. An exemplary gas turbine engine blade assembly includes an endwall with a plurality of cooling channels, an airfoil extending radially from the endwall to a tip, and a cupped contour formed on the endwall to provide a cooling chamber between the cupped contour and a radially facing surface of the endwall.

This disclosure relates to a contoured endwall of a gas turbine engine blade assembly.
Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section. During operation, air is pressurized in the compressor section and is mixed with fuel and burned in the combustor section to generate hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases are communicated through the turbine section, which extracts energy from the hot combustion gases to power the compressor section and other gas turbine engine loads.
The compressor and turbine sections of a gas turbine engine typically include alternating rows of rotating blades and stationary vanes. The turbine blades rotate and extract energy from the hot combustion gases that are communicated through the gas turbine engine. The turbine vanes prepare the airflow for the next set of blades.
The vanes and blades extend from endwalls that may be contoured to manipulate flow. The outer casing of an engine static structure may include one or more blade outer air seals (BOAS) providing endwalls that are be contoured to manipulate flow by reducing secondary flow losses and flow migration.

Cupped contour for gas turbine engine blade assembly


A cyclonic elevator tube comprising a manifold which supplies fluid under pressure via an annular transition ring with multiple, circumferentially spaced jet orifices. These orifices are set at inwardly and circumferentially directed compound angles for ejecting vortex jets of pressurized fluid through the elevator, to ultimately cause transportation of fluid material through the tubes. This apparatus comprises: a cylindrical chamber; a plurality of helically shaped venturi tubes spaced around the internal circumference of the chamber; a manifold connected to the inlet ends of the venturi tubes; and a high pressure gas supply connected to the manifold. The helix can be right or left handed and preferably the venturi tubes extend for less than one turn of the helix. The angle that the tangent of the helix makes with the longitudinal axis of the chamber is between 1° and 89°. The internal circumference of the chamber may be larger at the inlet end than at the outlet end.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention is for an improved cyclonic elevator. More particularly, this cyclonic elevator includes helical venturis and will be primarily used for pumping fluid.
(2) Description of the Related Art
The closest prior art to this invention is U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,651 to Bruno Dec. 31, 1974 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,606 to Bruno, Jan. 31, 1967.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,651 discloses coaxial pumping units for cylindrical cyclonic elevator tubes in which a manifold circumscribing the latter for supplying fluid under pressure thereto has communication therewith via an annular transition ring provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced jet orifices set at inwardly and circumferentially directed compound angles for ejecting vortically directed jets of fluid under pressure through the tubular elevator to effect transportation of comminuted and/or fluid material through such tubes.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,606 relates to a cyclonic elevator device wherein particulate material is raised by means of a rotating, pulsing air column. It comprises a tube for lifignt the material, at least one chamber surrounding the tube, a plurality of passages leading from the chamber to the interior of the tube arranged about the tube in a spiral pattern, and means for introducing compressed air to the chamber and through the passages to impart a swirling motion to the material being lifted through the tube.
This invention is a great improvement over the Bruno patents.

Cyclonic elevator and method for using same


A window covering typically used for irregular shaped windows. The cover includes a frame having two ends that can be connected together, such that the frame encloses and defines a curtain area that generally approximates the shape of the window. The frame is typically constructed from a metal tube bent into the desired shape. The window cover also includes a curtain that has a pocket along one edge. The pocket is adapted to be pulled over the tubing to attach the curtain to frame. To assemble the cover, the ends of the frame are disconnected and one end is inserted into the pocket of the curtain. The curtain is pulled over the tubing until the pocket extends around the entire length of the frame. The curtain is typically constructed to cover the curtain area within the frame. The ends of the tube are then connected together and the cover assembly is mounted onto a wall next to the window.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a window cover that relates generally to the art of curtains, drapes and shades.
2. Description of Related Art
The windows of residential homes (and some commercial buildings) typically have some type of curtain or shade to provide the occupant with a certain amount of privacy. Curtains are usually hung from curtain rods that are fastened to the wall above the window. Some windows are circular in shape or have a radial arch. A home owner who wants to cover an irregular shaped window, typically must hire a specialist who custom builds the curtain or shade.
One type of irregular shaped curtain includes a wooden frame that is cut, typically from a single sheet of plywood, into a shape that corresponds to the profile of the window. In the smaller sizes, the form consists of a base section and an integral arc member, but in the larger sizes, an integral vertical center spoke is included to resist warpage and distortion of the frame. The wood frame is covered with a white drapery lining to conceal the raw wood frame. The fabric is stapled into pleats around the radius of the frame, wherein the pleats are stapled to the bottom center of the frame to create a sunburst effect. A shirred fabric trim or valance is then applied around the edge of the frame to conceal the staples. A fabric ornament is sewn or otherwise attached over the gathered fabric on the bottom center of the frame.
The resulting window covering is then attached to the wall adjacent to the window, most commonly by a drapery installer with specialized hardware and tools. Such a method of construction is both time consuming and costly. Additionally, when the curtain becomes damaged by sun rot, or worn through time, the fabric and sometimes even the frame must be replaced. Therefore it would be desirable to have a commercially available window cover for irregular shaped windows, that is easy to assemble and allows the curtain to be removed for cleaning, replacement or repair.


An information device having a printer includes a body and a printer portion for housing the printer and a printing medium. The body has a display screen side in which a display screen is positioned and a printer side positioned opposite the display screen side. The printer portion is attached to the printer side of the body such that the printer portion remains concealed during operation of the printer when the information device is viewed from the display screen side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer, and in particular, to a computer with an attached printer.
2. Related Applications
This invention is related to the inventions described in and claimed in pending U.S. patent applications (Attorney Docket Nos. JAO 30911, JAO 30912, JAO 30914, JAO 30915, JAO 30916, JAO 30917 and JAO 30918), filed on the same day as this application, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
3. Description of Related Art
Information devices having attached printers are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,017 to Sherman et al. discloses a typewriter having a pivotable lid on which a display screen is positioned such that the display screen is visible above the printing portion of the typewriter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,800 to Nishijima et al. discloses a calculator having an attached printer through which paper from a roll is fed before the paper exits through an opening in a top surface of the calculator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,615 to Fukumoto et al. discloses a bar code printing and reading apparatus. The bar code printing and reading apparatus includes a printer portion through which paper is fed in an upward direction before the paper exits through an opening in a top surface of the printer portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,376 to Iwasi et al. discloses a data processing apparatus with a printer. The printer, which is of the impact type, is positioned rearward of the display screen. The printer prints individual sheets of paper that are inserted into and exit from a paper opening in a top surface of the data processing apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,403 to Ogawa et al. discloses an information processing apparatus and printer. The printer is positioned rearward of the display screen. A sheet of paper are inserted from a front side into a slot in the display screen. The printed sheet exits the slot from a rear side opposite the front side. The printer is detachable from the information processing apparatus.
None of the prior art devices provide a printer that remains concealed from view during operation when the computer is viewed from a display screen side. As a result, the prior art printers remain exposed to any adverse environmental conditions of the workplace. Furthermore, the printers of the prior art devices change the configuration of the front sides of those devices.


A cutting element, cutting edge and method of making cutting edges is disclosed. A compound material, preferably containing 30-70 vol % of carbides, nitrides and/or carbonitfides, is co-extruded with a steel cover. The co-extended product is cut into tip blanks whose outer surface corresponds to surfaces of a cutting element body. The steel cover is brazed to corresponding contact surfaces on bodies of a cutting element, e.g., a saw blade, and the cutting edges are ground by removing portions of the steel cover and the compound material.

It is known from the U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,300 to make tools from hard compound materials containing 30-70 vol % of hard constituents in the form of carbides, nitfides and/or carbonitrides of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and/or W in a matrix based on Fe, Ni and/or Co, said hard constituents forming a core which is co-extruded with a metallic cover such as tool steel. The cover is either removed before the final shaping or retained as a major supporting part of the tool.
In certain applications such as band saws or large circular saws the required volume fraction of hard constituents is so small and the technical demands on the supporting parts of the tool so specialized that it is not economically feasible to produce the whole tool by co-extrusion as described in the aforementioned patent.
It is known to make saw blades with tips made of hard material such as cemented carbide with cobalt matrix, either as comparatively large prismatic tips brazed to the tooth bodies according to patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,033, or as small spheres brazed or welded to the tooth bodies according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,104,562 or as small cylindrical parts welded to the tooth bodies according to patent publication DE G 71 27372.
The above hard compound materials are, especially when the titanium nitfide content is high, difficult or impossible to braze since they are not wetted by the brazing alloy, and not possible to weld because they are not stable at welding temperatures. The invention concerns a new saw tooth design which allows brazing of tips of hard compound materials using normal brazing alloys.

Cutting element, cutting edge and method of making cutting edges


A control system for a fuel-fired furnace and more specifically the control of the stoichiometric ratio of the combustion process occurring within the furnace of a steam generating power plant. The control system, when so employed, is capable of regulating the distribution of air flow to the combustion process such that the formation of oxides of nitrogen are maintained at acceptable levels. The control system includes in general a stoichiometric subsystem that determines the mass flow rate of air required to maintain the stoichiometric ratio within the combustion process; an override protection subsystem which ensures control precedence of the windbox-to-furnace pressure differential over the stoichiometry subsystem; and an overfire air subsystem that acts to apportion air flow amongst the various levels of overfire air within the boiler.

This invention relates to a control system for a fuel fired furnace and more specifically to the control of the stoichiometric ratio within the combustion process occurring within the furnace of a steam generating power plant. Control of the stoichiometric ratio is accomplished by regulating the distribution of air flow to the combustion process in such a manner that the formation of oxides of nitrogen are maintained at consistent levels while simultaneously maintaining carbon in fly ash and carbon monoxide at acceptable levels.
In recent years oxides of nitrogen, also known as NO.sub.x, have been implicated as one of the elements in contributing to the generation of acid rain and smog. Now, due to very strict state and federal environmental regulations demanding that NO.sub.x emissions be maintained at acceptable levels, the control of the formation of NO.sub.x during the combustion process is of critical importance and a major concern in the design and operation of a power plant. As a consequence, combustion control systems must improve to meet these demands.
Oxides of nitrogen are a byproduct of the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels, such as pulverized coal in air, and are found in two main forms. If the nitrogen originates from the air in which the combustion process occurs, the NO.sub.x is referred to as `thermal NO.sub.x.` Thermal NO.sub.x forms when very stable molecular nitrogen, N.sub.2, is subjected to temperatures above about 2800 F. causing it to break down into elemental nitrogen, N, which can then combine with elemental or molecular oxygen to form NO or NO.sub.2. The rate of formation of thermal NO.sub.x downstream of the flame front is extremely sensitive to local flame temperature and somewhat less so to the local mole concentration of oxygen. Thermal NO.sub.x concentration can be reduced by lowering the mole concentrations of N.sub.2 and O.sub.2, reducing the peak flame temperature and reducing the amount of time that N.sub.2 is subjected to these temperatures.
If the nitrogen originates as organically bound nitrogen within the fuel, the NO.sub.x is referred to as `fuel NO.sub.x.` The nitrogen content of coal is comparatively small and, although only a fraction is ultimately converted to NO.sub.x, is the primary source of the total NO.sub.x emissions from a steam generating power plant. The formation rate of fuel NO.sub.x is strongly affected by the rate of mixing of the fuel and air stream in general, and by the local oxygen concentration in particular. The formation of fuel NO.sub.x is a multi-stage process. During initial coal particle heat up the coal is broken down into both volatile matter consisting of reactive cyanogens, oxycyanogens and amine species and char consisting of unburned carbon, hydrocarbons and ash. In an oxygen rich environment the volatile matter will convert largely to NO.sub.x and in a fuel rich environment it can be reduced to N.sub.2. The remaining fuel bound nitrogen is released during char combustion. For char combustion to approach completion, an oxygen rich process is required. As with the volatile released NO.sub.x, the eventual fate of char released nitrogen is dependent upon the specific time, temperature and stoichiometric history.
The stoichiometric ratio, .phi., of a combustion process is defined here as the number of moles of oxygen supplied to combust a given quantity of fuel divided by the number of moles of oxygen theoretically necessary to combust a the same quantity of fuel. Typically, the stoichiometric ratio in a fossil fuel fired steam generating power plant is a quantity greater than or equal to one and can be expressed as a percentage in which case it is referred to as percent theoretical air, .tau.=.phi..times.100. A related term is excess air which is (.phi.-1).times.100 or .tau.-100.
From the preceding it should be apparent that by controlling the distribution and mass flow rate of air to the combustion process the stoichiometric ratio of the process is controlled and thus the formation of NO.sub.x. One method of controlling the mass flow rate of air to the combustion process within a tangentially fired furnace in order to effect a low NO.sub.x condition is through the use of staged combustion. Typically a main burner zone is defined wherein pulverized coal is combusted in a fuel rich environment. This is accomplished by withholding a portion of the total air required for complete combustion. This portion of air, which may appear in multiple segments and is commonly known as overfire air (OFA), is instead introduced above the main burner zone and mixed with the products of incomplete combustion after the O.sub.2 content in the main burner zone is consumed. Staged combustion minimizes NO.sub.x formations via two mechanisms. First, by having a fuel rich atmosphere during the first stage, the initial amount of fuel NO.sub.x formed is reduced because less oxygen is available to combine with the fuel bound nitrogen. Second, lower fuel NO.sub.x results because of the reduced air concentrations during the initial firing stage, thus, primary stage residence time increases. Residence time is the amount of time necessary for a coal particle to combust. The increased residence time provides an environment which is conducive to the reduction of any oxidizable N.sub.2 volatiles that have been formed such as NH.sub.3 or HCN. This is done by entraining and reducing NO.sub.x compounds and the volatiles into their elemental components, oxygen and nitrogen, and combusting the hydrocarbons. Furthermore, staged combustion reduces the peak flame temperatures, resulting in lower thermal NO.sub.x formation.
In a typical configuration for a staged firing system utilizing OFA, combustion air is supplied by a forced draft fan to a common vertical plenum, known as the windbox, and then distributed to the furnace through a number of parallel ducts. Flow rates of combustion air are modulated by individual dampers. For control purposes the dampers are grouped into three categories: fuel/air dampers, adjacent to the fuel elevations, auxiliary air dampers, located between fuel elevations, and overfire air dampers, located above the fuel elevations. The OFA dampers can be further divided into two groups: close-coupled overfire air dampers which feed directly off of the top of the windbox and separated overfire air dampers which supply air to the upper levels of the furnace. Total flow of secondary air to the furnace is controlled by the forced draft fans. The auxiliary air dampers are used to control the windbox-to-furnace pressure differential, dp, as a function of total unit air flow. The fuel/air damper positions are set as a function of the coal feeder speed and the overfire air damper positions are set as a function of unit load or in some cases unit air flow.
Typical prior art combustion control systems consist of a means by which to measure total air flow to the furnace coupled with a means by which, in a preprogrammed manner, overfire air dampers are sequentially opened as unit air flow and unit load are increased; and in a reverse manner are sequentially closed as unit air flow and unit load decrease. This sequencing is based upon the designer's experience and must be field adjusted for a particular unit, at a given load, burning a given fuel. Thus, current combustion control technology makes no attempt to monitor or control main burner zone stoichiometry.
Achieving low NO.sub.x emissions comes at a cost, i.e. as NO.sub.x emissions diminish there is a concomitant increase in carbon monoxide and the presence of carbon in fly ash. The carbon monoxide and carbon in fly ash parallel one another as air is apportioned amongst the various overfire air levels. Theoretically, the ability to achieve low NO.sub.x emissions while simultaneously maintaining acceptable levels of carbon monoxide and carbon conversion efficiency depends heavily upon maintaining the proper main burner zone stoichiometric ratio. This has been substantiated by both field and laboratory testing. However, there are inherent difficulties in controlling main burner zone stoichiometry using the existing control methodology outlined above. The deficiencies include:
1. The main burner zone stoichiometry and the unit stoichiometry can not be adjusted independently. With the existing control method, if the flow of air through the forced draft fan is increased, so as to increase the excess air, the control action of the windbox-to-furnace pressure differential control loop will tend to redistribute a portion or all of the additional air to the main burner zone. Thus, the main burner zone stoichiometry will also increase as the excess air is increased. Corresponding decreases in main burner zone stoichiometry will result when excess air is decreased. PA1 2. There is no means for directly setting a prescribed value of main burner zone stoichiometry. In fact, the nonlinear relationship between overfire air damper positions and main burner zone stoichiometry makes it difficult to even anticipate the amount of position adjustment required to produce a desired amount of change in stoichiometry. These factors increase the difficulty in field tuning the unit to obtain a desired system performance. PA1 3. Changes in the windbox-to-furnace pressure differential setpoint schedule will change the main burner zone stoichiometry unless the overfire air damper positions are also adjusted. Thus, adjustments to the windbox-to-furnace pressure differential which may be made to vary firing conditions can become coupled to optimum overfire air damper settings, increasing the difficulty in field tuning the unit. PA1 1. the same fuel is used PA1 2. the fuel flow is constant for a given load PA1 3. the same windbox to pressure differential exists PA1 4. the same total air is present for a given load PA1 5. the same boiler cleanliness exists
The new control method addresses these problems by providing a means for directly setting and maintaining main burner zone stoichiometry. By current methods, maintaining main burner zone stoichiometry is problematic in that fuel flow is not accurately measured, air flow to the main burner zone is typically not measured. Furthermore, fuel analysis, and therefore theoretical air requirements, is not accurately known. The conventional approach is to use trial and error to find a damper position versus boiler load curve that gives an "optimal" main burner zone stoichiometry. But this approach gives a main burner zone stoichiometry under fixed operating conditions, i.e.:
The proposed method solves the problem of maintaining main burner zone stoichiometry by first calculating the unit stoichiometry from the measured % O.sub.2 in the flue gas. From the unit stoichiometry it is determined how much overfire air is needed for a desired main burner zone stoichiometry. Finally, the air requirements for the main burner zone are determined by subtraction and thus the main burner zone stoichiometry can be calculated.

Control of staged combustion, low NO.sub.x firing systems with single or multiple levels of overfire air