A method of producing a semiconductor element includes the steps of forming a wiring portion layer on a substrate; forming an interlayer insulation layer over the substrate and the wiring portion layer, in which a third insulation film, a second insulation film, and a first insulation film are laminated in this order from the substrate; forming a mask pattern on the first insulation film; removing a contact hole forming area of the first insulation film through a wet etching process; removing a contact hole forming area of the second insulation film through an etching process; removing a contact hole forming area of the third insulation film through an etching process; and a contact hole forming step of forming a contact hole in the interlayer insulation layer so that a surface of the wiring portion layer is exposed.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a semiconductor element. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of producing a semiconductor element, in which a contact hole is formed in an interlayer insulation layer formed of more than three layers of films such as a phosphorus-containing silicon oxide film (a PSG film), a silicon nitride film (an SiN film) and an insulation film.
Conventionally, when a semiconductor element is produced, first, an interlayer insulation layer having a three-layer structure is formed on a wiring portion layer. Then, a contact hole is formed in the interlayer insulation layer through an etching process (refer to Patent References 1 and 2).    Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 07-94441    Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 05-343347
In particular, when the contact hole is formed in the interlayer insulation layer having the three-layer structure formed of a phosphorus-containing silicon oxide film (a PSG film), a silicon nitride film (an SiN film) and an insulation film (for example, an NSG film), the following manufacturing steps are generally performed.
In the first step, a mask pattern for forming the contact hole is formed on the PSG film through a photolithography technology. In the second step, a contact hole forming area of the PSG film is removed through a wet etching process. In the third step, a contact hole forming area of the SiN film and the insulation film (for example, an NSG film) is removed through an anisotropic dry etching process. In the fourth step, the mask pattern is removed through an asking technology.
In the conventional method including the manufacturing steps described above, it is difficult to prevent a residue with a column shape from generating in the anisotropic dry etching process or the wet etching process.
In view of the problems described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing a semiconductor element capable of solving the problems of the conventional method of producing the semiconductor element, and preventing a residue with a column shape from generating in an etching process.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

Method of producing semiconductor element


A metblowing die designed to efficiently receive a preassembled die tip assembly is described. The die assembly includes a die body (19) mounted on a meltblowing machine and a replaceable die tip assembly (20). The die tip assembly (20) includes a mounting block (25), to which are mounted a die tip (26) and air knives (27, 28) on opposite sides or the die tip (26). The positions of the air knives (27, 28) are adjustable to set air gap and set back parameters important in proper operation. The die tip assembly (20) is moved into and out of the die body (19) after air knife adjustment permitting adjustment to be made with the die tip assembly (20) off the machine, allowing rapid replacement. The replacement die tip assembly (20) is preheated, permitting replacement while the die body (19) is still hot.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to meltblowing dies and specifically to a meltblowing die with a replaceable die tip, wherein the air-gap and set-back parameters may be adjusted as desired before replacement. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of replacing the die tip of a meltblowing die.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Meltblowing is a process for manufacturing nonwoven products by extruding a molten thermoplastic polymer resin through a plurality of small orifices to form fine fibers while blowing converging sheets of air onto each side of the orifices to attenuate and draw down the fibers. The extruded fibers are blown onto a moving collector surface where they entangle in a random way to produce a nonwoven fabric or web. The newly formed web is directly withdrawn from the collector for further processing as desired. The overall process is carried out continuously. The webs may be further processed into a number of commercially important products such as filters, fabrics, and battery separators among others. Meltblowing dies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,978,185, 4,818,463, and 4,986,743.
A key component of a meltblowing die is the die tip. The die tip is an elongate member having an outwardly protruding nosepiece of triangular cross-section terminating in an apex with a row of side-by-side orifices drilled through the apex. A polymer melt is forced through the orifices for extruding the polymer and discharged as side-by-side molten or semimolten fibers. The die tip is generally formed of high quality steel in a separate machining process and fastened to the face of the die body using bolts. Precise machining is required to achieve uniform polymer flow over the length of the row of orifices. The polymer is forced through the die tip orifices by applying very substantial pressure to the molten polymer inside the tip. The internal pressure induces tensile stress in the die tip which tends to concentrate near the apex of the tip and may cause the tip to fail in tension. U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,743 teaches a method for mounting the die tip on the die body with induced compression in the apex region to counterbalance the tensile stress, rendering the die tip more reliable in service. This patent is incorporated herein by reference.
Other important components of the meltblowing die are elongate plates referred to as air knives which, in combination with the die tip nosepiece, form converging air flows to attenuate and draw down the extruded fibers to microsized diameters. The air knives are generally thick elongate plates which have a longitudinal edge tapered to form a knife edge. Conventionally, two air knives are bolted to the die body on either side of the triangular nosepiece of the die tip. The tapered edges of the air knives are aligned with the confronting tapered surfaces of the nosepiece and spaced slightly therefrom to form two air flow channels converging at the apex of the nosepiece, so that the air flowing rapidly past the apex of the nosepiece tends to entrain the fibers being extruded therefrom, and draw the fibers down until they break. The air flow characteristics are determined by the shape and size of the passages formed between the die tip and the air knives, which are defined by parameters known in the art as the "air-gap", the spacing between the confronting surfaces of the triangular nosepiece of the die tip and the air knives, and the "set-back", the vertical distance between the tip of the nosepiece and the outer plane of the air knives. (As used herein, terminology such as "upward", downward", "vertical", and the like refers to the usual orientation of the die, in which the fibers are extruded downwardly; however, the invention is not to be so limited).
The air-gap and set-back determine the geometry of the converging air flow passages, and thereby influence the air flow properties and the degree of fiber-air interaction. Research has shown that controlling the air flow properties in relation to the polymer flow properties is important for achieving the desired degree of fiber attenuation and final fiber diameter. Research has further shown that the fiber diameter strongly influences the properties of the web such as filtration efficiency.
In typical die designs, the air-gap and set-back are adjustable for selecting the air flow characteristics, to obtain the desired fiber and web product. Meltblowing polymers with different compositions may require different air-gap and set-back. Large meltblowing dies are normally vertically oriented and discharge downwardly onto a moving collector surface such as a conveyor screen or rotating drum.
A common problem in meltblowing occurs when the die tip plugs or structurally fails requiring that the die tip be removed for cleaning or replacement. In a conventional meltblowing die, the die tip and air knives are separate components individually bolted to the face of a die body fixed to the extruding and air supply components. Typical meltblowing die structures are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,818,463 and 4,986,743. Removal of the die tip generally requires first that each air knife be detached from the die body to gain access to the die tip. In order to remove the air knives, the air knife bolts are removed while the air knives are supported by workers, by cranes or the like. When the bolts have been removed, the air knives may be lowered from the die face and withdrawn from the workspace. The die tip bolts are then removed while the die tip is similarly supported, and the die tip is lowered and withdrawn. For large dies this procedure may be hazardous due to the large weight of the air knives and die tip. For dies employing a large conveyor-type collector, it may not be feasible to move either the die or collector to facilitate replacement of a fouled or damaged die tip; this further complicates the procedure due to the restricted space between the die and collector, forcing the workers to disassemble the air knives and die tip while beneath the die, in some cases being obliged to stand on the collector. These difficult working conditions are further exacerbated by high temperature of the die assembly. More specifically, in typical operation, the die tip and air knives may be at temperatures above four hundred degrees Fahrenheit and the meltblowing line must be shut down for an extended period to allow for cooling before repairs can be made or die tip replacement effected.
Similar difficulties are encountered in the reverse installation procedure, which is further complicated by the necessity of adjustment of the air-gap and set-back after the die tip and air knives have been reattached. If conventional dies are employed, these adjustments must be carried out with the die tip and air knives mounted on the die body. Moreover, the adjustment process involves the steps of mounting the air knives in a first position with respect to the die tip, measurement of the air-gap and set-back, removal of the air knives and reassembly with the air knives at different positions, remeasurement of the air-gap and set-back, and like tedious and repetitive operations, all commonly carried out under very inconvenient working conditions. The result is that often the adjustments are hurried and not made correctly.

Meltblowing die having presettable air-gap and set-back and method of use thereof


Embodiments provide systems, methods, and compositions for nanoparticle-based drug delivery to target cells or tissues. A drug delivery system may include a nanoparticle with a targeting component and a therapeutic component. The nanoparticle may have a predetermined number or valence of targeting molecules for multivalent interaction with a target cell or tissue. Binding of the targeting molecules to the target cell may result in receptor-mediated uptake of the nanoparticle by the target cell. The therapeutic component may be subsequently released within an endocytic vesicle of the target cell. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems as described herein may provide improved efficacy and/or reduced toxicity.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Despite recent advances in treatment strategies and the emergence of novel therapies, it remains incurable (median survival of 4-5 years) due to the development of drug resistance. A major factor that leads to drug resistance in MM patients is the adhesion of MM cells to the BM stroma. This results in cell-adhesion-mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR), which renders the MM cells in the BM microenvironment less sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents.

Multifunctional micellar nanoparticle-based drug and targeting agent system


An improved trailer structure constructed of light-weight material and especially adapted for hauling snowmobiles is described. An improved tongue structure, having a pair of opposed channels extending longitudinally, is shown arranged to cooperate with a hitch structure on a vehicle to allow an enhanced turning radius between the trailer and the vehicle. The improved tongue works in cooperation with an integrally formed tongue support channel for vertical and lateral support. An improved rear frame member protects associated lights and has a ramp member to protect the deck of the trailer when objects are slid onto the trailer from the rear. Side panel members and support beams support the trailer deck and can support associated stake holders for mounting auxiliary removable sides and ends on the trailer frame around the trailer deck. Each of the components is integrally formed by extruding a light-weight material, and cut to length for assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to trailer frame structures; and, more particularly, to a light-weight structure having an improved tongue structure and improved structural frame members.
2. State of the Prior Art
Various structures for trailers that are to be towed behind vehicles are known. One such class of trailer structures that have special requirements is the class of trailers used to haul snowmobiles and other devices that are readily propelled in one direction, but are difficult to move in the opposite direction. Generally, these trailers are supported on two wheels, are preferably light in weight, and often have a wood deck and other wooden parts. Various forms of ramps and tilt beds are known and used for loading vehicles to be hauled. In prior art trailer structures the rear edge of the deck is often exposed to wear and damage from snowmobile skis sliding onto the deck. In other prior art trailer structures an auxiliary wear strip fastened over the rear edge. The wear strips often become damaged or detached from the deck due to repeated loading operations. These tendencies to wear and damage in the prior art trailer structures result in a requirements for considerable maintenance and generally diminishes the value and utility of such trailer structures.
Another aspect of prior art snowmobile trailer structures were those that allowed the deck to swivel laterally with respect to the tongue to thereby allow the snowmobile to be driven forward and off the trailer. These swivel or rotating structures were safety hazards in that they could malfunction while being towed. Such malfunction often resulted either in the trailer becoming uncontrollable or the hauled snowmobile becoming dislodged from the trailer. Neither situation is acceptable.
Most recreational trailers utilize a tongue structure that may be characterized as a box beam that is constructed of a closed cross-sectional shape. Most often the shape is square or rectangular. Flat, solid or channel shapes are generally not used because these shapes are unduly heavy when the necessary strength is provided, and the shapes are more easily bent or deformed than the box beam configuration.
The tongue is adapted to support a hitch at one end, where the hitch is designed for coupling with a mating hitch structure on a towing vehicle.
A common method of unloading snowmobiles, or other devices that need forward movement, is to turn the towing vehicle at a sharp angle to the trailer tongue, thereby allowing the snowmobile to drive down an auxiliary ramp at the front of the trailer and past the end of the towing vehicle. There is a major problem with this procedure. When the turn is too severe because the angle of the towing vehicle to the trailer tongue is too sharp, the side of the tongue may engage the support of the mating hitch on the towing vehicle. If the engagement is too severe, the tongue may become dented or bent, or the vehicle hitch may be damaged. If the force on the side of the tongue is severe enough, the torque on the fasteners that mount the hitch on the tongue may cause the fasteners to be weakened, bent, break, or pull away from the tongue. This type of damage and the damage that can occur if the trailer and vehicle jack-knife are common and are clearly undesirable.
Various prior art trailer frames have been constructed of steel, wood, and combinations of materials. Trailers such as used for transporting snowmobiles characteristically are used in inclement weather and are often used in snow an wet conditions. These conditions tend to cause rust and damage to steel parts and to cause rot in wooden frame parts. These damages require maintenance and reduce the longevity of such trailer structures.
Prior art metal frames utilized bent and formed structural members. This type of fabrication generates deformation of material at bend areas and tends to result in a weakened structure. This is especially a problem with light weight material such as aluminum.
It has been common in prior art tilt bed trailers to have longitudinal members mounted beneath the trailer bed and arranged parallel to the tongue to hold the tongue alignment. Such arrangements work for lateral stability, but do not provide any substantial vertical support between frame spans that support the trailer deck. Damage often results to such structures if the trailer deck is caused to return to the supported down position with too much force as can occur if the load Is applied too rapidly when the bed is tilted.
In many situations it is desirable to be able to utilize auxiliary sides and ends. While it is known to use removable sides having downwardly extending stakes that are removably retained in stake holders, or boots, the stake holders have usually been constructed of bent, sheared, and welded component parts. These types of prior art structures are expensive to manufacture, and often add unneeded weight to the frame.
The labor and expense to form these elements are great, and more uniform method of manufacture is desirable. It has not been known to form the trailer frame members from extruded light-weight material such as aluminum.


A closure dispensing apparatus for dispensing closures one at a time from a stacked array. A crank mechanism pivoted at its center for rotation with a plurality of handles in radial alignment with the pivot point. The crank mechanism is positioned beneath the stack of closures so that movable lugs which are attached to each handle can one at a time interact with the rim of the bottommost closure in the stack and pull it from the apparatus. An inclined plane arrangement is used to cause each lug in its proper sequence to move into and out of a closure rim engaging position.

Closures also known as caps and lids are used with a wide variety of containers. The closures vary greatly with respect to geometry and the materials of which they are manufactured. One well known closure is used as a temporary cover for beverage containers associated with the fast food industry. The beverages, either hot or cold, are dispensed into a paper or plastic cup and then transported for a short distance before the beverage is consumed. The closures used with hand held beverages are generally thermoformed of relatively thin flexible plastic material, such as for example, polystyrene or polyethylene.
Since the beverage containers are fragile in nature, they cannot withstand direct axial loading of any great magnitude. Consequently, the closure structure, including the lip thereof, is quite flexible, thus facilitating installation of the closure over and around the container bead. The closures have incorporated into the peripheral lip a locking mechanism that snaps into engagement with the container rim.
The closures manufactured for hot and cold beverage cups are extremely light in weight and have a tendency to stick together when stacked. To prevent the nested closures from sticking together when assembled in a stack, the top of the closure is modified from its generally planar configuration and includes indentations strategically positioned to prevent tight nesting. In many instances the denesting features are so pronounced so as to permit one closure to slide freely over the top of another without any interference from the downwardly protruding rim.
Thus it becomes apparent that if the closures are designed so that they do not nest, there will be little if any lateral stability when the closures are stacked one upon another. Various racks have been designed to accommodate and make available closures in areas where soft drinks, coffee and other beverages are sold. The existing racks necessitate removal of the closures by grasping the closure with the fingers. Invariably more than one closure is touched in the process of removing the desired closure.


A surgical instrument comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes an energy source such as an ultrasonic transducer. The shaft assembly comprises an end effector and a transmission member such as an acoustic waveguide. The end effector may include a harmonic blade and a pivoting clamp member. One or both of the body or the shaft assembly includes a pivot feature. The pivot feature is operable to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot feature may include a bar defining a pivot axis about which the shaft assembly pivots to secure the shaft assembly to the body. The pivot axis may be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis defined by the shaft assembly. The pivot feature may also include a pivoting cover configured to cover a recess in the body in which a proximal portion of the shaft assembly is received.

A variety of surgical devices employ ultrasonic energy. In some instances, ultrasonic surgical instruments may provide substantially simultaneous cutting of tissue and hemostasis by coagulation, desirably minimizing patient trauma. Examples of ultrasonic surgical instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,055 entitled "Clamp Coagulator/Cutting System for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments," issued Jun. 21, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,873 entitled "Ultrasonic Clamp Coagulator Apparatus Having Improved Clamp Mechanism," issued Feb. 23, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,510, entitled "Ultrasonic Clamp Coagulator Apparatus Having Improved Clamp Arm Pivot Mount," filed Oct. 10, 1997, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,811 entitled "Blades with Functional Balance Asymmetries for use with Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments," issued Dec. 4, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0079874 entitled "Tissue Pad for Use with an Ultrasonic Surgical Instrument," published Apr. 13, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0191713 entitled "Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating," published Aug. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0282333 entitled "Ultrasonic Waveguide and Blade," published Dec. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0200940 entitled "Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating," published Aug. 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0143797 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,757), entitled "Cordless Hand-held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device," published Jun. 4, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0069940 entitled "Ultrasonic Device for Fingertip Control," published Mar. 18, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0015660, entitled "Rotating Transducer Mount for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments," published Jan. 20, 2011, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,744 on Jun. 11, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Various ways in which ultrasonic surgical devices may be adapted to include a portable power source are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/410,603, filed Nov. 5, 2010, entitled "Energy-Based Surgical Instruments," the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Some other surgical instruments employ RF energy to assist in coagulation or sealing of tissue. Examples of RF surgical instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176 entitled "Electrosurgical Systems and Techniques for Sealing Tissue," issued Dec. 31, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,201 entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use," issued Sep. 26, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,409, entitled "Electrosurgical Working End for Controlled Energy Delivery," issued Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,146 entitled "Electrosurgical Probe and Method of Use," issued Jan. 30, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,253, entitled "Electrosurgical Jaw Structure for Controlled Energy Delivery," issued Mar. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,233, entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument," issued Mar. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,951, entitled "Surgical Sealing Surfaces and Methods of Use," issued May 22, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,849, entitled "Polymer Compositions Exhibiting a PTC Property and Methods of Fabrication," issued Dec. 18, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,709, entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use," issued Dec. 25, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,440, entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use," issued Apr. 8, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,209, entitled "Electrosurgical Instrument," issued Jun. 3, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0087218 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,974), entitled "Surgical Instrument Comprising First and Second Drive Systems Actuatable by a Common Trigger Mechanism," published Apr. 14, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/151,481, entitled "Motor Driven Electrosurgical Device with Mechanical and Electrical Feedback," filed Jun. 2, 2011, published as U.S. Pub. No. 2012/0116379, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein
Additional powered surgical instruments that include an end effector are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,101 entitled "Motor-Driven Surgical Cutting and Fastening Instrument with Loading Force Feedback," issued Aug. 26, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,738,971 entitled "Post-Sterilization Programming of Surgical Instruments," issued Jun. 15, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0209990 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,174) entitled "Motorized Surgical Cutting and Fastening Instrument Having Handle Based Power Source," published Aug. 20, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
As described in greater detail below, ultrasonic surgical instruments, RF electrosurgical instruments, and surgical cutting/stapling instruments (among other types of surgical instruments) may be constructed with modular parts such that parts can be readily replaced or otherwise changed by a user. For instance, such modularity may enable selection of different end effectors for different settings. In addition or in the alternative, replaceability may provide a dichotomy of reusable and disposable parts of a surgical instrument. In some settings (e.g., those where a handle assembly is re-used several times, etc.), it may be desirable to provide a mechanism for the quick and accurate exchange of disposable blade/tube assemblies being utilized in a reusable handle. Similarly, it may be desirable to facilitate the utilization of several disposable blade/tube assemblies during a single medical procedure or for several separate medical procedures.
While a variety of surgical instruments have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.
The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the technology may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present technology, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the technology; it being understood, however, that this technology is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

Surgical instrument with pivoting coupling to modular shaft and end effector


A compressor is prevented from the problem of seizure at start-up even when return of lubricant to the compressor is delayed. In such a refrigerant cycle, a bypass passage bypasses an expansion member and an evaporator. The bypass passage opens for a predetermined time when the compressor starts. The predetermined time is dependent upon external temperature, the compressor speed, compressor capacity, etc.

This invention relates to an automotive air conditioner, more particularly, it relates to an automotive air conditioner for preventing compressor lock caused by a lack of lubricant.
As for an automotive air conditioner, lubricant for lubricating portions of a compressor which rotate, slide, etc., is sucked into a refrigerant cycle with refrigerant. More particularly, when an automotive air conditioner is assembled, a prescribed amount of lubricant is enclosed in the compressor, and the compressor is connected to each element, e.g., a condenser, expansion means, evaporator, etc., with a refrigerant pipe. Then in such a condition, a prescribed amount of refrigerant is enclosed into a refrigerant cycle. Consequently, in such a condition that a refrigerant is enclosed in the refrigerant cycle, lubricant and refrigerant are mixed in the compressor.
Since a lubricant which is compatible with the refrigerant is required, the refrigerant in the compressor is discharged when the compressor starts up and concurrently the lubricant inside the compressor is also discharged into the refrigerant cycle. Consequently, most of the lubricant inside the compressor is discharged into the refrigerant cycle when the compressor starts up and while the lubricant circulates through the refrigerant cycle and it is sucked by the compressor again, the compressor rotates almost without lubricant. Therefore, lubrication becomes insufficient at the portions which rotate or slide and that causes a problem of seizure, etc.


A trackball device for controlling a cursor on a display screen employs two rotatable shafts and a single nonrotatable support member in contract with the ball to convert rolling motion of the ball to X and Y positioning information. The nonrotatable support member has a number of spaced bearing surfaces and may be removed from and replaced in the trackball housing to present a different bearing surface to the ball, thereby prolonging the life of the device. The device may be provided with removable apertured phase slit members which can be replaced with phase slit members having different apertures therein, to modify the operating resolution of the device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to devices for controlling a cursor on a display screen, and relates more particularly to such devices having a simplified construction and improved resolution.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A control ball device, commonly known as a "trackball", is often used with a computer to control the motion and position of a cursor on a video terminal screen. In typical applications, the cursor is moved to a desired location on the screen through movement of a roller ball by the user, and a specific function is then selected by pressing one or more keys on the control device.
A trackball device is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,086, which shows a user-operated roller ball supported on three rollers, with two of the rollers mounted at right angles to each other and having encoding disks on their shafts. The encoding disks are provided with apertures which cooperate with a light emitting diode and a photodetector to provide a series of pulses as the rollers rotate. The control ball can be moved in both coordinate directions, with one of the encoding disks recording the motion of the ball in each of the coordinate directions. Hence, the cursor can be moved both up or down and to right or left on the display screen. The total device (control ball, rollers, encoding disks and electronics) is enclosed in a housing, the top side of which has a circular opening through which a part of the control ball protrudes. The operator can manipulate the control ball by placing his fingers on the protruding part of the ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,931 discloses a trackball device employing a pair of orthogonally displaced concave roller members which have the shape of truncated double cones and which carry encoding disks. These roller members engage the control ball and rotate in response to movement of the control ball to provide an indication of the control ball movement in the X and Y directions. Support for the roller ball in the housing is provided by one or two additional rotatable roller members which engage the roller ball at a point or points spaced from the roller members which provide the X and Y position information.

Trackball device with improved ball suspension and adjustable resolution


A keyboard arrangement and a method for a digital apparatus, wherein the keyboard arrangement comprising keyboard means for receiving user input data, processing data and for interfacing the digital apparatus, mechanical means for attaching to several types of digital apparatus, protection means for covering and safeguarding the digital apparatus, wherein the said keyboard means utilizing a NFC protocol for setting up a connection with the digital apparatus, for harvesting power from the digital apparatus and for transmitting data to the digital apparatus in response to user-actuation, and said keyboard means receiving a request message powering and turning on the keyboard means, thereafter the keyboard means determining if at least one engage key being pressed at user input means, then the keyboard means receiving data from user input means and processing and transmitting said data to the digital apparatus.

In the market today, there are offered many different types of digital apparatus, such as for example cell phones, mobile telephones, digital personal organizers, personal data assistants (PDAs) and smartphones. Usually, these digital apparatus has either a mechanical keyboard and a display screen or a touch screen display incorporating a touch keyboard. An example of a digital apparatus, more specific a smartphone, is illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein the smartphone is generally indicated by 10. The smartphone 10 includes a display screen 20, for example implemented using liquid crystal display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology, for displaying information such as text and images to a user of the smartphone 10. Moreover, the smartphone display screen 20 further displays a touch keyboard 30 for inputting data into the smartphone 10, for example numerical data for dialing and text for writing special messaging service (SMS), emails and documents in text editor application programs. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 other component parts of the smartphone include a microphone 40 and a loudspeaker 50 coupled to a data processor 60. Moreover, the smartphone 10 also includes an antenna 70 coupled to radio frequency circuits 80 coupled in turn to the data processor 60 of the smartphone 10 for enabling said smartphone 10 to communicate by wireless to a mobile telephone network (not shown); such communication to the mobile telephone network is implemented at a radio communication frequency in an order of 1 GHz. Optionally, the smartphone 10 is also capable of communicating directly, via a wireless interface 90 coupled to the data processor 60, with other devices in close spatial proximity to the telephone 10, by WiFi, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), Near field communication (NFC) or similar protocols. Such other devices include, for example, an earphone, a headset microphone, a keyboard or a computer pointing device.
Digital apparatus, such as smartphones, are becoming progressively more complex with time as manufacturers include more powerful data processors and more memory therein. Moreover, such apparatus has for some time now attained a sufficient degree of sophistication that software applications can be downloaded thereto for performing special functions which can be optionally executed in response to users' commands. For example, some smartphones now include text editor application software to assist with in writing documents, emails, blogs and social media content.
In order to provide digital apparatus, such as smartphone products, which are desirable to contemporary users, manufacturers of such products have sought to produce progressively more compact digital apparatus. A consequence of such miniaturization is that the aforementioned touch screen keyboard 30 has evolved by one or more of: including more user accessible keys, employing keys of smaller physical size, employing multifunction keys. Moreover, a further consequence of such miniaturization is that the aforementioned display screen 20 is of increased pixel resolution for presenting finer detail. Such evolution of the keyboard 30 and the display 20 results in problems for users with diminished eyesight and lack of finger nimbleness experiencing difficulty when working with contemporary digital apparatus such as smartphones. In order to address such problems, it is contemporary practice to provide users with a pointed stylus for pressing miniature keys and also with optical magnifies, for example magnifying lenses for observing miniature displays. Moreover, multifunction keys are susceptible to reducing a total number of keys require but renders user data entry laborious unless users have superlative finger nimbleness. A solution to these problems that exist today is to have separate wireless external keyboards as discussed below.
As mentioned, digital apparatus is able to communicate with devices in the near proximity using NFC or similar wireless protocols. The NFC technology is based on a combination of contactless identification technology akin to RFID and various connection technologies. Standards have become established which define how devices employing such technologies can inter-operate to form peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. NFC operates in a frequency range in an order of 13.56 MHz over a distance of typically a few centimeters. Moreover, efforts have been hitherto applied to standardize NFC-technology; such standards include ISO 18092, ISO 21481, ECMA (340, 352 and 356) and ETSI TS 102 190. Furthermore, such NFC-technology is also compatible with contactless infrastructure for smartcards based on a standard ISO 14443 A, including Philips' MIFARE-technology and Sony's FeliCa-card.
Typically e.g. a mobile phone may set up an intermittent continuous NFC field in a state that we may call sniffer mode. In sniffer mode, the average current needed for this from the mobile phone is rather small, typically in the area of one mA. The sniffer mode is typically a repetitive short duration pulse train that is repeated at intervals of a few hundred milliseconds. The pulses typically are too short for an accessory NFC device to harvest significant energy therefrom. An electromagnetic field then surrounds the mobile phone. When an accessory NFC device approaches the mobile phone acting as an active NFC device, the active NFC device detects that the impedance of its antenna changes and will start a procedure to investigate and connect the active and the accessory NFC devices. When the active NFC device detects such a change of impedance, the active NFC device will transmit longer pulses with sufficient energy for the accessory NFC device to start. The pulses also comprise an initialization sequence. Accordingly, an accessory NFC device will initiate communication with the active NFC device.
When the two NFC devices are connected, data exchange mode is enabled. In data exchange mode, a short chunk of information is transferred one or both ways, the exchange mode is terminated, and sniffer mode is reinstated.
One example in the art that present harvesting of power from a second NFC device to a first NFC device is the Patent publication US 20140170976 A1 of Broadcom Corporation. This application uses the existing NFC technology as specified in the current standards.
Other remote wireless keyboards are known. For example, in a published U.S. Pat. No. 6,133,833, there is described a wireless keyboard or keypad which is powered remotely by a radio frequency exciter/receiver. The wireless keyboard is adapted for use in a radio frequency identification system. Moreover, the wireless keyboard and the exciter/receiver communicate without wires via electrostatic or electromagnetic radiation. No power source is integrated with the wireless keypad. It is alleged that the wireless keypad is readily added to, or retrofitted into, an existing radio frequency identification system. The keyboard has a plurality of keys or control members that are manually actuated. Depression of a key or button causes a predetermined response signal associated with that key or button to be generated. The response signal relates to an operation for a device or system associated with the exciter/receiver. Implementation of the wireless keyboard involves coupling an antenna comprising an inductor and a capacitor directly to an array of RFID devices which are selectively connected to the antenna in response to keys or buttons being user-actuated.
A wireless keyboard as described in the foregoing is of relatively larger physical size in comparison to a smartphone. The keyboard is bulky, not a mobile solution and is not mechanical designed to fit together with different types of digital apparatus. Moreover, such a keyboard is often implemented such that a smartphone could not be capable of coupling sufficiently well to provide power to the keyboard.
The PCT application WO 2007/089158 A1 with the title "External Keyboard" presents a keyboard including user-operable alpha-numeric keys. One or more identification devices associated with the user-operable keys are included in the keyboard. When placed in proximity to the keyboard, the one or more identification devices selectively communicate with a digital apparatus in response to user-actuation of the user-operable keys. The keyboard comprises a flexible substrate for enabling the keyboard to be folded into a non-deployed inactive state, and unfolded into a deployed active state for communicating with the digital apparatus. When the keyboard is in near proximity to the digital apparatus, the keyboard communicates with the digital apparatus by way of near-field magnetic and/or electrostatic coupling. The keyboard includes an intermediate resonant circuit for interfacing between the one or more identification devices and the digital apparatus; the resonant circuit includes a component spatially disposed to overlay a first region onto the digital apparatus in use, and to overlay a second region coupled to the one or more identification devices in use for coupling signals there between. The keyboard is especially useful for digital apparatus for rendering data entry easier.
The external keyboard as described in the foregoing is not optimized for integrating the keyboard to all kinds of digital apparatus in a seamless way. In this solution, the external keyboard and the digital apparatus are operating as two separate units. Consequently, the external keyboard does not share common functionality with the digital apparatus, wherein the two units can interoperate for enhancing the usability. Moreover, the mentioned keyboard is missing a versatile cover solution that implements mechanical design with the user interface functionality and at the same time protects the digital apparatus.

Flip cover wireless keyboard which utilizes wireless protocols for harvesting power and communicating with digital apparatus


An adjustment assembly or mechanism that permits adjustment of the height and angle of tilt of a vehicle seat includes front and rear latch gears with multiple cogs corresponding to discrete angular positions of the latch gears and consequently discrete heights of the front and rear of the adjustment assembly. The front latch gears pivot about a fixed pivot axis while the rear latch gears pivot about a sliding pivot axis to accommodate tilt angles for the seat. Torsion springs bias the four latch gears to a maximum rotation or pivot position in which the respective ends of the seat are at their highest vertical position. A spindle engages the cogs of the latch gears to hold the latch gears in a particular discrete angular position. Separate front and rear manual actuation levers at the front of the seat can be lifted to release a respective front and rear spindle from a particular cog and allow the driver to adjust the seat position. The independent front and rear adjustment mechanisms allow the driver to place the seat in a wide range of heights and tilt angles, including forward and rearward tilt angles.

This disclosure concerns adjustable seats, such as seats in industrial, construction, farming and commercial vehicles, and particularly to seats capable of adjustments of height and tilt of the seat.
Seats are a critical component for the comfort of a driver, particularly for drivers of heavy duty vehicles, such as farm tractors, construction vehicles, and the like. Drivers of vehicles of these types are often seated for long periods of time so the driver's comfort level will often change throughout the day. Moreover, the drivers themselves may change from day-to-day or job-to-job, with each driver having his/her own comfort preferences.
One key comfort component for vehicle seats is the seat height and the angle of tilt of the seat relative to the dashboards or controls of the vehicle. Consequently, many seat assemblies include one or more mechanisms for adjusting the height and angle of the seat. In some vehicles, the two adjustments are made by two independent mechanisms. In more sophisticated seats assemblies, the height and angle adjustments are combined into a common mechanism. One such system is depicted in FIGS. 1-8. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat 12 having a conventional seat back 12a and seat bottom 12b, with the seat bottom supported on a base 13 that is mounted to the vehicle. The base may be configured to allow linear front-back movement of the seat assembly, and may even permit rotation of the seat assembly or seat bottom to facilitate access to the seat.
The seat assembly 10 includes an adjustment assembly 15 that includes upper frame members 16 configured to be mounted to the seat bottom 12b in a conventional manner. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the adjustment assembly 15 includes front and rear pivot bars 18f, 18r mounted between the upper frame members 16. A corresponding front and rear lever arm 19f, 19r is mounted to the respective pivot bar 18f, 18r so that the lever arm can pivot about a horizontal axis. The lever arms 19f, 19r may be pivotably mounted on the pivot bar 18f, 18r, or the pivot bar may be mounted for rotation relative to the frame with the lever arms fixed to the respective pivot bars.
A pivot post 21f, 21r projects horizontally from the free end of the corresponding lever arm 19f, 19r. A pivot arm 20f, 20r is pivotably mounted to a respective lever arm 19f, 19r by a corresponding pivot post 21f, 21r so that the lever arm can pivot relative to the pivot arm, even as the pivot arm can pivot relative to the frame. A torsion spring 22 is mounted on each pivot post 21f, 21r to apply a torsional spring force to the pivot atm 20f, 20r. Each pivot arm defines a base mount 23f, 23r that is configured to be engaged to the seat base 13 in a conventional manner. It can be appreciated that when the base mounts 23f, 23r are fastened to the seat base, the torsion springs 22 generate a torsional spring force that tends to pivot the respective pivot arms 20f, 20r away from the base. By virtue of the interface between the pivot arms and the frame 16, as discussed below, this pivoting of the pivot arms away from the seat base manifests in an upward movement of the seat bottom 12b mounted to the frame. This upward movement adjusts the height of the seat assembly and a differential upward movement of the front or back adjustment assemblies 15f, 15r produce the seat tilt.
In this prior adjustment assembly 15, a sliding bar 25f, 25r is engaged between the pivot arms 20f, 20r arranged at opposite sides of the frame 16. The sliding bars thus ensure that the front pivot arms 20f at opposite sides of the assembly 15 move in unison, and that the rear pivot arms 20r at opposites of the assembly 15 also move in unison. The sliding bars 25f, 25r are sized to extend horizontally and laterally through slots 26f, 26r defined in the opposite sides of the frame 16. In the specific assembly shown in FIGS. 1-8, latches 28f, 28r are mounted to the ends of the respective sliding bars 25f, 25r and are configured to slidably support the ends of the bars within the corresponding slots 26f, 26r. The latches are configured to permit smooth and uniform sliding of the sliding bars relative to the frame 16.
It can be appreciated that the lever arms 19f, 19r, the pivot arms 20f, 20r, and the sliding bars 25f, 25r engaged within the slots 26f, 26r, form a three-bar linkage so that rotation of the pivot arm 20f, 20r under operation of the torsion spring 22 causes the sliding bars 25f, 25r and pivot bars 18f, 18r to move upward as the sliding bars slide along the slots 26f, 26r, and causes the angle subtended by the lever arm and pivot arm to decrease. The three-bar linkages of the adjustment assemblies 15f, 15r are configured so that the frame 16, and therefore the seat bottom 12b, is parallel to the base 13 when the lever arms are all at their maximum and minimum ranges of motion.
The adjustment assemblies 15f, 15r include a mechanism to limit the movement of the lever arms and thus the height of the front and the rear of the seat. One latch 28f, 28r mounted to the respective sliding bar 25f, 25r is engaged by a corresponding engagement latch 30f, 30r, as shown in the detail views of FIG. 5. Each latch 28f, 28r defines a notch 34, and each engagement latch 30f, 30r defines a plurality of notches 35 that are sized to engage the notch 34 of the latches 28f, 28r. When the notches 34, 35 are engaged to each other the sliding bar 25f, 25r is prevented from sliding along the slot 26f, 26r, thereby fixing the position of the sliding bar and consequently the orientation of the three-bar linkage of the adjustment assembly 15f, 15r. The notches 35 in the engagement latches 30f, 30r are spaced along the length of the slots 26f, 26r to define the range of motion of the sliding bars and thus the range of vertical movement of the frame 16 and seat bottom 12b relative to the base 13. The engagement latches are mounted to a respective rotation rod 31f, 31r that can be rotated by a respective handle 32f, 32r. Rotation of the handle, and thus the rotation rod 31f, 31r, moves the notches 35 of the engagement latch 30f, 30r into and out of engagement with the notch 34 of the latch 28. When the notches are out of engagement the vehicle driver can physically adjust the height of the front and back of the seat, depending upon which lever 32f, 32r is operated. The torsion springs 22 inherently bias the front and back of the seat upward so that the driver can use his/her weight to control how far upward the front and/or back of the seat is moved. Once the seat has been adjusted to the driver's preference the respective handle 32f, 32r can be rotated to engage the notches 34, 35 of the latch 28f, 28r and engagement latch 30f, 30r.
As demonstrated in FIGS. 6-8, the driver can adjust the height and angle of the seat by manipulating the two handles 32f, 32r. The height can be adjusted by moving both adjustment assemblies 15f, 15r in the same manner. The angle can be adjusted for a forward tilt by moving the rear adjustment assembly 15r more than the front assembly 15f, as shown in FIG. 7a, and for a rearward tilt by adjusting the front adjustment assembly 15f, as depicted in FIG. 7b. Adjusting both assemblies 15f, 15r by the same amount can adjust the height of the seat, as shown in FIGS. 7c, 7d. The chart and graph in FIG. 8 illustrate the range of angles and heights based on the position of the front and rear adjustment assemblies.

Seat height and tilt adjustment mechanism


A vehicle forward information acquiring device includes a bracket fixed to a windshield, a cover mounted to the bracket by being moved along the bracket in one direction, and a vehicle forward information acquiring sensor accommodated between the bracket and the cover. The cover is mounted to the bracket while being pressed against the bracket by a first elastic force and a second elastic force generated when a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on the cover are respectively engaged with a first engaged portion and a second engaged portion formed on the bracket. A position of the cover on the bracket when the first elastic force becomes a maximum value is different from a position of the cover on the bracket when the second elastic force becomes a maximum value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle forward information acquiring device configured to acquire vehicle forward information.
2. Description of the Related Art
In some vehicles such as an automobile, for the purpose of acquiring and recording vehicle forward information, or for the purpose of assisting a driver in driving a vehicle, a vehicle forward information acquiring sensor of a vehicle forward information acquiring device mounted in a vehicle cabin acquires the vehicle forward information. As the vehicle forward information acquiring sensor, a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera, a radar sensor, and an infrared sensor are exemplified. A sensor, which is used as the vehicle forward information acquiring sensor particularly for preventing collision of the vehicle, is called a pre-crash safety sensor (abbreviated as "PCS sensor"). In general, the vehicle forward information acquiring sensor (abbreviated as "information acquiring sensor" as needed) is mounted to a bracket, which is fixed on an inner surface of a windshield by bonding, so that the mounting state is maintained.
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-91596, the following configuration is disclosed as an example of the vehicle forward information acquiring device. Specifically, an onboard camera configured to capture a forward scene of a vehicle is employed as the information acquiring sensor, and a flat spring serving as a spring mechanism is arranged on the onboard camera. The onboard camera is mounted to a bracket fixed to a windshield.
In some types of information acquiring sensors, in order to ensure fine appearance of a portion to which each information acquiring sensor is mounted, and/or to protect the information acquiring sensor, a cover is mounted to a bracket so as to cover the information acquiring sensor mounted to the bracket. It is preferred that, similarly to a case of mounting the information acquiring sensor to the bracket, a windshield be not excessively pressed toward an outer side of the vehicle through intermediation of the bracket also when the cover is mounted to the bracket. Accordingly, it is preferred that the cover be mounted to the bracket by being moved up to a preset position along the bracket in a predetermined direction defined substantially along the windshield.
In order to firmly mount the cover to the bracket, it is preferred that a plurality of engaging portions and a plurality of engaged portions including a pressing spring mechanism be formed on the cover and the bracket, and that the cover be mounted to and retained on the bracket while being pressed thereto by the engaging portions and the engaged portions. In this case, the plurality of engaging portions and the plurality of engaged portions are constructed such that engagement of all of the engaging portions and the engaged portions is completed when the cover is moved up to the preset position.
However, while the cover is moved to the preset position, the engaging portions and the engaged portions generate a significant elastic force of mutually pressing the bracket and the cover, thereby generating a significant reaction force against the movement of the cover to the preset position. Accordingly, when all of the engaging portions and the engaged portions generate the significant reaction force at the same time while the cover is moved to the preset position, a significant force needs to be applied to the cover so as to overcome the significant reaction force, which increases a burden imposed on a worker who mounts the cover.

Vehicle forward information acquiring device


A large set of image data values are associated with a smaller set of values, such as color palette look-up table (LUT) indices, to create an inverse table. The larger set of image data values address into the inverse table. The inverse table is simulated as a symmetrical N-dimensional structure in computer memory, with N being the color dimension of the image data values. Generally, a set of star spaces in the structure are captured by the color palette LUT indices; the capturing is based on some relationship such as the relationship between the image data values and the color palette values indexed by the color palette LUT indices. The remainder of the structure spaces are captured by performing a uniform and iterative expansion away from each star space, capturing each uncaptured space encompassed by the expansion until all spaces are captured. The capturing of a space by a particular star corresponds to the entry of the capturing star value (color palette LUT index) into the inverse table at an address corresponding to the captured space. Using this type of iterative process, the inverse table is rapidly filled with color palette LUT indices, which, in turn, identify good approximations of the image data values by the color palette values in the LUT.

The use of computers as everyday tools has increased dramatically as the cost of computer related technologies has decreased. However, for the computer to truly be a commonly used tool, it must operate at speeds acceptable to the average, often impatient, user. Generally, processing speed is a high visibility characteristic in any computer system. While processing speed is just one of many important performance characteristics, it is of major importance in widely used applications. For example, as computer generated graphics have evolved, computer generated displays have moved from low resolution black and white to high resolution color. Each step in the display evolution was not considered complete until the speed of generating and displaying an image was within acceptable limits.
In the example of computer generated color displays, a variety of different technologies combined to produce a displayable image. For example, the image data, such as video or scanned images, must be gathered and organized in a useful manner. The image data is then formatted to drive the display hardware, with or without additional data processing. Each of these steps requires its own refinement as well as careful integration into the overall display process. Because the field of computer generated color displays particularly benefits from the present invention, basic concepts of such display systems are presented in some detail to aid in understanding of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the present invention has application in any number of computer related applications.
In order to better understand the present invention, a brief discussion of what his become relatively standard color image display technology is presented. As shown in FIG. 1, 8-bit (byte) image data is used to address a color palette look-up table (LUT) 110. 8-bit addressing allows up to 256 unique color values to be addressed. In a Red, Green and Blue (RGB) system, each color palette LUT entry 112 is a color value made up of three color components. The particular bit size of the LUT entries depends on each system. For example, each color palette value may be 12-bits; 4-bits are used to represent a hue (graduation) of each of the three colors. When a color palette LUT entry is addressed, the selected color palette value is output to a digital-to-analog (DAC) converter 114, which produces an analog display signal. The analog display signal is transmitted to a video device 116 for display. A color palette value is selected for each picture element (pixel) in the video display to produce an entire screen display. Additional display hardware components, of which there are many, that are not necessary to the present discussion are not shown.
Although such a standard system provides only a 256 unique color selection for any given pixel, by changing the color palette values in the color palette LUT, the particular set of colors from which a pixel value may be chosen can be changed. For example, one color palette might include shades of gray, another might include autumn colors, another might include pastels, etc. Most systems include a mechanism by which the user or an application can select a color palette.
Given such a system, as long as the gathered image data is in an 8-bit format, the image display process is relatively straightforward. The display process speed is dictated in part by the speed of the transfer of image data from storage to the display hardware and the processing speed of the display hardware itself.
However, further processing is necessary when the image data format is incongruous with the format of the LUT address data that drives the display device. As an example, computerized scanning devices often generate 24-bit image data, sets of which define high resolution images. (Each 24-bits is comprised of 8-bits each of Red, Green and Blue, or some other 3- or 4-dimensional color space.) With 24-bits of information, over 16 million distinct values can be represented. In contrast, using an 8-bit LUT, only 256 distinct values can be displayed. Thus, in order to drive an 8-bit display device using such scanned dam, each 24-bit image data value must be associated with a value in the smaller color palette set. If such an association is fairly uniform, then each color palette value would be associated with approximately sixty-two thousand scanned image data values. However, the association between image data values and color palette values is generally not uniform since most color palettes are not meant to simply be a balanced subset of the entire available color spectrum. Thus, each time the color palette changes, the association between the image data values and the color palette values may also change.
There are other methods for displaying color information. For example, some 24-bit to 8-bit display techniques assume a fixed, carefully optimized palette. These techniques can be used in systems wherein one image is displayed at a time. In contrast, in systems such as desk top publishing a number of images may be displayed on a single screen. The display techniques in these systems do not have the luxury of the assumptions in single image displays since it is likely that each of the multiple images will require its own unique color palette.
With reference again to FIG. 1, the association process can be carried out using an inverse table 118. Such a table is addressed by the image data values, and the inverse table entries are indices for the color palette LUT. The term "inverse" refers to the table's characteristic of mapping a large set of values (such as 8-bit image data values) onto a smaller set of values (such as 8-bit color palette indices). This is contrasted with the "normal" color palette LUT, which maps a set of values (color palette indices) to an equal size set of values (color palette values).
The combined inverse table and color palette LUT map each 24-bit image data value to its closest color palette value. The color palette LUT indices represent an intermediate mapping between the image data value (inverse table index) and the color palette value. In computer display technology, the intermediate mapping is generally necessary because the color palette LUT is a part of a hardwired display device. Thus, it is not an option to connect the inverse table entry output directly to the DAC, or other display device component. If such a connection were possible, then the inverse table entries could be the actual color palette values. It is general practice to connect the inverse table entry output, or some other address source, to the color palette LUT to control the color palette value selections.
As noted above, the color palette may intermittently change to accommodate the display color specification. Generally, this causes the mapping of the 24-bit image data values to the color palette values to also change. Thus, the inverse table entries must be updated each time the color palette changes. Recalling that this color palette change is expected to result in a nearly immediate change in the display and that the inverse table may be quite large, the task of generating the inverse table entries in a satisfactory manner is not trivial. This is one of the main problems addressed by the present invention.
One method of generating the inverse table entries is to simply compare each 24-bit image data value to each of the color palette values, selecting the color palette value that is closest to the image data value and entering the color palette index corresponding to the selected palette value in the inverse table. In the case of 12-bit color palette values, the comparison might be made between the color palette value and a 12-bit value created from the four most significant bits of each color component. This would require 2.sup.12 .times.256 3-dimensional distance and comparison calculations. While this method might provide the most exact mapping between the 24-bit image data values and the color palette values, generation of the inverse table in this fashion would take an objectionably long time and be considered a waste of computer resources. The present invention is directed to overcome these problems and provide a method of rapidly generating an inverse table using a minimum of computer resources.
While the present invention was designed for use in generating an inverse table in a color display environment, it potentially has use in other areas of the computer art where a need exists for a method of efficiently and economically generating an inverse table. The general definition of such a table is an intermediate structure, (an inverse table) that associates in some manner a relatively large set of source values with a smaller set of destination values.

Method for generating a fast inverse table


The invention is directed to methods for treating hemorrhoids. The invention is also directed to methods for preventing hemorrhoids. The invention is further directed to reducing inflammation associated with hemorrhoids. The invention is further directed to methods for preventing hemorrhoids and/or treating hemorrhoids and/or reducing inflammation associated with hemorrhoids by administering to a subject suffering from such conditions, or at risk of developing such conditions, novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions).

About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus. External hemorrhoids commonly cause symptoms of pain and itching when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids generally are painless but can cause bleeding. Too much pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal area can cause hemorrhoids. Normally, tissue inside the anus fills with blood to help control bowel movements. If a person strains to move stool, the increased pressure causes the veins in this tissue to swell and stretch which can lead to hemorrhoids. Diarrhea or constipation also may lead to straining and can increase pressure on veins in the anal canal. Pregnant women often get hemorrhoids during the last 6 months of pregnancy due to the increased pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvic area. Straining during labor can make hemorrhoids worse. Being overweight can also lead to hemorrhoids. The most common symptoms of both internal and external hemorrhoids include bleeding during bowel movements, rectal itching and rectal pain.
For most hemorrhoids, home treatment is typically adequate. This includes slowly adding fiber to meals, drinking more water, using over-the-counter ointments to stop itching and pain, and using stool softeners. If internal hemorrhoids are severe, other treatment may be needed. For example, the physician may tie off the hemorrhoids with rubber bands or scar the tissue around the hemorrhoids, both of which reduce the blood supply to the hemorrhoids such that they shrink or go away. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
It is believed that a treatment option that could prevention the development of hemorrhoids, accelerate their healing once formed, and eliminate the need for surgical intervention in severe cases is desirable. Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide such a treatment option.

Methods for preventing and treating hemorrhoids


An improved front-wheel suspension for buses and such, whereby the suspension for each wheel (5) substantially consists of at least one upper suspension arm (1) and at least one lower suspension arm (2); in between said suspension arms (12), a pivotable connection piece (3), whereby said connection piece (3) also is connected to the wheel axle (4) of the corresponding front wheel (5); a hydraulic shock absorber (7) and an air bellows (6) which is provided above the front wheel (5), wherein said connection piece (3) consists of a connection rod (17) showing, at its upper extremity, a part (18) connected to the upper suspension arm (1) and showing, at its lower extremity, a part (19) connected to the lower suspension arm (2), whereby the part (18) is hingeably attached to the upper suspension arms (1) by means of a bearing (20) which also carries the air bellows (6).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved front-wheel suspension for motor vehicles, in particular, buses.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The invention relates to an improved front-wheel suspension which is of the type whereby the suspension of each front wheel includes at least one upper and at least one lower suspension arm; in between said suspension arms, a connection piece, whereby said connection piece is also fixed to the wheel axle of the corresponding front wheel, thereby showing an almost vertical axis of rotation; an air bellows; and a hydraulic shock absorber.
In front-wheel suspensions of the type mentioned in the aforegoing, it is common practice to provide the air bellows between the wheels of the bus and to mount the hydraulic shock absorbers underneath of and adjacent to the air bellows.
This known arrangement of the air bellows and the hydraulic shock absorbers, however, shows the disadvantage that the free space in between is narrow, in consideration of the fact that, apart from the thickness of the wheel, the width of the air bellows and the space taken up by the hydraulic shock absorbers, also in between each front wheel and the air bellows mounted adjacent thereto, sufficient space must be present for enabling a turning of said front wheel.
In the first place, this is an important disadvantage with low-floored buses, where the floor is situated immediately above the steering transmission, in other words, between the hydraulic shock absorbers, and where the width of the aisle consequently is limited to said free space in between said shock absorbers.
The present invention thus also aims at preventing the aforementioned and other disadvantages by providing an improved front-wheel suspension for motor vehicles, in particular buses, which suspension allows for more space in between the air bellows and, consequently, also in between the hydraulic shock absorbers, as a result of which the floor can be realized in such a manner that the aisle or such in the bus becomes considerably wider than this is the case with the classic suspension.
To this aim, the invention relates to an improved front-wheel suspension, whereby the suspension for each wheel substantially consists of at least one upper and at least one lower suspension arm; in between said suspension arms, a connection piece which can be pivoted along an almost vertical axis, whereby said connection piece also is connected to the wheel axle of the corresponding front wheel; an air bellows; and an hydraulic shock absorber, whereby said air bellows is provided above the front wheel.
Preferably, said connection piece between the air bellows and the wheel axle consists of a bent rod extending around the tire of the respective wheel, whereby one extremity of the rod is rotatably connected to the air bellows and an upper suspension arm, whereas the other extremity extends beyond said wheel axle and is connected to a lower suspension arm.
This configuration provides for the additional advantage that the static forces in the suspension arms are reduced drastically, whereas at the same time the dynamic forces created in the suspension arms during braking and in curves are strongly reduced.
As a consequence of the reduced tensions in the suspension arms, it then is possible to use less heavy-weight materials, as a result of which the empty weight of the vehicle is influenced in a positive manner.

Front-wheel suspension for a motor vehicle


A mixer vehicle provided with a mixer drum mounted on a vehicle, the mixer drum being adapted to load uncured concrete includes a driving device for rotating the mixer drum and a loaded state detector for detecting whether the uncured concrete is loaded on the mixer drum or not. Rotation of the mixer drum by the driving device is stopped if the vehicle is in the stop state and the loaded state detector detects that the uncured concrete is not loaded on the mixer drum.

A mixer vehicle provided with a mixer drum capable of loading so-called uncured concrete such as mortar, ready-mixed concrete and the like has been used.
JP2007-278430A discloses a mixer-drum driving device of a mixer vehicle provided with a hydraulic pump driven by an engine of the vehicle and a hydraulic motor for rotating the mixer drum by being operated by an operating oil discharged from the hydraulic pump. In this mixer vehicle, an electric motor capable of rotating the mixer drum when the engine of the vehicle is stopped is provided.


In a process for making a copolymer, a first product stream comprising a semi-crystalline polymer and a chain terminating agent is produced in a first reactor system. The first product is provided to a second reactor system wherein a low crystallinity polymer is produced in the presence of the semi-crystalline polymer. At least a portion of the chain terminating agent is removed from the second reactor system by an in-situ process.

Embodiments relate to production systems and methods to produce olefin copolymers such as copolymers in which a low crystallinity polymer is formed in the presence of a semi-crystalline polymer.
Impact copolymers ("ICPs") are generally produced in a series of polymerization reactors, such as, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,851,554, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, a polypropylene reactor system, such as, for example, a slurry bulk propylene loop reactor or reactors, forms a homopolymer ("hPP") matrix, followed by a second reactor system in series, such as, for example, a gas phase fluidized bed reactor(s) ("GPR"), where an ethylene-propylene biopolymer (e.g., an ethylene propylene rubber ("EPR")), is formed in the presence of the matrix, for example, within the pores of the matrix.
The close-coupled continuous nature of this process often imposes limitations on the quality of the EPR that can be formed in the GPR; for example, the maximum molecular weight ("MW") of the EPR is often limited by the amount of chain terminating agent, e.g., hydrogen, that is carried over from the slurry bulk propylene loop reactor(s) into the GPR. The ratio of MW between the EPR and the hPP matrix as determined by intrinsic viscosity measurements ("IV ratio" or "IVR"), is often used to characterize the ICP product and has significant impact on the product processing and final application properties.
Special equipment and additional energy are required between the slurry bulk propylene loop reactor(s) and GPR to perform a low pressure separation to remove this excess hydrogen if it is desired to produce high MW EPR. As used herein, a "low pressure separation" is one that occurs at a pressure below the operating pressure of the GPR so that it becomes necessary to re-pressurize the polymer feed to the GPR. Process units without this equipment may not be capable of producing high MW EPR in the GPR. Moreover, even when an ICP line has the necessary hydrogen separation equipment, GPR transitions to high MW EPR conditions, i.e., low hydrogen concentration in the GPR, can take a relatively long time and generate large quantities of non-spec product for as much as 12 to 24 hours or more. Furthermore, regardless of the hydrogen removal equipment, it can be difficult to control the level of chain terminating agent in the GPR to obtain the desired molecular weight.
There is a need in the art for production systems and methods to transfer more quickly to high MW EPR conditions, and/or in which control of the chain terminating agent concentration and thus the EPR MW is facilitated.


A method of fabricating a multilayer electronic support structure comprising electroplating copper substructures, laying a dielectric pre-preg comprising a polymer resin over the copper substructures, and pressing to pressures of 200 to 600 PSI against a release film having a higher hardness than the resin of the prepreg but a lower hardness than the cured resin, and heating through a curing cycle while maintaining pressure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multilayer electronic support structures such as interposers, and to methods of manufacturing of same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Driven by an ever greater demand for miniaturization of ever more complex electronic components, consumer electronics such as computing and telecommunication devices are becoming more integrated. This has created a need for support structures such as IC substrates and IC interposers that have a high density of multiple conductive layers and vias that are electrically insulated from each other by a dielectric material.
The general requirement for such support structures is reliability and appropriate electrical performance, thinness, stiffness, planarity, good heat dissipation and a competitive unit price.
Of the various approaches for achieving these requirements, one widely implemented manufacturing technique that creates interconnecting vias between layers uses lasers to drill holes through the subsequently laid down dielectric substrate through to the latest metal layer for subsequent filling with a metal, usually copper, that is deposited therein by a plating technique. This approach to creating vias is sometimes referred to as 'drill & fill', and the vias created thereby may be referred to as 'drilled & filled vias'.
There are a number of disadvantages with the drilled & filled via approach. Since each via is required to be separately drilled, the throughput rate is limited, and the costs of fabricating sophisticated, multi-via IC substrates and interposers becomes prohibitive. In large arrays it is difficult to produce a high density of high quality vias having different sizes and shapes in close proximity to each other by the drill & fill methodology. Furthermore, laser drilled vias have rough side walls and taper inwards through the thickness of the dielectric material. This tapering reduces the effective diameter of the via. It may also adversely affect the electrical contact to the previous conductive metal layer especially at ultra small via diameters, thereby causing reliability issues. Additionally, the side walls are particularly rough where the dielectric being drilled is a composite material comprising glass or ceramic fibers in a polymer matrix, and this roughness may create additional stray inductances.
The filling process of the drilled via holes is usually achieved by copper electroplating. The electroplating deposition technique may result in dimpling, where a small crater appears at the top of the via. Alternatively, overfill may result, where a via channel is filled with more copper than it can hold, and a domed upper surface that protrudes over the surrounding material is created. Both dimpling and overfill tend to create difficulties when subsequently stacking vias one on top of the other, as required when fabricating high-density substrates and interposers. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that large via channels are difficult to fill uniformly, especially when they are in proximity to smaller vias within the same interconnecting layer of the interposer or IC substrate design.
Although the range of acceptable sizes and reliability is improving over time, the disadvantages described hereinabove are intrinsic to the drill & fill technology and are limit the effective range of fabricable via sizes. It will further be noted that laser drilling is best for creating round via channels. Although slot shaped via channels may be fabricated by laser milling, nevertheless, the range of drill & fill via geometries that may effectively be fabricated is somewhat limited. Fabrication of vias by drill & fill is expensive and it is difficult to evenly and consistently fill the via channels created thereby with copper using the relatively, cost-effective electroplating process.
Laser drilled vias in composite dielectric materials are practically limited to 60×10−6 m diameter, and even so suffer from significant tapering shape as well as rough side walls due to the nature of the composite material drilled, in consequence of the ablation process involved.
In addition to the other limitations of laser drilling as described hereinabove, there is a further limitation of the drill & fill technology in that it is difficult to create different diameter vias in the same layer, since when different sized via channels are drilled and then filled with metal to fabricate different sized vias, the via channels fill up at different rates. Consequently, the typical problems of dimpling or overfill that characterize drill & fill technology are exasperated, since it is impossible to simultaneously optimize deposition rates for different sized vias.
An alternative solution that overcomes many of the disadvantages of the drill & fill approach, is to fabricate vias by depositing copper or other metal into a pattern created in a photo-resist, using a technology otherwise known as 'pattern plating'.
In pattern plating, a seed layer is first deposited. Then a layer of photo-resist is deposited thereover and subsequently exposed to create a pattern which is selectively removed to make trenches that expose the seed layer. Via posts are created by depositing Copper into the trenches in the photo-resist. The remaining photo-resist is then removed, the seed layer is etched away, and a dielectric material that is typically a polymer impregnated glass fiber mat, is laminated thereover and therearound to encase the vias posts. Various techniques and processes can be then use to thin down the dielectric material, planarizing it and exposing the tops of the via posts allowing conductive connection to a ground or reference plane thereby, for building up the next metal layer thereupon. Subsequent layers of metal conductors and via posts may be deposited thereonto, by repeating the process to build up a desired multilayer structure.
In an alternative but closely linked technology, known hereinafter as 'panel plating', a continuous layer of metal or alloy is deposited onto a substrate. A layer of photo-resist is deposited on top of this and a pattern is developed therein, and the pattern of developed photo-resist is stripped away, selectively exposing the metal thereunder, which may then be etched away. The undeveloped photo-resist protects the underlying metal from being etched away, and leaves a pattern of upstanding features and vias. After stripping away the undeveloped photo-resist, a dielectric material, such as a polymer impregnated glass fiber mat, may be laminated around and over the upstanding copper features and/or via posts.
The via layers created by pattern plating or panel plating methodologies such as those described above, are typically known as 'via posts' and feature layers from copper.
It will be appreciated that the general thrust of the microelectronic evolution is directed towards fabricating ever smaller, thinner and lighter and more powerful products having high reliability. Unfortunately, the use of thick cored interconnects prevents ultra-thin products being attainable. To create ever higher densities of structures in the interconnect IC substrate or interposer, ever more layers of ever smaller connections are required. Indeed, sometimes it is desirable to stack components on top of each other.
If plated, laminated structures are deposited on a copper or other appropriate sacrificial substrate, the substrate may be etched away leaving free standing, coreless laminar structures. Further layers may be deposited on the side previously adhered to the sacrificial substrate, thereby enabling a two sided build up, which minimizes warping and aids the attaining of planarity.
One flexible technology for fabricating high density interconnects is to build up pattern or panel plated multilayer structures consisting of metal vias or features in a dielectric matrix. The metal may be copper, and the dielectric may be a fiber reinforced polymer. Typically, a polymer with a high glass transition temperature (Tg) is used, such as polyimide, for example. These interconnects may be cored or coreless, and may include cavities for stacking components. They may have odd or even numbers of layers. Enabling technology is described in previous patents issued to Amitec-Advanced Multilayer Interconnect Technologies Ltd. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,972 to Hurwitz et al. titled "Advanced multilayer coreless support structures and method for their fabrication" describes a method of fabricating a free standing membrane including a via array in a dielectric, for use as a precursor in the construction of superior electronic support structures. The method includes the steps of fabricating a membrane of conductive vias in a dielectric surround on a sacrificial carrier, and detaching the membrane from the sacrificial carrier to form a free standing laminated array. An electronic substrate based on such a free standing membrane may be formed by thinning and planarizing the laminated array, followed by terminating the vias. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,669,320 to Hurwitz et al. titled "Coreless cavity substrates for chip packaging and their fabrication" describes a method for fabricating an IC support for supporting a first IC die connected in series with a second IC die; the IC support comprising a stack of alternating layers of copper features and vias in insulating surround, the first IC die being bondable onto the IC support, and the second IC die being bondable within a cavity inside the IC support, wherein the cavity is formed by etching away a copper base and selectively etching away built up copper. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,635,641 to Hurwitz et al. titled "integrated circuit support structures and their fabrication" describes a method of fabricating an electronic substrate comprising the steps of; (A) selecting a first base layer; (B) depositing a first etchant resistant barrier layer onto the first base layer; (C) building up a first half stack of alternating conductive layers and insulating layers, the conductive layers being interconnected by vias through the insulating layers; (D) applying a second base layer onto the first half stack; (E) applying a protective coating of photo-resist to the second base layer; (F) etching away the first base layer; (G) removing the protective coating of photo-resist; (H) removing the first etchant resistant barrier layer; (I) building up a second half stack of alternating conductive layers and insulating layers, the conductive layers being interconnected by vias through the insulating layers, wherein the second half stack has a substantially symmetrical lay up to the first half stack; (J) applying an insulating layer onto the second hall stack of alternating conductive layers and insulating layers, (K) removing the second base layer, and (L) terminating the substrate by exposing ends of vias on outer surfaces of the stack and applying terminations thereto. This publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Method of fabrication, a multilayer electronic structure and structures in accordance with the method

Zhuhai Advanced Chip Carriers & Electronic Substrate Solutions Technologies Co. Ltd.


A shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in an air cooling/heating apparatus that includes at least one condenser and at least one fluid evaporator communicating with each other by a pipe. The valve includes two ducts each containing a restrictor coaxially formed with a capillary designed to cause rapid expansion of the fluid when it emerges from the capillary, thus allowing expansion of the fluid in either the heating or cooling mode. The valve further includes a duct for sampling the pressurized fluid before expansion during operation in either the heating or cooling mode.

The present application claims priority to European Patent Application Serial No. 00830714.2-2301; filed Oct. 30, 2000.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shut-off valve for pressurized fluids in an air cooling/heating system such as air conditioners and the like.
2. Background of the Invention
It is known in the art of air conditioners and heat pumps that a condenser and an evaporator must be placed in communication with each other by means of shut-off valves and other devices designed to cause expansion of the refrigerant as the refrigerant flows from one component to another.
Specifically, in refrigerant systems operating in both the cooling and heating modes, two expansion devices may be incorporated into one system allowing for expansion of the fluid in either direction. A shut-off valve may also be incorporated into a system when there is a need to terminate refrigerant flow, such as for example, during servicing. The refrigerant system may also include a sampling port for detecting and measuring the pressure of the high-pressure refrigerant before the refrigerant enters the expansion device. Furthermore, the ability to easily interchange the expansion device allows the degree of expansion to be selectively varied after installation of the shut-off valve.
Combining the shut-off valve, expansion devices and sampling device into one unit is desirable to reduce the complexity of a refrigerant system. However, known refrigerant systems lack a mechanism for sampling the liquid refrigerant before the liquid enters the expansion devices in both the cooling and heating modes. Therefore, a need exists for a shutoff valve that allows for sampling high-pressure liquid between two expansion devices.
The present invention resolves the above noted problem by providing a mechanism that permits sampling of fluid refrigerant before expansion in either the cooling or heating mode. In particular, a shut-off valve is disclosed that includes at least two ducts. A first duct is positioned in communication with an evaporator. A second duct is positioned in communication with a condenser. Preferably, a third duct is adapted for receiving an instrument for sampling the fluid. A restrictor is arranged within the first and second ducts wherein each restrictor is formed with a capillary through which fluid passes and which causes rapid expansion of the fluid when the fluid exits from the capillary. Each restrictor is confined to an area defined by a cartridge and the body of the valve allowing limited axial movement of the restrictor in the direction of the fluid flow.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment, an insert member retains a cartridge in the first duct. The insert member is preferably retained by a flared nut threaded onto an externally threaded end of the first duct thereby clamping a flared end of a pipe directly against a conical surface of the insert member forming a seal. A cartridge in the second duct is preferably retained by a pipe received in a counterbore created between the second duct and the cartridge. The pipe is fixedly attached to the body of the valve by brazing or other suitable means of attachment.
In operation, the pressurized fluid flows from duct one to duct two in the heating mode and from duct two to duct one in the cooling mode. The valve is arranged such that duct three, or the duct receiving the sampling instrument, is positioned between ducts one and two. In this arrangement, the instrument may measure the pressure of the fluid as it flows between duct one and duct two. The shut-off valve arrangement is advantageous because it allows the fluid to be sampled before expansion in either the heating or cooling mode.
In accordance with a second embodiment, each cartridge is retained by a pipe received in a counterbore created between each cartridge and the corresponding duct. The pipe is fixedly attached to the body of the valve by brazing or other suitable means of attachment. A brazed pipe connection is advantageous because it requires fewer elements than a flared pipe connection.
In accordance with a third embodiment, an insert member retains each cartridge in both the first and second ducts. Each insert member is retained by a nut threaded onto an externally threaded end of each duct thereby clamping a flared end of a pipe directly against a conical surface of the insert member forming a seal. A flared pipe connection is advantageous because the connection can be disassembled allowing the substitution of a restrictor with a different capillary diameter. The ability to interchange a restrictor allows the shut-off valve to be field serviced without the need for complex brazing operations.

Dual restrictor shut-off valve for pressurized fluids of air cooling/heating apparatus