A method for contacting and connecting solar cells, according to which at least one electrode is formed by at least one wire conductor, and including the following steps:                positioning a continuous wire conductor so that the continuous wire conductor extends across a plurality of solar cells,        interrupting the electrodes at the positions required for the connection, and        contacting the solar cells and electrodes.

The invention relates to a method for contacting and connecting solar cells, wherein contacting the solar cells is carried out through wire conductors, and a plurality of solar cells are combined with each other through the wire conductors so as to form the solar cell combination.
A solar cell usually consists of a substrate having a front side and a back side, wherein a contact structure is applied onto at least one of the two sides. Typically, the contact structure has a width of at least 100 μm, whereas its thickness is only approximately 10 to 15 μm. A larger width causes a decrease of efficiency due to the resulting increased shading, whereas reducing the width results in the disadvantage that the line resistance of the contact structure is increased. Furthermore, the current of the individual contact structures is fed into busbars causing further shading on the front side surface.
On the back side of the solar cell there is usually a large-area contact structure that collects the current extensively.
Connecting solar cells is generally carried out through contact ribbons that are soldered onto the busbars of the solar cell. All the current is fed through the contact ribbons. In order to keep the resistance losses as low as possible, a certain total cross-sectional area of these ribbons is required. The result of this is that there is a loss on the front side caused by the shading.
In order to create an optimal solar module it is therefore necessary that the contact structure of the solar cell and the number and dimensions of the contact ribbons are optimized in combination with each other.
A problem here is the handling and positioning of the thin wires on the solar cell. In particular the series connection of the cells causes problems since—analogous to the solder ribbons of the standard soldering process—the wires have to be brought from the front side of the first solar cell to the back side of the second solar cell. This implies also that for contacting front and back sides, the same material has to be used.
From DE 298 05 805 U1, a device for processing solar cells is known, wherein individual solar cells are interconnected with electrical connectors so as to form a string. For this purpose, the device comprises a connection strip receptacle, a soldering paste dispenser that applies the soldering paste onto the connection strips, at least one solar cell depositing rack as a soldering station, one turning device for the connection strips and one transport device from the turning device to the solar cell depositing station for depositing the connection strips onto the solar cells.
The disadvantage of this solution is that only connectors in the form of strips can be used which, moreover, have to be turned over. A solar cell comprising at least one semiconductor layer arranged on a metallic carrier and a multiplicity of contact paths arranged on the semiconductor layer is described in DE 10 2006 041 046 A1. A lateral protrusion of at least one contact path is bent onto a back side of the carrier and is arranged electrically insulated with respect to the carrier. Solar cells arranged next to each other are preferably connected to each other through strip conductors having a perforated configuration so as to enable local contacts by soldering through. This construction of the solar cell, carrying out the method for producing the solar cell, and the constructional implementation of the strip conductor shall enable to interconnect individual solar cells so as to form solar modules and to interconnect the individual solar cells as desired. The carrier is formed here as a metal band, wherein the contact paths are arranged transverse to or along a longitudinal direction of the carrier, protrude laterally beyond the carrier band, and can be used in this manner for interconnecting. Furthermore, collecting paths are arranged transverse to the longitudinal direction and transverse to the contact paths and are electrically connected to the contact paths, and the contact paths as well as the collecting paths are glued in the region of the back side of the carrier. The contact paths or collecting paths are implemented in the form of copper wire or copper band. In order to avoid an electrical connection between the contact path and the metallic carrier, insulations implemented as edge insulations are arranged along the edge. Overall, structuring and connecting individual solar cells by using perforated strip conductors is problematic, and using edge insulations involves increased manufacturing-related expenses.
A wire system for electrically contacting a solar cell, comprising a wire conductor that runs alternately between a first contacting section and a second contacting section arranged spaced apart from the first contacting section in such a manner that the wire conductor forms the wire system with a mesh-like arrangement which extends with a multitude of meshes along an extension direction, is known from DE 10 2007 022 877 A1. The wire conductor is fixed in the mesh-like arrangement through fixing means provided in addition to the wire conductor, and/or through fixing means in the form of sections of the wire conductor, which section are wound around each other. The wire conductor runs as an endless string periodically alternating back and forth along an extension direction between a first contacting section and a second contacting section. The two contacting sections are regions of the wire system, which regions are equidistantly spaced apart from each other and run along the extension direction of the wire system. In each case two solar cells arranged next to each other have solar cell contacting sections which are arranged opposing each other in the adjoining edge regions of the solar cells and which are connected to each other through the mesh-like wire conductor. Furthermore, an electrically insulating base insulator layer is provided in the solar cell contacting section of a solar cell, and an electrically insulating emitter insulator layer is provided in the adjacent solar cell so that a series connection is generated. Producing the mesh-like wire conductor is relatively complicated. A significant disadvantage of this solution is also that the efficiency is negatively influenced because the areas for contacting between front side and back side are required in two dimensions.
The strings produced as a pre-stage for the assembly of modules have the disadvantage that the cells are put on individually and are covered with tin-plated copper band pieces which cover the cells and also extend below the next cell to be put on. These copper bands are soldered with different processes. This method requires preparation of the cells with a print image as solder connection material and as strip conductor for "collecting" the free electrons and transporting to the copper bands.
The strings are picked up by handling devices, aligned and assembled so as to form modules. The assembled strings are electrically connected through cross-connectors so as to form a module. The required connections are produced successively in individual process steps resulting in long production times.
From DE 102 39 845 C1, an electrode for contacting an electrically conductive surface, in particular at least one surface of a photovoltaic element, is known. Said surface consists of an electrically insulating, optically transparent film, an adhesive layer applied onto a surface of said film, and a first group of substantially parallel, electrically conductive wires which are embedded in the adhesive layer, protrude with a portion of their surface from the adhesive layer, and, at least on the surface protruding from the adhesive layer, are coated with a layer having a low melting point, wherein the wires of the first group are electrically connected to a first contact strip.
A second group with wires running substantially parallel to each other is arranged between the transparent film and the wires of the first group, wherein the wires of the first and second groups together form a grid, and wherein the wires of the second group are electrically connected to a second contact strip. Due to the use of the film and the adhesive, this constructional configuration is very complicated. In the case of an irregular thickness of the adhesive layer, the wires protrude irregularly from said adhesive layer or can also be completely covered by the adhesive, which can result in defects. Furthermore, the film and the adhesive remain in the module; this implies relatively high demands in terms of long-term stability to be met by the adhesive and the film and therefore causes relatively high costs. Moreover, the prefabrication of electrodes from wire, optically transparent film and adhesive is technologically sophisticated.
A method for interconnecting solar cells by using prefabricated metal mesh (e.g. aluminum gage) which is contacted with the surface of the cell on the front side and the back side is known from JP 59115576 A. Under the influence of pressure and temperature, the metal mesh is connected in each case to one cell by means of a heating unit. In the case of this solution, handling is relatively complicated.
In EP 0 440 869 A1, a component is described which comprises a photosensitive semiconductor plate having a barrier structure, electrically conductive current collector contacts arranged on both sides of the semiconductor plate, and protective coatings and current dissipating electrodes arranged on both sides of the semiconductor plate. At least the electrically conductive current collector contacts arranged on the front side of the semiconductor plate are implemented in the form of electrically connected and successive sections which are in contact or not in contact with the surface of the semiconductor plate. For this purpose, the current collector contacts are made from a bent wire. This embodiment is very complicated and it can easily occur that the thin bent wire gets crushed.
Furthermore, all known assembly technologies for solar modules have reached their limits with regard to their possible cycle time and the processing of thin cell materials, which is counteracted through stringing together a plurality of machines. In general, this has a negative effect on the production costs.
Moreover, the connection materials cover an undesirably large portion of the usable silicon surface and thus deteriorate the efficiency of the solar cell.
Furthermore, it is common to apply special metal pastes (mostly silver or silver alloys) in the form of strip conductors onto the solar cells (so-called bars), e.g., by using the screen printing method, in order to ensure contacting with the wire conductors. This makes the solar cells even more expensive.

Method for contacting and connecting solar cells


A polytrimethylene terephthalate composition containing about 0.1 to about 5 wt % of a polyketone can be injection molded at a low temperature and rapid molding time.

This invention relates to polytrimethylene terephthalate compositions. In one aspect, the invention relates to improved polytrimethylene terephthalate engineering thermoplastic compositions.
Polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) is known to be useful as an engineering thermoplastic for injection molding applications, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,806. The ideal engineering thermoplastic can be molded at low temperature and in short cycle times without sacrificing mechanical properties. Although molded PTT parts have excellent properties, the molding time for PTT is longer and the mold temperature higher than desired for an efficient commercial process.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modified PTT composition. It is a further object to reduce the processing time for PTT molding compounds.


A method an apparatus for a gas turbine compressor rotor is provided which offers improved characteristics to the rotor when used with at least titanium IMI 834. Mechanical work is optimized through forging to provide at least improved low cycle fatigue life to the part.

Monobloc compressor rotors, such as integrally-bladed rotors (IBRs) and one-piece impellers for gas turbine compressors may be formed by forging, heat treating and then machining. A certain amount of mechanical working of the material during forging is necessary to provide good mechanical properties, such as a high low cycle fatigue (LCF) life. Compressors must also be lightweight and maintain good mechanical properties at high temperature, and may have operational rotational speeds in excess of 30,000 rpm.
Once a mult has been forged into a blank and heat treated, the rotor blades are then machined from the forging. Alternately, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,402, rather than machining the entirety of the blades, some axial-flow rotor designs permit the hub blade stubs to be machined from the blank, and then separately-fabricated airfoils are friction welded on to the stubs.
The rotor must also be attached to a shaft. Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, conventional possibilities for attachment of an impeller are to mechanically fasten the impeller / to a flanged shaft S with bolts B (FIG. 2a) or to provide a stub shaft SS integrally with impeller /, the stub shaft SS being threaded for connection to shaft S (FIG. 2b). Other options not shown are keyed shafts and friction fits. The approach of FIG. 2b is often preferred for airborne gas turbine applications to 2a, since the mechanical fasteners of FIG. 2a add unwanted weight, while keyed shafts add stress concentrations, and all designs present dynamics issues to the designer. The integral shaft impeller of FIG. 2b is provided by extruding a stub shaft SS during forging.
As described briefly above, in the forging process, large amounts of deformation are required to randomise the metallurgical texture and disrupt and remove the regions of weakness from the forging, to there by provide good mechanical properties such as LCF life. After mechanical working, heat treatment is performed. If the cross sectional area is beyond a limiting value, known as the "ruling section", it is not possible to adequately heat treat and forge the centre of the forging, which reduces the mechanical properties of the alloy in that region. The somewhat trapezoidal shape of the impeller cross-section naturally makes this forging and heat treatment issue much more of a concern for the manufacture of impellers than it does for disc-type rotors. Also, the inclusion of an extruded shaft portion to the impeller greatly increases the cross sectional area of the part, exacerbating forging issues.
Although prior art forging and forging +extrusion processes work well with many titanium compressor rotor designs, a relatively new titanium alloy known as IMI834 (generally Ti-5.8Al, 4Sn, 3.5Zr, 0.7Nb), or Timetal 834, (a trade mark of Titanium Metals Corporation), presents new problems to the field of compressor rotor manufacture not adequately addressed by prior art technologies. IMI834 is known to have highly desirable properties for aircraft engine components, such as high temperature creep resistance, high tensile and fatigue strengths, and a relatively low density, however IMI834 also has several intrinsic material properties which make it a uniquely difficult material with which to work, especially in the provision of integral compressor rotors for gas turbines. Prior art manufacturing techniques result in a poor LCF life for gas turbine impellers, for example.
Therefore a need exists to address the problems of manufacturing compressor rotors, and particularly impellers, from IMI834 to provide improved LCF lives.


A rectangular game field with two opposed parallel ends and two opposed parallel sides. Each side and each end are formed of rectangular panels having vertical and horizontal rails. Vertical extender rails extend upwardly from the rectangular panels. A plurality of variously shaped connectors couple together the rails of the rectangular panels and the extender rails. Stabilizer support panels extend outwardly from at least some of the rectangular panels. Flexible fabric netting is located between the rails of the rectangular panels and the extender rails. Straps separably couple the flexible fabric netting to the rectangular panels and the extender rails.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a game system and more particularly pertains to fields which are readily assembled for playing games and disassembled for transportation and storage. The fields when assembled are arranged in rows and columns for conducting tournaments. The assembling and disassembling of fields, the playing of games, and the conducting of tournaments are done in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of game fields of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, game fields of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of providing a playing area for games are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, they do not describe a game system that allows fields to be readily assembled for playing games and disassembled for transportation and storage, the fields when assembled being arranged in rows and columns for conducting tournaments, the assembling and disassembling of fields and the playing of games and the conducting of tournaments being done in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
In this respect, the game system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing fields which are readily assembled for playing games and disassembled for transportation and storage. The fields when assembled are arranged in rows and columns for conducting tournaments. The assembling and disassembling of fields, the playing of games, and the conducting of tournaments are done in a safe, convenient and economical manner.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved game system with fields which can be readily assembled for playing games and disassembled for transportation and storage, the fields when assembled being arranged in rows and columns for conducting tournaments, the assembling and disassembling of fields and the playing of games and the conducting of tournaments being done in a safe, convenient and economical manner. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A female connector system for engaging, a matching male 3-in-1 IDE connector has, in certain embodiments, three alternatively usable, different length female connectors formed for mating with all or selected portions of the male connector. These include a set of data pin-receptacles, a set of jumper pin-receptacles, and a set of power pin-receptacles. To provide swift and secure engagement of the female connector to a 3-in-1 male connector, the female connector has a number of surface features. These include two locating projections that aid in properly locating the female connector with respect to the 3-in-1 male connector. A fitting portion and a groove are provided in one of the planar surfaces of the female connector and further aid in proper location and mating. An inclined surface at the corner of the female connector acts in cooperation with angled surfaces of the groove to facilitate simultaneous engagement of numerous pins of the male connector with correspondingly disposed pin-receptacles of the female connector.

Hard disk drives for computers and the like employ application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such disk drives typically employ disk drive motors which generally use a 12.0 V electric power supply. FIGS. 19 and 20 show, in perspective and front elevation views respectively, certain principal features of such a conventional interface and power connector of a type that is typically fitted to a user-accessible part of a circuit board. Such circuit boards support various elements of circuits, including ASICs.
Most ASICs currently in use employ 5.0 V supplies, but it is apparent that there are significant advantages, e.g., reduced power, better performance, etc. that can be realized by employing power at 3.3 V instead. Since many existing 5.0 V systems are currently in active use, and are likely to be used at least for the foreseeable future, there is currently a need for a versatile and easily usable interface and power connector system which will enable a user to selectively connect a circuit to either a 5.0 V or 3.3 V supply, depending on whether it is the older or newer type respectively, as well as to a 12.0 V supply.
Furthermore, there are also circumstances where it would be beneficial to selectively connect a jumper for specific or limited testing of portions of the circuit without disengaging existing power and data-transmission connections. There is, therefore, another present need for a connector system which will facilitate such temporary engagement with a female test jumper to an existing circuit via a male connector already connected to power supplies for the circuit.
A need also exists, for certain applications, for permanent connections of the male connector already connected to the circuit to one or more jumpers (female connectors), e.g., for drive mode selection. Such a use would require engagement pins of the male component with matchingly disposed receptive elements in a corresponding female jumper component in larger numbers than are typically available in existing connector systems.
It is important that the female connector elements be formed to be relatively easily yet securely connectable to the corresponding male components without the need for excessive care being exercised by a user. In practice, this requires that a balance be struck between the ever pressing need for compactness of the components as against the need to ensure structural integrity of the engaging components in repeated engagements/disengagements during anticipated use.
The present invention is intended to fulfill these needs by providing versatile female connectors conveniently engageable with both existing and improved male connector components, particularly to permit data exchange, the conveyance of electrical power, and the engagement of test jumpers and the like in systems which include integrated drive electronics interfaces.

Female connector for mating with 3-in-1 IDE interface and power connector with recesses and projections for facilitating engagement


The boom length measurement includes a transmitting unit mounted on the fly section of a multi-section telescopic boom, and a receiving unit mounted on the base section of the multi-section telescopic boom. The transmitting unit transmits a first and second signal having first and second transmission speeds, respectively. The second transmission speed is less than the first transmission speed. Based on a difference in transit times of the first and second signals received by the receiving unit, a length determiner determines the length of the multi-section telescopic boom. A display displays the determined length.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for measuring the length of a multi-section telescopic boom.
2. Description of Related Art
Typical booms employed in the crane and aerial work platform industry have multiple sections, and the length of the boom varies with the extension and retraction of these boom sections. Because boom length affects load moment characteristics and other factors involved in lifting a load, the length of the boom is monitored.
One technique for measuring the length of a boom employs a cable and reel system. The reel is mounted to a base section of the boom. The cable is wound on the reel and anchored to a fly section of the boom. A rotary sensor or multi-turn potentiometer attached to the reel measures the length of the boom based on the sensed rotation of the reel. Several other techniques using potentiometers, rotary sensors, and optical rotary sensors are also known.
Unfortunately, boom length measuring techniques such as above-mentioned cable and reel system are very costly, cumbersome, and subject to malfunction (tangling of the cable, breaking of the cable, etc.)

Method and apparatus for measuring the length of a multi-section telescopic boom


A method and apparatus to facilitate the loading of a grain bin such that the level in the grain bin increases generally uniformly and the distribution of grain size in the grain bin is generally uniform as well. The method includes redirecting the flow of the grain from the conveyer as it flows into the grain bin. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an adjustable leveling band for redirecting the grain uniformly to a plurality of radially extending chutes. In one embodiment, the angle of the chutes can also be easily adjusted.

Grain bins (silos, grain elevators) are commonly used to store grain. Grain bins are typically tall cylindrical structures and include a central upper opening for loading. A screw conveyer (e.g., auger) or belt conveyer is typically used to deliver the grain to the upper opening. Directly feeding grain into the grain bin from the conveyer can cause the grain bins to be loaded in an undesirable manner. For example, one side of the grain bin can be loaded with much more grain than another side, which can cause an imbalance and stress on the structure of the grain bin. Even if the grain bin is loaded generally uniformly from a radial direction with a mound of grain along the center axis of the grain bin, the fines in the grain can be concentrated rather than distributed. The fines have a different viscosity than the larger grain structure and tend to concentrate in the center of the grain bin rather than being uniformly distributed in the grain bin along with the larger grains. It is desirable to load the grain bin in a manner that results in a generally uniform loading of the grain bin vertically and radially, and also results in an even distribution of the size of the grain in the grain bin.


An improved impeller head is provided for treating molten metals and other liquid systems with a gas. A multiple-vaned impeller head is adapted for mounting on a hollow impeller shaft for rotation within the liquid The edges of the impeller vanes are extended by an axial groove which intercepts the hub and the vanes of the impeller head. Extension of the trailing edge of the vanes creates greater turbulence in the liquid as the impeller is rotated in the liquid and increases the impeller's efficiency. The impeller vanes may also have canted leading surfaces which create an upward axial flow of liquid to discourage formation of a surface vortex. Multiple impellers may also be mounted on a shaft in the vessel and the gas may be introduced remotely.

Molten metals, such as aluminum, typically contain both dissolved and suspended impurities. Suspended impurities include, for example, the simple and complex oxides, nitrides, carbides, and carbonates of the various elements that constitute the alloy. Dissolved impurities include both dissolved gases and dissolved solids. For example, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen have a high liquid phase solubility in iron. Oxygen is highly soluble in copper and silver. Hydrogen is appreciably soluble in aluminum. Dissolved solid impurities include, for example, sulfur and phosphorous in iron, and alkali elements, such as sodium or calcium, in aluminum.
Fluxing is a general category of processes used to remove both dissolved and suspended impurities by the combination of physical desorption, chemical reaction mechanisms, and floatation of suspended solids. Gas sparging is a commonly employed fluxing process wherein an inert or inert/reactive gas combination is introduced into the melt as efficiently as possible to mix and react with the melt thereby removing impurities. For example, it is well known to disperse chlorine or a reactive chloride gas into a molten metal to form the chloride salt of the metal impurity. The salt rises to the surface of the melt and is thereafter removed. It is also well known, for example, to use fluorocarbons, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, to treat molten aluminum with a reactive gas to reduce the amounts of gas impurities and oxides, along with impurities such as sodium and calcium. Suspended solids are transported to the melt surface by attachment to rising gas bubbles.
One specific use to which gas sparging is useful is purification of molten aluminum. Gas sparging is optimized by dispersing extremely small gas bubbles throughout the molten aluminum or melt. Hydrogen, for example, is removed from the melt by desorption into the gas bubbles, while other alkali elements react with the sparging gas and are lifted into a dross layer by flotation. Dispersion of the sparging gas into the melt is facilitated by a rotating gas distributor, or phase contactor, which simultaneously produces a high degree of turbulence in the melt. Turbulence assures thorough mixing of the sparging gas with the melt which, in moderately turbulent environments, are removed to the melt surface by peripheral interception and equatorial contact, i.e. the particles agglomerate, attach to the gas bubbles, and float to the surface. Impurities removed from the melt by peripheral interception are withdrawn from the system with the dross while hydrogen desorbed from the molten metal leaves the system with the sparging gas.
The process efficiency of a particular phase contactor is related to its ability to maximize liquid and gas interphase interfacial area and to effectively disperse the gas phase throughout the melt volume. Liquid diffusion transport distance refers to the range of hydrogen ion migration in a stagnant melt over a concentration gradient between two stationary points. This quantity is used to estimate liquid phase transport resistance of hydrogen in a particular solution, from a remote site in the melt to a gas bubble in the absence of fluid convection or bulk flow transport. Effective dispersion of the gas heat minimizes liquid diffusion transport distance of cations by the development of a flow field. Additionally, flotation efficiency for removing suspended impurities is inversely proportional to the square of the bubble diameter. Therefore, producing the greatest number of small, dispersed gas bubbles maximizes the physical desorption, chemical reaction, and floatation efficiency.
It is known in the prior art to provide a phase contactor consisting of an impeller fixed to the end of a rotating shaft. The impeller comprises a hub with solid radial vanes projecting from the hub. As the impeller rotates through the melt, a vortex street, i.e. a series of vortices that trail behind an object, is produced at the trailing surfaces of the vanes to generate shear. Using such an impeller, a stream of sparging gas is introduced into the melt as the impeller rotates deep within the melt. Gas buoyancy and the low pressure region created behind the vanes combine to cause the melt and gas to mix. The sparging gas interacts with the vortex street created by each vane and is ejected as small gas bubbles.
The shear field created by the impeller vanes comprises numerous eddies that interact with the subsurface stream of sparging gas to generate small bubbles of gas. Energy to create new surface area is supplied by these eddies. The rotating impeller also imparts radial fluid flow that disperses the bubbles throughout the melt volume. Continuity in an incompressible medium, such as molten metal, results in the unfortunate consequence of an axial flow component to the flow field. As a result, a surface vortex forms, rotating about and flowing downwardly along the impeller shaft, agitating the surface dross and drawing impurities back into the melt.
The most effective rotating impeller phase contactor will operate at high shear, and also promote radial flow. Ideally the phase contactor should also minimize disturbance to the surface dross to prevent recontamination to the gas-treated melt.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved rotating impeller head phase contactor which maximizes liquid and gas interphase interfacial area to effectively disperse the sparging gas throughout the melt volume.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved rotating impeller head phase contactor which imparts power to the melt for the purpose of thoroughly mixing the liquid phase with the gaseous phase.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus including a rotating impeller head phase contactor which creates sufficient turbulence but which minimizes formation of a vortex at the top of the melt around the impeller shaft which would disrupt the dross layer and draw surface impurities down into and recontaminate the melt.

Method for treating a liquid with a gas using an impeller


A set of carrying tongs is intended for one hand operations. It includes a main member with a handle at one end arranged at an acute angle to a center part of the main member. A gripping part at the opposite end is arranged at an obtuse angle to the main arm. A tip projects from the end of the gripping part. The second arm of the tongs is pivotally connected to the main arm between its ends. It has a gripping part arranged at an obtuse angle and a tip projecting from the end of the gripping parts. The tongs may be used single handed to grip and carry a number of different objects of various sizes and shapes. An eye at the juncture between the handle and the main arm can be connected to a rope or cable for hauling on the tongs.

The invention is concerned with a multi-purpose set of tongs that has numerous uses in gripping and carrying various different types of objects. The tongs can be used for carrying square or rectangular blocks, for example salt blocks. They can also be used for lifting round objects, for example, lengths of firewood. They can be used for dragging logs. Other applications of the tongs include use as a meat hook and as a coupling for connecting a towing rope to a vehicle. In an agricultural setting, they can be used for carrying square bales of hay or other material, preferably using two pairs of the tongs. They have proven effective in carrying automotive type batteries, wheel rims and pneumatic tires. Another application is lifting pails without handles. There are numerous applications for the tongs that will become apparent from the following discussion.


The invention relates to hydraulic control in a hydraulic system for the operation of a machine tool such as a press for processing material of a certain type, especially for the operation of the scrap cutters. Said control allows for impact attenuation and combined rapid motion switching with load compensation and transfer of a hydraulic medium of a hydraulic cylinder for the movement of the other. According to the invention, said control comprises hydraulic media of a hydraulic cylinder for pre-control of a first main valve element (2.4.0), a second main valve element (2.7.0) and a third main valve element (3.7.0) which are functionally combined and a fourth valve (2.5).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hydraulic control in a hydraulic system for the operation of a machine tool such as a press for processing material of any desired type, such as presses and/or shears, in particular for shears for cutting metal scrap, such as "scrap shears".
2. Prior Art
Machine tools such as presses essentially comprise                a column having at least one hydraulic cylinder guided and fastened therein for driving a tamper, pressing or holding down the material, toward a table and at least one hydraulic cylinder guided and fastened therein for driving a tool, finally processing and cutting the material, toward a fixed tool in said table, and        a "hydraulic control" with tank, pumps, control blocks, valve elements and nozzles and also the hydraulic medium for the cyclic operation of the first and second cylinders.        a "hydraulic control" with tank, pumps, control blocks, valve elements and nozzles and also the hydraulic medium for the cyclic operation of the first and second cylinders.
It is known to provide means in the hydraulic control which generate a damping pressure for damping a "(cutting) impact" at least in one of the hydraulic cylinders at the end of its working stroke, such as, for example, after the severing of metal scrap.
The general problematic nature of these (cutting) impacts has been known for a long time and has already been described in detail in publications DE 2808091A1, DE 2824176A1, DE 2909119A1, DE 3534467A1, DE 2221290C3, DE 2928777C2, DE 3112393C2 and DE 19529134A1.
A useful and already known solution to the problem can be gathered from the preamble of the main claim of EP 0765203B1 (also published as U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,807), in which case this embodiment is to be advantageously augmented by the characterizing features such as                the control pressure corresponding to the damping pressure can be built up by inflow of control oil from the piston-side cylinder space of the working cylinder via a bypass line into the control space, and        a check valve which shuts off flow toward the piston-side cylinder space is arranged in the bypass line.
The previously known hydraulic control can be effectively presented in the following steps with regard to the outflow relevant to the damping of the (cutting) impact (with reference to EP 0765203, also published as U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,807):                1. The cylinder descends with the cutter. A counter-pressure is generated in the rod space 12 of the cylinder by means of a pressure valve 54. The valve 54 interacts with a valve 31 as a two-stage pressure-limiting valve, the valve 31 constituting the main stage. A valve 38 is held by a spring in the position P-A, since the control pressure in line 40 at this instant is still low. The counter-pressure in the rod space during the downward travel is necessary in order to hold the load attached to the cylinder. Without this counter-pressure, the cylinder, due to the weight of the piston rod and the attached load G, would travel faster than predetermined by the pump quantity due to gravitational effects. This would result in a vacuum in the piston space 10, and this vacuum can cause problems with the seals of the cylinder.        2. The cylinder, or the cutter, comes down on the material. The pressure in the piston space 10 increases, since at this point the cylinder is no longer moved. The pump continues to deliver oil, which leads to a pressure increase in the piston space 10. This pressure increase continues via the control line 62, the valve 58 and the line 40 and leads to shifting of the valve 38 into position A-T. Accordingly, the control space of the valve 31 is connected via a nozzle 21 and the valve 38 to the tank; and the valve 31 opens against the spring 66. As a result, the previously required counter-pressure in the annular space 12 of the cylinder collapses. The cylinder can now apply the full desired force, defined by pressure times piston area, for cutting the material. The cutter cuts the material when the cutting force is reached.        3. The cutter is accelerated by the oil volume, acting as a spring, in the piston space. Immediately after the cutting, the pressure in the piston spaces 10 collapses through expansion. At the same time, the valve 38, in the absence of control pressure, shifts back into basic position P-A. The oil flow produced by the accelerated cylinder is partly directed via the nozzle 36 and the valve 38 to the control space of the valve 31. The top pressure on the annular-space side is limited, as in section 3.1, via the two-stage pressure-limiting valve (54/31). This counter-pressure already constitutes a (cutting) impact damping.        4. As can be seen under 2, before cutting, the pressure in the piston space 10 is high and the pressure in the annular space 12 is relieved toward the tank. Since the pressure in the piston space 10 is now higher than in the annular space 12, oil flows via the line 68 and the nozzles 70 and 36 and the check valve 72 from the piston space to the annular space and thus via the valve 31 to the tank. This oil flow multiplied by the applied pressure can adversely produce an unintentional power loss.         During the cutting (as described in 3), the pressure in the piston space 10 collapses, at least partly. Since the pressure in the piston space 10 has decreased and pressure has been generated in the annular space by the accelerated cylinder, there is the risk that no oil can flow via the line 68. The pressure gradient then becomes opposed to the check valve.         The line 68 will therefore also lead to a mutual effect instead of assisting damping. Furthermore, it is to be emphasized that the valve 38 must first of all shift into the basic position for the desired (cutting) impact damping to come into effect. The precondition for this is that the pressure in the line 40 (thus previously in the piston space 10) must have collapsed. Thus, in particular cases, no oil can flow via the line 68 and accordingly via the valve 38, since this at best requires additional means on account of the circuit logic and the oil required is fed via the nozzle 36 of the pilot control.
In addition, the (cutting) impact damping present per se is accordingly to be assisted with simple means by the 4th step, which, however, does not appear possible without further means or may lead to further complications.
The hydraulic controls already realized in industrial practice with the features (in accordance with the steps 1 to 3 described above) defined in the preamble of abovementioned EP 0765203B1 (also published as U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,807), in particular in scrap shears, have proved to be functional with regard to (cutting) impact damping; however, they are in need of improvement in the context of a complex hydraulic problem. With regard to the effectiveness of the technical means of the function described in step 4, this would only be partly realizable and only if additional means were to be used. This means at least a considerable cost outlay.
According to DE 4312283A1, the search for a solution approaches, such as, for example, in large, but continuously working channel baling presses, a control for a hydraulic heavy-duty actuator which is to be controlled under load from an extended working position into a return movement, a hydraulically pressurized working space of the actuator being connected to a return line of low pressure via a directional control valve, the valve position of which is set hydraulically via a control line which has at least one choke orifice.
In this case, a pressure-stabilizing delay element is connected in between the directional control valve and the choke orifice.
If the mode of operation of this control is analyzed with regard to the machine of the design mentioned at the beginning, valve operation for reducing relief impacts is certainly presented and a bracketed pressure from a system is reduced as smoothly as possible in order to reduce impacts extending into the tank line.
However, the rapid buildup of a counter-pressure in a cylinder and then also thus the limiting of this counter-pressure by this measure is not possible.
An approach to the solution of the present problem does not follow from this disclosure.
The aim of building up a counter-pressure as rapidly as possible and of limiting it in a cylinder of the machines of the generic type, taking into account their specific mode of operation, also cannot be achieved by the solution according to EP 1186783A1. According to this patent, only the oil flowing off from one cylinder is used for generally applying pressure to and driving a second cylinder. This effect is assumed to be known in order to actually fulfill the basic function of the hydraulic control in these machines.
It can therefore be stated that the problem of the (cutting) impact damping by means of hydraulic control for presses, and in particular shears for cutting metal scrap, defined at the beginning has hitherto not been solved comprehensively within the scope of the entire hydraulic system.
Thus, the volume of the hydraulic medium provided by the pumps in hydraulic controls for machine tools such as presses, and in particular shears for cutting metal scrap, constitutes a limit to the speed of the sequences of hydraulic cylinders, since the hydraulic medium flowing to the tank remains unused as a rule. There is also that fact that perpendicularly working hydraulic cylinders, such as in presses or shears, with attached masses of, for example, tools impose special demands on the hydraulic control. If the annular space of the cylinder is simply relieved toward the tank during the downward travel of this cylinder, the extension being effected downward, the piston of the cylinder could descend due to the dead mass and the attached load and could possibly run in advance of the action of the pumps. This has an adverse effect at least on the service life of the cylinder seals and may also be disadvantageous for the entire hydraulic system.
Finally, in conventional hydraulic controls for uses described above, with the simultaneous upward movement of two cylinders, the cycle time of the processing operation, such as after the shearing for example, is considerably restricted.

Hydraulic control in a hydraulic system, especially for the operation of scrap cutters


To achieve saving of fuel consumption and noise reduction by adopting a hybrid type and miniaturizing an engine and to ensure safe and reliable battery charging in a case in which a charge amount of a battery is quite insufficient, a hydraulic work machine includes: a gate lock sensor (28); a forced charging switch (41); a work machine monitor (43) that notifies an operator that a charging rate of a battery (33) falls to be lower than a critical charging rate; and a machine controller (46). The machine controller (46) actuates a generator motor (31) as a generator to forcedly charge the battery (33) when a gate lock lever (26) is operated to a lock position (D), an engine control dial (12) designates a low idle engine speed, and the forced charging switch (41) is operated.

In recent years, hybrid work machines using both an engine (diesel engine) and an electric motor have been developed and partially put into practical use as work machines such as hydraulic excavators from the viewpoint of saving of fuel consumption, improvement in exhaust gas emission characteristics, noise reduction, and the like. As such a hybrid construction machine, there is known, for example, a hybrid construction machine disclosed in Patent Document 1.
The hybrid construction machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a generator motor as an auxiliary power source of a hydraulic pump driven by an engine, and configured such that in a case in which a charge amount of a battery falls to be equal to or lower than a preset charging rate, then a target engine speed is reduced to increase an output power torque with which the engine operates at a rated engine speed, and a torque reduction control is exercised to reduce a maximum absorption torque of the hydraulic pump, thereby forcing the engine to generate an extra torque and actuating the generator motor as an electric motor to perform boost charging of the battery.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra Co., Ltd


In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a game of chance is provided. Cards for use in the game of chance have rows and columns that define “boxes having numbers contained in the boxes. A random number generator generates an initial number of numbers, preferably two. The initial numbers correspond to the numbers contained in the boxes, thus representing a numerical spread based on the position the numbers correspond to on the card. Depending on the numerical spread based on the position the numbers correspond to on the card, either a payoff is determined, a push is called or at least an addition number is generated. If the additional number is generated, either a payoff is determined or a push is called.

Games of chance provide entertainment to many. A game of chance is a game whose outcome is strongly influenced by some randomizing device, and upon which contestants frequently wager money. Common devices used include dice, spinning tops, playing cards, roulette wheels or numbered balls drawn from a container. Gambling is known in nearly all human societies. Early people used the knucklebones of sheep as dice. Some games of chance may also involve a certain degree of skill. This is especially true where the player or players have decisions to make based upon previous or incomplete knowledge, such as poker and blackjack.
Bingo is a game of chance in which randomly selected numbers are drawn and players match those numbers to those appearing on 5×5 matrices which are printed or electronically represented and are known as "cards." The first person to have a card where the drawn numbers form a specified pattern (usually in a straight line) is the winner and calls out the word "bingo" to alert others and inform the caller of the win.
Bingo has been traced back to a lottery game called "Lo Giuoco Code Loto" played in Italy in the 1500's. By the eighteenth century, the game had matured, and in France, playing cards, tokens, and the calling out of numbers had been added to the game. In the nineteenth century, Bingo was widely used in Germany for educational purposes, to teach children spelling, animal names, and multiplication tables.
At a travelling carnival near Atlanta in 1929, Beano was being played with dried beans, a rubber stamp, and cardboard sheets. Edwin Lowe was watching this game and noticed how engaged the players were. Lowe took the idea with him to New York, where he introduced the game to his friends. He conducted bingo games similar to the ones he had witnessed, using dried beans, a rubber numbering stamp and card board. His friends loved the game. Folklore has it that one of his players made bingo history when he was so excited to have won that he yelled out "Bingo" instead of "Beano", and the name stuck. The Lowe Bingo Game had two versions: the first a 12-card set for $1.00; the second a $2.00 set with 24 cards. Bingo was a wildly successful. By the 1940's, Bingo games were common all over the country.
In the U.S., the game is primarily staged by churches or charity organizations. Their legality and stakes vary by state regulation. In some states, bingo halls are rented out to sponsoring organizations, and such halls often run games almost every day. Church-run games, however, are normally weekly affairs held on the church premises. These games are usually played for modest stakes, although the final game of a session is frequently a coverall game that offers a larger jackpot prize for winning within a certain quantity of numbers called; a progressive jackpot may increase per session until it is won.
Commercial bingo games in the U.S. are primarily offered by casinos (for example in the state of Nevada), and by Native American bingo halls, which are often housed in the same location as Native American casinos. In Nevada, bingo is usually offered only by casinos that cater to local gamblers, and not tourist resorts. Nevada bingo halls usually offer several two-hour sessions daily, with relatively modest stakes except for coverall jackpots. Native American games are typically offered for only one or two sessions a day, and are often played for higher stakes than charity games in order to draw players from distant places. Some also offer a special progressive jackpot game that may tie together players from multiple bingo halls.
While such bingo games continue to offer entertainment to many, player who have now for decades been playing the game often tire of it. Thus, what would be advantageous would be a new game that takes advantage of the familiarity of bingo to players, but yet provides a new, exciting gaming experience.


Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a holder for medical tubing. Specific embodiments find particular use in managing reagent replacement tubes which are often used in connection with various types of types of laboratory equipment. In a specific example, one or more magnets are associated with the reagent tubing. The one or more magnets are used to secure the reagent tubing to a portion of the equipment stand or base, the drawer, or any other magnetically responsive surface.

During operation of various types of laboratory equipment, is often the case that one or more reagents or diluents will need to be replaced. For example, body fluid analyzers (such as hematology analyzers, urinalysis equipment, or other types of body fluid analyzers or instruments) may receive an input of the body fluid and run various tests in order to collect accurate data about individual cell size, shape, structure, and count. These analyzers may operate via electrical impedance, flow cytometry, fluorescent flow cytometry, imaging, or various other methods. The analyzers are generally used in combination with one or more chemical reagents and/or diluents that dilute, lyse, facilitate cell flow, or otherwise prepare the body fluid to be analyzed.
As illustrated by FIG. 1, the chemical reagents and/or diluents (collectively referred to herein as "reagents") may be provided in containers 10 that are housed on or near the equipment in which they are used. In some examples, the containers 10 may be housed in drawers 12 or shelves associated with the equipment stand or base 14. During operation of such types of laboratory equipment, there is often a need to replace and/or change the reagents used. This is accomplished by removing reagent tubing 16 from the container 10 currently in use (but that has been emptied, has expired, etc.), and removing and replacing the used container 10 with a replacement container.


A magnetic bearing is provided which may be utilized in a fine position control or movement system. Stability is enhanced by providing separate mechanisms for supporting the weight of a platen or other object being controlled with electromagnets utilized to control or compensate for motion of the platen in N degrees of freedom. The support mechanism is preferably one or more permanent magnets having an air gap with the platen which is greater than the air gap for the electromagnets. The mechanisms for supporting the weight of the platen may be made adjustable so as to support the weight of the platen regardless of any changes in such weight by, for example, adjusting the air gap for the permanent magnet to compensate for weight changes. Resonant vibration is reduced by constructing the platen of a hollowed, cellular structure, for example, a honeycomb structure.

There are many applications where an object must be positioned with high precision in the nanometer range. Such applications include scanning tunneling microscopy, precision mechanically suspended linear slides and XY stages, such as those used in the manufacture of electronic circuit chips, various precision optical applications, and diamond turning machines. In such applications and others, the object must not only be precisely positioned, but the position must be maintained regardless of perturbations to the object resulting from air currents, vibration, temperature variations and the like. In some applications, such a fine position control mechanism may be used alone, while in other applications it may be used as a fine motion control stage in a mechanism which also includes a coarse motion control stage for positioning the device over larger distances with a lower degree of resolution.
While various bearings have been utilized in the past in such applications, including mechanical bearings, flexures, gas and liquid fluid bearings, etc., magnetic bearings have been found preferable for such applications for a number of reasons. Such bearings or suspensions have superior controllable stiffness, have less cross-coupling between modes with multiple degrees of freedom and are generally easier to control. They are not subject to rough spots, friction or wear as with mechanical bearings, and are also simpler to design mechanically, generally involving only a single moving part. However, while magnetic bearings offer a number of advantages, they also provide various control problems, particularly when operating with nanometer or Angstrom resolutions.
One approach to developing a magnetic bearing for fine motion control is discussed in an article entitled "Design Considerations for Ultra Precision Magnetic Bearing Supported Slides" by A. H. Slocum and D. B. Eisenhaure, NASA Magnetic Suspension Technology Conference, Hampton, VA Feb. 2-4, 1988. However, the device described in this paper had a number of limitations which adversely affect its performance.
First, while permanent magnets were used in this device to support the weight of the object or platen to be moved, the gap for the permanent magnet was substantially the same as the gaps for the electromagnets used for positioning the platen or maintaining the position thereof. These gaps were relatively small, in part because position sensing capacitive probes were mounted within the coils of the electromagnets. This results in a relatively large unstable frequency of suspension, thereby making the control problem far more difficult. One of the objects of this invention is to provide enhanced stability in a small motion system.
Another problem with the prior system is that it did not operate the electromagnets in push/pull mode in all dimensions and for all degrees of freedom. This inhibited the ability to correct for various errors and also reduced stability of the system. The control problem was also complicated by using magnet of different size. Other problems included mounting the probes in the electromagnets which increased the size, and thus the required currents, for the electromagnets and also restricted the gaps available for these magnets. Position sensing was also restricted to less than the full range of motion of the platen, resulting in instability when the platen moved outside the sensor range. Further, the platen was a hollow tube which exhibited significant resonance at one or more selected frequencies. It is desirable that the platen not be designed to permit such resonance.
The prior art system also was unable to compensate with the permanent magnet for variations in platen weight which might occur, for example, when a load was placed on the platen to have work performed thereon. Since enhanced stability and control is achieved, and electrical usage is minimized, where the platen weight is always being supported solely by the permanent magnet, regardless of changes in the weight of the platen, a need exists for a mechanism to permit the magnetic force of the permanent magnet exerted on the platen to be adjusted to achieve this objective.
In addition, it is desirable in some applications that the system be damped beyond the damping provided solely by the magnetic bearings. Since air provides little damping, such additional damping could be provided by suspending the platen in a viscous fluid, ferrofluid, or similar media for improving damping and high frequency coupling between the platen and a frame or housing in which the platen is mounted. Where such fluid is provided, it might also be utilized to carry the weight of the platen in lieu of or in addition to the permanent magnet and to adjust for weight changes of the platen. Where a ferrofluid is employed, it may also be utilized, in conjunction with the electromagnets, to control platen or object position in some or all degrees of freedom.

Bearing for use in high resolution precision control device


This invention relates to a positioning, compression and storage device for modular face-pumped slab laser heads of the type that are constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow face-pumped slab laser head components to be assembled and stored easily and quickly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a positioning, compression and storage device for modular face-pumped slab laser heads of the type that are constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow face-pumped slab laser head components to be assembled and stored easily and quickly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Up to the present invention, complete dismantling of a face-pumped slab laser head is required in order to repair, replace or service a face-pumped laser. The complete dismantling typically requires a total optical alignment to properly restore the laser performance. A typical "down time" for a face-pumped slab laser which usually involves complete dismantling, re-assembly and realignment is about two days. Obviously, such a lengthy "down time" is expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a new advantageous system, therefore, would be presented if such amounts of "down time" could be reduced.
It is known, in commercial rod lasers, to utilize a rod, an end cap, and a flow tube replacement assembly to reduce "down time". While this replacement assembly performs adequately for a rod laser, a face-pumped slab laser head requires a far more complex replacement or modular assembly, such as, for example, the cooling integration and cooling passage design. Also, the optical alignment requirements of a rod laser are not as stringent as those of a face-pumped slab laser. Therefore, modular slab laser assembly which reduced "down time" would be advantageous.
Finally, when a slab laser head is assembled, it is necessary to precisely align the constituent parts. However, the act of constructing the constituent parts assembly and moving the completed assembly compromises the precision of this alignment since these parts are easily moved out of alignment. Therefore, a still further advantageous system would be presented if the modular slab laser could be constructed easily and quickly and was capable of being moved without disrupting the alignment precision of the laser.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a positioning, compression and storage device for a modular face-pumped laser system which is capable of positioning the components of the laser head and which at least retains the components in their assembled position, but which at the same time is capable of being moved without disrupting the alignment precision of the laser system. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

Positioning, compression and storage device for a modular face-pumped laser


A selective hydrogen adding equipment is provided by which living organism applicable hydrogen-contained fluid is obtained without changing properties of the living organism applicable fluid. Living organism applicable hydrogen-contained fluid is obtained through storing a hydrogen generating system, which contains a hydrogen generating agent as an essential component, in a hydrogen bubble forming implement which has a gas/liquid separating section including a gas-permeable film or an open-close type valve, causing the hydrogen generating system and a generating-purpose water to react in the hydrogen bubble forming implement, and supplying hydrogen gas generated in the hydrogen bubble forming implement into living organism applicable fluid via the gas/liquid separating section.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a selective hydrogen adding equipment for living organism applicable fluid.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a method of producing living organism applicable hydrogen-contained fluid, known in the art are a method using a hydrogen water electrolytically generating apparatus for household use and a method causing metal pieces of metal magnesium as a hydrogen generating agent to contact with living organism applicable fluid (Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-167696).

Selective hydrogen adding equipment for living organism applicable fluid


A filler nozzle includes a nozzle body, a connecting ring, an intake nozzle, a securing seat, a securing ring, a valve flap, a positioning element, and a spring. One end of the nozzle body has a connector for connection with the connecting ring and the intake nozzle. The intake nozzle is linked to a snap ring of the connecting ring. The outer end of the connector is provided with two opposed insert pieces for engaging insert seats on the outer periphery of the intake nozzle. The other end of the nozzle body forms an insert connector for receiving the securing seat. The securing seat has a shaft fitted with the spring, the positioning element, the valve flap and the securing ring. By means of the cooperation between the positioning element and the securing seat, the valve flap can be caused to open or close for inflation or deflation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a filler nozzle, and more particularly to a filler nozzle in which the valve flap can be controlled to open or close for inflation or deflation purposes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Inflatable boats or rafts are very common. They are equipped with filler nozzles for inflation purposes. However, conventional filler nozzles may easily be opened when hit by external objects. It is therefore desirable to have a filler nozzle that cannot be easily opened when in contact with external objects.


Embodiments provide an interleaver for interleaving an LDPC encoded bit sequence, wherein the interleaver includes a segmentation stage configured to segment the LDPC encoded bit sequence into a plurality of chunks including a first chunk and one or more other chunks, a first interleaver stage, configured to interleave the one or more other chunks or a concatenated version thereof, a second interleaver stage, configured to block wise interleave the first chunk and an interleaved bit sequence provided by the first interleaver stage, to obtain an interleaved version of the LDPC encoded bit sequence, wherein the first chunk consists of bits of a first type being, which are error correcting bits or repeat accumulate bits of the LDPC encoded bit sequence, or are represented, in a Tanner graph representation of the LDPC encoded bit sequence, by variable nodes that include non-random connections to at least two error correcting check nodes.

Low-Density Parity-Check Codes (LDPC), are considered as a breakthrough in the field of digital communications due to their spectacular performance and relatively low complexity. Their capacity approaching performance makes them appealing to a multitude of applications that necessitate robustness and reliability. Moreover, their sparse nature facilitates the Belief Propagation (BP) decoding on the Tanner graphs.
A starting point of an LDPC decoder involves the calculation of the apriori Log Likelihood Ratios (LLRs). For that purpose, the channel fading coefficients should be estimated by means of a known preamble sequence, and fed to the LDPC decoder. However, the preamble is only capable of providing short-term information about the fading channel. This means that, only the first neighboring coefficients can be estimated. As a result, the remaining symbols would have no Channel State Information (CSI). In other words, the LDPC decoder would be able to calculate the apriori LLRs of the first few symbols, while the remaining symbols would be treated as erasures. These erasures render the triggering of the BP decoding of LDPC impossible.
On the one hand, increasing the number of pilot symbols would result in a longer span of channel estimation. Consequently, more fading coefficients could be estimated and provided to the LDPC decoder, which leads to better performance. On the other hand, this enhanced performance would come at the price of reduced effective data rate due to the transmission of more non-data pilot symbols.
LDPC codes can be described by their Tanner graph. An (n, k) LDPC code has n variable nodes representing the n encoded bits, and n−k check nodes representing the parity check equations. A systematic LDPC code would have its k information bits mapped to the first k variable nodes.
The remaining n−k variable nodes resemble the n−k parity bits. The connections between the variable nodes and the check nodes are done according to the parity check matrix of the given LDPC code.
A class of LDPC codes such as the codes proposed for the upcoming IEEE 802.15.4w [1], and the codes adopted in the DVB-NGH standard, is featured with a staircase node distribution. This means that, except for the first k variable nodes representing the systematic information part, the connections of the variable nodes and the check nodes follow a staircase fashion. In other words, each variable node is connected to two consecutive check nodes. The (k+1)th variable node is connected to the first and second check nodes. The (k+2)th variable node is connected to the second and third check nodes, and so on. The nth variable node is connected to the (n−k)th check node.
FIG. 1 shows a Tanner graph 10 example of an (736,184) LDPC code proposed in [3], with code rate, r=1/4. It has n=736 variable nodes 12, and n−k=552 check nodes 14. The first k variable nodes 12 correspond to the systematic information part. Their node degree goes up to d=10, and they have random connections 16 to the check nodes 14. Except for the last variable node, the remaining 551 variable nodes exhibit a staircase connection to the corresponding check nodes 14, and are of degree, d=2.
An LDPC code with a staircase node distribution is vulnerable to decoding failure when the channel estimator provides CSI about few symbols. The reason behind this performance deterioration comes from the connection pattern of the check nodes to the corresponding variable nodes. For example, for the (736,184) code, except for the first check node, each one is of degree d=4. Every check node is connected at random to two variable nodes from the first k variable nodes. The remaining two edges follow the staircase structure via the consecutive variable node connections. This means that, a short preamble sequence would only provide information about the first few bits of the systematic part. This leaves all the check nodes of the Tanner graph with at least two erased LLRs received from their corresponding variable nodes. Consequently, the BP decoding algorithm would fail to start.
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a concept that allows the viability of the Belief Propagation (BP) decoding algorithm of LDPC even with a limited number of estimated fading coefficients.

Interleaver for interleaving LDPC encoded bit sequence

FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR F RDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.


A method for producing a spallation-resistant aluminum oxide layer on the surface of a superalloy article is described. An aluminum oxide layer is produced, typically under tensile stress, by chemical vapor deposition at low temperatures on a metal aluminide layer that has been deposited on the surface of the article. The aluminum oxide layer is then heated to induce cracking therein, which imparts spallation-resistance thereto. If desired, a thermal barrier layer may be deposited on the aluminum oxide layer.

The present invention relates to producing adherent and oxidation resistant coatings on superalloys, and more particularly, to aluminide coatings having a spallation-resistant alumina layer therein.
High performance superalloys, such as nickel- or cobalt-based superalloys, are being increasingly employed in various types of gas turbine engines used, for example, in the propulsion and power generation industries. High pressure components (e.g., airfoils) of high performance and high fuel efficiency turbine engines generally have a hollow core made of a nickel-or cobalt-based superalloy. These components are subjected to corrosive exhaust gases at extremely high temperatures of up to 1150xc2x0 C. during the operation of a gas turbine engine. As a result, these components are prone to oxidation damage. Various solutions have been tried to prevent such oxidation damage.
One means typically employed is to provide the components with an environmentally-resistant coating, often provided by an aluminum-rich alloy, such as aluminide, whose surface oxidizes to form an aluminum oxide (alumina) scale at elevated temperatures. Such a scale provides a tough, adherent layer that is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion attack. However, one of the major problems faced by these environmentally-resistant coatings is the spallation of the alumina layer thus formed. Upon subsequent cooling of the turbine blade, the thermal mismatch in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the underlying superalloy substrate and the alumina layer disposed thereon leads to an enormous compressive stress on the alumina layer. Thus, when the alumina layer is repeatedly subjected to such intense thermal cycles, spallation of the alumina layer frequently occurs. This in turn triggers regeneration of alumina when the underlying exposed aluminide layer is oxidized by the air at high temperatures produced during the normal working cycle of a gas turbine engine. This regeneration process depletes available aluminum from the underlying aluminide layer disposed on the surface of the substrate, ultimately limiting the life of the coated component. Furthermore, when a thermal barrier coating is applied on the alumina layer, any spallation of the underlying alumina layer results in loss of the overlying thermal barrier coating, with grave consequences. Therefore, creating a spallation-resistant alumina layer is critical.
One example of such a spallation-resistant alumina interfacial layer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,614, where a high-purity alumina interfacial layer is provided between the metallic substrate and the ceramic thermal barrier coating.
One embodiment of the present invention embraces an article, comprising:
(a) a superalloy substrate;
(b) an adherent metal aluminide layer disposed on the surface of the substrate; and
(c) an aluminum oxide layer disposed on the surface of the metal aluminide layer,
wherein the aluminum oxide layer includes tensile cracking.
The aluminum oxide layer serves as a spallation-resistant protective layer, greatly enhanced by the tensile cracks contained therein, as discussed below. The layer is substantially free of spallation cracks. The article is often in the form of a turbine engine component, e.g., a high-pressure component such as an airfoil. The article may further include a thermal barrier layer disposed over the aluminum oxide layer. One example is a layer formed of yttria-stabilized zirconia.
The present invention is also directed to a method of producing a spallation-resistant protective layer on the surface of a superalloy substrate, comprising the steps of:
depositing an adherent metal aluminide layer on said substrate,
depositing an aluminum oxide layer on the surface of said metal aluminide layer; and
heating said aluminum oxide layer at an elevated temperature, as discussed below.
Other details regarding the various features of this invention are found in the remainder of the specification.

Spallation-resistant protective layer on high performance alloys


Methods, devices, electronic devices, apparatus, and systems for image reconstruction are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: obtaining first Computed Tomography (CT) data collected by a CT device performing a first contrast medium tracking scan on a target object based on a first reciprocating scanning sequence, obtaining second CT data by the CT device performing a second contrast medium tracking scan on the target object based on a second reciprocating scanning sequence in response to determining that a CT value in the first CT data exceeds a CT value threshold, and reconstructing CT images of the target object by using the first CT data and the second CT data respectively.

In medical activities, contrast medium tracking technology is usually adopted to realize three-dimensional reconstruction for a target object, for example, blood vessel in human body. Firstly, a tomography scan is performed on a to-be-examined region to obtain an image of a pilot film of the to-be-examined region, and then a scope of a region of interest is selected by a doctor in the pilot film and a threshold of a CT value is configured. After contrast medium is injected, several tomography scans are performed on the region of interest until the CT value exceeds the threshold. Subsequently, clinical scans are performed.
In the contrast medium tracking technology, the tomography scans are designed to monitor the CT value of the region of interest. Because the tomography scans are intermittent, to avoid affecting the quality of a reconstructed image, data collected during the tomography scans cannot be taken as basis for image reconstruction. These tomography scan processes compromise the efficiency of image reconstruction and exposes a patient to radiation that could have been avoided.


A fan blade having a hollow housing allowing air to enter into the front or rear opening of the fan blade and directed to exit out the side opening of the fan blade after having passed through a filter. Use of this fan blade is a method for removing particulates from the air.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for removing particulates from air with a fan having a unique fan blade.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various products are available to remove airborne pollutants from the air. Fans are used to move air and improve ventilation and have been used in various settings. Removing particulates from the air by use of a ceiling fan has been one method utilized to reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,779,976B1 discloses a method for removing pollutants by attaching a multi layer stack of sheets to the surface of a fan blade. The sheets have a tacky surface disposed on their outward facing sides so that as the fan blade rotates pollutants are captured by the tacky surface. When the tacky surface of the topmost sheet becomes contaminated with pollutants, it is peeled off to expose a clean, uncontaminated next lower sheet.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,340 discloses a room air filter apparatus having a multi-sided housing. A fan is mounted to the housing and operably disposed within a plenum to draw air from the plenum and to exhaust the air outside of the housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,131 discloses a ceiling fan for cleaning air in a room wherein each blade of the ceiling fan has a cavity open to the top and bottom surface of each fan blade and a filter unit in each of the cavities but within the confines of the fan blade such that when the ceiling fan is operated the air flow created by the ceiling fan will be forced through the filter unit from the bottom surface through the top surface where the filter unit can collect airborne particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,824 discloses a hollow fan blade for use with a ceiling fan with a top and bottom located so as to provide an air space sufficiently large enough to house on one or more germicidal lights in such a manner that the light will burn while the fan blade rotates. Filtering pads are located in the leading and trailing edges of the airspace between the top and bottom of the hollow blade for the absorption of smoke and other objectionable odors as the air passes through the lamp area. The ends of the blade joining the leading and trailing edges are closed.
It is an object of the current invention to simplify the removal of air particulates by use of a unique fan blade creating a cyclonic effect and providing both better air dispersion and better removal of air particulates.


A surgical device having a surgical element removably connected to a drive element so that drive torque is transmitted to the surgical element as the drive element rotates, while allowing the surgical element at least one degree of freedom of motion relative to the drive element; a retaining element maintains the drive and surgical elements in torque-transmitting relation during operation of the device.

The invention relates to motor driven, rotatable surgical devices.
Surgical devices, e.g., for arthroscopy, typically include a one piece inner cylindrical tube and surgical tip or a surgical tip welded to an inner tube that rotates within an outer tube. The rotating surgical tip is exposed to tissue and bone through an opening in the distal end of the outer tube. In use, the proximal end of the device is inserted into a motor driven handpiece, which rotates the drive element and cutting element. The distal end of the outer tube is then inserted into a patient's body and advanced to a surgical site. The surgeon operates the device, i.e., rotates the cutting element in the outer tube to cut and remove tissue from the site, by activating the motor in the handpiece. Tissue and bone fragments cut by the tip, as well as irrigating fluid, are then suctioned through the interior of the inner tube and removed from the device. To prevent adhesive wear on and possible seizure of the rotating inner tube and surgical tip, it is important that both the tube and the tip have sufficient clearance within the outer tube, and that the tip be centered for rotation within the outer tube.

Surgical device with surgical element removably connected to drive element


A mask plate, an OLED display substrate, a display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The mask plate includes: a mask plate body and a first blocking wall arranged on the mask plate body, where the mask plate body is provided with a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings are arranged in a matrix; the first blocking wall is arranged to close to the plurality of openings, and at least one part of the first blocking wall is arranged between two adjacent rows or adjacent columns of openings.

An OLED (Organic Electroluminescent Light-Emitting Diode) display device, due to its unique advantages, such as fast response, all solid state, self-illumination, etc., has been paid attention by the market. The application of the OLED display device is also very diverse. Flexible displays, transparent displays and micro displays all use OLED display devices.
At present, the OLED display device generally uses an FMM (Fine Metal Mask) to evaporate organic light-emitting materials of R (red), B (blue), and G (green) sub-pixels in an opening region defined by a PDL (pixel defining layer) to form a light-emitting layer. During the evaporating process, an organic light-emitting material vapor flow is likely to flow to other PDL opening regions, resulting in poor color mixing and affecting the display effect of the OLED display device.

Mask plate, OLED display substrate, display device and manufacturing method thereof

CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An interconnect structure and method is described herein. First, interconnect lines 14a-d are formed on a semiconductor body 10. Then, a dielectric layer 20 is coated over the semiconductor body and the interconnect lines 14a-d to a thickness sufficient to more than fill the gaps between adjacent interconnect lines. The dielectric layer 20 is baked and then cured at a elevated temperature greater than the baking temperature. By using baking, then curing, the dielectric layer 20 inside the gaps has a lower density than that above interconnect lines and that in open fields. The removal of dielectric layer from the top of the interconnect lines by etchback is optional. Finally, a layer of silicon dioxide 12 is deposited over the interconnect lines 14a-d and the dielectric layer 20. In one embodiment, contact vias 11 are then etched through the silicon dioxide 12 and dielectric layer 20 to the interconnect lines 14a-c. Preferably, the dielectric material is spun on. One advantage of the invention is providing a metallization scheme that reduces line-to-line capacitance. A further advantage of the invention is providing a metallization scheme that reduces crosstalk and power dissipation. A further advantage of the invention is providing a dielectric layer between interconnect lines having a lower density and a lower dielectric constant than dense silicon dioxide.

Semiconductors are widely used in integrated circuits for electronic applications, including high speed computers and wireless communications. Such integrated circuits typically use multiple transistors fabricated in single crystal silicon. Many integrated circuits now contain multiple levels of metallization for interconnections. A single semiconductor microchip may have thousands, and even millions of transistors. Logically, a single microchip may also have millions of lines interconnecting the transistors. As device geometries shrink and functional density increases, it becomes imperative to reduce the capacitance between the lines. Line-to-line capacitance can build up to a point where a delay time and crosstalk may hinder device performance. Reducing the capacitance within these multi-level metallization systems will reduce the RC constant, crosstalk voltage, and power dissipation between the lines. The material typically used to isolate metal lines from each other is silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide is a thermally and chemically stable material. Conventional oxide etches are also available for high-aspect-ratio contacts and vias.
However, the dielectric constant of dense silicon oxide grown by thermal oxidation or chemical vapor deposition is on the order of 3.9. The dielectric constant is based on a scale where 1.0 represents the dielectric constant of a vacuum. As used herein, the term "low dielectric" will refer to a material with a dielectric constant less than 3.7.
Recently, attempts have been made to use low-density materials, such as aerogel, having a lower dielectric constant to replace dense silicon oxide. The dielectric constant of a porous silicon dioxide, such as aerogel, can be as low as 1.2. This lower dielectric constant results in a reduction in the RC delay time. However, the traditional method of making aerogel requires a supercritical drying step, which increases the cost and the degree of complexity for semiconductor manufacturing.

Porous insulator for line-to-line capacitance reduction


A method for operating first or second control devices for controlling a technical installation with control data stored on a data medium in a predetermined format, wherein the control data is stored on the data medium in a first format such that this data can be processed directly for read/write operations by the first control device, during operation of the second control device first control data is converted into a second format such that the converted first control data can be processed directly for read/write operations by the second control device, and where second control data is converted during each access at runtime from the first format into a format that can be processed by the second control device, or the first control data is converted during each access at runtime from the second format into a format that can be processed by the first control device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for operating a first or a second control device, which particularly serves to control a technical installation, where the operation of the first or second control device is undertaken with control data stored on a data medium in a predetermined format.
2. Description of the Related Art
The control devices, also comprising in some cases mobile devices, represent a human-machine interface (HMI) for controlling a technical installation. A control computer of the technical installation can be controlled via the control devices. To this end, the control devices have appropriate input and output means via which the technical installation can be observed, operated and controlled.
The functionalities of the control device are ensured with control data stored on a data medium. In the event of a technical defect of the control device, the data medium with the control data can then be removed from the defective control device and inserted into another control device. After the control data has been read out from the data medium, it is possible to control the technical installation with the new control device.
Although keeping the control data on the data medium allows rapid replacement of the control device, reading out and processing the control data stored on the data medium can be problematic with different versions of the control devices. Newer versions, especially of software, of the control devices frequently contain new features or changes to the existing features, which both frequently have an effect on the processing of the control data, such as through a changed data format.
Even if the control device can read out and process the control data stored on the data medium with a more up-to-date (software) version, a modification of the control data stored on the data medium can occur during the operation of the newer control device. After the data medium is replaced in a control device of the old version, under some circumstances it is no longer possible to read out the control data without problems.
In principle, it is known that control devices can be equipped with a newer version, i.e., newer software, such that this processes control data present in the "old format" on the data medium. The old format of the control data is preserved here both during reading and also during writing of data. This first-mentioned variant, in addition to a greater complexity of the software of the newer control device, leads to a deterioration of the qualitative properties during the operation of the new control device. For example, a longer start-up time, a longer time needed for the execution of operations and a higher use of resources occur. The more the new data format differs from the old data format, the greater are the negative effects.
As an alternative, the control data contained on the data medium can be adapted to the newer software version of the more up-to-date control device. To this end, the newer control device converts the control data into an optimal format for the software. At the same time, the control device with the older version, i.e., older software, must be expanded by the option for processing the control data present in the new data format on the data medium. This variant demands an expansion of the software of the old control device. If the control devices are used in safety-oriented installations, then any expansion of the functionality is to be verified by an assessor. This is complex and associated with high costs. In addition, the interaction of the first control device with such control devices as are compatible with the first control devices can no longer be guaranteed under some circumstances.

Method for operating a control device for controlling a technical installation


A frictional damper, in particular for washing machines with spinning action, comprises a circular cylindrical housing and a tappet which is coaxially displaceable inside the housing and extends out of it with one end, the other end being provided with a friction piston. The friction piston has at least one friction coating made of an elastically resilient material and is provided with a grease storage chamber. In order to prevent a decrease of damping because of change from lubricated to dry friction and in order not to disturb the friction proportions between friction coating and inner wall of the housing, the grease storage chamber is provided within the friction piston and is connected by way of at least one grease channel with a grease chamber which is formed at the outer circumference of the friction piston and which is open towards the inner wall of the housing.

Frictional dampers of this type are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,458. These lubricated frictional dampers have had extraordinary success in practical use; they are used in particular large numbers in washing machines. Customarily the friction coatings comprise cellular, foamed plastic, the cells of the plastic being impregnated with grease. It has been shown that with extreme loads over long periods of time the friction changes from lubricated to dry friction, i.e. the frictional damper heats up to high degree. In order to minimize this disadvantage, grease chambers have been provided on the outside of the friction piston in the form of an annular groove containing a little supply of additional grease. But this measure did not basically eliminate the problem, either.
In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,297 it has been suggested to eliminate these problems to form the grease storage chamber within the friction piston and to connect by way of at least one grease channel with the at least one friction coating. To this effect a permanent re-impregnation of the friction coatings is to be realized. The grease is to travel in small quantities through the grease channel or channels to the friction coatings and through the latter to the friction surface between friction coating and inner wall of the housing. It has been proved disadvantageous that in the vicinity of the grease channels the friction coating is not supported, so that different pressures between the friction coating and the inner wall of the housing are produced.


A method to adjust weaving parameters of weaving machines when changing the weaving rate based on optimized weaving-parameter values, one or more altering functions being used to determine and adjust weaving-parameter values which match the changed weaving rate.

A. Field
The present invention relates to a method for setting weaving parameters for weaving machines and to a control system.
B. Related Art
It is known with respect to weaving machines to store in a control unit of the weaving machine such weaving parameters as the pressure and/or the rate of compressed air fed to a nozzle, the beginning and/or the duration of the feed of compressed air to the nozzle, the time a filling is severed, the time a filling is released at the prewinder and other weaving parameters.
It is known from the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,458,726 and 4,673,004 to use regulation to change certain weaving parameters as a function of the measured time of arrival of a filling at a stop motion in order to assure that an ensuing filling shall arrive at a given moment within the weaving cycle.
It is furthermore known to specify standard weaving-parameter values for predetermined weaving rates or angular speeds of the weaving machine for given yarns to be processed and/or for predetermined weaving patterns, and to transmit said standards by means of an insertable chip card or by means of a network to the weaving machine and/or to store said values in the control unit of a particular weaving machine. The weaving-parameter standard values result in a setting by means of which a weaving machine may process a predetermined yarn at a predetermined weaving pattern and at a predetermined weaving rate. Such standard values of the weaving parameters illustratively are empirically ascertained by the weaving-machine manufacturer.
The operator will determine the rate of weaving when a fabric must be made on a weaving machine. Depending on the yarn to be processed and/or the weaving pattern, the operator selects a set of weaving-parameter standard values. Thereupon the operator begins operating the weaving machine at the standard setting, that is with the weaving-parameter standard values. Next the operator optimizes the weaving-parameter values until the machine is able to optimally manufacture a fabric, that is, for instance to make a fabric of optically unobjectionable appearance that shall be woven with minimal air consumption and with a minimal number of ruptured fillings and/or warps.
When weaving with a predetermined pattern containing a filling pattern of different yearns, for example for each different yarn of the fillings there is selected initially in corresponding manner a setting of the standard values of the weaving parameters which subsequently are optimized in the above described manner by the operator. In corresponding manner, binding patterns whereby the warps bind the fillings, warp tensioning patterns or combinations of said patterns may be taken into account in optimization. As a result, optimizing the values of the weaving parameters demands a fair amount of time, especially where different kinds of fillings must be processed using different weaving patterns.
When the operator changes the weaving rate (weaving machine angular speed) for instance to check whether a fabric of the same quality might be woven at a higher speed, he/she again selects a setting comprising a set of standard values of the weaving parameters that relate to said weaving speed. Thereafter the operator must optimize the weaving-parameter values for each kind of filling and/or each kind of binding and/or different warp tension patterns and/or combinations thereof. Such work optimizing the weaving-parameter values requires substantial time and as a result the weaving rates frequently will not be matched to actual conditions.

Method for adjusting the weaving parameters of weaving machines, and control device