Tracers that can be used for PET or SPECT imaging of the distribution of Pgp are disclosed. The tracers are metalloprobes that can comprise a radioactive metal ion such as 67Ga or 68Ga. Methods of synthesizing the tracers, and methods of imaging heart and other tissues are also disclosed. The tracers can be used to obtain high signal-to-background ratios for imaging tissues in vivo such as heart or tumor tissue. In various embodiments, disclosed tracers can exhibit, a) enhanced first pass extraction into heart tissue compared to presently available probes, b) linearity with true blood flow, c) enhanced detection of myocardial viability compared to presently available probes, d) reduced liver retention compared to presently available probes, and e) more efficient clearance from non-cardiac and adjoining tissues compared to presently available probes.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in the United States. Annual costs of approximately S475 billion have been estimated by the NIH for heart and stroke diseases. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy is widely employed in the evaluation of patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has acquired great value in nuclear cardiology. While 99mTc-Sestamibi and 201Tl, both single photon agents, have dominated the MPI field for the past two decades, there has been great interest in the development of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) perfusion agents to exploit the potential for enhanced spatial and dynamic resolution that PET offers. However, no 18F-based agent is yet clinically available. Interestingly, there has been a recent increase in world-wide intensity for developing 68Ga-based radiopharmaceuticals as potential new PET agents, which may provide a non-cyclotron-based resource for new PET radiopharmaceuticals and applications. In addition, recent threats to the stable production and supply chain of 99mTc have added further urgency to the search for a viable PET perfusion agent. Among the several agents that are commercially available for perfusion imaging, all of these suffer from one or more shortcomings that render them less than ideal for cardiac perfusion studies. Among these shortcomings are: a) limited first pass extraction at high flow (99mTc-Sestamibi and Thallous Chloride Tl-201) and b) poor liver clearance (99m-Sestamibi, 99mTc-teboroxime. 99mTc-Tetrofosmin, and 99mTc-Q complexes). While the former factor can decrease sensitivity, the latter component can increase background noise from adjacent tissues thereby atficting signal-to-noise ratios. The resulting image quality can be less than optimal for interpretation by clinicians in nuclear medicine or physicians such as radiologists.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology allows a three dimensional reconstruction of the distribution of radiopharmaceuticals in vivo to quantify tissue activity levels and allow high resolution imaging. Ga-68 is considered a short-lived positron emitting radionuclide available from 68Ge/68Ga generator systems. These systems are widely available in Europe and are employed for clinical applications across the continent. Such generator systems can be installed in any small nuclear medicine facility nationwide and are not dependent on cyclotrons to produce PET radionuclides. Furthermore, there are two gallium radioisotopes: Ga-68 and Ga-67. The other radionuclide, Gallium-67 can be produced from a cyclotron from Zinc-68 and has a half-life of 78.2 hours, and is commercially available as radioactive gallium chloride or gallium citrate for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) applications.
The multidrug resistance (MDR1) P-glycoprotein (Pgp; ABCB1) is an outwardly directed membrane transporter expressed on the cell surface of many normal tissues as well as multidrug resistance cancers. Because Pgp is also expressed on the biliary surface of hepatocytes, the transporter functions to excrete substances into the bile. Thus, MPI agents that are recognized by Pgp, such as 99mTc-sestambi, show rapid clearance profiles from the liver, which significantly reduces cross-contamination of liver signals into the inferior wall of the myocardium. This important property results in more reliable and enhanced quantitative analysis of myocardial images in nuclear medicine clinics.
Pgp is also localized on the luminal surface of vascular endothelial cells of the brain and serves as a component of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Acting as an efflux transporter, Pgp is believed to block brain uptake of moderately hydrophobic drugs by directly excluding such substances from the CNS compartment, thereby offering a natural protection mechanism for the brain. Apart from the well-characterized role of Pgp as a mediator of chemotherapeutic multidrug resistance in cancer patients, Pgp has also been postulated to play an important role in development of Aβ-pathophysiology within the brain, as well as in other neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, many agents recognized by Pgp are moderately hydrophobic as well as cationic under physiological conditions; some hydrophobic cations are known to penetrate Pgp negative cells or tissues in response to negative transmembrane potentials (both plasma- and mitochondrial potentials), and are localized within the mitochondria. Among various tissues, myocardium is mitochondrial rich and is also a Pgp negative tissue.
WO2008/128058 of H. Kung discloses a compound of formula
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein A1, A2 and A3 are the same or different cycloalkyl, wherein at least one of A1, A2 or A3 is substituted; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are independently hydrogen or alkyl; R7 and R8 are independently hydrogen or alkyl, and RP is hydrogen or a sulthydryl protecting group.

PET/SPECT agents for applications in biomedical imaging


Corner protectors, including corner protectors for furniture corners, are shown and described. Corner protectors may include, in some examples, a body, a first end including a shoulder, a second end including a cutout, a first side, and a second side. A cutout may include an attachment projection and an attachment receptor. Corner protector sheets may stack for convenient storage, with individual corner protectors removable from the corner protector sheet and each taking on an expanded form to fit around a furniture corner.

Corners on furniture are often where the most damage occurs due to multiple impacts with sides of trucks, the ground, or other goods during shipment. Corners are one of the primary areas of concern when considering the protection of finished goods, and, often become costly damage points for manufactures and/or delivery companies. There is a challenge to ensure that furniture like sofas, tables, hutches, servers etc. will arrive in pristine condition at an end customers location, such as a home or office, and that the furniture looks just like it did in the furniture showroom, in pictures in a catalog, or on an online website.
When damaged goods arrive at a customer's location, they cost manufacturers hard dollars in warranty claims that are remedied through additional manufacturing repairs, and also additional shipping costs. When damaged goods arrive at a customer's location, they also result in soft dollar costs that materialize in the form of a damaged brand name and damaged reputation.
Some conventional methods to reduce or eliminate damage that occurs during shipment of furniture goods have been in the form of large and expensive thick plastic poly bags or bubble wrap, or with oversized corrugated boxes. Linear low-density poly bags, in some examples, require more labor to apply large amounts of clear tape required to seal the bags properly, and while damage is often reduced during shipments, the price paid to wrap the manufactured goods is prohibitive because of both labor and raw materials required. The use of excessive oversized corrugated boxes usually results in significantly less efficient shipping, excess environmental impact, and substantial additional finished goods expenses. Both of these types of wrappings to cover furniture, however, also over-protect large portions of the finished furniture that are not prone to damage, significantly raising costs by providing unnecessary wrapping and an inability to focus protection where it is most necessary. Such traditional wrappings may also be extremely time-intensive, not malleable, and/or increase labor costs for packagers. It is to these and other challenges the invention of the present disclosure is directed.


A venting closure mechanism for a pouch includes first and second closure profiles that interlock and third and fourth closure profiles that interlock. A sealing flap extends from the first closure element between the first and third closure profiles and engages the second closure element to form a releasable gastight seal therebetween. When the first and second closure elements are occluded, a first plurality of longitudinally spaced first exhaust channels is disposed on a product-side of the sealing flap and a second plurality of longitudinally spaced second exhaust channels is disposed on a user-side of the sealing flap. A first pouch sidewall is attached to the first closure element at an exterior surface thereof between a user-side edge of the first closure element and the sealing flap. An interior surface of the first pouch sidewall is textured with a pattern that provides flow channels therealong.

A container that can store contents without unused space within the container facilitates efficient use of storage space. Such a container may be made, for example, of a flexible material, and may, for example, include a mechanism that allows a user to expel excess gas out of the container. The container may also include a resealable closure mechanism that allows a user to repeatedly unseal and seal the container, and the resealable closure mechanism may include the mechanism that allows the user to expel excess gas from the container.
One such closure mechanism is disposed across a main opening in a flexible pouch. A first closure element has a female profile extending from a first base portion thereof that is attached to an interior surface of a first pouch sidewall. A second closure element has a male profile extending from a second base thereof that is attached to an interior surface of an opposite second pouch sidewall. The male profile interlocks with the female profile to occlude the closure mechanism. A flexible leg extends from the first base on a product side of the female profile. An aperture is disposed coincidentally through the first base and the first pouch sidewall between the female profile and the flexible leg. The second base includes a contact surface opposite the flexible leg for forming a seal with the flexible leg when contacted by an end of the flexible leg. The closure mechanism in an occluded state prevents gas from entering the pouch. Increased gas pressure from an interior of the pouch forces the flexible leg out of contact with the contact surface, thereby allowing gas to be forced out of the pouch past the flexible leg and through the aperture. Instead of an aperture through the first base, another closure mechanism has transverse slots cut into the female profile, and the flexible leg and contact surface are on a user side of the male and female profiles. Still another closure mechanism has second male and female closure profiles added on a user side of the flexible leg and the contact surface, and the second female closure profile has transverse slots cut therethrough to allow gas to escape from the pouch.
Another closure mechanism is disposed on a flexible pouch. A first closure element has first and second hooked profiles that extend therefrom and a second closure element has third and fourth hooked profiles that extend therefrom. The first and second hooked profiles interlock respectively with the third and fourth hooked profiles to engage the first closure element to the second closure element in an occluded closed position, wherein fluid cannot escape from an interior of the pouch. A user may compress the first closure element and the second closure element together to disengage the first and second hooked profiles from the third and fourth hooked profiles, thereby defining an occluded venting position that allows fluid to flow from an interior of the pouch between and past the first and second closure elements to an exterior of the pouch.
Yet another closure mechanism is disposed between first and second opposing pouch sidewalls. The closure mechanism has a first closure element that is releasably engageable to a second closure element. The first closure element has a first fin extending downwardly therefrom, and the second closure element has a second fin extending downwardly therefrom. Each of the first and second fins is sealed to the respective first and second pouch sidewalls and includes a vent disposed therethrough. A top portion of each of the first and second pouch sidewalls overlaps the vent disposed in each respective fin to form a gastight seal between the fin and the sidewall. The top portion of the sidewall may be forcibly separated from the fin by internal gas pressure to allow gas to escape from an interior of the pouch. In another closure mechanism, vents are disposed through each of the first and second pouch sidewalls and are overlapped by the respective first and second fins to form a gastight seal that may be released by internal gas pressure to allow gas to escape from an interior of the pouch.


A process for producing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of:. (a) on a semiconductor Si substrate having a gate electrode formed thereon through the intermediary of an SiO.sub.2 film, PA1 (b) injecting ions into said substrate; and PA1 (c) subjecting said substrate to a heat treatment with or without removal of the side wall of SiO.sub.2, thereby forming a diffusion region in the substrate.. i) forming as side wall of SiO.sub.2 on the side of said gate electrode followed by formation of an SiN film over the entire surface of the Si substrate, or PA2 ii) forming on the entire surface of said substrate, an SiO.sub.2 film and and SiN film in sequence, followed by formation of a side wall of SiO.sub.2 on the side of said gate electrode;

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a process for producing a MOS type memory cell having a so-called LDD structure by forming a diffusion region on a silicon substrate using, as a mask, a gate electrode having a side wall.
(2) Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 6(a) to 6(f) show a typical conventional process for producing a MOS type memory cell. In this process, a polysilicon layer 43 as a gate material is formed on a Si substrate 41 through the intermediary of a gate oxide film 42. An NSG layer (non-doped silicate glass layer) 44 is formed as required on the polysilicon layer 43 for the purpose of improving the gate characteristic, as shown in FIG. 6(a). Then, a resist layer 45 is formed thereon. Subsequently, a wet etching is effected on a resist layer 45 so as to form this resist layer into a predetermined pattern for forming a gate electrode. Subsequently, a photo-etching is conducted to form a laminate structure composed of a gate electrode 49 having the polysilicon layer 43 and the NSG layer 44 and the resist layer 45, as shown in FIG. 6(a).
Then, after the removal of the resist layer 45, an SiO.sub.2 layer 46a having a gate electrode 49 is formed on the Si substrate 41, as shown in FIG. 6(b), followed by an RIE (reactive ion etching) method for forming a side wall 46, as shown in FIG. 6(c).
In a subsequent step, As+ ions 47 are injected as shown in FIG. 6(d) while the gate electrode 49 and the side wall 46 are used as a mask, whereby an ion injected layer (not shown) is formed. Then, a heat-treatment is conducted to form a source-drain diffusion region 48 on the Si substrate 41 as shown in FIG. 6(e).
Then, a BPSG (boron-doped phospho-silicate glass) film 60 as an inter-layer insulating film is laminated on the entire area. Contact holes 50 are formed through the BPSG film so as to reach the diffusion region 48 and a metallic wiring 51 is laid to fill the contact holes 50, whereby a MOS type memory cell is formed as shown in FIG. 6(f).
This known process suffers from the following disadvantages. Namely, there is a risk that crystalline defects tend to be generated in the side wall edge portion 46b and in the diffusion region 48, as a result of injection of As+ ions 47 (see FIG. 6(d)) and/or the heat treatment (see FIG. 6(e)).
More specifically, the RIE method conducted for the purpose of forming the side wall 46 (see FIG. 6(c)) also damages the Si substrate. In the subsequent heat treatment, defects are produced around the damaged portions of the Si substrate since these damaged portions serve as nuclei. In addition, the side wall edge portion 46b forms a steep slope with respect to the surface of the Si substrate so that a large stress is incurred on the surface region of the Si substrate. As a consequence, the stress is transferred into the Si substrate through a subsequent heat treatment, with the result that a crystalline defect is formed in the Si substrate.
In addition, there is a risk that the BPSG layer 60 is diffused as impurities into the diffusion region 48 during formation of this film 60. This undesirably increases electrical leak in the products and reduces the yield of the products.
The following process has been proposed to overcome the above-described problems. In this proposed process an SiO.sub.2 layer 63 is formed on a gate electrode 62 of a Si substrate 61 as shown in FIG. 7(a), followed by a combination of an RIE method and an HF etching method so that a side wall 51 is formed while leaving an SiO.sub.2 film on the gate electrode 62, as shown in FIG. 7(b). According to this method, damaging of the Si substrate 61 due to RIE method is avoided. In addition, a taper 51a is formed by the residue of the SiO.sub.2 film on the end of the side wall, thus relieving stress applied to the Si substrate. However, when ion injection is conducted on this laminate structure, oxygen is introduced into the Si substrate from the SiO.sub.2 film formed thereon, so that a crystalline defect is formed in the diffusion layer formed by the heat treatment. More specifically, referring to FIG. 8, the defect density is small when the thickness of a SiO.sub.2 film 64 ranges between 300 and 500 .ANG. but is increased when the thickness is reduced, in case where the As+ ions are injected at an energy density of 80 KeV and a dosage 5.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-2. In this process, however, the film thickness largely fluctuates because of use the RIE method for forming the side wall, so that it is not easy to control the film thickness to the above-mentioned restricted range. Thus, the SiO.sub.2 film thickness below 300 A undesirably allows implantation of a large quantity of oxygen atoms from the SiO.sub.2 film into the Si substrate, thus inducing generation of crystalline defects.
The current demand for larger scale of integration of semiconductor devices requires that the diffusion layer be formed to a smaller depth and with a high quality devoid of any defect. A process which employs a short heat treatment at high temperature subsequent to the ion injection of FIG. 6(d) is considered as being a promising process for obtaining such a thin diffusion layer of a high quality. According to this process, however, slip lines are liable to be formed around transfer loops which are generated during the heat-treatment and which function as nuclei, due to a rapid cooling which is essential in the short heat-treatment. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, defects tend to be generated in two stages: namely, in the interface S1 between the amorphous Si and the crystalline Si of the Si substrate 1 and in a region near the projection range (Pr) S2. In FIG. 9, S1a and S2a show defects which originate from transfer loops. In particular, the defect S1a generated in the deep interface S1 is liable to cause a leak in the diffusion layer.
The following reference is available as showing an art relevant to the invention of this application:
M. Tamura et al, Japanese Journal of Applied
Physics, 27(12), 2209-2217, 1988

Process for producing semiconductor device


Techniques for voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuits that are independent of temperature and process variations are described herein.

A variety of electronic components utilize voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) circuits. A VCO circuit provides a frequency output that is proportional to an applied voltage. Providing clock signals, producing accurate waveforms, and providing feedback signals are among the many possible uses of VCO circuits. VCO circuits are typically used, for example, in computers, computer peripherals, counters, timers, calculators, oscilloscopes, and wireless electronic equipment, including cellular telephones and other communication devices.
One example of a device that may use a VCO circuit is a Switching-Mode Power Supply (SMPS). An SMPS enables an electrical device to operate from a variety of different power supplies, and may be included in electronic components ranging from computers, automotive components, aircraft systems, cellular telephones and other types of communication devices and systems. Modern SMPS typically use resonant switching techniques to reduce switching losses and allow high-frequency operation, thus increasing power density. One important topology for such SMPS applications is known as the LLC resonant half bridge which senses an output voltage, generates a feedback signal, and then uses this feedback signal to control an operating switching frequency of the SMPS. Although desirable results have been achieved using conventional topologies, there is room for improvement.

Temperature and process independent voltage controlled oscillator circuit


A simulation method allowing an experimenter to test and debug computer programs concurrently. The method ultilizes the generation of signatures to observe interactions of various subprogram paths with a reference case.

Based on the power of the computer and on the ability to build adequate models of reality, the simulation of experiments has become an increasingly effective and often superior substitute for physical experimentation. For example, the building and testing of engineering prototypes is an experimentation effort that is done more and more in terms of models and simulations rather than conventionally.
Concurrent Simulation (CS) is the simultaneous, side-by-side simulation of related experiments within one computer run. CS is a method that runs on conventional computers, performing concurrent experiments without concurrent hardware. It applies and is limited to systems simulated with discrete events. Typically 10 to 1,000 times faster than serial (one-at-a-time) simulation of single experiments, its speed is largely based on the number and similarities between experiments. CS dates from 1970/1973 and was first developed for fault simulation of gate-level digital networks. Over the years it has increased in generality and, more recently, evolved into a simulation methodology. Whenever discrete event simulation is the method chosen to solve a particular problem, CS is usually better than serial simulation. CS has several advantages over serial simulation.
First, all experiments advance synchronously through the dimension of time, and CS is therefore analogous to a race in which the experiments are competitors. This constitutes a race methodology and a comparative style of simulation. This methodology and the speed of CS permit the solution of problems more difficult and larger than with serial simulation. A simulation strategy based on this methodology and comparative style is to simulate and observe related experiments which are initially the same but later become different.
Second, observation, which is awkward and costly for serial simulation, is handled easily and elegantly with CS. The experiments are observed comparatively, and can be compared in exact detail as well statistically. Statistical "signatures" are maintained and periodically analyzed for all experiments.
Next, CS offers speed in various forms. Relative to serial simulation, experiments are compressed into a single run. The idle time between serial simulations is avoided and a simulation project is strategically accelerated. Also, due to the number of concurrent experiments, due to their similarity, and the similarity between them and a reference experiment, the CPU time, as mentioned previously, is typically 10 to 1,000 times less than the equivalent serial simulations. And, based on the analysis of signatures, the initial reference experiment may often be replaced with a more central one. This reduces the average differences between reference and concurrent experiments and gains additional speed.
Lastly, CS provides accuracy and generality. In fields such as biology and chemistry it is desirable to perform related and similar physical experiments in parallel, but it is normally too costly due to labor, space, equipment, and the raw materials that are needed. CS is a parallel (and precisely time-synchronous) form of experimentation, and is therefore an alternative to parallel physical experimentation. It requires no resources except a conventional computer and modeling/simulation skills.

Method for testing, debugging, and comparing computer programs using concurrent simulation of program paths


A disposable cigarette ash bag package includes a set of disposable cigarette ash bags for receiving cigarette ash individually, and an outer bag or box for receiving the set of disposable cigarette ash bags. The disposable cigarette ash bags are smaller one relative another so that they are can be inserted one into another.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to smoking implements and more specifically, to a disposable cigarette ash bag package for receiving cigarette ash.
2. Description of the Related Art
Everybody knows that smoking is harmful to the health. Medical research has determined that chronic tobacco smoking is a major contributing factor towards lung cancer, emphysema, cardiovascular disease, and many other health problems. Cigarette smoke contains 60 different carcinogens, pollutants that increase the risk of cancer. The health effects of tobacco smoking are related to direct tobacco smoking, as well as inhalation of environmental or secondhand tobacco smoke. Lung cancer rates are linked to the number of people who smoke.
Many countries regulate or restrict tobacco sales and advertising and require warnings to be marked on the product packaging. Many governments now restrict or ban smoking in public places. However, these measures still cannot stop people from tobacco smoking. We frequently see people smoke while walking, chatting with friends, or waiting at bus stop. It is not possible to require a tobacco smoker to carry a heavy ashtray when going outdoors.


A goggle adapted for utilizing a plurality of batteries to perform a powered function for the goggle comprising: a lens retained in a goggle body, strap extension members connected to the goggle body, each extension member defining therein a cavity having a contact for retaining a battery pod, each battery pod having a chemical cell battery therein, for powering the goggle to enable one or more of heating the goggle lens, video capture, GPS, stereo sound or other electronic function of the goggle. The cavities are symmetrical about a z-axis and the batteries for the system are interchangeable such that any battery pod may be flipped about the z-axis and retained in any battery cavity. The goggle is further comprised of a strap portion, either attached to the extension members or integral therewith, for retaining the goggle on a user's head or helmet.

Goggle Construction Generally
Sport goggles, such as are often used for skiing, cycling, snow-boarding, motorcycle and ATV riding, paint-balling, or standard-issue military goggles used primarily for military ground operations, typically have comprised a plastic frame or body and a clear plastic, or polycarbonate, see-through lens positioned as a see through screen for the user's eyes. At the ends of the goggle body there traditionally has been connected a textile, elongated, adjustable, elastic strap for holding the goggle body on a user's head or helmet by stretching the strap around the back of the head, or helmet, with the goggle positioned in opposing fashion on the face of the user.
The Need for Battery Power in Goggles
Many of today's goggles have incorporated therein such things as music playing capability, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,603,078, to Buskop for Ski Goggles With Digital Music Player; video capture capability, as shown in US Patent Application No. US 2009/0307828 A1, to Ludlow, for Goggle With Built-in Camera, GPS with LCD display for buddy tracking, speed and navigation purposes, as provided in a mod adapter for standard goggles by Recon Instruments, Inc.; electronic lighting and darkening of goggle lenses as taught in US Patent Application 2009/0256978 A1, to Park et al., for Liquid-Crystal Ski Goggles And Method of Manufacturing the Same; Heads-up display technology for goggles as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,212,859 B2, to Tang et al., for Peripheral Treatment For Heat-Mounted Displays; and even for aiming a hand-held weapon, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,140 to Michel et al. for Goggles Having Micro-lenses and Display Helmet. Of course, each of these electronic functions in goggles requires power for them to operate. A preferred method of powering such functions has been DC, chemical battery cell (e.g., Lithium Ion) power retained on the goggle or goggle strap.
The Need for Fog Prevention in Goggles
Fogging of goggle lenses is a very common problem with sports and military standard issue goggles. Fogging of goggles often occurs in various situations involving temperature extremes, particularly when warmer air caused by perspiration and respiration enters within a goggle enclosure and which is warmer relative to colder temperature conditions outside of the goggle body. Of course this problem has ranged from being annoying to the user, to presenting a very dangerous situation where the user's field of vision has been greatly diminished. The problem of fogged goggles has resulted in injury and even death among goggle users.
Early goggles have used passive air-flow systems, such as venting, to attempt to maintain goggle lenses fog free. Because these systems have been somewhat ineffective in preventing fogging, especially in more extreme conditions, there have been developed battery-powered, active air-flow systems, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,443, to McNeilly for Anti-Fogging Sports Goggle. In McNeilly, there is disclosed a power pack for holding a nine-volt battery for powering a ventilation fan. The power pack is shown carried between two parts of the strap on one side of the body of the goggle. The battery power pack has two slots on either end of the power pack for interconnecting with the goggle strap sections.
Responsive to the limitations of passive air-flow anti-fog systems, there have also been disclosed battery-powered, resistive-element heating systems for heating of the inner surface of the lens of a goggle to prevent fogging. Heating the lens of a goggle has required more battery power than operating a ventilation fan. An example of apparatus for heating the lens of a goggle has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,929, to Curcio, for Electrically Heated Ski Goggles. Curcio teaches carrying of the battery and switch in a housing on a belt of the user. One drawback of such as system is that it is cumbersome to have wiring running from the housing on the user's belt to the goggle lens.
Accordingly, another example of an apparatus for heating the lens of a goggle has been disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0151057 to Lebel et al., for Reversible Strap-Mounting clips for Goggles. In Lebel et al., a battery-powered lens heating system is disclosed comprising in relevant part a battery pack holder that contains a battery and which mounts the battery onto the strap via a connector. The battery pack holder includes spring loaded contacts, a positive contact and a negative contact, that are wired internal of the holder to be electrically connected to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. The holder comprises a clasp portion that is hinged to a base portion of the battery holder allowing closing of the clasp to physically and electrically interconnect the battery to contacts on the outside of the strap.
One problem of such a device as disclosed in Lebel et al. is that, being on the outside of the strap, it relies on the strength and integrity of the clasp to hold the battery and battery holder in physical and electrical contact on the strap. Should the holder/connector combination become knocked, for example during a fall, or otherwise impacted during storage and/or handling of the device, the connection could become less secure and thus less effective. Also, in this regard, the hinged mechanism relies on a movable part that is vulnerable to wear or physical impact that could weaken the connection. Further, to the degree the strap between the battery and the goggle is flexible, running of wires through it to the contact leads for interconnecting with the battery would be problematic from a wear standpoint, since the wires wouldn't be as flexible as the strap material. Still further, the holder and connector are connected on the outside of the strap where moisture can have greater access to the holder, thus placing a premium on sealing of the holder and the connectors. This system of interconnection of the battery is not provided with sufficient styling consideration so as to blend more imperceptibly with the contours of the strap, but it also does not provide a more fool-proof guide for accurately attaching the battery onto the strap. Still further, since the advent of Lebel et al., battery technology has developed significantly, and more powerful, longer lasting batteries have been provided as means for significantly enhancing the potential for battery-powered lens heating systems.
The Need for Increased Battery Power in Goggles
While the latter resistive-element heating systems have been the most effective means of preventing fogging of goggles, they have also required more significant battery power to operate for an entire day of activity. Thus, goggles have required increasing amounts of power to allow mobile functioning of electronics devices within the goggles. While electronics utilized for visual displays, playing music, GPS systems, cameras and the like have been able to function for sufficiently long periods of time with a single lithium-ion, lithium-poly, nickel-cadmium or other chemical battery cell able to be carried on a goggle strap, the power requirements for longer-term prevention of fogging of goggle lenses for extended activity periods have been greater, thus necessitating multiple batteries, which have not been able to be conveniently carried on a single strap.
The capability of a single rechargeable chemical battery cell is to produce a maximum voltage in the range of 1.2 to 4.2 volts. However, goggle de-fogging heating elements, which have presented low-resistance to the power supply on the order of 5-10 ohms, have required higher voltage than a single battery cell can conveniently produce to operate in an efficient range. Combining two such batteries in a serial configuration, the available voltage of the entire power supply becomes equal to the total voltage of each single supply added to each other. For instance, if a single battery produces four volts, two such batteries in series produce about eight volts. By operating batteries in a serial configuration one can meet the voltage requirements necessary for modern transparent, low-resistance heating elements to prevent fogging.
Thus, goggle lens heating operations have consumed a substantial amount of battery power relative to readily and conveniently wearable battery power storage means. Accordingly, a problem with prior art battery systems for powering goggles has been that there has not been sufficient battery power that is convenient to wear on the goggles, or on the strap of the goggles, for example to keep the goggle lens heated during a sufficient amount of time to allow a day of fog-free activity. Part of the reason for this has involved the fact that adequate such battery power has been too heavy to comfortably wear on the strap or in the goggle itself. And this, in turn, is in part because commonly used textile straps have not been sufficiently rigid to hold the heavier batteries required.
Accordingly, a system for plugging goggles into a vehicle battery, such as for a snowmobile, has been developed as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,728, to Elenewski, for Visor Defroster. Drawbacks to such a system are that not all activities involve the use of a vehicle, and more problematic is the need for a tethering type wiring system extending from the vehicle to the visor, or goggle.
Another part of the reason for the lack of sufficient convenient battery power for goggle lens heating has been that more powerful lithium-ion type batteries have not been as readily available for consumer use until more recently with the advent of modern cellular telephone usage.
There has developed a need for a system of easily storing, securing, and quickly and efficiently installing battery power for a goggle to avoid lens fogging and/or for other goggle power. Further, there has developed a need for an improved, aesthetically pleasing system for conveniently and securely providing substantial and consistent battery power to a goggle. Such a system would not only be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but would be designed to be convenient to use, convenient to recharge, simple to change batteries in the field for fresh, readily storable backup batteries carried elsewhere, such as in a fanny pack or on a bandolier, on the user. Such a system would also be highly effective in securely attaching the battery to the goggle strap in such a way that the system could withstand impacts associated with the physical activities during which such goggles are commonly worn.


A frequency synthesizer is provided having a fractional-N control circuit and method that can selectively apply any fractional ratio to a frequency divider within the feedback loop of a PLL. A special digital delta-sigma modulator can be implemented as the control circuit and can receive any arbitrary numerator and denominator value, or their arithmetic combination, or a positive and negative vector values used by the modulator to achieve an average fractional division. Both the numerator and denominator (or the positive and negative vectors) can be chosen based on any integer value to achieve a more optimal, higher frequency resolution and efficient fractional-N control circuit and methodology thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic system and, more particularly, to a frequency synthesizer having a fractional-N control circuit that operates as a modulator to selectively apply any fractional ratio to a multi-modulus frequency divider within, for example, a feedback loop of a phase locked loop (PLL).
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art or conventional by virtue of their inclusion within this section.
Within nearly every electronic subsystem is some sort of generator that produces cyclical waveforms. The waveform generator is oftentimes referred to as an oscillator. Oscillators are generally rated depending on their stability and accuracy, frequency adjustability (i.e., tunability), and power consumption. A piezoelectric crystal resonator is commonly used to provide a reference frequency that is fixed and generally considered the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric crystal—sometimes referred to as the crystal reference frequency FX. This reference frequency can thereafter be tuned using, for example, a phase-locked loop (PLL). Usually FX is too high so it is first divided down Q times by a reference frequency divider and becomes the reference frequency FR for the phase frequency detector (PFD). Thus, FR=FX/Q. Then the PLL employs a divider within its feedback loop to selectively increase the PFD's reference frequency FR. Thus, the resonator output frequency can be tuned using what will henceforth be referred to as a "frequency synthesizer."
There are numerous ways in which to design a frequency synthesizer using a PLL. For example, the divider within the feedback loop of the PLL can be modified in integer increments. Thus, output from the frequency synthesizer will be in integer-N multiples of the reference frequency FR. In a traditional PLL implementation, the output will be represented as the voltage-controlled oscillator output, and will transition at a frequency of FVCO. Thus, FVCO=N*FR=N/Q*FX. An unfortunate aspect of integer-N frequency dividers is that the selectable discrete frequencies of FVCO is dependent on the value of N. The frequency spacing, oftentimes referred to as the minimum frequency resolution, or minimum channel spacing, using an integer-N divider can, in some instances, be too high for an intended application. Another issue is that for some applications, the integer N must be very large, and results in high phase noise.
Given that frequency synthesizers are used in a wide variety of applications, including FM radios, radar systems, cellular and PCS telephone systems, test equipment such as spectrum analyzers and signal generators, it would be desirable to implement a frequency synthesizer having a smaller minimum channel spacing. In order to achieve a smaller minimum channel spacing, fractional-N dividers are needed. In addition to achieving smaller channel spacing, fractional-N dividers allow small divide values to achieve the same channel spacing, which reduces the phase noise.
A fractional-N divider within the feedback loop can produce a synthesizer output of FVCO=FR(N+n/d). Thus, in addition to the integer divide factor N, a fractional-N divider will introduce fractions between integers set by a numerator value (n) divided by a denominator value (d). For example, when d=8, n may be an integer from 0 to 7. This example will increase the integer PLL resolution by a factor of 8 by adding 7 divide values between N and N+1. Thus the channel spacing is ⅛ of an integer PLL.
A fractional-N divider usually comprises a fractional-N control logic circuit and an integer-N divider. The divide value of the integer-N divider is switched between two integer values in a manner set by the fractional-N control logic circuit. Thus the average divide value is a fraction number. The way a fractional-N divider works causes signal spurs that are not usually seem on an integer divider, because each time the divide value changes, the PLL makes an abrupt phase correction. To minimize the spurs, the sequence of divide value should be optimized. One approach is delta-sigma modulation. To meet an even higher performance requirement, a compensation circuit could be used to cancel the signal spurs.
One of the desired features of a frequency synthesizer with fractional-N divider is high resolution, or small frequency spacing. The known architecture of a fractional-N divider requires the denominator d to be 2m (where m is an integer), which means 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, . . . , etc. Many fractional divide values are missing because the steps of the denominator are large. It is desirable to be able to use arbitrary integers for the denominator to further increase the resolution. Furthermore, it is also desirable that the spurious noise generated by the fractional-N divider be as small as possible.

Frequency synthesizer having a more versatile and efficient fractional-N control circuit and method


According to one embodiment, a coating apparatus includes a stage having a mounting surface on which a coating target is mounted, a rotating mechanism that rotates the stage, a coating nozzle that discharges a coating material, a moving mechanism that moves the coating nozzle, a supply device that supplies a material to the coating nozzle, an ejection device that ejects the material, a communication tube that allows the supply device, and a valve device. Further, the coating apparatus includes a control unit which rotates the stage by the rotating mechanism, switches the valve device to achieve the continuity of the supply unit and the coating nozzle, drives the moving mechanism to move the coating nozzle, and applies the coating material to the coating target on the stage.

For example, in the field of, e.g., manufacture of semiconductors, there is known a coating apparatus that rotates a coating target such as a substrate, applies a material to this coating target, and thereby forms a film. There is known a technology that uses a coating method for performing so-called spiral coating, by which a material is applied to a coating target while forming a spiral trajectory, in regard to such a coating apparatus.
According to this coating method, a discoid coating target is fixed on a circular rotary stage, and a distance between a discharge surface of a coating nozzle and a substrate surface is maintained at a predetermined value. Then, the rotary stage is rotated, and the coating nozzle is linearly moved from the center toward an outer periphery of the coating target while discharging a coating material from the coating nozzle. This coating method is a method for discharging a material onto a rotating coating target, forming a spiral (coil-like) coating trajectory, and thereby forming a film on an entire surface of the coating target.

Coating apparatus and manufacturing method of coated body


A hand-held power tool has a housing including at least two separate and interconnected housing parts, wherein one housing part forms a handle housing for holding and guiding the hand-held power tool. The handle housing includes a handle and a fastening component. The fastening component is connected to the other housing part and to the handle, and a vibration reduction element is arranged between the fastening component and the handle.

The disclosure relates to a hand-held power tool, in particular an electric hand-held power tool.
DE 10 2005 016 453 A1 describes an angle grinder whose motor housing is connected to a rear housing cover, routed through the base of which there is a cable bush for supplying power to the electric drive motor. The housing cover is cup-shaped, wherein a full-perimeter sealing ring is inserted between the mutually facing end faces of the motor housing and housing cover, which sealing ring is effective in damping vibrations, in the axial direction and radial direction, that are emitted by the electric motor and that might be produced as work is performed on a workpiece.

Hand-held power tool, in particular electric hand-held power tool


An object of the present invention is to provide (a) a polyimide precursor solution which is curable at low temperatures (not more than 200° C.) and which has excellent long-term storage stability, (b) a photosensitive resin composition, a photosensitive resin film, a thermosetting resin composition, and a polyimide insulating film, each of which is obtainable from the polyimide precursor solution and each of which is preferably usable as an insulating material for electric and electronic purposes, and (c) a printed wiring board provided with the insulating film. The above object is achievable by use of a polyimide precursor composition solution containing at least a partially imidized polyimide precursor having a urethane bond.

Polyimide resin has excellent heat resistance, an excellent electrical insulating property, excellent chemical resistance, and a mechanical property, and therefore is used for electric and electronic purposes. For example, the polyimide resin is used as materials of (i) an isolation film and a protective coating agent provided on a semiconductor device, (ii) a surface protective material and a base material resin for a flexible circuit substrate, an integrated circuit, and the like, and (iii) an interlayer insulating film and a protective film for a fine circuit. Particularly, in a case where the polyimide resin is used as a coating material, the polyimide resin is used as (a) a protection material made by applying an adhesive agent on a shaped product such as a polyimide film, (b) a liquid-form polyimide resin solution, and the like.
The polyimide resin solution is roughly classified into two types: one type is a polyamide acid solution, which is a solution of a polyimide resin precursor; and the other type is a polyimide solution that contains polyimide resin soluble in an organic solvent. However, the polyamide acid solution and the polyimide solution are polymer solutions of a high molecular weight polymer and have a large molecular weight and low solubility to a solvent. This makes it difficult to prepare these solutions to have a high solute concentration, and therefore it is necessary to evaporate a large amount of the solvent in order to form a coating film, for example. This renders productivity of the coating film poor. Moreover, in a case of the polyamide acid solution, which is a solution of a polyimide resin precursor, an amide bond in its structure is easily degraded. On this account, the polyamide acid solution has poor stability. Particularly, when the solution is prepared to have a high concentration, a viscosity of the solution greatly changes, unfortunately. In view of this, the demand for a polyimide resin precursor solution having good solution storage stability is increased. Further, in the case of the solution of the polyimide resin precursor, it is necessary to imidize a coating film which is formed by applying the solution. At this time, the imidization should be carried out at a heat temperature of more than 300° C. However, in a case where the solution is used, for example, as a protection agent for a flexible substrate or the like, or as an adhesive agent to be applied on a shaped product, since wiring materials cannot endure a high temperature, it is necessary to use resin that is curable at low temperatures (not more than 200° C.) so as not to cause deterioration of wiring lines.
In relation to the techniques for these polyimide resin solutions, a copolymer having excellent solution storage stability is proposed which copolymer is obtained from a polyimide and a polyimide precursor (polyamide acid) having a specific structure. The copolymer is also referred to as a poly(amide acid-imide) copolymer (see Patent Literature 1).
Further, there has been also proposed polyamide acid which is curable at low temperatures of not more than 200° and which has a specific structure (see Patent Literature 2).
Moreover, there has been proposed a method for producing a novel polyamide acid in which method the polyamide acid is controlled to have a given low molecular weight so that the polyamide acid can be stably produced so as to have a high concentration and a low viscosity, with high reproducibility (see Patent Literature 3).
Further, there has been proposed a composition for a polyimide insulating film, which composition is made by use of an imide siloxane oligomer having a half-esterified terminal (see, for example, Patent Literature 4).

Polyimide precursor composition and use thereof


The present invention includes a housing, multiple conveyors, and a driving system. The conveyors are provided for a working object to be moved on the conveyors. The driving system has a horizontal moving portion and a vertical moving portion. As the horizontal moving portion moves from the second position toward the first position, when a first detector detects a rear edge of the working object, a controller is able to stop the horizontal moving portion and to set an actual pushing position. Then, it can reset that the horizontal only can move between the actual pushing position and the second position for shortening a moving time and a moving distance of the horizontal moving portion. So, this invention can shorten the horizontal moving time of the horizontal moving portion. It can shorten the vertical moving time. Plus, it can increase the total processing efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pusher system for a strapping machine. It can shorten the horizontal moving time of the horizontal moving portion. It can shorten the vertical moving time. Plus, it can increase the total processing efficiency.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, a traditional pusher system for a strapping machine is disclosed. It includes a housing 81, a pair of conveyors 82, and a driving system 83.
About the housing 81, it has a first end 811, a second end 812, and a guiding channel 813. The guiding channel 813 is disposed between the first end 811 and the second end 812.
With regard to the pair of conveyors 82 (or called transport devices), they are disposed on the housing 81. The guiding channel 813 is positioned between the conveyors 82 for allowing a working object 90 (such as a box or a stack to be strapped) to be moved on the conveyors 82 horizontally.
Concerning the driving system 83, it is disposed in the housing 81 and is positioned corresponding to the guiding channel 813. The driving system 83 has a horizontal moving portion 831 and a vertical moving portion 832. The horizontal moving portion 831 is able to move beneath the guiding channel 813 and move between a first position P1 and a second position P2 (see FIG. 16) horizontally. The vertical moving portion 832 is mounted on the horizontal moving portion 831 and can move up or down. The vertical moving portion 832 includes a pusher 83A for pushing the working object 90 moving forward. When it is at an upper position P4, the pusher 83A can protrude in the guiding channel 813 for pushing the working object 90.
As illustrated in FIG. 12, the working object 90 moves in a place on the conveyors 82 via the first end 811 (automatically or manually). Then, the working object 90 is pushed by the pusher 83A to move in a strapping machine 90A via the second end 812 so as to conduct a strapping work.
Referring to FIG. 13, the horizontal moving portion 831 is positioned at the first position P1. The pusher 83A is positioned at the lower position P3. The working object 90 moves on the conveyors 82. The pusher 83A moves up to the upper position P4 (as shown in FIG. 14). Then, the horizontal moving portion 831 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (referring to FIGS. 15 and 16). Initially, the pusher 83A moves certain distance without contacting anything (from FIG. 14 to FIG. 15). Later, the pusher 83A will contact with the working object 90. After which, the pusher 83A continues to push the working object 90 to the strapping machine 90A (see FIG. 16).
As illustrated in FIG. 17, the pusher 83A returns to its lower position P3, and then the horizontal moving portion 831 returns to the first position P1 so that a complete cycle is done.
However, the traditional pusher system for a strapping machine still has many problems and disadvantages as listed below.
[a] The horizontal moving portion only can move back and forth for a fixed distance. The horizontal moving portion only can move between the first position and the second position. It is a fixed stroke (or distance). It cannot be stopped in the middle. For example, if the original design for the horizontal moving portion's moving distance is 1.5 m. The horizontal moving portion only can move forward 1.5 m toward the first end or move back 1.5 m toward the second end.
Therefore, no matter the length of the working object is long or short (such as 30 cm, 100 cm, etc.), the moving distance of 1.5 m is fixed. When the working object is a smaller one, it will cause certain invalid pushing process (that means the pusher does not contact with the working object). It really wastes time. Thus, the horizontal moving distance of the traditional device's horizontal moving portion cannot be adjusted. It is not flexible.
[b] The vertical moving portion only can move up or down for a fixed height. The traditional pusher system only can move up or down between the upper position and the lower position. It cannot stop in the middle. For example, assuming that the original vertical moving distance is designed as 50 cm, the traditional pusher system only can move up 50 cm (directly to the upper position) or move down 50 cm (directly to the lower position).
Under such condition, no matter the working object is larger or smaller (such 25 cm height, 45 cm height, etc.). The vertical moving distance is always fixed as 50 cm. Therefore, when the height of the working object is smaller, the extra moving process (up or down) wastes time. Therefore, the vertical moving distance of the traditional pusher system cannot be adjusted as well.


A new and unique cultivar of Hosta named Hosta ‘Time Traveler’ with each round, corrugated, chartreuse-yellowish, pointed leaf having a gray green center, white-edged Hosta leaf sown in the middle between the chartreuse-yellowish and the gray green.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hosta plant, known as Hosta 'Time Traveler' and will be referred to hereafter by its cultivar name or the "new plant". The new plant was the result of a whole plant mutation of Hosta 'Stitch in Time' U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,061 discovered in a pot at a nursery in Raleigh, N.C. in the summer of 2008. 'Time Traveler' has been asexually propagated by division in the greenhouses at the same nursery in Raleigh, N.C. since 2013, and also to a limited extent by shoot tip tissue culture. The unique characteristics of the new plant have been found to be reproducible and stable in successive generations of asexually propagated plants and the resultant plants have been found to be identical to the original selection.


A new and distinct Canna cultivar named ‘LEESHECAN01’ is disclosed, characterized by short, compact growth habit. Flowers are characteristically large, pink and rapidly self-cleaning. The new cultivar is a Canna, typically suited for garden and ornamental container use.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of the seed parent, an unpatented variety of Canna generalis known as 'Dawn Pink' with the pollen parent, an unpatented proprietary selection of Canna generalis referred to as 'C0451' directed by the inventor in June of 2005. The crossing was made in Lox, Fla., in the client's nursery.
'LEESHECAN01' was discovered by the inventor, Leeann Shearouse, in April 2006 in Lox, Fla., at her own nursery among seedlings resulting from the 2005 crossing.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar 'LEESHECAN01' was first performed in Lox, Fla., at a nursery by vegetative divisions in October 2006. 'LEESHECAN01' has since produced at least four generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.


A brushless, three phase wound field synchronous machine (WFSM) provides an electromechanical power transfer system wherein it may serve as both a starter and a generator. Power for the excitation system of the WFSM is provided by a three phase flux switching generator (FSG). The three phase FSG also provides position sensor functionality for the WFSM when the WFSM operates in the starter/motor mode.

Electromechanical power transfer systems for aeronautical applications may integrate main and auxiliary engine start functions with onboard electric power generating equipment. A conventional brushless, WFSM is ideal for such an electromechanical power transfer system wherein it may serve as both a starter and a generator. It is a logical choice for modern variable frequency (VF) alternating current (AC) electric system architectures. A WFSM that serves as both a starter and a generator is representative of a class of variable speed motor drives in the start mode of operation that uses a solid-state power converter to process typically high potential direct current (DC) electric power into VF AC electric power suitable for driving the variable speed AC electric machine.
Aeronautical applications typically use a brushless WFSM, which is actually three electric machines using a common shaft in the same housing. The three electric machines typically include a permanent magnetic generator (PMG), an exciter and a main machine (MM). The common shaft functions as a rotor that turns inside various sets of stator windings. In some applications, the PMG is installed on another shaft that is geared to the main shaft containing the exciter and MM. The rotor may be turned by an engine or a gear box or a gear train. The PMG portion of the WFSM is formed from a section of the rotor having permanent magnets in it and a stator with a three phase winding, thereby, as the rotor turns, the PMG generates AC power because the rotating magnets induce AC power in the stator. The exciter consists of a rotor with AC windings and a stator with windings. The stator can have DC windings set up in a salient pole configuration or AC windings setup in a three phase configuration similar to an induction machine. During starter/motor mode, the exciter stator is excited with AC power that can be sourced from the generator control unit (GCU) or an aircraft bus. If the GCU is sourcing the AC power, GCU power is sourced from the batteries, ground power or an existing aircraft bus. During generate mode, the GCU rectifies the AC power from the PMG to DC power for use in the GCU control circuits and provides MM excitation via a DC to DC converter. The GCU will source the exciter with DC power in order to excite the MM. When the exciter is energized, in both starter/motor and generate modes, the stator windings form magnetic north-south pole pairs. Because the exciter rotor windings are three phase, the output power generated is continuous three phase AC in both modes of operation. A rotating rectifier is often included to convert the exciter AC output to DC for presentation to the MM. The MM has a rotor with a DC winding and a stator with an AC winding. Thus, as the rotor rotates, it generates an electromotive force (EMF) and produces power.
As described previously, the WFSM may be operated in generate mode or a starter/motor mode. Operation of the WFSM in the starter/motor mode constitutes a variable speed motor drive utilizing a solid-state power converter to process typically high potential DC electric power to provide variable frequency AC power input to the WFSM. For operation of a WFSM as a variable speed motor drive it is necessary to know the rotational position of the WSFM main rotor to control the solid-state power converter to meet motor performance requirements. Previous systems used position sensors (e.g., resolvers) to determine rotor position at low speed. During high speed operation, any stage of the three stage WFSM can be utilized to determine rotor position. Some systems have now replaced resolvers by self sensing rotor position using one or more components of the WFSM for low speed operation. In order to replace the position sensor, the component used as a replacement to a position sensor must have persistent excitation and must have saliency. Saliency can be defined as the difference between the inductance in the rotor quadrature axis (Q axis) and the inductance in the rotor direct axes (D axis), and these inductance values are generally controlled by how much magnetic field flows through a certain area. Thus, saliency is the variance between Q axis inductance and D axis inductance. This variance imprints spatial harmonics onto the waveforms, which are rotor position dependent, allowing for position determination.
One known technique of estimating the position of components in the WFSM involves superimposing a carrier voltage signal upon a fundamental control voltage signal. A controller generates the fundamental control signal, which modulates an AC power source that drives the WFSM to produce rotational torque. As the carrier voltage signal is a relatively high-frequency signal, the carrier voltage signal does not substantially affect the fundamental control signal driving the motor. The technique of estimating the angular position of the rotor is often referred to as the carrier injection sensorless ("CIS") method and is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,709, and the entire disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The CIS method has proven useful but it has shortcomings. For example, the CIS method may undesirably place an increased current carrying burden on some components. Thus, other techniques have been developed, such as a technique that measures and utilizes current harmonics of a PMG rather than the current harmonics induced by a carrier voltage signal. An example of this technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,362,728, and the entire disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the example of the CIS technique, the PMG is excited with only the CIS signal because it is not utilized in starter mode, however the position sensing technique is consistent with CIS methods and is dependent on the PMG saliency.
In previous designs the PMG has consisted of a single phase flux switching generator (FSG) or a three phase PMG. For both designs, the PMG output is AC. The single phase FSG provides a simple construction. However, the obvious disadvantage of a single phase FSG is that it is single phase, so it does not produce continuous power when converted from AC to DC. As a result, the GCU must include a very large filter in comparison to a GCU sourced with three phase power. Additionally, the load regulation is very poor in the single phase system.
The three phase PMG typically consists of a stator with three phases and is a surface mounted permanent magnet rotor. The magnets are mounted onto a hub with a containment band installed around the outer diameter for magnet retention. Although three phase PMG's provide continuous 3 phase power to the GCU and reduce the size of the machine, its rotor magnets tend to be brittle and require careful handling during all piece part and next higher assembly phases. During assembly, the magnets can easily chip or crack leading to weak points and creating contamination in the machine. The operating speeds require a containment band to prevent the magnets from flying off the rotor. The containment band is non-magnetic (e.g., titanium, inconel) to reduce leakage inductance and losses. The bands are expensive and difficult to produce due to the hardness of the non-magnetic materials. Overall cost can be high due to the magnet material and the containment band material.
Also, three phase PMG's tend to be ineffective as sensors because the D and Q axes inductances are almost identical in surface mounted permanent magnet rotors. Without a clear difference and/or isolation of the D axis from the Q axis, it is difficult to precisely identify the rotor position. Self-sensing schemes for AC machines required saliency in order to determine rotor position.

Three phase flux switching generator in a three stage wound field synchronous machine


An integral, removable walker seat is easily attachable and detachable by persons having limited dexterity, and can be folded and transported when not in use. The walker seat comprises a substantially rectangular sheet of flexible material on which the user can sit. The sheet is attachable to opposite horizontal frame members of the walker via two pairs of bars affixed to the narrow ends of the sheet. The sheet and the bars cooperate to form a seat when the sheet is suspended across and engaged to the opposite horizontal frame members of the walker.

The present invention relates to invalid supporting frames and, more particularly, to a removable flexible material seat adapted for use on invalid supporting devices, such as walkers.
Various portable supporting frames are known which enable or assist handicapped, invalid, or infirm persons to walk. These frames, or walkers, assist a person who has difficulty in walking to keep his or her balance and they also enable part of the invalid's weight to be supported by his or her arms. The prior art is replete with a variety of such walkers, most of which have similar operation and construction, with minor differences in configuration and dimension.
It is also known to provide walkers with a seating arrangement so that if the user should become tired, he or she will have a seat readily available. It will be appreciated that many invalid persons become tired quite easily and it is important that such persons not overexert themselves.
One approach to a walker seat is described in U.S Pat. No. 4,621,804, issued to Mueller on Nov. 11, 1986. The Mueller patent discloses a walker having a frame extending around three sides, and a closure bar to selectively close the fourth side. A removable seat is attached between opposite sides of the frame so the user is surrounded on four sides by the frame. The user straddles the seat when he or she desires a rest. Unfortunately, the straddling position is difficult for an invalid to get into and out of. To make it easier for the invalid to enter and exit the walker, the seat is removable from at least one side. However, the attachments and height adjustments for the seat include fastenings which are relatively small, requiring dexterity to handle and make workable. The persons who use walkers, such as the elderly, infirm, handicapped, and disabled, tend to have particular difficulty with the dexterity required to handle the small fastenings disclosed in the Mueller patent, leaving the user unable to remove, attach, or adjust the seat without help.
Another walker seating arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. 3,993,349, issued to Neufeld et al on Nov. 23, 1976. The Neufeld patent discloses a walker having a temporary seat constructed from a sling of canvas or other flexible material. The seat, which is quite narrow, has a loop formed at each end so that each end can be supported by a T-shaped bar. The upper end of each T-shaped bar is bent so that the bar can engage in a specially designed metal block. The construction taught by the patent requires specialized metal parts which increase the cost of the seat arrangement. In addition, carrying the seat upon the person when not in use would be cumbersome since the metal T-shaped members can not be folded. Finally, the seat taught by this patent distributes the weight of the invalid over a relatively small area of the body, which can cause discomfort and insecurity.
One patent which tries to overcome the problems associated with folding cumbersome seats is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,198, issued to Brearley on Nov. 15, 1983. The seat in the Brearley patent is a rectangular, foldable sheet of material, which can be detached and folded when not in use. The seat is mounted to the walker frame on four detachably connected hooks using ordinary hose clamps. This requires that the user have special tools and keep track of extra pieces when detaching or attaching the seat.
It is seen then that there exists a need for a removable walker seat which overcomes the problems associated with existing seats, by being easily attachable and detachable for persons having limited dexterity, is easily folded and transported when not in use, and consists of a one piece construction, eliminating special tools and extra pieces.


A refrigeration system wherein an ammonia refrigerant fluid in a cascade refrigeration circuit provides auxiliary refrigeration to a multicomponent refrigerant fluid which passes from an autorefrigerator to provide refrigeration to a heat load.

This invention relates generally to the provision of refrigeration to a heat load wherein refrigeration is generated and provided to a heat load using a multicomponent refrigerant fluid.
Refrigeration is used extensively in the freezing of foods, production of pharmaceuticals, liquefaction of natural gas, and in many other applications wherein refrigeration is required to provide cooling duty to a heat load. Low temperature refrigeration (less than xe2x88x9280xc2x0 F.) is desirable for use in food freezing applications. The primary advantage of low temperature refrigeration is that it provides for an increased throughout through the freezer that debottlenecks the freezing process.
A recent significant advancement in the field of refrigeration is the development of refrigeration systems using multicomponent refrigerants which are able to generate refrigeration much more efficiently than conventional systems and without the high operating costs incurred with the use of cryogenic liquids. These refrigeration systems, also known as mixed gas refrigerant systems or MGR systems, are particularly attractive for providing refrigeration at very low or cryogenic temperatures such as below xe2x88x9280xc2x0 F.
MGR systems typically have higher initial capital costs than do conventional vapor compression systems. These high initial costs are due primarily to the need for larger or more complicated compressors, vessels and heat exchangers.
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a refrigeration system which will enable the use of an MGR system which has less costly compressors, vessels and/or heat exchangers.
The above and other objects, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure, are attained by the present invention, one aspect of which is:
A method for providing refrigeration comprising:
(A) compressing an ammonia refrigerant fluid, expanding the compressed ammonia refrigerant fluid, and warming the expanded ammonia refrigerant fluid;
(B) compressing a multicomponent refrigerant fluid, and cooling the compressed multicomponent refrigerant fluid in part by indirect heat exchange with the warming ammonia refrigerant fluid to produce cooled compressed multicomponent refrigerant fluid;
(C) expanding the cooled compressed multicomponent refrigerant fluid to produce refrigeration bearing multicomponent refrigerant fluid, and warming the refrigeration bearing multicomponent refrigerant fluid to provide refrigeration to a heat load; and
(D) further warming the refrigeration bearing multicomponent refrigerant fluid to provide additional cooling to the compressed multicomponent refrigerant fluid.
Another aspect of the invention is:
Apparatus for providing refrigeration comprising:
(A) an autorefrigerator heat exchanger, a main compressor, a main expansion device and means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the main compressor to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger and from the autorefrigerator heat exchanger to the main expansion device;
(B) an auxiliary compressor, an auxiliary expansion device, and means for passing ammonia refrigerant fluid from the auxiliary compressor to the auxiliary expansion device, from the auxiliary expansion device to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger and from the autorefrigerator heat exchanger to the auxiliary compressor;
(C) a heat load device and means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the main expansion device to the heat load device; and
(D) means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the heat load device to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger.
A further aspect of the invention is:
Apparatus for providing refrigeration comprising:
(A) a precooler, an autorefrigerator heat exchanger, a main compressor, a main expansion device and means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the main compressor to the precooler, from the precooler to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger and from the autorefrigerator heat exchanger to the main expansion device;
(B) an auxiliary compressor, an auxiliary expansion device, and means for passing ammonia refrigerant fluid from the auxiliary compressor to the auxiliary expansion device, from the auxiliary expansion device to the precooler and from the precooler to the auxiliary compressor;
(C) a heat load device and means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the main expansion device to the heat load device; and
(D) means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the heat load device to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger.
Yet another aspect of the invention is:
Apparatus for providing refrigeration comprising:
(A) an autorefrigerator heat exchanger, a main compressor, a main expansion device and means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the main compressor to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger and from the autorefrigerator heat exchanger to the main expansion device;
(B) an auxiliary compressor, an auxiliary expansion device, and means for passing ammonia refrigerant fluid from the auxiliary compressor to the auxiliary expansion device, from the auxiliary expansion device to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger and from the autorefrigerator heat exchanger to the auxiliary compressor;
(C) means for passing multicomponent refrigerant fluid from the main expansion device to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger; and
(D) means for providing a heat load to the autorefrigerator heat exchanger.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cexpansionxe2x80x9d means to effect a reduction in pressure.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cexpansion devicexe2x80x9d means apparatus for effecting expansion of a fluid.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9ccompressorxe2x80x9d means apparatus for effecting compression of a fluid.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cmulticomponent refrigerant fluidxe2x80x9d means a fluid comprising two or more species and capable of generating refrigeration.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9crefrigerationxe2x80x9d means the capability to reject heat from a subambient temperature system.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9crefrigerant fluidxe2x80x9d means fluid in a refrigeration process which undergoes changes in temperature, pressure and possibly phase to absorb heat at a lower temperature and reject it at a higher temperature.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cvariable load refrigerantxe2x80x9d means a mixture of two or more components in proportions such that the liquid phase of those components undergoes a continuous and increasing temperature change between the bubble point and the dew point of the mixture. The bubble point of the mixture is the temperature, at a given pressure, wherein the mixture is all in the liquid phase but addition of heat will initiate formation of a vapor phase in equilibrium with the liquid phase. The dew point of the mixture is the temperature, at a given pressure, wherein the mixture is all in the vapor phase but extraction of heat will initiate formation of a liquid phase in equilibrium with the vapor phase. Hence, the temperature region between the bubble point and the dew point of the mixture is the region wherein both liquid and vapor phases coexist in equilibrium. In the preferred practice of this invention the temperature differences between the bubble point and the dew point for a variable load refrigerant generally is at least 10xc2x0 C., preferably at least 20xc2x0 C., and most preferably at least 50xc2x0 C.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cheat loadxe2x80x9d means a stream or object that requires a reduction in energy, or removal of heat, to lower its temperature or to keep its temperature from rising.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cammonia refrigerant fluidxe2x80x9d means a refrigerant fluid comprising ammonia.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cautorefrigerator heat exchangerxe2x80x9d means a heat exchanger in a multicomponent refrigerant fluid cycle wherein a high pressure refrigerant stream is cooled against a returning low pressure refrigerant stream. The autorefrigerator heat exchanger may include other process streams.

Multicomponent refrigeration fluid refrigeration system with auxiliary ammonia cascade circuit


A fastener includes an elongated shank equipped with longitudinally spaced ribs, and a clip having opposing collar sections connected for movement between first and second positions for engagement with the shank and for installation or removal of the clip from the shank, respectively. Internal tabs formed on the clip aid in maintaining engagement between the collar sections and the shank during application of external twisting forces on the clip.

The present invention relates generally to two-part fasteners, and more particularly to fasteners adapted for relatively quick assembly by pressing the fastener together.
Numerous fasteners of this general type are known and commercially available. Such fasteners are disclosed in Bailet et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,012; Hutchinson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,553; Schaeffer, U.S. Pat. No. 2,118,361; U.K. Pat. No. Application 2249804; Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,863 and Norway Pat. No. 72788.
In particular, Anderson discloses a fastener with a clip that includes forward split collar sections movable between a normally closed position for interlocking engagement with longitudinally spaced ribs on a post, and an open position for installation and removal of the clip from the post. Centrally located elastic bands join the collar sections, and a pair of wings extend rearwardly from the elastic bands such that squeezing the wings together opens the collar. The split collar and ribs are provided with complimentary angled surfaces such that the normally closed collar sections snap over the ribs if the clip is pushed onto the post without squeezing the wings together.
Arrangements of varying similarity are shown in the above-mentioned patents. Although the terminology is different, Schaeffer and Bailet disclose fasteners that include split collars, wings, and resilient connections therebetween for manual separation of the collar to enable installation onto a threaded post or a post formed with longitudinally spaced detents or protrusions. Unfortunately, split collars that are designed to be manually separated may also be inadvertently separated upon application of certain external forces, and the fastener may loosen after being assembled together.
For example, if external forces are exerted on the collar sections in the direction toward the elastic connection and in such a way as to impart a torque on the collar section, the collar sections will tend to separate from one another and from the post. If such forces are sufficiently large, the collar sections may disengage from the post, and in the presence of reversing load conditions, the clip can "walk" rearwardly on the post. Such loading conditions can occur, for example, from high winds acting on a sign when the wind induces a resonant condition in the sign post.
The occurrence of this condition is precluded in Schaeffer and most of the embodiments of Bailet by providing the split collar with a nose section that is snugly received into a recess formed in the contacting member. In such arrangements, inadvertent separation is avoided because the external forces are directed inwardly through the nose of the collar toward the center of the post, rather than rearwardly toward the elastic bands. However, where it is desired to utilize such quick-assembly fasteners without the need to provide a recess sized for receiving the forward portion of the clip in the contacting member, such as disclosed in Anderson and certain embodiments shown in Bailet, there is a need for an improved fastener adapted to prevent inadvertent loosening of the clip from the post.

Two-part fastener comprising a clip having a split collar engagable with a fastener post


A pneumatic radial tire for use in truck and bus comprises a carcass reinforcing a sidewall portion and a tread, and a belt comprised of at least two belt layers, wherein when the tire is mounted onto an approved rim and inflated under an internal pressure of 0.5-1.0 kgf/cm.sup.2, a carcass line of the carcass at a radial section of the tire comprises a curve having a maximum radius of curvature in a region ranging over 10-50% of a tire sectional height and centering around a position of a maximum carcass width, and the sidewall portion has a maximum thickness in a zone corresponding to the above region.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pneumatic tires, and more particularly to a heavy duty pneumatic radial tire for use in truck and bus use capable of reducing tire noise.
2. Description of Related Art
During the running of the tire, vibrations are applied to the tire due to local variation of rigidity in a tread pattern and unevenness of road surface, which vibrations propagate in air to cause noise. Such tire noise is closely related to resonance frequency of a tread or a sidewall portion, so that it is particularly effective to improve vibration properties of the sidewall portion for reducing noise in this type of the tire.
As regards the vibration properties of the sidewall portion, various countermeasures for reducing tire noise are proposed in tires for passenger cars, while no countermeasure for this type of tire noise is proposed in heavy duty pneumatic radial tires for use in truck and bus.

Low-noise pneumatic tires with specified carcass line