Aircraft tire (1) comprising two beads (2). In each bead (2) portion (8) comprises surface layer (9) in contact with rim (3) via radially interior bead face (4) and having a shear stiffness K1. Portion (8) comprises a rigid layer (10), radially on the outside of and adjacent to the surface layer (9), having a shear stiffness K2 at least equal to five times the shear stiffness K1 of the surface layer (9), and a deformable layer (11), radially on the outside of and adjacent to the rigid layer (10) and radially on the inside of and adjacent to the carcass reinforcement portion (5) radially on the inside of the bead wire (7), having a shear stiffness K3 at most equal to 0.3 times the shear stiffness K1 of the surface layer (9).

The pressure and load conditions, for a given size of aircraft tire, are defined in particular in the Tire and Rim Association standard, commonly referred to as the TRA standard. By way of indication, the pressure to which an aircraft tire is inflated is usually at least equal to 9 bar and the corresponding applied load is such that the deflection of the tire is at least equal to 30%. The deflection of the tire is, by definition, the radial deformation or variation in radial height thereof as it makes the transition from an unladen inflated state to a statically loaded inflated state under the pressure and load conditions as defined in the TRA standard.
A high speed condition means a speed that may be as high as 360 km/h during aircraft take-off or landing phases.
Tire beads are those parts of the tire, respectively connected by two sidewalls to a tread, which provide the mechanical connection between the tire and the rim on which it is mounted or mounting rim. The assembly formed by a tire and its mounting rim is referred to as a mounted assembly.
Because a tire has a geometry exhibiting symmetry of revolution with respect to an axis of rotation, its geometry can be described in a meridian plane containing its axis of rotation. In a given meridian plane, the radial, axial and circumferential directions respectively refer to the directions perpendicular to the axis of rotation, parallel to the axis of rotation and perpendicular to the meridian plane. In what follows, the expressions "radially on the inside" and "radially on the outside" respectively mean "closer to the axis of rotation in the radial direction" and "further from the axis of rotation in the radial direction". The expressions "axially on the inside" and "axially on the outside" respectively mean "closer to the equatorial plane in the axial direction" and "further from the equatorial plane in the axial direction", the equatorial plane being the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation and passing through the middle of the tread.
A radial tire comprises a reinforcement, comprising a crown reinforcement, radially on the inside of the tread, and a carcass reinforcement, radially on the inside of the crown reinforcement.
The carcass reinforcement of a radial tire for an aircraft, as described for example in document EP 1 381 525, comprises at least one carcass layer.
A carcass layer is made up of reinforcing elements, or reinforcers, coated in an elastomeric material, mutually parallel and forming with the circumferential direction an angle substantially equal to 90°, i.e. comprised between 85° and 95°. The reinforcers are usually cords made up of spun textile filaments, preferably made of aliphatic polyamides and/or of aromatic polyamides.
A carcass layer is said to be turned up when, in each bead, it is wound around a circumferential reinforcing element, usually made of metal and of substantially circular meridian section, referred to as a bead wire, from the inside towards the outside of the tire to form a turnup, the end of which is radially on the outside of the radially outermost point of the bead wire. The turned-up carcass layers are generally the carcass layers closest to the interior cavity of the tire and therefore axially furthest towards the inside, in the sidewalls.
A carcass layer is said to be turned in when, in each bead, it is wound around a bead wire, from the outside towards the inside of the tire, as far as an end which is generally radially on the inside of the radially outermost point of the bead wire. The turned-in carcass layers are generally the carcass layers closest to the exterior surface of the tire and therefore those which are axially furthest out, in the sidewalls.
The mechanical connection between each tire bead and the rim is essentially achieved by two contact surfaces. A first contact surface, or contact surface under the bead wire is established, radially on the inside of the bead wire, between the radially interior face of the bead and a substantially axial rim portion, or rim seat, intended to fix the radial position of the bead when the tire is mounted and inflated. A second contact surface is established axially on the outside of the bead wire between the axially outside face of the bead and a substantially radial rim portion, or rim flange, intended to fix the axial position of the bead when the tire is mounted and inflated. The surfaces of contact between bead and flange, particularly the surface for contact under the bead wire, are zones under high pressure.
In each bead, radially on the inside of the carcass reinforcement portion radially on the inside of the bead wire, namely radially on the inside of the carcass layer which is radially innermost with respect to the bead wire, is positioned a portion of bead, referred to as the portion clamped under the bead wire, which is in contact via the radially interior face of the bead with the rim seat. This portion clamped under the bead wire dictates the forces of clamping between the bead of the tire and the rim seat. These clamping forces are dependent on the thickness of the portion clamped under the bead wire and on the mechanical properties of the material of which it is made.
The portion clamped under the bead wire comprises at least one layer called the surface layer, which is intended to come into contact with the rim seat via the axially interior face of the bead, usually made of an elastomeric material.
After curing, an elastomeric material is mechanically characterized by tensile stress/strain characteristics which are determined by tensile testing. This tensile testing is carried out by a person skilled in the art on a test specimen according to a known method, for example in accordance with international standard ISO 37, and under normal temperature (23+ or −2° C.) and moisture (50+ or −5% relative humidity) conditions as defined by international standard ISO 471. For an elastomeric material, the tensile stress measured for a 10% elongation of the test specimen is referred to as the elastic modulus M at 10% elongation and is expressed in mega pascals (MPa). The shear modulus G is defined as being equal to one third of the elastic modulus M to 10% elongation, assuming an incompressible elastomeric material characterized by a Poisson's ratio of 0.5. The shear modulus G is expressed in MPa or N/mm2. The shear stiffness K of a layer of thickness E, expressed in mm, and of unit surface area S equal to 1 mm2, made of an elastomeric material of shear modulus G, is equal to the product of the shear modulus G times the unit surface area S divided by the thickness E. The shear stiffness K is therefore expressed in N/mm.
The elastomeric material of a surface layer of a portion clamped under the bead wire usually has an elastic modulus at 10% elongation at least equal to 5 MPa and at most equal to 9 MPa.
In the case of a mounted assembly for an aircraft, a rim is dimensioned to provide a given number of take-off and landing cycles, for example 12000 cycles. The rim is inspected periodically, typically every 500 cycles. A rim is commonly withdrawn from service prematurely because of damage observed on the surfaces of contact with the beads of the tire, before it reaches the end of its theoretical life, for example midway through its life, namely after around 6000 cycles. This therefore leads to an economic loss relating to the use of the rim.
The damage is found on the rim seat in the surface for contact under the bead wire. This damage, referred to as "pitting" is surface defects of substantially elliptical shape characterized by a major axis which may be as long as 2 mm and a minor axis which may be as long as 0.5 mm, the depth of such defects potentially being as much as 0.5 mm. Defects of the maximum permissible size are referred to as critical size defects or critical defects. Beyond a critical size, defects are considered inadmissible and if they occur, the rim has to be withdrawn from service.
These defects or "pits" are the result of the known phenomenon of "wheel pitting". "Wheel pitting" is a phenomenon of localized rim wear by abrasion. The "pits" appear on the rim seat, in the surface for contact under the bead wire which is subjected to high pressures. They are the result of the rubbing of particles, trapped between the radially interior face of the bead and the rim seat, which act as abrasives. These particles may be the result of localized damage to the painted rim coating or to external contamination. These particles, in order to be damaging, need to be sufficiently hard. These particles are pulled along by slippages of the radially interior face of the bead on the rim seat. It is the combination of high pressures and slippages that causes the localized wearing of the rim. The lengths of slippage and the rate of slippage have an impact on the localized wearing of the rim. It must be noted that slippage occurs essentially in the meridian plane, in the axial direction, and secondarily in the circumferential direction. Skewing the tire, which is characterized by a non-zero angle between the equatorial plane of the tire and the direction of travel of the tire, accentuates the phenomenon, because of the increase in pressure and slippage in the surface for contact under the bead wire.
In order to reduce the "wheel pitting" phenomenon, technical solutions based on reducing the friction between the bead and the rim seat have been envisaged, either at rim level or at tire level. As far as the rim is concerned, friction may be reduced either by lubricating the rim using a suitable product or by using a rim coating that has a low coefficient of friction. As far as the tire is concerned, friction can be reduced by selecting, for the surface layer, an elastomeric material that contains oil that is exuded from the surface layer as the bead is compressed onto the rim and which therefore lubricates the rim. Friction on the tire side can also be reduced by adding to the bead a coating material that has a low coefficient of friction. Finally, decreasing the force with which the bead wire is clamped against the rim seat can also help to reduce friction, by reducing the contact pressures between the bead and the rim seat. The foregoing technical solutions, relating respectively to the rim and to the tire, can be used alone or in combination. They all have the disadvantage of increasing the risk of the tire rotating on its rim, under the effect of too great a reduction in the forces of friction between the bead and the rim seat.

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSMENTS MICHELIN


Embodiments are directed to obtaining data based on samples of a vibration signal, processing, by at least one processor, the data to obtain a qualitative and quantitative assessment of a health of the one or more components based on an application of the data to at least one model, and outputting the assessment. Embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to one or more components of a drive shaft of an aircraft.

On an aircraft, such as a rotorcraft (e.g., a helicopter), conducting an inspection or maintenance activity with respect to a drive shaft is laborious and time consuming. For example, various visual inspections are required at fixed intervals, often requiring a complete removal of the drive shafts and couplings. After removal, frequent bolt-nut torque checks must be performed. Considering that this process must be performed for each of the drive shaft sections in the aircraft, the maintenance burden is substantial. However, experience indicates that a majority of these inspections do not uncover any problems, resulting in tremendous inefficiencies.
Mechanical failure modes typically looked for or examined during these inspections include cracking of a disc coupling, buckling of the disc coupling, bolt-hole elongation (e.g., elongation in flanges), corrosion, damage, security, wear, lamination spread, and loss of bolt preload. It is difficult to detect and quantify the severity (e.g., in terms of likelihood of losing complete torque carrying capacity) of each of these failure modes.


The present invention relates generally to wireless transceivers, and more particularly but not exclusively to non 802.11 detection and avoidance methodologies for wireless devices including transceivers. In one or more implementations, a method for detecting non 802.11 operating in the unlicensed 5.25-5.35 and 5.47-10.725 GHz radio bands, using wireless devices, such as AP, are provided. An AP is used to automatically detect the presence of non 802.11 on all channels in these bands, alert all of its clients, and move to another channel that is known to be devoid of non 802.11 using one or more implementations.

Presently, it is known that the ISM bands are becoming crowded, with many different types of wireless devices, among those being WiFi (802.11), BlueTooth (802.15.1), and Zigbee (802.15.4), cordless phones, and others. It is understood that when these devices operate in close proximity, interference between the devices may cause performance loss, or severe degradation for particular devices. In some cases, one particular device may be rendered inoperable, and lose wireless connectivity completely. There is a need in the industry for these devices to share the limited band so that all devices may function properly, and most desirably, with little or no performance degradation.
One particularly concerning interference problem is known to occur between existing non 802.11 devices such as Blue Tooth and Zigbee devices, and WiFi devices based on the upcoming 802.11n standard, which allows devices to operate at 40 MHz wide channels. A 40 MHz WiFi channel overlaps excessively with the Non 802.11 channel, and can interrupt Non 802.11 operation. Although the Non 802.11 is equipped with interference avoidance schemes like Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH), a wide bandwidth of 40 MHz WiFi channel will cause this mechanism to fail, and Non 802.11 performance to degrade. This occurs because the overlap with a 40 MHz WiFi channel can block out up to 75% of the Non 802.11 bandwidth. This particular problem is of great concern because of the deployment of WiFi and Non 802.11 devices is so widespread across the world.
A potential coexistence issue has been identified between Non 802.11 wireless devices (IEEE 802.15.1) and IEEE 802.11n in WiFi products, operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. An 802.11n STA operating with 40 MHz wide channels can degrade the performance of Non 802.11 headsets. One possible coexistence solution is for the 802.11n device to scan for the presence of non-802.11n devices, and switch to 20 MHz operation to avoid this conflict.
Industry standards often require interoperability, whenever possible, between different devices operating in the same frequency band. To avoid interference, devices will reduce transmit power levels, or move to a different channel in the band, or time-share the same channel. For the particular problem of WiFi/Non 802.11 interference, both devices have been shown to coexist, provided the WiFi device can properly detect the presence of a Non 802.11 device and appropriately limit operation to 20 MHz bandwidth. With the operation limited to 20 MHz, the Non 802.11 AFH feature enables the Non 802.11 device to operate in the remaining bandwidth, and avoid interference with the WiFi transmissions. This particular method of detecting the presence Non 802.11 devices, and backing off to 20 MHz operation to allow coexistence is recommended in the discussions at IEEE 802.11n standard (Draft 6.0).
Therefore, it is highly desired to be able to provide a solution which overcomes the shortcomings and limitations of the present art and more particularly provides a configurable non 802.11 detection and avoidance method and system for wireless devices.
The present invention in accordance with its various implementations herein, addresses such needs.

Method and apparatus to allow coexistence between wireless devices


A vegetation cutter apparatus having a drive motor which drives a cutterhead via a drive shaft journalled in a guide tube, The cutterhead is held in a sleeve bearing at the end section of the guide tube facing away from the drive motor, The cutterhead is held in a simple manner by an exchangeable sleeve bearing in the guide tube. This is achieved in that the bearing is axially held in the end section of the guide tube so as to be exchangeable and at least one stop holds the bearing against rotation and may cooperate to hold the bearing captive in the axial direction. The stop projects radially into the guide tube.

Vegetation cutter apparatus are also known as motor-driven scythes and brushcutters and are utilized to cut vegetation such as grass, weeds and the like. The drive motor drives the cutterhead in rotation via the drive shaft guided in a guide tube. The cutterhead is held by a bearing on the lower end of the guide tube. This bearing is configured as a roller bearing which is built into an intermediate piece which is connected to one end to the guide tube and, at the other end, to the bearing stub of the cutterhead. A configuration of this kind leads to a considerable increase in weight and is furthermore complex with respect to its construction. An exchange of the roller bearing is possible only together with the intermediate piece.

Exchangeable sleeve bearing for a vegetation cutter apparatus


An intragastric balloon device includes a flexible bladder, a relatively rigid reservoir coupled to the bladder and adapted to hold a bladder inflation fluid, and an inflation/deflation system adapted to move or permit movement of the fluid from the reservoir and into the bladder. The intragastric balloon device is sized such that it may be positioned, in its entirety, into the stomach cavity. Various systems may be used to move or permit movement of the fluid. A control system is provided to automatically activate the inflation/deflation system. The automatic activation may be activated by a combination of one or more of a timer, the temperature of the stomach, the pressure in the stomach, the mechanical stress in the stomach, or another sensed condition, at which the control system is programmed or otherwise configured to activate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to medical devices. More particularly, this invention relates to gastric balloons.
2. State of the Art
In the treatment of obesity, gastric balloons have been inserted into the stomach to assume a portion of the volume of the stomach cavity, and reduce the available capacity of the stomach for food. This has the effect of reducing the appetite and, consequently, over time, e.g., three months, and in combination with a suitable diet, causes weight loss. However, when provided with a balloon of relatively constant volume over the treatment time, in many cases the stomach expands to accommodate the balloon (xe2x80x98balloon accommodationxe2x80x99) and recovers a portion or all of its former capacity for food intake, thereby defeating the purpose of the balloon and reducing the effectiveness of the treatment.
A number of gastric balloon systems have been invented which permit the volume of a gastric balloon to be varied over time. The purpose of the facilitating volumetric change in the gastric balloon has been to provide periods of feelings of relief and well-being to the patient, not to prevent balloon accommodation and maintain appetite reduction. One system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,315 to Berman, utilizes a flexible filling/release tube permanently coupled to the balloon and which in one embodiment extends from the balloon, through the esophagus, and out the nasal pathway or mouth. In another embodiment, the tube extends surgically through the stomach wall and through the wall of the abdomen. Fluid can be pressurized into the balloon through the tube to cause balloon expansion, or released or evacuated from the tube to permit the balloon collapse, thereby varying the volume of the balloon. A similar implanted tube system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,454 to Bangs. However, for several reasons, the Berman and Bangs systems are not particularly desirable. First, the tube can cause irritation and even infection of tissue, particularly of the esophagus in the Berman system. Second, the tube can cause discomfort, at times severe, to the patient. Third, the implanted balloon tube requires that the patient be subject to a surgical incision.
In other systems, for example the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,061 to Gau, a free floating gastric balloon is provided with a valve which can be detachably coupled to a filling tube. When it is desired to add or relieve pressure to the balloon, the filling tube is endoscopically extended into the stomach and coupled to the balloon. Fluid is then passed into or withdrawn from the balloon. While this system eliminates the issue of having a filling tube extend out of the body for the duration of the treatment, pressure changes to the balloon must be performed under a physician""s care and under sedation. As such, the balloon is not adaptable to change in size multiple times per day, e.g., after meals and, as such, cannot satisfactorily prevent balloon accommodation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,399 to Brown discloses a system in which a balloon or bladder inserted in the stomach is controllably filled and emptied using a filling system which extends through a gastrostomy tube implanted between the stomach and the abdomen of the body and terminates outside the body. The filling system includes a reversible pump and a two-way valve connected to a filling tube. In addition, an electronic control is provided for operating the filling system and altering the size of the bladder according to a schedule or according to a set of physiological conditions of the body monitored by filling system. While this ability to vary the volume of the bladder according to a schedule or upon meeting physiological conditions is quite desirable to prevent balloon accommodation, the system has several drawbacks. First, the filling system is inserted by xe2x80x9cimplantationxe2x80x9d which requires an initial surgical procedure. In addition, extending the system through the abdomen may lead to infection. Furthermore, the external location of portions of the filling system may subject the system to unintended physical impact, resulting in physical trauma to the patient.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an intragastric balloon device which is adapted to be entirely located within the stomach cavity.
It is another object of the invention to provide an intragastric balloon device adapted to vary in volume without a control means which is external and mechanically connected to the balloon device.
In accord with these objects, which will be discussed in detail below, an intragastric balloon device is provided and includes a flexible bladder, a relatively rigid reservoir coupled to the bladder and adapted to hold a bladder inflation fluid, and an inflation/deflation system adapted to move or permit movement of the fluid from the reservoir and into the bladder. The intragastric balloon device is sized such that it may be inserted, in its entirety, into the stomach through the esophagus.
According to the invention, various systems may be used to move or permit movement of the fluid. In several embodiments, the system is a pump which moves the fluid between the reservoir and the bladder. In other embodiments, the system includes a mechanism for heating a fluid to cause the heated fluid to expand the bladder. According to other embodiments, no reservoir is employed and a pump pumps stomach fluid into the bladder to inflate the bladder.
According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the intragastric balloon device also includes a control system which is adapted to automatically activate the inflation/deflation system. The automatic activation may be activated by a combination of one or more of a timer, a temperature of the stomach, a pressure in the stomach, a mechanical stress in the stomach, or another sensed condition, at which the control system is programmed or otherwise configured to activate. The control system is preferably reprogrammable or instantly operable via an external transmitter. In addition, the control system and the pump, where utilized, are preferably battery-powered such that the intragastric balloon device is self-contained.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.

Intragastric balloon device adapted to be repeatedly varied in volume without external assistance


A solar energy collector wherein the absorber means comprises a black liquid absorber for converting solar energy to thermal energy and absorbing the thermal energy. The solar energy collector includes an upper cover having a plurality of raised chamber modules each having surfaces angularly disposed to the cover surface for collecting and transmitting solar energy to the black liquid absorber. Center plate means are provided for exposing the black liquid absorber to solar radiation and comprise a floating member having an upper and lower surface means transparent to solar energy and defining a plurality of upper and lower elongated channel means for circulating the black liquid absorber there within to provide a flow-return flow of the black liquid absorber thereby providing additional exposure to solar radiation. Inlet conduit means are provided for introducing the black liquid absorber to the upper channel means and outlet conduit means are provided in the lower channel means for conveying away the black liquid absorber and absorbed thermal energy after circulation through the upper and lower channel means. The inlet and outlet conduit means are each located at the lower end of the collector. A lower cover means is provided having a plurality of raised chamber modules each having surfaces angularly disposed to the cover surface, transparent to solar radiation, and corresponding to the upper means. The upper and lower cover means are disposed in abutting relationship, respectively, along their perimeters whereby the center means is held in floating relationship there-between. In the preferred embodiment, upper and lower wall means are removable and are disposed within the upper and lower cover means and elongated channel center means. The upper and lower wall means are transparent to solar radiation and have a configuration and are positioned relative to the channel means so that when the collector is exposed to solar radiation, will provide for mechanical rigidity of the collector and minimize heat loss by conduction, convection and radiation.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to solar energy collectors and, more particularly, to a black liquid absorbing collector.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Various solar collectors have been suggested for use in conjunction with a black liquid solar energy absorber. In some prior systems the use of a black liquid absorber is mentioned in connection with the black metallic solar energy absorbing surface. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF A BLACK LIQUID ABSORBING COLLECTOR, Proceedings of the 1977 Annual Meeting of the ASISES, Volume 1, Section 1-13, describes a black liquid absorber which flows between two transparent sheets of glass in a flat glass sandwichlike collector assembly.
The use of a black metallic surface in conjunction with a black absorbing liquid has the disadvantage in that the collector is continually affected by solar energy and cannot be turned off when not in use.
The use of a black liquid absorber in rigid flat sandwichlike assembly has the disadvantages in that they are formed of materials such as glass and metal and require seals and gaskets for assembly of the collector which results in uncreased PG,3 cost and weight. Additionally, such solar collectors do not provide for maximum solar energy absorption per given unit area or provided for minimizing heat loss. While such flat collectors can be installed on an existing building with a flat roof, they are not readily adaptable to existing structures having inclined roofs and are particularly not suitable for inclined roofs which run other than in a generally east-west direction.


A sports board (e.g., a snowboard, ski, or surfboard) has a sensor panel comprising a plurality of individual sensors on a surface thereof such that deflection or vibration of surface of the sports board due to contact with a surface of the medium being ridden (e.g. snow or water) causes the individual sensors of the sensor panel to detect such contact. Each sensor on the sensor panel may be a simple switch, piezoelectric sensor, strain gauge, or a variable resistance type sensor. The sensors are monitored so as to detect the points of contact of the lower surface of the sports board with the snow or water. Detailed information related to the contact between the sports board and the snow or water is processed so as to provide auditory, visual or training information.

Although the invention is applicable to many sports including skiing, sled riding, and surfing, it is described with reference to snowboarding. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described are applicable to other types of sports boards.
The experience of snowboarding is one that requires balance, skill and the willingness to take risks. A hybrid of skateboarding and downhill skiing, snowboarding has become the largest growth industry of all winter sports. Though age is by no means a limitation, snowboarding is popular with teenagers who identify with the sport's counter-culture origins. By combining conventional construction techniques with micro-motion sensor technology in a riding surface (e.g., an undersurface), the sports board can detect portions of the board which are in contact with the surface being ridden, e.g., snow.
For instance, in snowboarding, as riders traverse a hill, they constantly shift their weight placing different points of the board in contact with the snow. To convey this contact information to the rider, the snowboard can include circuitry for translating the sensed contact information into either sound emitted from a headset, speaker or ear bud, or into digitized or analog data for use in simulation or reproduction of the ride.
The sound application will be referred to herein as having biofeedback sound. The biofeedback sound informs the rider and brings a new dimension to the experience of snowboarding. The biofeedback sound may also be used to help teach a novice snowboarder. The novice snowboarder can attempt to match tones generated by an expert accompanying the novice or prerecorded expert tones played back as the novice learns to snowboard.
The processed information relating to the contact of the sports board with the surface being ridden may be transmitted to a plurality of receivers using wireless transmission techniques so as to be enjoyed by a plurality of sports board riders. For instance, a plurality of snowboarders each having a sports board according to the present invention and each transmitting processed information may all contribute to an orchestra of sound. Moreover, a prerecorded musical track can be overlaid on the biofeedback sound so as to be perceived as an accompaniment to the musical score.
Prior art devices typically sense a distribution of weight as applied to the sports board through the feet. However, the information provided by such prior art devices is limited in that such devices fail to provide detailed information relating to contact of the riding surface of the sports board to the surface being ridden.
For instance, a rider on a snowboard can lean to one side in order to turn. The conventional device would sense the weight distribution associated with leaning to one side. For instance, a snowboarder may lean in a constant manner so as to traverse a mogul field. The conventional devices would sense a shifted but constant weight distribution to one side. Moreover, when traversing a bumpy field, crevices or holes in the surface, conventional devices would not detect such change in contact with or responsive thereto by the sports board. However, according to the present invention, by sensing the locations of the contact of the snowboard with the snow, detailed information related to traversal of dips, crevices, and moguls on the surface being ridden is provided.
According to the present invention, as the extended ends of the snowboard bend, vibrate and twist with contact to various moguls, or as the snowboard traverses a hole or concave area, the affected sensors on the riding surface or undersurface of the snowboard provide detailed information of various levels regarding the changing contact of the sports board with the surface being ridden, not just information based solely on weight distribution. For instance, the sensitivity and/or number of sensors can be changed to provide a balance between cost and breadth of contact information. For instance, a single sensor having limited sensitivity which senses the contact between the sports board and the medium being ridden would provide more limited information than would a sports board with multiple sensors on multiple layers therein.
The detailed surface contact information as provided by the present invention is useful in producing tones or biofeedback sound related to the combination of sensors activated. Moreover, the surface contact information can be recorded or transmitted to simulation devices for training or entertainment purposes. It is of course possible to combine the present invention with conventional sensors on the upper side of the sports board so as to detect directly a weight distribution in combination with a detailed sensing of the sports board's contact with the surface being ridden.

Sports board having a pressure sensitive panel responsive to contact between the sports board and a surface being ridden


A chair having a fixed support structure including two side uprights, a backrest having two side portions, and a pair of elastic joints connecting said side portions of the backrest to said side uprights, wherein each of said elastic joints comprises: a bushing fixed to a respective side upright, a helical spring having a longitudinal axis, the helical spring having an upper end resting against a front wall of the bushing, a compression member resting against a lower end of the spring, an upper attachment fixed to a corresponding side portion of the backrest, and a rigid connecting rod having an upper end and a lower end.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a chair with a pivoting backrest capable of tilting backwards under a thrust applied by the user's back.
2. Description of Prior Art
In the state of the art, there are various known solutions of chairs in which the backrest is connected to a fixed support structure by a pair of elastic joints, each of which comprises an upper support inserted into a tubular portion of the backrest, a lower support inserted into a tubular element of the fixed support structure and an elastic element, which allows an inclination between the upper support and the lower support.
For example, the document EP2183997 of the same applicant describes a chair comprising a base structure including two rear tubular elements, a backrest having two tubular portions and two elastic devices, each of which has an upper support inserted into a tubular portion of the backrest, a lower support inserted into the corresponding tubular element of the base structure and an elastic element deformable by bending to allow pivoting between the upper support and the lower support, wherein each of the elastic devices comprises a plurality of stacked sectors, arranged between the upper support and the lower support.
The elastic elements that are deformable by bending have the drawback of a limited elastic force for opposing the backward thrust applied by the user.
In principle, with elastic elements in compression formed, for example, by helical compression springs, it would be possible to increase the force provided by the elastic joints that contrast the backward thrust applied by the user on the backrest of the chair. However, with helical compression springs arranged coaxially to the side uprights of the backrest, the lever arm for the compression of the springs is limited.


A memory circuit having: a memory array including one or more memory banks; a first processor; and a processor control interface for receiving data processing commands directed to the first processor from a central processor, the processor control interface being adapted to indicate to the central processor when the first processor has finished accessing one or more of the memory banks of the memory array, these memory banks becoming accessible to the central processor.

The present disclosure relates to the field of DRAM (dynamic random access memory) circuits with integrated processors, and methods of communication with such memories.
Modern computers generally comprise a processing circuit, often implemented as a system on chip (SoC), coupled to one or more dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuits. Such memories, which generally require a periodic refresh operation, are dense and relatively fast to access, and are thus used as the main RAM data storage in most computers. However, in view of the ever increasing amounts of data to be transferred between the SoC and DRAM circuits, such data transfers tend to slow the operation of the computer and lead to a relatively high energy consumption.
A solution that has been proposed is to provide DRAM circuits having one or more processors integrated therein, in addition to the processors in the SoC. Such a solution reduces the level of data transfer between the DRAM circuit and the SoC by allowing certain processing tasks to be delegated to the DRAM processors, so that these processing tasks can be performed while avoiding data transfer between the DRAM circuit and the SoC.
However, a challenge in providing a DRAM circuit with integrated processors is that the interface with the SoC is time consuming and costly to implement.
International patent application published as WO2010/141221 describes a system and method for arbitrating access to a memory array associated with an internal processor. The arbitration involves interfacing an external processor, comprising a memory controller, with the internal processor through a control interface formed of electrical connections for communicating request and grant signals.
A problem in systems such as the one described in the publication WO2010/141221 is that the external processor incorporating the memory controller must be modified in order to permit the arbitration control signals to be communicated to and from the internal processor, leading to a solution that is costly and complex.

Memory circuit with integrated processor


A hose coupling is provided primarily for irrigation applications and features a quick-connect capability ideal for use with the flexible irrigation systems such as are used on sugar cane plantations and elsewhere requiring relatively frequent assembly and dismantling of the system, the coupling being characterized by a tubular body portion having a nipple over which a flexible irrigation hose is pulled, there being a collar on the connector body which by virtue of a pair of helical ramps is forced over the end of the irrigation hose locking it onto the nipple when the collar is twisted. Being unrestrained other than by the helical ramp structure, the collar can be pulled axially to directly engage the irrigation hose, or twisted to utilize the mechanical advantage inherent in the helical ramps so that dual alternative operative modes are inherent in the design.

The invention pertains to coupling mechanisms for adjoining a length of flexible hose to another length of hose, a rigid pipe fitting, a T-intersection or anything else, and particularly relates to such a coupling or fitting as it would apply to irrigation systems.
There are numerous different types of irrigation systems, to some of which the instant invention may not apply. The area to which it particularly does apply is a specialized field of irrigation in which very lightweight, thin-walled flexible plastic tubes are temporarily, or at most semi-permanently deployed in sugar cane groves or elsewhere such that they must be dismantled and discarded after a period of time. The assembly of these units must naturally be accomplished in as rapid a time as possible because of the economics of farm labor and this in turn requires the utilization of fittings and couplings which are capable of connecting the length of thin-walled hose to pipes and the like absolutely as quickly as possible.
There has been utilized in the past a coupling which utilized an elongated tubular body portion somewhat like the one of the instant invention with a nipple onto which the end of a hose is pushed and then quickly retained thereon by virtue of a collar threadedly engaged on the coupling body which moved out to pinch a hose over the nipple as the collar is rotated on its threads, causing it to axially advance on the coupling tube.
This unit has functioned quite adequately for several years and has been sold in great quantity, but has left room for improvement in the following two areas.
First, during the coupling operation when the collar is rotated on its retaining threads, there is a tendency for the collar to cock back or skip over the threads rather than advance forward against the force of the hose as it is compressed around the nipple. Second, the only movement capable of engaging or disengaging the irrigation hose in the prior art coupling was the rotative adjustment of the collar; in other words, the collar could not be directly moved axially either onto or off of the irrigation hose but had to be rotated to effect axial motion because it was captured on the threads of the coupling body.


Polyolefin derivatives, which are useful not only as the photoconductive materials for electrophotography, but also as a charge transporting material employed in a function-separating type photoconductor which uses an organic or inorganic pigment as a charge generating material, and an electrophotographic photoconductor containing at least one of the above polyolefin derivatives in a photoconductive layer thereof, are disclosed.

The present invention relates to polyolefin derivatives, and an electrophotographic photoconductor which comprises a photoconductive layer containing at least one of the polyolefin derivatives.
Examples of photoconductive materials for use in conventional photoconductors for use in electrophotography are selenium, cadmium sulfide, and zinc oxide. In an electrophotographic process, a photoconductor is first exposed to corona charges in the dark, so that the surface of the photoconductor is electrically charged uniformly. The thus uniformly charged photoconductor is then exposed to original light images and the portions exposed to the original light images selectively become electroconductive so that electric charges dissipate from the exposed portions of the photoconductor, whereby latent electrostatic images corresponding to the original light images are formed on the surface of the photoconductor. The latent electrostatic images are then developed by the so-called toner which comprises a colorant, such as a dye or a pigment, and a binder agent made of a polymeric material; thus visible developed images can be obtained on the photoconductor.
Fundamental characteristics required of the photo conductor for use in electrophotography are: (1) to a predetermined potential in the dark; (2) minimum electric charge dissipation in the dark; and (3) quick dissipation of electric charges upon exposure to light.
While the above-mentioned inorganic photoconductive materials have many advantages over other conventional photoconductive materials, they also have several shortcomings.
For example, a selenium photoconductor, which is widely used at present and sufficiently meets the above-mentioned requirements (1) to (3), has the shortcomings that its production conditions are difficult and, accordingly, its production cost is high. Further it is difficult to work it into the form of a belt due to its poor flexibility, and it is so vulnerable to heat and mechanical shock that it must be handled wit the utmost care.
Cadmium sulfide photoconductors and zinc oxide photoconductors are prepared by dispersing cadmium sulfide or zinc oxide in a binder resin. Therefore they are so poor in mechanical properties such as surface smoothness, hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance that they are not suitable as photoconductors for use in plain paper copiers in which the photoconductors are used in quick repetition.
Recently, varieties of the organic electrophotographic photoconductor have been proposed to cover the shortcomings of the inorganic photoconductor, and some of them are in fact put to practical use. Representative examples of the organic electrophotographic photoconductor are an electrophotographic photoconductor comprising poly-N-vinylcarbazole and 2,4,7-trinitro-fluorene-9-one (U.S. Pat. No. 3,484,237), a photoconductor in which poly-N-vinylcarbazole is sensitized by a pyrylium salt type dyestuff (Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-25658), a photoconductor containing as the main component an organic pigment (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 47-37543), and a photoconductor containing as the main component an eutectic crystalline complex made of a dye and a resin (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 47-10735).
Although the above-mentioned organic electrophotographic photoconductors have many superiorities for practical use compared with other conventional photoconductors, they do still not satisfy all the requirements of the electrophotographic photoconductor.

Electrophotographic photoconductor and polyolefin derivatives employed in the same photoconductor


A method for enhancing power bus for I/O libraries in ASIC designs is disclosed. An I/O assignment for I/O circuits to be utilized in an ASIC design is initially generated. Each I/O circuit may obtain power from either a primary I/O power bus or a secondary I/O power bus. A determination is then made as to whether or not the I/O assignment meets certain predetermined power distribution requirements. In a determination that the I/O assignment does not meet the predetermined power bus distribution requirements, a power enhancement cell is added. The power enhancement circuit includes at least one metal line for connecting the primary I/O power bus to the secondary I/O power bus in order for the I/O assignment to meet the power bus distribution requirements.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to integrated circuit designs in general, and in particular to application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designs. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method for enhancing a power bus in input/output regions of an ASIC device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, there are two types of integrated circuit (IC) devices according to the types of market to which they are sold. The first type of IC devices is referred to as commodity IC devices and the second type of IC devices is referred to as application specific IC (ASIC) devices. Because commodity IC devices, such as dynamic random access memories, can be sold in vast quantities to a large number of customers, dedicated mask sets are typically employed to fabricate commodity IC devices. The relatively large one-time or non-recurring engineering costs associated with the design and layout of dedicated mask sets can typically be justified by the extremely large number of units over which the non-recurring costs can be distributed.
In contrast, ASIC devices refer to, as the name implies, devices that are customized for the needs of a particular application or a particular customer. Because of the inherently limited market associated with ASIC devices, non-recurring engineering costs have a more dramatic impact on the per-unit cost for each ASIC device. In order to keep the non-recurring costs low, ASIC design methodology is highly structured and highly dependent upon reuse of building block components in order to be cost and resource efficient. Templates for top-level chip power bus and chip-to-package interconnect are one example of building block component reuses. Top-level chip power templates typically define the size of a chip, locations of all interconnect points between the chip and its package, the layout of the power bus system for the chip, and the physical area where input/output (I/O) circuits can be placed on the chip. Most ASIC libraries have a standard set of templates, which includes top-level chip power templates, that are expected to be used on the majority of customer designs. A template is chosen by an ASIC designer based on quantity of logic, number of I/O circuits, expected power dissipation, and performance requirements. The template decision is made no later than when the technology dependent gate level description of a logic model needs to be combined with the I/O circuit placement information for floor planning and timing. From an ASIC designer""s point of view, the optimal I/O placement is where there is a short, direct path between the I/O circuit and the logic connected to the I/O circuit. Unfortunately, the ASIC designer must also consider the I/O supply voltages needed, I/O power requirements, power bus, electromigration and I/O noise issues. These constraints often provide difficulties for the ASIC designer to place I/O circuits in an optimal fashion.
For example, current ASIC technologies provide the ability to have a secondary power supply voltage, in addition to a primary power supply voltage, in the I/O area of a peripheral footprint chip. Such ability allows an ASIC designer the flexibility of using industry standard I/O circuits that require a supply voltage other than the primary internal logic voltage. In order to provide such dual power bus flexibility, the power bus metal widths have to be limited to support double power buses within a fixed amount of silicon area. The result is reduced current carrying capability on each of the two power buses. This is not a problem when most ASIC designers are assumed to use both the primary and the secondary I/O power supply voltages that split the current amount required from those two power buses. However, there are many situations when the ASIC designer uses I/O circuits that only require the primary supply voltage. In those situations, it may be necessary to electrically enhance the primary supply bus in order to meet the I/O current demands. Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a method for enhancing a power bus in ASIC designs without incurring the cost of chip template customization.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an I/O assignment for I/O circuits to be utilized in an ASIC design is initially generated. Each I/O circuit may obtain power from either a primary I/O power bus or a secondary I/O power bus. A determination is then made as to whether or not the I/O assignment meets certain predetermined power distribution requirements. If a group of I/O circuits only uses the primary power supply and there is a determination that the I/O assignment of this group of I/O circuit does not meet the predetermined power bus distribution requirements, a power enhancement circuit is added. The power enhancement circuit includes at least one metal line for connecting the primary I/O power bus to the secondary I/O power bus in order for the I/O assignment to meet the power bus distribution requirements.
All objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.

Method for enhancing a power bus in I/O regions of an ASIC device

International Business Machines Corporation


A magnetic suspension bracket construction (10) adapted for use with the metal gridwork (100) that supports drop ceiling tiles (101) and diverse articles such as yardsticks (200) wherein, the construction (10) includes a bracket member (20) having a generally flat base element (21) provided with a magnetic strip (22) adapted to engage the metal gridwork (100) wherein, the bottom surface (23) of the base element (21) is provided with a pair of outer downwardly depending support fingers (24) (24xe2x80x2) and an intermediate finger (25) adapted to releasably engage a yardstick (200) in a vertical fashion wherein, the outer support fingers (24) (24xe2x80x2) are also provided with recesses (26) that are adapted to support the yardstick (200) in a horizontal fashion.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of specialized suspension brackets in general and in particular to a multi-use magnetic suspension bracket construction adapted to releasably engage the metal gridwork supporting suspended ceiling tiles.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,746,329; 5,188,332; 5,414,969; and Des. Pat. No. 346, 950, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse magnetic based suspension brackets employed for a variety of different reasons.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical magnetic suspension bracket that is specifically designed to be intalled and removed by a common yardstick in order to suspend diverse articles such as posters, balloons, artwork, etc., from the metal gridwork that is employed to suspend ceiling tiles from a drop ceiling arrangement.
Given the fact that drop ceilings enjoy widespread usage in both office and retail spaces, it is rather surprising that to date no one has developed a simple and efficient device to suspend diverse articles such as posters, retail advertising and/or decorative items from this otherwise unused space.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need among office workers and retail stores for a new and improved magnetic suspension bracket construction that can be installed and removed easily without the hazard of standing on a chair or desk and has myriad uses, and the provision of such an arrangement is the stated objective of the present invention.
Briefly stated, the bracket construction that forms the basis of the present invention comprises in general a bracket member having a horizontal base element provided with a plurality of downwardly depending support fingers adapted to releasably engage and suspend diverse articles such as support hooks and other decorative objects wherein the upper surface of the base element is magnetically attracted to the metal gridwork that supports the ceiling tiles in a drop ceiling arrangement.
As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, the plurality of downwardly depending support fingers includes a pair of mirror image generally axially aligned outer support fingers and an intermediate axially offset support finger all provided with central apertures adapted to receive support hooks; wherein, the opposed ends of the outer support fingers are provided with offset detents that cooperate with the intermediate support finger to releasably engage a yardstick in a vertical orientation.
In addition, the outer ends of each of the outer support fingers are provided with generally L-shaped recesses disposed adjacent the juncture of the support fingers and the base element; wherein, the leg of the recesses are adapted to engage and releasably support a yardstick in a horizontal disposition; and, wherein, the foot of each recess is adapted to releasably support a support hook or strand of material that may be suspended between spaced bracket members.

Magnetic suspension bracket construction


An arrangement includes at least one data storage device, an automation controller, and an enhanced interface. The data storage device is connected to a computer and arranged to perform a plurality of operations in response to one or more commands received from the computer. The automation controller is configured to physically provide the data storage device with at least one data storage media. The enhanced interface operatively couples the data storage device with the automation controller, such that the data storage device can be selectively controlled by the automation controller and the automation controller can be selectively controlled by the data storage device depending on the received commands. The enhanced interface includes a standard serial interface and at least one additional line. The additional line is configured to provide a directing signal from the data storage device to the automation controller. This added capability allows for bidirectional control between the data storage device and the automation controller.

The present invention relates to computers, and more particularly to data storage devices that include one or more automated loading subsystems that are designed to load/unload storage media into/from one or more data storage drives.
Providing users with large capacity data storage devices at a reasonably low cost has long been the goal of both disk drive and tape drive manufacturers. With the introduction of faster processors/data links, cheaper memory and more powerful software applications, there is an even greater need for large capacity data storage devices.
Magnetic disk drives tend to provide a relatively large capacity data storage capability. Conventional magnetic disk drives, however, are not well suited for longer-term data back up. For more secure, longer-term data back up, magnetic tape drives, removable magnetic disk drives, and/or optical disc drives tend to be better choices. With these data storage drives, a storage media, such as, for example, a tape cartridge, a magnetic disk, or optical disc, can be selectively accessed and later removed and perhaps stored in a safe location until and/or if needed.
Those users with the need to provide even more data storage capability, or perhaps ready access to data stored on storage media, can utilize one or more automated media loading devices (i.e., an automation controller) designed to automatically load/unload storage media into/from one or more data storage drives.
By way of example, FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a conventional data storage system 20 having a host computer 22, a storage drive 24 and an automation controller 26. Host computer 22 is configured to send/receive data to/from data storage drive 24, and to send/receive other commands to/from data storage drive 24 and/or automation controller 26. Data storage drive 24 can be a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disc drive, or the like. Data storage drive 24 is configured to selectively access at least one storage medium during a read or write operation.
Automation controller 26 is operatively configured to selectively position a storage media, as required for access by data storage drive 24, in support of the read or write operation. To accomplish this, automation controller 26 typically includes mechanical mechanisms, such as, for example, robotics, that are configured to move the correct storage media into a proper position for reading from or writing to by data storage drive 24.
As can be appreciated, there is an inherent need to carefully control the operation of data storage drive 24 and automation controller 26 during a read or write operation. Typically, automation controller 26 is controlled by commands provided from host computer 22, and data storage drive 24 is controlled by commands from both host computer 22 and automation controller 26. In such a configuration, automation controller 26 is essentially a xe2x80x9cmasterxe2x80x9d device and data storage drive 24 is essentially a xe2x80x9cslavexe2x80x9d device.
Commands from host computer 22 to automation controller 26 and data to/from data storage drive 24 are carried by link 27. Link 27 is usually a small computer system interface (SCSI) link that also carries data during the read or write operation.
Commands from automation controller 26 to data storage drive 24 are typically carried over a standard serial interface 30, such as, for example, an RS-422, or other like serial interface. Serial interface 30 typically allows automation controller 26 to co-coordinate activities with data storage drive 24, for example, by obtaining information (e.g., status, etc.) from data storage driver 24. This unidirectional information flow is one result of the master/slave relationship.
The configuration in FIG. 1, however, requires that both data storage drive 24 and automation controller 26 have SCSI interfaces. This requirement tends to increase the cost to the user. In more recent configurations, link 27 includes a Fibre Channel link. This requires that both data storage drive 24 and automation controller 26 have Fibre Channel interfaces, or that a bridge 28 or like device be introduced to bridge between Fibre Channel and SCSI interfaces in data storage drive 24 and automation controller 26. Both of these solutions can be very expensive to the user. Alternatively, replacing existing data storage systems with newer models can also be extraordinarily expensive and time consuming.
Thus, there is a need to provide for lower cost methods and arrangements that allow users to continue to utilize existing data storage devices, while taking advantage of higher bandwidth links, such as, for example, Fibre Channel. Preferably, the improved methods and arrangements will extend existing interfaces without compromising backwards compatibility. Moreover, providing bi-directional control and bi-directional information flow would tend to improve the operation of the data storage device by providing for increased coordination and communication.
The present invention provides improved methods and arrangements that allow users to continue to utilize existing data storage devices, while taking advantage of higher bandwidth links, such as, for example, Fibre Channel. The various improved methods and arrangements extend existing interfaces without compromising backwards compatibility, and allow for bidirectional control and/or bidirectional information flow.
Thus, for example, the above stated needs and others are met by a data storage device, in accordance with certain aspects of the present invention. The data storage device includes at least one data storage drive, an automation controller, and an enhanced interface.
The data storage drive can be operatively coupled to a computer or like device and arranged to perform a plurality of operations in response to one or more commands received from the computer. The automation controller is configured to physically provide the data storage drive with at least one data storage media. The enhanced interface operatively couples the data storage drive with the automation controller, such that the data storage drive can be selectively controlled by the automation controller and the automation controller can be selectively controlled by the data storage drive depending on the received commands. This arrangement also allows for bi-directional information flow.
In certain implementations, for example, the enhanced interface includes a serial interface and at least one additional line. Here, the additional line is configured to provide a directing signal from the data storage device to the automation controller. In other implementations, the serial interface is further configured to provide a directing signal from the data storage device to the automation controller. As a result of the enhanced interface, the data storage drive and automation controller are capable of being connected to the computer through a single host interface within the data storage drive. For example, the host interface can include a small computer system interface (SCSI) or a Fibre Channel interface to the computer. The data storage drive can include a magnetic tape drive, a magnetic disk, an optical disc drive, or the like.
In accordance with certain further aspects of the present invention, an enhanced interface is provided for use in a data storage device having at least one data storage drive configurable and an automation controller. The enhanced interface includes a first automation controller interface (ACI) portion configurable within a data storage drive, a second automation controller interface (ACI) portion configurable within an automation controller, and a serial interface connected between the first ACI and the second ACI. The serial interface is configurable to provide a directing signal from the data storage device to the automation controller such that the data storage drive can be selectively controlled by the automation controller and the automation controller can be selectively controlled by the data storage drive depending on commands received by the data storage drive from a computer. This arrangement provides bi-directional flow of information.
In accordance with still further aspects of the present invention, a method for use in a data storage device having at least one data storage drive and an automation controller is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a command from a host computer operatively coupled to a host interface within the data storage drive, and determining if the command is for the automation controller. If the command is for the automation controller, then the method includes the step of causing the data storage drive to send a directing signal to the automation controller over an enhanced interface that operatively couples the data storage drive with the automation controller. The method also includes the step of causing the automation controller to respond to the data storage driver upon receipt of the directing signal, such that the automation controller is selectively controlled by the data storage drive depending on the received command.

Methods and arrangements for providing bi-directional control between data storage drives and automation controllers

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Titanium-aluminum-niobium alloys having narrow and critical composition ranges are disclosed. The alloys have room temperature tensile elongations of 1.5% or greater and creep strength to density ratios better than certain nickel superalloys. Thus, they may replace other heavier base alloys in many applications up to 750.degree. C. Aluminum content must be closely controlled as excess amount decreases ductility while insufficient amount decreases creep strength. Niobium content is also critical as excess amount adversely affects creep strength-to-density ratio while insufficient amount decreases ductility. And there is an important interrelationship between niobium and aluminum.. Disclosed are alloys having atomic percent compositions of 24-27 Al, 11-16 Nb, balance Ti; more preferred are alloys of 24.5-26 Al, 12-15 Nb, balance Ti. (Nominally, these alloys in weight percent are Ti-13/15Al-19.5/30Nb and Ti-13.5/15Al-25/28Nb.) Vanadium is uniquely found to be substitutional for niobium in the foregoing alloys in amounts up to 4 atomic percent, thereby reducing density and increasing strength-to-density ratio while maintaining properties. Mechanical properties are dependent on heat treatment. For the best combination of strength and ductility, the alloys are heated or forged above the beta transus and controllably cooled to produce a fine Widmanstatten microstructure.

1. This invention relates to titanium base alloys of the Ti.sub.3 Al (alpha two) type which are usable at elevated temperatures and have useful ductility at lower temperatures.
2. Titanium alloys have found wide use in gas turbines in recent years but they are limited in use to temperatures below 600.degree. C. by decreasing strength. During the last twenty years there was considerable work on higher temperature alloys particularly those derived from the ordered alloys Ti.sub.3 Al (alpha two phase) and TiAl (gamma phase). However, none of the prior alloys based on TiAl and Ti.sub.3 Al has been found useful in engineering applications, mostly because the alloys which had strength did not have adequate low temperature ductility. Other factors limiting alloys' utility are lack of metallurgical stability, high density and lack of fabricability, (ability to be cast, forged, machined, etc.).
Presently, iron, nickel, and cobalt super alloys are used at temperatures beyond those at which titanium alloys are able to perform. To replace such alloys, of which nickel alloy INCO 713C is an example, new titanium alloys must have equal or better strength to density ratios. To be useful as engineering materials they also must have ductility at room and intermediate temperatures; that is, desirably at least 1.5% tensile elongation at room temperature and around 3% at 200.degree.-400.degree. C.
There has been further research on titanium aluminide alloys in the last few years, and this, coupled with improved tools and knowledge of metallurgy, has now produced new advances. In our copending application Ser. No. 060,265, filed July 25, 1979, we described new alloys of the TiAl type. We are now also able to disclose herein new alloys of the Ti.sub.3 Al type. It is well appreciated by those skilled in the art that the two alloy types are quite metallurgically distinct and have dissimilar alloying characteristics (as in fact, a comparison of our applications will support).
For much background on the prior art in titanium aluminum alloys, we make reference, and incorporate, the Background in our aforementioned application. Of the references in our other application, Jaffee U.S. Pat. No. 2,880,087 is worth further note here. Ti.sub.3 Al in weight percent is the alloy Ti-14AL1. Jaffee broadly discloses alloys of 8-34 weight percent aluminum containing from 0.5-50 percent columbium, vanadium, many other elements, and mixtures thereof, but no teaching is given on proportions of the elements V and Cb, nor of any particular criticality within the range. It will be seen below that such broadly comprised alloys are not of utility in engineered machines.
Winter in U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,901 discloses Ti-Al-Nb alloys, particularly those having by weight percent 10-30 Al, and 8 parts Nb for every 7 parts Al. Specific alloys range from Ti-12Al-12Nb to Ti-17.5Al-20 Nb. The alloy compositions taught by Winter are constrained, as the phase diagram, FIG. 1, of his patent indicates. The alloys fall along the line which includes the compositions TiNbAl.sub.3 and NbAl.sub.3, and define the particular relation of Nb and Al, which we have now discovered does not produce the best properties. While Winter discloses favorable 800.degree. C. tensile elongations of about 5.15%, lower temperature ductilities are not disclosed. Additions of Si, Hf, Zr, and Sn are mentioned to improve workability and strength.
In the early 1960's McAndrew et al made reports entitled "Investigation of the Ti-Al-Cb System as a Source of Alloys for Use at 1200.degree.-1800.degree. F.". Among these reports are WADD 60-99 and ASD-TR-61-446, Parts I and II, published by the U.S. Air Force, Wright Paterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Initially a matrix of alloys was cast, containing by weight 5-15% Al and from 15-30% Cb in increments of 2.5%. The strong effect of Al was noted in all Cb contents, although this is not to say it was entirely consistent. In the second phase, sheet was made from scaled up heats of Ti-15Al-17.5Cb and Ti-10Al-15Cb to evaluate heat treat response and other behavior. Since none of the Ti-Al-Cb alloys were deemed to have adequate combination of properties, subsequent work evaluated improved purity (no strong effect found) and additions of 1-5% Zr, Hf and Sn. It was concluded that alloys of high Cb and Al content were preferred with quarternary additions of Hf and Zr. Also seen to be promising were Ti-12.5/15Al-22.5Cb-0.5/5(Hf/Zr/Sn). The third and final phase of the work included evaluation of Ti-12.5Al-35Cb and Ti-17.5Al-17.5Cb; but these alloys had negligible room temperature ductility. The most promising alloys were seen to be Ti-13Al-25Cb-5Hf-0.1C and Ti-15Al-22.5Cb-1Sn. Heat treatments and other processing were also reported on. Although still appearing foresighted in systematic pursuit of the Ti-Al-Cb system, McAndrew et al did not succeed in establishing for the Ti-Al-Cb system the optimum relationship of Al and Cb, although some of their test alloys came near to those which we will reveal below. The teaching of the McAndrew et al work is that there is no particularly promising Ti-Al-Cb alloy except those which contain 1-5% Hf/Zr/Sn. And of Ti-Al-Cb-Hf/Zr/Sn alloys, the teaching from the two aforementioned least unpromising alloys is that when Al is increased, Cb should be decreased.
Thus, it may be said first that the prior art reveals Ti-Al-Nb alloys in general and certain specific compositions. Among the various beta promoters there is no strong distinction especially insofar as providing advantage in a combination of low temperature ductility and creep resistance.


A pipe coupling includes a male coupling member detachably connected to a female coupling member by a chuck member of the female coupling member. The chuck member is disposed radially outside of a female coupling body to extend forward beyond a front end opening. The chuck member is displaceable in a longitudinal direction and also radially displaceable between a locking position where a locking groove locks a locking projection and an unlocking position where the locking groove is displaced radially outward from the locking position to unlock the locking projection. When the chuck member is displaced rearward from a temporarily connecting position to a connecting position in a state where the locking groove has locked the locking projection in the temporarily connecting position, the chuck member draws the male coupling member into a female-side passage to connect the male coupling member to the female coupling member.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A female coupling member and a male coupling member which are detachably connected to each other are usually configured to be connected together by engaging a locking element of the female coupling member into a locking element engagement groove of the male coupling member. The locking element is radially displaceably held in a through-hole gradually reduced in diameter toward the inner side which is formed in a cylindrical body of the male coupling member. When locking the male coupling member, the locking element projects inward from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body to engage in the locking element engagement groove of the male coupling member. According to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-196603 (JP '603), when in the engaged state, the locking element is held by a sleeve from the outer side.
The female coupling member and the male coupling member are sealingly engaged with each other by a seal member, e.g. an O-ring, to prevent a fluid flowing through the inside of the coupling members from leaking to the outside. As shown in JP '603, there is also a pipe coupling wherein each coupling member is provided with a valve mechanism to close a flow path by the valve mechanism when the coupling members are not connected to each other, thereby preventing leakage of the internal fluid.
The above-described pipe couplings are configured to prevent the internal fluid from leaking to the outside by using a seal member or a valve mechanism. There may, however, be a small leakage of internal fluid adhering around the area of sealing when the coupling members are disconnected from each other, for example. When the internal fluid is a high-viscosity liquid or a corrosive liquid such as the electrolyte of a battery, if the leaking liquid adheres to a movable member such as a locking element, the liquid may solidify or corrode the movable element, resulting in the movable element being stuck to become non-displaceable, causing malfunction. If the liquid collects and solidifies in the locking element engagement groove of the male coupling member, it may be impossible to effect appropriate locking by the locking element.

Pipe coupling comprising female coupling member and male coupling member


Compositions, methods and related apparatus, as can be used for selective protein detection and identification.

The presence of certain biomarker proteins and/or irregular protein concentrations is a sign of cancer and other disease states. Sensitive, convenient and precise protein-sensing methods provide crucial tools for the early diagnosis of diseases and successful treatment of patients. However, protein detection is a challenging problem owing to the structural diversity and complexity of the target analytes. At present, the most extensively used detection method for proteins is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this system, the capture antibodies immobilized onto surfaces bind the antigen through a "lock-key" approach, and another enzyme-coupled antibody is combined to react with chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates to generate detectable signals. Despite its high sensitivity; the application of this method is restricted because of its high production cost, instability and challenges regarding quantification. Although synthetic systems would alleviate some of these concerns, obtaining high affinity and specificity remains quite challenging. As a result, the search for sensitive, efficient and cost-effective protein detection and identification remains an on-going concern in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and compositions for protein detection using nanoparticle-fluorescent polymer complexes


A method for calibrating a triangulation sensor including a light emitting unit for emitting measuring light and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is arranged with known position and orientation relative to the light receiving unit and the triangulation sensor which is adapted to provide triangulation-based position measurements. A calibration setup which comprises the triangulation sensor and a calibration target providing a defined calibration pattern, and a calibration measurement is performed with reference to the calibration target by means of the triangulation sensor. An image of the calibration target is captured by means of the light receiving unit, and the captured image is processed with deriving a pattern image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system and deriving a light image position with reference to the inner sensor image coordinate system.

It is common practice to inspect work pieces subsequent to production e.g. on a coordinate positioning apparatus, such as a coordinate measuring machine (CMM), in order to check for correctness of predefined object parameters, like dimensions and shape of the object. Moreover, a detection of a surface of an unknown object is of interest in many industrial applications. Such measurement typically also may be provided using a coordinate measuring machine or any other suitable type of scanning device.
In a conventional 3-D coordinate measurement machine, a probe head is supported for movement along three mutually perpendicular axes (in directions X, Y and Z). Thereby, the probe head can be guided to any arbitrary point in space of a measuring volume of the coordinate measuring machine and the object is measurable with a measurement sensor (probing unit) carried by the probe head. Such probing unit can be designed as a tactile probe or an optical sensor providing measurements of surfaces e.g. based on the principle of triangulation.
In a simple form of the machine a suitable transducer mounted parallel to each axis is able to determine the position of the probe head relative to a base of the machine and, therefore, to determine the coordinates of measurement points on the object being illuminated by the sensor. For providing movability of the probe head a typical coordinate measuring machine may comprise a frame structure on which the probe head is arranged and driving means for moving frame components of the frame structure relative to each other.
An advantage of using an optical sensor is that it is not in contact with the part and therefore does not deform it during the measurement or damage it, as may be the case with a tactile probe.
A further advantage of using a (line) triangulation device in combination with a CMM for measuring a surface is the amount of distance information being received by one time step, i.e. distance values along the entire projected triangulation line can be determined and respective coordinates can be derived. Thus, by moving the sensor along a desired measuring path an object to be measured can entirely be scanned significantly faster.
Over the past 20 years, manually operated portable CMM systems (e.g. articulated arm CMMs), comprising typically four segments linked together with one or two rotation axes per linkage and a total of six or seven axes, have become popular for non repetitive measurement tasks on the shop floor. Line triangulation devices are also used on such portable CMMs to greatly increase data capture speed.
Other portable measurement devices where triangulation units are used include optically tracked systems, either using multiple cameras to track the probe location and orientation or interferometric distance tracking devices, where the rotational axes of the probe are tracked using an additional camera.
Other applications for line triangulation sensors include fixed installations where an object is placed in front of the sensor or sensors and single line measurement(s) of the static object are made such that key features of the part can be captured in a single step without the need for expensive positioning systems.
Furthermore, a device for providing a topographic measurement of a surface can be embodied as a (hand-held) device comprising a triangulation sensor, wherein the device is guided along the surface to be measured—either manually or by a robot—and distance data is acquired by the sensor while moving the device. Additionally, the position and/or orientation of such device may continuously be determined (e.g. tracked) in a global coordinate system thus enabling a determination of absolute coordinates corresponding to the object's surface.
In general, triangulation provides a method for scanning a surface in fast and precise manner. Measuring devices working on that principle are for instance known from DE 10 2004 026 090 A1 or WO 2011/000435 A1.
In particular, a line generated by a laser unit, e.g. by moving a laser point along such line or by providing a laser fan, is generated on an object to be measured and the light reflected from the surface is detected by a camera consisting of a light sensitive image sensor (light detector) and electronics to control the image sensor and read out the image. An image of the reflected light is captured and distance information according to the contour of the detected line is derived. Based thereon, topography of the object's surface can be determined.
For triangulation measurements with high precision, an illumination and detection of respectively reflected light has to be provided which comprises a required level of illumination and an adequate detection of the light information. For adjusting illumination so that the reflected light reaches the detector meeting its respective detection properties (e.g. signal-to-noise level and saturation limit) WO 2011/000435 A1 discloses an approach of an in-advanced illumination in order to determine a suitable illumination level for the measuring light. WO 2007/125081 A1 discloses a further approach for actively controlling the power of illuminating light in dependency upon an intensity detected by a camera.
However, in case of regions to be illuminated which significantly differ regarding their reflecting properties there still remains the problem of providing a usable signal over the whole width of a projected laser line. Particularly, surfaces with low roughness, i.e. mirror-like surfaces such as chrome, are difficult to measure due to strong inhomogeneity of the reflected light towards the image sensor.
Another problem with respect to precision of measurements is the possible occurrence of long-term drifts of particular sensor components, e.g. of electronics or optical arrangements, or a drift concerning a relative arrangement of such components. Such drifts may be induced by thermal effects like heating up of a light source or by changing of ambient conditions. As one result of such effect position values which are measured with the system may be acquired with particular errors which finally result in erroneous position measurements.
Possible effects due to thermal changes are unknown tilting or offset of a laser plane which is generated by a laser source on side of a measuring light source. Such tilting or offset can cause significant erroneous measurements for instance regarding calculated distances. Furthermore, a deviation in position and/or orientation may also occur for the light receiving part of the sensor.
Therefore, there remains a problem of providing reliable measuring values in light of above mentioned long term drifts.
Above described problems relate to external influences on the measuring system which result in possible measurement errors. In advance of considering environmental influences there typically has to be provided a further (geometrical) calibration of the triangulation sensor which can guarantee for correct and accurate determination of measuring values. In particular, reference coordinates at an object can be measured with the triangulation sensor and verified or corrected by use of an additional measuring system.
Such basic calibration typically is comparatively time consuming with respect to setting up a calibration arrangement and quite complex as there has to be provided exact reference coordinate information.


A two-phase, single-ply-electrode type charge-coupled device is provided that has a pair of a potential barrier region and a charge storage region underlying one charge transfer electrode. The charge storage region is formed in such a manner that the potential of the charge storage region becomes gradually deep in charge transfer direction. This structure enables smooth charge transfer.

The present invention relates to a two-phase charge-coupled device with a single-layered electrode structure where a pair of potential barrier region and a charge storage region are disposed underneath one charge transfer electrode, and more particularly to a method for producing the charge-coupled device.
There are two types of charge-coupled devices: a 2-phase, 2-ply-electrode-type charge-coupled device and a 2-phase, single-ply electrode-type charge-coupled device.
The 2-phase, 2-ply electrode type charge-coupled device is disclosed in references: JP-A-192561/1992, JP-4133/1986, and IEDM Technical Digest, 1974, pp 55-58. This charge-coupled device is fabricated as follows:
Referring to FIGS. 12(A) to 12(E), an N-type semiconductor region 702 is first formed on a P-type semiconductor substrate 701. Then, a first insulating film 703 is formed on the surface of the N-type semiconductor region 702 though a heating process (FIG. 12(A)).
A first conductive electrode 704 of polycrystalline silicon is formed on the first insulating film 703 (FIG. 12(B)). As seen in FIG. 13, the first conductive electrode 704 has a rectangular top pattern. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view corresponding to FIG. 12(B). The first conductive electrodes 704 are disposed at constant intervals.
Next, impurities (e.g. boron) of a conductivity type opposite to that of the N-type semiconductor region 702 are implanted into regions between the first conductive electrodes 704, so that a N.sup.- -type semiconductor region 705 is formed (FIG. 12(C)). FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view corresponding to FIG. 12(C).
In succession, the first insulating film 703 is removed with the first conductive electrode 704 acting as a mask. Thereafter, the intermediate structure is again subjected to a heating process to form the second insulating film 706. A second conductive electrode 707 of polycrystalline silicon is formed on the second insulating film 706 corresponding to the first conductive electrode 704 and the N.sup.- -type semiconductor region 705 (FIG. 12(D)). FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view corresponding to FIG. 12(D).
Next, an interlayered insulating film 708 is disposed. Electrodes are interconnected with metal conductors 709 (FIG. 12(E)). Thus, a conventional 2-phase, 2-ply electrode charge-coupled device is fabricated.
The progress of the micro patterning technique has allowed a single-ply electrode-type charge-coupled device with a electrode spacing of 0.2 to 0.3 .mu.m to be fabricated by etching single-ply conductive electrode materials.
The charge-coupled device with the single-ply electrode structure has no electrode portions overlapped. This structure provides a small capacitance between layers and raises no insulation fault between electrodes. Moreover, the oxidizing process is not required to form the interlayered film. This allows metal films or silicide films to be used as an electrode material, instead of the polycrystalline silicon, so that the resistance component of the electrode can be decreased.
The 2-phase, single-ply electrode type charge-coupled device is fabricated according to the FIGS. 16(A) to 16(D).
An N-type semiconductor region 802 is first formed on a P-type semiconductor substrate 801. Then, the intermediate structure is subjected in a heating process to form an insulating film 803 on the surface of the N-type semiconductor region 802 (FIG. 16(A)).
Next, impurities (e.g. boron) of an opposite conductivity type to the second conductivity type of the N-type semiconductor region 802 are implanted with a photoresist in a predetermined pattern acting as a mask. Thus, the N.sup.- -type semiconductor region 805 is formed (FIG. 16(B)). FIG. 17 is a schematic plan diagram corresponding to FIG. 16(B).
In succession, a conductive electrode 804 of a polycrystalline silicon is formed on the insulating film 803 (FIG. 16(C)). The conductive electrode 804 is patterned so as to have a pair of a charge storage region and a potential barrier region. FIG. 16(C) is a schematic plan diagram corresponding to FIG. 16(C).
Next, an interlayered film 808 is formed on the surface of the intermediate structure. Electrodes are interconnected with metal conductors 809 (FIG. 16(D)).
Thus, a conventional 2-phase drive type charge-coupled device with a single-ply electrode structure can be obtained.
On the other hand, in the 2-phase, 2-ply electrode type charge-coupled device, the potential barrier region is self-aligned with the charge transfer electrode and is formed in a rectangular pattern. In this structure, it has been difficult to provide a potential distribution sloped in the charge transfer direction to facilitate the charge transfer.
JP-A-192561/1994 discloses a solid-state image pickup device having slanted electrode patterns. However, even in this image pickup device, since the potential in the charge storage region becomes shallow gradually in a charge transfer direction, the advantages of the present invention cannot be obtained.
Moreover, the same problem arises in the above-mentioned single-ply electrode, 2-phase drive charge transfer device.

Charge-coupled device with potential barrier and charge storage regions


An IC module includes a lead frame having terminals that are to be connected to an antenna coil of an IC card, and an IC chip and multilayer chip capacitors for tuning mounted on the lead frame and encapsulated by a resin. The multilayer chip capacitors are mounted in grooves on the lead frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an IC module in which an IC chip and tuning capacitor are integrated, and to a wireless information-storage medium or a wireless information-transmitting/receiving apparatus, such as a contactless IC card, including the IC module.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wireless information-storage medium of the type mentioned above (hereinafter referred to as an IC card) includes a loop antenna, an IC chip connected to terminals of the loop antenna, and tuning capacitors formed on a principal surface of a plastic card substrate. The wireless information-storage medium is used, for example, for checking transportation tickets or management of room entry and exit.
When the contactless IC card is placed in proximity to a loop antenna of a reader/writer (i.e., a device for reading and writing) that is provided separately, an induced voltage is generated between the terminals of the loop antenna of the IC card by electromagnetic induction. The IC chip receives a power-supply voltage obtained by stabilizing the induced voltage, and demodulates a modulated wave transmitted from the reader/writer, thereby receiving data transmitted from the reader/writer. When data stored in a memory of the IC chip is to be transmitted to the reader/writer, a load in the IC chip is varied according to the data to change the terminal impedance of the loop antenna, and the reader/writer demodulates a modulated wave transmitted from the IC card to detect the variation of the load, thereby receiving the data from the IC card.
When the contactless IC card is manufactured, capacitors for tuning the signal frequency f of an antenna coil are also formed on the substrate. Since the signal frequency f of the antenna coil can be expressed as f=1/(2π√(LC)), where C denotes the capacitance of the capacitors and L denotes the inductance of the antenna coil, the signal frequency of the antenna coil is tuned by adjusting the capacitance of the capacitors.
More specifically, with a polyimide film or a polyethylene naphthalate film forming the substrate as an insulator, electrodes of copper or aluminum are formed on both sides of the film, whereby film capacitors are formed on the substrate.
The film capacitors constructed as described above, however, suffer low precision of capacitance because of non-uniformity in the thickness of polyimide films or polyethylene naphthalate films manufactured. Thus, a final product actually requires a delicate adjustment of capacitance by trimming.
Furthermore, since variation of dielectric loss tangent (tanθ) in relation to temperature change is large in capacitors that are formed using a polyimide film or a polyethylene naphthalate film, it is inhibited to satisfy desired temperature characteristics of the tuning capacitors.
As for multilayer chip capacitors, although manufacturing precision of capacitance is high and temperature characteristics are favorable, a thickness on the order of 300 μm inhibits their use in very thin devices such as IC cards.

IC module, and wireless information-storage medium and wireless information-transmitting/receiving apparatus including the IC module