An apparatus having a transducer configured to be modulated and transduce a liquid and form a simulated flame. The transducer may be piezoelectric transducer driven by a modulated drive signal that has varying power levels such that a liquid transduces to a mist, and also such that the transducer controls and shapes the mist to create a vapor plume. The plume is illuminated by a colored light source generating the simulated flame. A wick or a nozzle may present the liquid to the transducer. The wick may have different shapes i.e. helical, tiered, and include intertwined or braided fiber optic cables of varying colors, or LED lights/tubes. The transducer may have multiple openings, perforations, notches, and/or impressions to shape the plume and creating the effect of a dancing flame.

Simulated flames in candles are desirable for use in enclosed spaces where a real flame is undesirable, impractical or not permitted. There are different ways to generate simulated flames, and some simulated flames are more realistic than others. Creating a cost effective and compact simulated flame is a desirable for many applications in both homes and commercial environments.

Modulated resonator generating a simulated flame


A data processing unit, method, and computer-usable medium for contention-based cache performance optimization. Two or more processing cores are coupled by an interconnect. Coupled to the interconnect is a memory hierarchy that includes a collection of caches. Resource utilization over a time interval is detected over the interconnect. Responsive to detecting a threshold of resource utilization of the interconnect, a functional mode of a cache from the collection of caches is selectively enabled.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to data processing systems, and more particularly, to an improved multi-processor data processing system. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to improved cache operation within multi-processor data processing systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional multi-processor data processing system (referred hereinafter as an MP), typically includes a system memory, input/output (I/O) devices, multiple processing elements that each include a processor and one or more levels of high-speed cache memory, and a system interconnect coupling the processing elements to each other and to the system memory and I/O devices. Though most multiprocessor systems utilize a unified system memory and common bus type interconnect, generalized interconnects with non-uniform memory access (NUMA) system memory configurations are common to high performance systems. The processors all utilize common instruction sets and communication protocols, have similar hardware architectures, and are generally provided with similar memory hierarchies.
Caches are commonly utilized to temporarily store values that might be accessed by a processor in order to speed up processing by reducing access latency as compared to loading needed values from memory. Each cache includes a cache array and a cache directory. An associated cache controller manages the transfer of data and instructions between the processor core or system memory and the cache. Typically, the cache directory also contains a series of bits utilized to track the coherency states of the data in the cache.
With multiple caches within the memory hierarchy, a coherency structure (e.g., a page frame table) is required for valid execution results in the MP. This coherency structure provides a single view of the contents of the memory to all of the processors and other memory access devices (e.g., I/O devices). A coherent memory hierarchy is maintained through the utilization of a coherency protocol, such as the MESI protocol. In the MESI protocol, an indication of a coherency state is stored in association with each coherency granule (e.g., a cache line or sector) of one or more levels of cache memories. Each coherency granule can have one of the four MESI states, which is indicated by bits in the cache directory.
The MESI protocol allows a cache line of data to be tagged with one of four states: "M" (modified), "E" (exclusive), "S" (shared), or "I" (invalid). The Modified state indicates that a coherency granule is valid only in the cache storing the modified coherency granule and that the value of the modified coherency granule has not been written to system memory. When a coherency granule is indicated as Exclusive, only that cache holds the data, of all the caches at that level of the memory hierarchy. However, the data in the Exclusive state is consistent with system memory. If a coherency granule is marked as Shared in a cache directory, the coherency granule is resident in the associated cache and possibly in at least one other, and all of the copies of the coherency granule are consistent with system memory. Finally, the Invalid state indicates that the data and address tag associated with a coherency granule are both invalid.
The state to which each coherency granule (e.g., cache line or sector) is set is dependent upon both a previous state of the data within the cache line and the type of memory access request received from a requesting device (e.g., a processor). Accordingly, maintaining memory coherency in the MP requires that the processors communicate messages across the system bus indicating their intention to read or write to memory locations. For example, when a processor desires to write data to a memory location, the processor must first inform all other processing elements of its intention to write data to the memory location and receive permission from all other processing elements to carry out the write operation. The permission messages received by the requesting processor indicate that all other cached copies of the contents of the memory location have been invalidated, thereby guaranteeing that the other processors will not access their stale local data.
In some MP systems, the cache hierarchy includes multiple levels. The level one (L1) cache is usually a private cache associated with a particular processor core in the MP system. The processor core first looks for data in the L1 cache. If the requested data block is not in the L1 cache, the processor core then accesses the level two (L2) cache. This process continues until the all levels in the cache hierarchy are referenced, before accessing system memory. Some of the cache levels (e.g., the level three or L3 cache) may be shared by multiple caches of other levels of the hierarchy (e.g., L3 cache may be shared by multiple L2 caches). Generally, as the size of a cache increases, its speed decreases accordingly. Therefore, it is advantageous for system performance to keep data in L1 and L2 caches whenever possible.
Some modern MP systems employ a victim cache approach in the upper levels of the memory hierarchy. Implementing the L3 cache memory as a victim cache enables better utilization of cache capacity. Furthermore, since the L3 cache memory does not need to store all the contents of the L2 cache memories, an L3 victim cache defines a separate data path between the processor core and system memory. This configuration can better accommodate the bandwidth requirements of multi-core processors and increased numbers of hardware-managed program threads.
Typically, when a congruence class storage location is needed in one of the L1 or L2 caches, the lines of the data to be replaced are "evicted" or written to another level cache for storage. However, in an MP system with a hierarchy having multiple separate caches, there may be several copies of the same data residing in the memory hierarchy at the same time. The policy of evicting lines to provide for more space in the L1 and L2 caches may result in unnecessary writes to other level caches, which necessitates increased bus and cache bandwidth. Invalidating the data in a needed storage location may be more efficient.
However, invalidating rather than evicting does not always result in system performance gains. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method which dynamically detects conditions in a data processing system, and the uses of that information to tailor memory hierarchy eviction and invalidation practices to maximize system performance.

System and method for contention-based cache performance optimization

International Business Machines Corporation


A fluid tank has a housing that has an upper end wall, a side wall, and a lower end wall that together define a cavity. A flexible diaphragm is connected to the side wall within the cavity and separates the cavity into an upper portion, which is sealed to contain a pressurized gas, and a lower portion, which is sealed to contain a pressurized fluid. An indicator is positioned in the upper wall of the housing and has an indicator arm and a visual indicator. The indicator arm is not visible and the visual indicator is visible with the indicator in a first position and the indicator arm is visible and the visual indicator is not visible with the indicator in a second position.

Many well and expansion tanks use a diaphragm or bladder to separate air from water. An air charge pressure on one side keeps the diaphragm/bladder at a distance away from the inside wall of the tank in the air dome. When the tank is installed onto a water system, the water system pressure pushes back against the diaphragm/bladder, compressing the air. The proper pre-charge will continue to keep the diaphragm/bladder away from the tank wall. If the pre-charge pressure is not enough to provide an air volume appropriate for the water supply pressure, the diaphragm/bladder will fill the air cell. If eventually the diaphragm/bladder "bottoms out" on the tank wall, the tank becomes ineffective in the function it has been design to provide. Various failure modes for well/expansion tanks include a low air pre-charge, bladder failure resulting in leak of air charge, and installation of an undersized tank causing the diaphragm/bladder to overwork, all of which can lead to quick cycling and ultimately failure.


The invention relates to a safety syringe to prevent accidental puncturing of attending medical personnel by an infected syringe needle. The safety syringe has an elongated tubular casing, which houses an elongated needle guard, which is telescopically connected to the casing and is mounted in co-axial alignment with the casing. A syringe barrel is co-axially mounted within the needle guard, the syringe barrel carrying a needle assembly on one of its ends, and an end plate on its opposite end. The end plate "snaps" into a groove formed in a transverse flange of the casing, fixedly attaching the syringe barrel to the casing. A sealing plate covers the locked end plate by engaging within another groove formed in the flange. One or more resilient depressible locking tabs are carried by the needle guard and extend through corresponding aligned openings formed in the casing to lock the needle guard in an extended position covering the needle. When the locking tabs are depressed, and an inward pressure is exerted on the forward end of the needle guard, the needle guard can be moved against the tension of a coil spring inside the casing and uncover the syringe needle to allow withdrawing of medication from the medicine bottle, or performing of an injection.

This invention relates to medical equipment, and more particularly to a safety syringe designed to prevent accidental needle stick injuries by medical personnel, particularly with respect to contaminated needles.
The ever increasing spread of diseases transmitted by blood and other bodily fluids, such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Hepatitis B, creates a real threat to medical personnel of accidental, inadvertent, puncturing of the skin by a syringe needle, which has been in contact with an infected patient and transmittal of the often fatal disease to the unfortunate medical attendant. Despite educational programs carried by many hospitals, every day somewhere in the United States at least one nurse or a medical attendant, who comes into contact with an infected syringe needle, will become punctured by such needle, while trying to dispose of the used syringe or during any other manipulation of dirty syringes.
Various attempts have been made to resolve this problem by proposing to use a protective syringe needle guard, which would cover the needle when the syringe is not in use and prevent the needle from being exposed during those times. However, such devices are expensive to manufacture, difficult to use, requiring several steps in preparing the syringe for utilization and, so far, have not found wide acceptance in the medical profession.
The present invention has a general objective of overcoming drawbacks and shortcomings associated with the prior art and provision of an inexpensive, easy to use self-locking safety syringe.


A drain configured to evacuate leaks of fluid, such as fuel, from a leak collecting system of an aircraft, the drain comprising a rigid tube secured to a plate, the plate being configured to be attached to an external wall of the aircraft, a flexible pipe configured to join the collecting system to the rigid tube, one end of the flexible pipe being received within the rigid tube. The rigid tube comprises a channel, the channel being configured to allow separation of the rigid tube from the plate at the location of the channel.

In an aircraft, fluids such as fuel or fire-resistant hydraulic fluids are distributed towards the engines by a supply system, for example twin-walled pipes. In order to collect the fluids in the event of leaks and to avoid these being spilled within the aircraft, the supply system is connected to a leak collecting system. The latter is connected to a drain, one end of which is located outside the aircraft, for example on the wall of the engine pylon. The fluids are thus dissipated into the air instead of flowing along the wall, for example towards an engine. In order to ensure the durability of the drain, the outer end is rigid and is mounted on a wall of the aircraft by means of a plate. The plate and the end of the drain are generally made of titanium, aluminum or steel and the wall of the fuselage of the aircraft, and more specifically that of the engine pylon, is generally made of aluminum alloy or composite material.
When the aircraft is on the ground, there is a risk of the outer end of the drain being hit by ground support equipment such as an elevated platform or a step ladder. If the plate and the end of the drain are more robust than the wall of the aircraft, the wall of the aircraft can deform or rupture. It would then have to be replaced, grounding the aircraft.

Drain configured to evacuate leaks of fluid, such as fuel, from a leak collecting system of an aircraft, and associated aircraft


A multiplexed text data sampling circuit comprises a detecting signal inhibiting circuit (3) for inhibiting delivery of a detecting signal indicating a detection of a start bit of text broadcasting data from a start bit detecting circuit (2) during a predetermined period of time before the start bit appears, and a variable divider (71), responsive to the detecting signal, for dividing a clock signal so as to produce a sampling clock signal to sample the text broadcasting data, and for varying a dividing ratio between the frequency of the clock signal and the frequency of the sampling clock signal in such a manner that the sampling timing for each of bits of the text broadcasting except one or more last bits is adjusted so that each bit except the one or more last bits is sampled in the middle of a period of time during which each bit except the one or more last bits is applied to the sampling circuit, and the sampling timing for each of the one or more last bits is adjusted so that each bit of the one or more last bits is sampled at an earlier time of a period of time during which each bit of the one or more last bits is applied to the sampling circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplexed text data sampling circuit for use in a data extracting circuit of a multiplexed text broadcasting decoder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Text broadcasting data (or multiplexed text data) are encoded and multiplexed on a video signal which is included in a television broadcasting wave or which is recorded on a video recording medium such as a laser disk. In general, the multiplexed text data are superimposed on such a video signal during the television vertical blanking interval of the video signal. Then, the multiplexed text data are extracted by a multiplexed text broadcasting decoder built in a television receiver, a multiplexed text broadcasting decoder provided as an adapter, or a multiplexed text broadcasting decoder built in the replay device of a laser disk or the like.
Next, a description will be made as to a prior art multiplexed text data sampling circuit, by taking the data extracting circuit of a captions broadcasting decoder for the hard of hearing that live in the U.S.A., which is referred to as a closed captions decoder, as an example. The multiplexed text data which conforms to the closed captions standard (47CFR .sctn.15.119 and 73.682) are superimposed as a closed captioning signal shown in FIG. 9 on the 21th scanning line during the vertical blanking interval. As shown in FIG. 9, on the 21th scanning line, there exists a clock run-in interval CRI which consists of a 7-cycle sinusoidal burst, a start bit SB, followed by 16 data bits DB, after a back porch period of time.
Referring now to FIG. 10, it illustrates a block diagram showing the structure of the prior art multiplexed text data sampling circuit for use in the data extracting circuit of the closed captions decoder. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a pre-sampling clock generating circuit for generating a pre-sampling clock signal PSCK from a clock signal CK, 2 denotes a start bit detecting circuit for detecting the start bit SB included in a text broadcasting signal and then delivering a start bit detecting signal when detecting the start bit, 9 denotes a sampling clock generating circuit for generating a sampling clock signal SCK to sample the data bits DB included in the text broadcasting signal in response to the start bit detecting signal from the start bit detecting circuit 2, and 10 denotes a data register for capturing the data bits DB in synchronization with the sampling clock signal SCK.
Next, a description will be made as to the operation of the prior art multiplexed text data sampling circuit with reference to timing charts shown in FIGS. 11a to 11e. A signal processing circuit (not shown in FIG. 10) of the multiplexed text broadcasting decoder extracts vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals from a video signal. An AFC (automatic frequency control) circuit stabilizes each of these extracted signals. A count circuit (not shown in the figure) disposed within the multiplexed text broadcasting decoder can find the position of the 21th scanning line included in the video signal by counting the number of pulses of the horizontal synchronizing signal, the counting operation being triggered by the vertical synchronizing signal. A binary encoding circuit (not shown in the figure) converts the signal on the 21th scanning line into a digital signal by comparing the level of the signal on the 21th scanning line with a reference voltage. Hereinafter, the digital signal is referred to as data SDA. The video signal on the 21th scanning line and data SDA are shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b, respectively.
The data SDA are applied to the sampling circuit, as shown in FIG. 10. A clock signal CK of given frequency is also supplied to the sampling circuit. The frequency of the clock signal CK is, for example, twenty times as high as that of the data SDA. The pre-sampling clock generating circuit 1 generates a pre-sampling clock signal PSCK, the phase of which is synchronized with the phase of the data SDA that appear during the clock run-in interval CRI. For example, if the clock signal CK is delivered by the AFC circuit and is synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal or pulses that appear during the clock run-in interval CRI, the pre-sampling clock generating circuit 1 can easily generate the pre-sampling clock signal PSCK by dividing the clock signal CK. In the example shown in FIG. 11c, the frequency of the pre-sampling clock signal PSCK is two times as high as that of the pulses that appear during the clock run-in interval CRI. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 11c, the output of the pre-sampling clock signal PSCK is started from the fourth data period of the data SDA that appears during the clock run-in interval CRI.
The start bit detecting circuit 2 samples the data SDA by using the pre-sampling clock signal PSCK and compares each sampled data with a predetermined value. The start bit detecting circuit 2 detects the start bit SB by determining whether a certain pattern appears in the data SDA. As shown in FIG. 11b, since the digital value of the start bit SB is "1" and there exists a blank period between the clock run-in interval CRI and the start bit SB, a digital "0001" can be defined as the certain pattern, for example. The start bit detecting circuit 2 includes, for example, a 4-bit shift register and a 4-bit comparator, and sequentially stores each sampled data in the shift register. Then, the comparator compares the contents of the shift register with the predetermined value. When the comparator determines that they are equal to each other, the start bit detecting circuit 2 furnishes a start bit detecting signal.
When the start bit detecting signal is delivered to the sampling clock generating circuit 9, it starts to generate a sampling clock signal SCK by dividing the clock signal CK, after a predetermined time elapses. The sampling clock generating circuit 9 sets the dividing ratio between the frequency of the original signal, i.e. the clock signal CK and the frequency of the signal obtained by the dividing, i.e. the sampling clock signal SCK in such a manner that the frequency of the sampling clock signal SCK is equal to the frequency of the data bits DB. Furthermore, the predetermined time is determined such that the sampling timing defined by the sampling clock signal SCK is adjusted so that the sampling for each of the data bit DB is carried out at an earlier time within a period of time during which each bit of the data bits DB is input to the sampling circuit. The sampling clock signal SCK having 16 cycles of pulses is delivered. When the clock signal CK is output by the AFC circuit and is synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal or pulses of the data SDA that appear during the clock run-in interval CRI, the sampling clock generating circuit 9 can easily generate the sampling clock signal SCK synchronized with the data bits DB by only dividing the clock signal CK with a predetermined dividing ratio since the data bits DB are synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal or pulses that appear during the clock run-in interval CRI.
The data register 10 is constructed of a 16-bit shift register. It samples the data SDA when the state of sampling clock signal SCK changes, for example, at the falling edge of the sampling clock signal. That is, every time the sampling clock signal SCK makes a high to low transition, the data register captures each of the data SDA and shifts its contents. Since the sampling clock signal SCK is synchronized with the data bits DB included in the data SDA, the data register 10 can capture each of the data bits DB sequentially by virtue of the sampling clock signal SCK. Finally, when the sampling clock generating circuit 9 becomes a state of outputting no sampling clock signal SCK, all the 16-bit data bits DB are stored in the data register 10. A circuit disposed in a backward stage of the data extracting circuit of the multiplexed text broadcasting decoder can obtain closed captions data by reading the data from the data register 10.
The reasons why the sampling clock generating circuit 9 sets the phase of the sampling clock signal SCK such that the sampling timing for each of the data bits DB is adjusted so that each sampling is carried out at an earlier time within a period of time during which each of the data bits DB is applied to the sampling circuit are as follows.
When replaying the contents stored in a specific laser disk by using a specific laser disk player, the data width of the last bit (the 16th bit) of the data bits DB on a video signal replayed becomes narrower than its nominal value. Therefore, if the sampling timing for each of the data bits DB is adjusted so that each sampling is carried out in the middle of a period of time during which each of the data bits DB is applied to the data sampling circuit, the margin of a time lag which can be introduced into the sampling timing is decreased. Accordingly, the captions data superimposed on the video signal cannot be extracted properly under certain circumstances.
Furthermore, when the multiplexed text broadcasting decoder receives a television broadcasting wave for use in a CATV system, there is a possibility that unnecessary data called a rabbit ear are mixed into the video signal which was scrambled for maintaining cable security and was descrambled, at the back of the 16th one of the data bits DB. If the sampling timing is adjusted so that each sampling is carried out at an earlier time within a period of time during which each of the data bits DB is applied to the multiplexed text data sampling circuit, there is a possibility that the captions data cannot be extracted properly.
Thus, the prior art multiplexed text data sampling circuit having the structure as mentioned above suffers from disadvantages as follows:
1. Detecting the data bits DB is started when a pre-sampled binary value of the data SDA is coincident with a predetermined value. Then, the output of the sampling clock signal SCK is started. However, if the video signal includes a noise caused by for example a weak electric field, an error occurs in the data SDA and hence the sampling clock signal SCK is delivered to the data register at an earlier time than it is usually delivered. Although the start bit detecting signal must be output at a point Q, for example, if a data error occurs at a point P within the clock run-in interval CRI, as shown in FIG. 12d, the start bit detecting signal can be output at a point R. Since this early output causes the sampling clock generating circuit to start to generate a sampling clock signal SCK with 16 pulses at the point R, the closed captions data cannot be captured properly.
2. In general, the prior art multiplexed text data sampling circuit is susceptible to ghost interference before and after the video signal varies. Since the sampling timing is adjusted such that the sampling for each of the data bits DB is carried out at an earlier time within a period of time during which each bit is applied to the sampling circuit, the process of capturing the data bits DB is susceptible to ghost interference. On the contrary, if the sampling timing is shifted in time away from the middle of a period of time during which each of the data bits is applied to the sampling circuit, the process of capturing the data bits DB can be susceptible to a noise caused by, for example, a weak electric field. This increases the possibility of capturing wrong closed captions data. When closed captions data cannot be captured properly, wrong captions are displayed on television.


Disclosed is a technique for reducing the leak current by reducing contamination of metal composing a polymetal gate of a MISFET. Of a polycrystalline silicon film, a WN film, a W film, and a cap insulating film formed on a gate insulating film on a p-type well (semiconductor substrate), the cap insulating film, the W film, and the WN film are etched and the over-etching of the polycrystalline silicon film below them is performed. Then, a sidewall film is formed on sidewalls of these films. Thereafter, after etching the polycrystalline silicon film with using the sidewall film as a mask, a thermal treatment is performed in an oxidation atmosphere, by which a light oxide film is formed on the sidewall of the polycrystalline silicon film. As a result, the contamination on the gate insulating film due to the W and the W oxide can be reduced, and also, the diffusion of these materials into the semiconductor substrate (p-type well) and the resultant increase of the leak current can be prevented.

A so-called polymetal gate in which refractory metal such as tungsten is laminated on a polycrystalline silicon film is adopted in order to lower the resistance of the gate electrode of the MISFET.
Meanwhile, a so-called light oxidation treatment for forming a thermal oxide film on a sidewall of the gate electrode is performed in the etching of the gate electrode because a gate insulating film under the gate electrode is also caused to be etched in the etching so that the withstand voltage of the gate insulating film is deteriorated.
For example, the gazette of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-36072 discloses a technique for preventing the oxidation of a metal layer by means of protecting the sidewalls of the metal layer composing the polymetal gate.
Also, the gazette of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-261059 discloses a technique for forming a low-resistance transistor with no metal contamination. According to this technique, the low-resistance transistor without metal contamination is formed by covering the exposed portion of a metal composing the polymetal gate of the transistor with a film of LPCVD-HTO or SiN9, and then by processing a polysilicon film 3 below it.
Also, in "A fully working 0.14 μm DRAM technology with polymetal (W/WNx/Poly-Si) gate" by J. W. Jung et al. in the IEDM 2000 pp. 365-368, disclosed is a cleaning technique using H2SO4 and purified water performed after the etching for a gate electrode made of W/WNx and poly-Si.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuit device


A hair holder (1) includes a tubular body (2) that is constituted by a sheet and through which a bundle of hair can be inserted from an opening (21) at a one end toward an opening (22) at the other end, and has a flat shape. The tubular body (2) includes a first surface sheet (23A) and a second surface sheet (23B) that are located on the inside and the outside, respectively, in a state in which the hair holder (1) is rolled up. Side regions of the first surface sheet (23A) and side regions of the second surface sheet (23B) are joined to each other, thereby forming a pair of side joined regions (24) in the tubular body (2). The side joined regions (24) have a plurality of second-surface-sheet-side recesses (25) along a longitudinal direction (X) of the side joined regions (24), the recesses being recessed from the second surface sheet (23B) side toward the first surface sheet (23A) side.

A hair holder including a flat tubular body that is constituted by a sheet and through which a bundle of hair can be inserted from an opening at one end toward an opening at the other end is known (see Patent Literature 1, for example). Patent Literature 1 states that, with the hair holder disclosed therein, the operation for winding a bundle of hair can be easily performed.
Also, the applicant of the present invention has previously proposed a technique of forming recesses in a hair holder constituted by a flat tubular body by heat embossing the hair holder, to thereby reduce the amount of water absorption in the recesses (Patent Literature 2).

Hair holding tool and method for manufacturing same


Disclosed herein is a coupling device for converting a below-ground potable water well installation to an above-ground installation, the device comprising a housing having a first opening which is dimensioned to receive an upper end of a below-ground well casing and a second opening which is dimensioned to receive a lower end of a well casing extension; gasket means located adjacent the first and second openings for sealing the respective connections between the housing, the below-ground well casing and the well casing extension, the gasket means further providing a first seating surface to seat the upper end of the well casing and a second seating surface to seat the lower end of the well casing extension; and a central region including a passage to receive a well line adaptor therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to upgrading potable water wells and more particularly to converting 'below-ground' pump installations to 'above-ground' installations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Potable water wells have become the focus of the public's attention in Canada over the past year as a result of the tragedy in Walkerton, Ontario in the spring of 2000. The Provincial Government of Ontario has regulations to ensure the public has access to clean drinking water. There have been similar events over the past several years which have made this an important public policy issue across North America.
Clean drinking water comes from a number of sources, including drilled wells. For many years, the drilled well has been installed "below-ground". Not to be confused with the below ground source of water itself, the term "below-ground" herein below is intended to refer to those installations where the well casing has an upper end which itself is below the ground surface, for example four to six feet below the ground surface. The well casing is usually located in a well chamber which can be, for example, a cement casing or a corrugated steel casing, either of a size sufficient to allow a well installer to join the pump line to a water supply line above the surface of the well casing but which is below the surface of the ground. This below-ground configuration is commonly used in northern climates where pump lines are located a sufficient depth below the ground surface to protect them from freezing.
Though sufficient under earlier regulations, this below ground installation arrangement has not met government regulations for some time. It is common to adapt these below ground well installations to an "above-ground" version, using a generally unsatisfactory technique. It requires that an installer climb down into the typically cramped well chamber and first disassemble the well pump line from the water supply line. The installer must then weld a well casing extension onto the upper exposed end of the well casing with an arc welder. The well casing upper end is often rough or poorly cut to begin with, often requiring a grinding step. It is difficult, if not impossible, to form a tight joint between the well casing upper end and the well casing extension. This increases the risk that the weld seam is not water tight and raises the risk that ground water outside the well casing may enter through the seam causing contamination.
A hole is then formed in the welded casing to accommodate a "pitless" adaptor. The pitless adaptor is a commonly used pump line adaptor that is commercially available through Canadian Plumbing and Pump dealers. Often, the pitless adaptor hole is simply cut with a cutting torch, similarly making it different form a tight seal, thereby presenting a similar risk of unwanted exterior ground water through the poor seal into the well casing.
Furthermore, the welding operation is very dangerous. The installer is usually squeezed into the cramped space with an arc welder. The well chamber is either damp or wet, significantly increasing the risk if electrocution. The welding operation can therefore involve extended periods in a confined space with relatively poor air quality. Once this relatively difficult and dangerous procedure is completed, the well chamber is then filled in and the above-ground exposed end of the well casing extension is capped in a normal fashion.
Consequently, there remains the need for an improved method for converting "below-ground" well installations to "above-ground" installations. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method for doing so.


The present invention provides a method for reducing rebuild time on a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) device. A first stripe of the RAID device is selected. Write-back caching on a drive being built is enabled. Data and/or parity may be read from at least one other drive. The at least one other drive and the drive being built belong to a same stripe of the RAID device. When a RAID level of the RAID device is 5, the at least one of data or parity is XORed (exclusive ORed) to obtain a result. When the RAID level of the RAID device is 1, the at least one of data or parity is data and treated as the result. The result is written to a second drive, which is a repaired, replaced, or hot-spare drive for the drive being built.

RAID is standardized technology for the storage of data with emphasis on performance, fault tolerance, and the ability to recover data due to a failure of a disk drive. Many RAID products are commercially available. The RAID Advisory Board of St. Peter, Minn. has defined and standardized several different RAID levels. RAID level 1 ("RAID 1"), for example, is a mirrored disk wherein a complete copy of the data on one disk is simultaneously maintained and stored on a second disk. In the event of a failure of one disk, a complete copy of the data on the second disk is available. The data on the second disk may be used to recreate the data on the first disk when the first disk is replaced or repaired. RAID level 5 ("RAID 5") uses several disks to store data. The data is stored in stripes, meaning that for a large block of data, some may be written to the first drive, some to the second drive, and so forth. Several disks may write in parallel, thus increasing the data throughput by a multiple of the number of available disks. RAID 5 uses parity as a method to store redundancy information. Parity is computed by performing the exclusive OR (XOR) function to the data on each block of the stripe. Other RAID levels exist with different variations of performance and cost tradeoffs.
In a RAID device, a logical drive is made up of multiple stripes and a stripe is made up of multiple stripe units wherein each stripe unit is located on a unique physical storage device such as a disk or the like. When a single physical storage device goes defunct and stripe units of data cannot be read from that device, the data may be reconstructed using the stripe units of the remaining physical devices. A stripe is reconstructed by reading all stripe units in a stripe except the failed stripe unit and doing an exclusive OR (XOR) operation on the data. In the case of a disk rebuild operation, this data may be written to a new replacement device designated by the end user. When a logical drive rebuild is performed, each stripe unit is reconstructed until all stripes within that logical drive have been rebuilt.
It is important that a drive group be restored back to full redundancy as soon as possible after a drive failure, because a second drive failure may cause the drive group to become dead with complete loss of data. Conventionally, reduced rebuild time is accomplished by using larger IO (input/output) sizes or by managing multiple concurrent rebuild IOs. However, either of these solutions reduces the amount of memory available for other IO processing, and managing multiple concurrent rebuild IOs tends to be very complex.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a method for reducing rebuild time on a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) device.

Method for reducing rebuild time on a RAID device


The present disclosure related to acquisition of color calibration charts. In at least some examples herein, an image of a calibration color chart is processed. A lighting condition of the color calibration chart may be automatically determined.

There are a variety of situations where accurate color reproduction in digital imaging is desired. For example, many companies demand that their corporate identities—things such as logos and product advertising—have a consistent look and color, no matter where the actual printing or display occurs. Other examples include taking digital images of products for advertising. If the color in the images is not an accurate representation of the color of the product, the consumers are not able to make informed purchasing decisions.
To facilitate color reproduction, a color calibration chart (also referred to as "color chart") may be acquired and, based on the acquired image of the color chart, color profiling may be performed. For example, a color chart may include known color attributes that can be used to measure colors in an image. Further, color charts may be used to color calibrate and/or generate color profiles of digital input devices such as digital cameras or scanners and output display systems like printers, monitors and projectors as well as for color correction of an acquired image. A color chart may be constituted as a flat, physical object colored with an arrangement of standardized color samples.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A first stage of a digital filter receives input data to be filtered, the first stage of a digital filter operating at a first clock; a second stage of the digital filter outputs filtered output data, the second stage of the digital filter operating on a second clock, wherein a ratio of a frequency of the first clock and a frequency of the second clock is a fractional number, and a frequency of the second clock is higher than a frequency of the first clock; the first stage receives an indication of a ratio of the first clock and the second clock; and the first stage receives an indication of a time offset between (1) a clock pulse of the second clock, which occurs between a first clock pulse and a second clock pulse of the first clock, and (2) the first clock pulse of the first clock.

Digital circuits may comprise digital filters to convert input data of a first frequency clock to output data of a second frequency clock. For the case of an interpolation filter the input data has a lower frequency clock than the output data, while in a decimation filter the input data has a higher frequency clock than its output data. Digital filters thus may comprise multiple stages operating at different frequency clocks.


By compensating for a detection result of the detector in feedback control of output power of the power amplifier, the polar modulation transmission apparatus is able to realize accurate transmission power control. Polar modulation transmission apparatus 100 has detector 106 that detects output power of power amplifier 103, PAPR calculating section 131 that calculates the PAPR of the spread modulated signal, compensation value generating section 134 that outputs a compensation value corresponding to the calculated PAPR and an arithmetic operator that performs an arithmetic operation using the compensation value and a detection result obtained by detector 106. By this means, it is possible to compensate for the sensitivity of detector 106 (measurement sensitivity) that changes depending on the βparameter and mode and make the sensitivity of detector 106 (measurement sensitivity) virtually constant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique of reducing the output power difference in a polar modulation transmission apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical transmission apparatus using a polar modulation scheme. The transmission apparatus has polar signal generation circuit 1, amplitude control circuit 2, phase modulated signal generation circuit 3 and power amplifier (hereinafter "PA") 4. In this transmission apparatus, polar signal generation circuit 1 generates an amplitude component signal and a phase component signal of a modulated transmission signal from an input signal (i.e. the modulated transmission signal). Amplitude control circuit 2 controls the power supply voltage supplied to PA 4 based on the amplitude component signal, and phase modulated signal generation circuit 3 generates a phase modulated signal inputted to PA 4 based on the phase component signal.
This transmission apparatus secures the dynamic range of transmission power by switching between compressed mode and uncompressed mode in PA 4. Further, compressed mode may be rephrased as "saturation operation mode" and uncompressed mode as "non-saturation operation mode."
This transmission apparatus operates PA 4 in compressed mode when high transmission power is required. On the other hand, when low transmission power is required, the transmission apparatus operates PA 4 in uncompressed mode. To be more specific, in compressed mode, the transmission apparatus controls the output power by changing the level of the power supply voltage to PA 4 according to predetermined output power. Given that the PA operates in the saturation region, this compressed mode is inherently very accurate with respect to output power.
On the other hand, in uncompressed mode, the transmission apparatus controls the output power by changing the level of the phase modulated signal inputted to PA 4 according to predetermined output power. In this uncompressed mode, given that the PA operates in the linear region, the output power is not controlled as accurately as in compressed mode.
With conventional transmission apparatuses, when compressed mode ("c-mode") and uncompressed mode ("u-mode") are switched in transmission power control, transmission power drift is likely to occur due to differences between the characteristics of the modes (i.e. drift due to temperature, drift due to wear, and drift due to load, etc.).
This will be explained briefly using FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the output power in compressed mode is relatively accurate, but the output power in uncompressed mode changes due to drift (i.e. drift due to temperature, drift due to wear, and drift due to load, etc.).
As shown in FIG. 2, given that the output power in uncompressed mode is likely to drift due to various factors, when compressed mode and uncompressed mode are switched, the output power in uncompressed mode is likely to be discontinuous, and, as a result, significant drift of transmission power is likely to occur.
By the way, one method of controlling transmission power accurately is to measure the actual output power of a power amplifier and perform a feedback control of output power such that this measurement value becomes equal to a set target value.
Generally, for this feedback control, the method of eliminating modulation fluctuation components resulting from transmission data from the output of the power amplifier using a low-pass filter, is employed. Then, transmission power is adjusted again based on the difference between the set target value and average transmission power from which modulation fluctuation components are eliminated.
Here, more modulated components can be eliminated by setting the time constant of the low-pass filter bigger, so that more accurate transmission power control is possible.
On the other hand, if the time constant of a low-pass filter is set bigger, the response of the low-pass filter becomes poorer, and, accompanying this, the responsivity of feedback control becomes poorer. Given that there are wireless communication standards that require completing transmission power control in a very short period, in practice, the time constant of the low-pass filter cannot be set too big.
Particularly, when the above compressed mode and uncompressed mode are switched, feedback control of a higher rate is needed, and so it becomes even more difficult to make the time constant of the low-pass filter big.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A peak cancellation apparatus is included in a base station transmission unit to cancel the peak component of the peak signal. Thus, the base station transmission unit can be implemented with a lower capacity power amplifier. In addition, an existing power amplifier can be replaced with a low-priced power amplifier, so that an expense can be reduced. Moreover, since only the digital signal having the limited PAR is used, the degradation of the signal quality caused in conversion of the digital signal to the analog signal can be prevented. The peak cancellation apparatus includes a peak cancellation unit positioned between a multiplier and a pulse shaping filter or between the pulse shaping filter and a D/A converter and removing a peak component of the peak signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transmission system of a base station and, more particularly, to an apparatus for improving peak-to-average ratio (PAR) characteristics of a transmission signal.
2. Description of the Background Art
A peak cancellation apparatus of a transmission unit of a base station in accordance with a conventional art will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a transmission unit of a base station in accordance with a conventional art.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional base station transmission unit includes a parallel/serial converter 10 for converting parallel signals inputted from a plurality of channels to serial signals; a multiplier 20 for multiplying an output signal of the parallel/serial converter 10 and an inherent PN(Pseudo Noise) code of a base station and outputting a spread digital signal; a pulse shaping filter 30 for canceling an unnecessary signal component by limiting a band of the digital signal; D/A converter 40 for converting the digital signal outputted from the pulse shaping filter 30 into an analog signal; an I/Q modulation unit 50 for converting the analog signal into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal; an RF signal processing block 60 for converting the IF signal outputted from the I/Q modulation unit 50 into a transmittable radio frequency (RF) signal; and a power amplifier 70 for sufficiently amplifying power of the RF signal and transmitting it to a base station through an antenna.
The operation of the conventional base station transmission unit will now be described.
A pilot data and a plurality of traffic data outputted from a modem unit of a base station are coded in a coding unit (not shown) and divided into a component 'I' and a component 'Q', respectively. Passing the parallel/serial converter 10, the components 'I' are added to each other to form a channel 'I' and also the components 'Q' are added to each other to form a channel 'Q'. Thereafter, the output signal of the parallel/serial converter 10 is transmitted to the multiplier 20 by way of certain circuits. In this respect, for explanations' sake, it is assumed that the output signal of the parallel/serial converter 10 is directly transmitted to the multiplier 20.
FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating input and output waveforms of the parallel/serial converter 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, if there are three channels (a, b, c) and if data bits of the channels a, b and c are all '1', the output signal of the parallel/serial converter 10 has a signal level of '3' at the interval t1 and the interval t2.
If the channels are increased in number, a difference between the signal level at the two intervals t1 and t2 and an average signal level widens, and due to a high peak to average ratio (PAR), an intermodulation distortion (IMD) level of the base station output signal goes up. As a result, in order to accommodate a high peak signal, the transmission unit of the base station should use a large capacity power amplifier.
When the output signal of the parallel/serial converter 10 is transmitted to the multiplier 20, the multiplier 20 performs a spreading process to multiply the output signal of the parallel/serial converter 10 by the inherent PN code of a base station. An output signal of the multiplier 10 is transmitted to the pulse shaping filter 30. The digital signal inputted to the pulse shaping filter 30 contains an unnecessary frequency component as well as a desired frequency band and has a wider channel width than a desired band width. Thus, the pulse shaping filter 30 cancels the unnecessary signal component by limiting the band of the input signal.
The output signal of the pulse shaping filter 30 is converted into an analog signal in the digital/analog converter 40 and transmitted to the I/Q modulation unit 50. Upon receiving the analog signal, the I/Q modulation unit 50 converts it into an intermediate frequency (IF) signal.
The IF signal outputted from the I/Q modulation unit 50 is converted into a transmittable radio frequency signal while passing the RF signal processing block 60, and transmitted to the power amplifier 70.
The power amplifier 70 sufficiently amplifies the power of the received RF signal and wirelessly transmits it to a base station through the antenna.
Therefore, as mentioned above, the transmission unit of a base station in accordance with the conventional art has the following problems.
That is, in designing a system related to the PAR characteristics, the system should be designed to have a sufficient margin for a gain of the power amplifier, and in addition, use of the relatively many high-priced amplifier modules incurs unnecessary expense.
Moreover, the increase in the number of channels in the mobile communication base station system leads to occurrence of many peak signals in view of the channelization code, which inevitably degrades the performance of the overall system.
Furthermore, the high PAR causes an increase in the nonlinearity of the power amplifier and worsens the intermodulation characteristics of the base station output spectrum, degrading the transmission performance of the base station.
The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

Peak cancellation apparatus of base station transmission unit


A cold junction compensation device for a thermocouple, comprising a thermostatically interface casing (1) receiving directly the wires (3, 3') of the thermocouple (2) and ensuring the interconnection of these latter with an extension cord (4). The interface casing (1) contains moreover a cold junction compensation circuit (5).

At present, various types of thermocouple measurement systems, associated generally with temperature regulation systems, are known and put to use in various applications.
Thus, the regulation of temperature of a sample placed in a magnet of a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is effected by an electronic regulator using a thermocouple for measurement of temperature in the immediate proximity of the specimen.
At the base of the magnet of the spectrometer, the thermocouple wires, surrounded by a shielding sleeve, are connected to an extension cord, called a compensation cable, to transmit the signal to the input of the regulator, often several meters distant.
As a thermocouple is sensitive to temperature differences, the reference junction, called the cold junction, which is to say the junction points between the two conductors of the thermocouple wires and the two copper conductors of the measurement circuit, must be at a known temperature to effect temperature measurement.
One way of proceeding consists in immersing the cold junction in an ice bath. This has the advantage of giving an output voltage of zero for 0.degree. C., rendering the use of a thermocouple table possible.
A more practical method, known as "electronic compensation of cold or junction soldering" consists in adding a compensation voltage to the thermocouple signal so as to avoid the use of a reference junction maintained at a constant temperature (ice or oven).
The known temperature regulator systems are generally provided with a compensation device for the cold junction integrated in their structure, which permits attenuating the measurement errors induced by variations of ambient temperature.
Nevertheless, this internal cold junction compensation of the known regulator systems is relatively imprecise. The maximum precision that can be achieved is at most 5/100ths of a degree per degree of variation of ambient temperature.
Moreover, the junctions between the wires of the thermocouple and the wires of the compensation cable are also sensitive to variations of temperature. Thus, the compensation of the two thermocouple wires, which for example can be respectively copper and constantan, is never exactly identical to that of the two wires of the compensation cable, thereby giving rise to the generation of a disturbing electrical signal which will be added to the usable signal provided by the measuring thermocouple.
There are also known autonomous casings for compensation of the cold junction of a thermocouple.
However, the precision of compensation achieved by these known casings is not superior to that previously indicated, by virtue of the fact particularly of the direct influence of the ambient temperature variations at the connections of the thermocouple wires on said casing by means of connectors.

Compensation device for the cold junction of a thermocouple

Sadis Bruker Spectrospin, Societe Anonyme de Diffusion de L'Instrumentation Scientifique, Bruker Spectrospin


An image sensor package is disclosed that reduces the overall size of known image sensor packages. The image sensor package includes an image sensor and image sensor controller that are arranged on a substrate so that the surfaces of the image sensor and image sensor controller are directly adjacent one another. A package in accordance with the present invention reduces the amount of space in the package by allowing at least one surface of the image sensor controller and at least one surface of the image sensor to be directly attached or connected to one another. Electrical conductive material in the nature of anisotropic conductive materials is also preferably applied to the substrate in the form of an adhesive layer to allow for the image sensor controller and the image sensor to be in electrical communication with one another.

Improvements in image processing technology and CPU performance have allowed for the incorporation of digital image technology into various electronic devices. In particular, cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDA's) have been marketed with image processing technology which allows for the capture of digital images via an internal image sensor and controller, e.g., a digital camera. Image processing technology can also be incorporated into other electronic devices such as calculators, computers, watches, pagers, walkie-talkies and the like.
Image processing technology incorporates the use of semiconductor components for capturing light images and processing same in digital form within the electronic device. Image sensors are known to be constructed using various technologies, for example, CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) and CCD (charged coupled device). In certain applications such as cellular phones, it is preferred to use CMOS image sensors, notwithstanding that CCD image sensors provide higher quality. In this regard, CMOS image sensors require less power consumption, can be fabricated using semiconductor processing techniques at lower costs than those used in fabricating CCD image sensors, can be operated by a single power supply with lower power consumption than that of CCD image sensors, and use integrated logic circuits in the image sensor chip thereby minimizing package size in comparison with CCD image sensors. Examples of CMOS image sensors and manufacturing methods are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,610,557 and 6,727,487, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In cellular phone applications, thickness of the image sensor package is important because of the lens housing which is added on top of the package for the electronic device. Today, a typical camera module thickness (package plus lens housing) is about 10 mm. In order to minimize camera module thickness, there is being developed new technology to achieve thinner camera modules and packages. Image sensor packages using chip scale package (CSP) technology are becoming a typical trend in the package industry. In addition, solder ball joint reliability is becoming an important factor for image sensor CSP development.
Accordingly, there is the need for improvements in image sensor package technology in order to minimize camera module thickness, as well as enhancing solder joint reliability. These attributes of the present invention are achieved by the construction of the image sensor package and method of fabrication as described hereinafter.

Image sensor package and fabrication method


An electronic equipment such as a recording and/or reproducing apparatus for a recording medium, etc. adapted so that a recording/reproduction unit, an electro-acoustic transducer such as speaker unit, etc. and/or an electronic circuit are accommodated within a casing. At least a portion of the casing constituting the electronic equipment is formed by magnesium or magnesium alloy excellent in the vibration absorption characteristic to thereby attenuate vibration produced from respective portions or respective members accommodated within the casing to eliminate influence of vibration between respective portions or respective members. Because influence of vibration mutually exerted is eliminated, in the case where this invention is applied to the recording and/or reproducing apparatus for the recording medium, satisfactory recording and/or reproduction of information signals can be realized. Thus, reproduction of sound having more satisfactory sound quality can be realized with satisfactory reproduction characteristics.

Hitherto, there have been used electronic equipment, such as, for example, a disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus or a tape recording and/or reproducing apparatus, etc. for carrying out recording and/or reproduction of information signals with respect to a recording medium such as an optical disc or a magnetic tape, etc. on which information signals are recorded.
In the electronic equipment of this kind, electronic equipment caused to be of compact structure so that they can be used exclusively in a carrying (portable) manner are widely used. In these electronic equipment used in a carrying (portable) manner, even in the case where a user inadvertently falls when he is carrying it, or any impact is applied thereto, it is strongly required to securely protect the recording and/or reproduction unit and/or other mechanical parts accommodated within the casing.
In view of the above, in order to guarantee mechanical strength of the casing within which the recording and/or reproduction unit and/or other mechanical parts are accommodated, electronic equipment in which the casing is formed by metallic material are used. As metallic material constituting the casing, aluminum (Al) alloy, titanium (Ti) alloy, and zinc (Zn) alloy, etc. are used.
The casing formed by such metallic material as mentioned above is formed by implementing press-working (pressing) to aluminum alloy or titanium alloy in a thin plate form.
Moreover, in the casing formed by zinc alloy or aluminum alloy, the casing is formed by implementing die-cast molding to such metallic material.
Meanwhile, in the case where metallic plate material such as aluminum alloy or titanium alloy, etc. is used to carry out press-working to form a casing, it is impossible to integrally form supporting members for supporting the tape drive unit or the disc recording and/or reproduction unit and the circuit board which are accommodated within the casing, and/or fixing portions for attaching screws for fixing the above-mentioned components. In view of the above, in the case where the casing formed by pressing metallic plate material is used, there is prepared an attachment member formed by molding synthetic resin in a manner separate from the casing to attach the tape drive unit or the disc recording and/or reproduction unit, etc. through the attachment member. In this case, the casing is also fixed to the attachment member.
As stated above, in the case where the casing formed by press-working is used, an attachment member molded by synthetic resin is required. As a result, the number of parts constituting the equipment body is increased. Thus, the configuration becomes complicated.
Moreover, in the case where the casing is formed by die-cast molding zinc alloy or aluminum alloy, it is possible to form the attachment portion for attaching the tape drive unit or the disc recording and/or reproduction unit, etc. in a manner integral with the casing. Accordingly, the necessity of using separate attachment member is eliminated. Therefore, reduction of the number of parts can be realized. However, since weight of the casing becomes heavy (is increased), the weight of the equipment itself would be increased. Namely, since specific gravity of zinc is about 6.6, and even when aluminum which has relatively small specific gravity among metallic materials is used, its specific gravity is 2.7, in the case where metallic alloy of this kind is caused to undergo die-cast molding to integrally form attachment member, etc., the quantity of material used is also increased, resulting in heavy weight of the casing.
Accordingly, in the case where such a casing of large (heavy) weight is applied to electronic equipment used in a carrying (portable) manner, convenience of the portability is adversely affect.
In the case where a speaker unit is caused to be included within a casing as described above, since it is impossible to sufficiently absorb vibration produced when the speaker unit is driven, it becomes difficult to obtain reproduction sound having satisfactory or excellent sound quality. Namely, in the case where the speaker unit is attached through the attachment member to the metallic casing, it is difficult to firmly fix the speaker unit to the casing. Accordingly, in the case where the speaker unit is driven, any unnecessary vibration takes place, resulting in deteriorated sound quality. In electronic equipment in which the attachment member for attaching the speaker unit, etc. is disposed within the casing, since it is difficult to constitute space sufficient to attenuate sound radiated from the back of the speaker unit within the casing, it is difficult to realize satisfactory reproduction characteristics.
In addition, in the case where the casing formed by die-cast molding zinc alloy or aluminum alloy is used, it is possible to directly attach the speaker unit to the casing. However, since vibration of the speaker unit cannot be sufficiently absorbed by the casing, any unnecessary vibration takes place, thus failing to obtain satisfactory reproduction characteristic.

Electronic equipment such as recording and/or reproducing for recording medium


An advanced MESFET switching structure which includes an interdigitated source region and an interdigitated drain region, also includes a gate electrode region disposed between adjacent portions of the interdigitated source and drain regions having a series gate electrode in Schottky barrier contact therewith. The use of the series connect gate electrode rather than conventional parallel coupled gate fingers eliminates the need for an airbridge overlays to interconnect the source regions as in a conventional MESFET transducer. Moreover, the topography permits smaller MESFET structures and thus higher integration of circuits employing the advanced MESFET switch structure. The smaller transistors will also have lower parasitic reactances. In a preferred embodiment, all interconnections for drain, gate, and source electrodes are disposed on the active layer portion of the transistor providing an even smaller transistor structure.

This invention relates generally to monolithic microwave integrated circuits and in particular to field effect transistor structures used for monolithic microwave integrated circuit switches.
As it is known in the art, r.f. switches are used in a variety of r.f. signal processing applications. As is also known, monolithic microwave integrated circuit technology has been developed to provide monolithic circuit components that is, amplifiers, switches and the like to process analog signals at high operating frequencies.
One of the most common active devices employed in monolithic microwave integrated circuits is the field effect transistor. The most common transistor type is the so-called MESFET (metal electrode semiconductor field effect transistor) which includes a metal Schottky barrier contact to a n-type semiconductor material, and ohmic source and drain electrode contacts. MESFETS are employed because they are readily integrated in integrated circuits particularly with so-called gallium arsenide integrated circuits, the preferred material for use in monolithic microwave integrated circuits. Also used in MMIC's is the so-called HEMT (high electron mobility transistor). HEMT's and psuedomorphic HEMT's use hetro structures of alternating layers of GaAs, AlGaAs and InGaAs, for example, in the active layer of the device to create quantum well structures and layers in which electron mobility is high.
In monolithic microwave integrated circuits, several switching circuit types are known. The first switching type so-called passive switches include series and shunt coupled field effect transistors which are operated in a resistive or passive mode. These elements commonly have source and drain electrodes interconnected to form series or shunt switching networks and have gate electrodes connected to gate bias voltages used as a control voltage to change the channel resistance between the source and the drain electrode. The gate bias voltage is switched between an on-state of the transistor and a pinch-off state of the transistor. In the first state of the transistor, the "on-state", a relatively low resistance between source and drain electrodes is provided whereas in the second state, "the off-state", a relatively high resistance between source and drain electrodes is provided. In actual practice, the characteristic of the field effect transistor in both the off-state and the on-state is more complicated than a simple high resistance and low resistance described. In the on-state, the field effect transistor at microwave frequencies is modelled as a series resistance-inductance circuit. The resistance in this circuit is the so-called on-state resistance of the channel and source and drain contact resistances, and the inductance of this circuit is a parasitic inductance resulting from the size of the FET. The presence of the inductance makes impedance matching in the on-state of the field effect transistor more difficult. When the FET is in an off-state, the FET is modelled between the source and drain electrodes as a series resistance-inductance capacitance circuit. It is desireable in this state that the capacitance be as small as possible to prevent coupling of the signal from the drain to source electrodes. The presence of the parasitic inductance effectively increases the capacitive susceptance, particularly in the shunt configuration which permits more energy to be coupled into the resistance and provides more loss in the off-state of the field effect transistor. The advantage of passive switches is that they are relatively broadband. This advantage is achieved, however, at the expense of relatively high insertion loss due to the aforementioned parasitics.
A second type of switch is the so-called active switch in which gate and drain biases are provided to field effect transistors arranged to provide switching circuits. This type of switching circuit has the advantage of providing gain to the signal. This advantage comes at the expense of increased circuit complexity and circuit fabrication complexity relatively moderate power handling and bandwidth capabilities.
One problem which is common to both types of switches is the relatively large size of the FETS employed in each of the switch implementations. Conventionally used switching FETS are MESFET's having a topography which has been adapted from active power FET designs. Although such a FET performs adequately as a switching FET, in general it has some drawbacks which have heretofore limited the ability of artisians to integrate these FETS into higher order passive switches. It would be desireable to provide higher order active switching implementations such as 1.times.4, 2.times.4, and 4.times.4 switches on a single integrated circuit. Generally, such higher order implementation are not feasible, unless individual chips are connected together in a hybrid type of arrangement.
The conventional field effect transistor 20, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a substrate 22 having a ground plane 21 disposed over a first surface thereof, and disposed over a second surface thereof, an optional buffer layer 23. Disposed over the optional buffer layer 23 is typically an epitaxially grown and etched mesa structure 25. The mesa structure 25 includes an active layer 24a which has an n-type dopant concentration typically in the range of 10.sup.16 to 10.sup.18 carriers per cubic centimeter and optional contact regions 24b which typically are highly doped n-type having a dopant concentration in excess of about 10.sup.18 carriers per cubic centimeter. Alternatively, ion implanted, etched and isolated active regions may also be used. In keeping with conventional power FET structure design, a plurality of gate fingers are disposed to make Schottky barrier contact with the active layer 24a, as shown for example in FIG. 1. The plurality of gate fingers are connected to a common gate bus 27, as also shown. The gate fingers are used to space source regions 28a, 28b from interdigitated drain regions 26a-26c as shown and to provide a plurality of parallel field effect transistor cells. The interdigitated drain regions are connected to a drain contact 26 as also shown, but the source regions 28a-28b must be connected to the common source electrode 28 through an airbridge or overlay structure 29a, 29b as depicted in FIG. 1B. It is the presence of the overlay structure 29a-29b as shown in FIG. 1 or other source overlay structures as also known to one of skill in the art which complicate the fabrication of such switching FETS.
In power FET designs, the gate fingers are connected in parallel to minimize gate resistance. This is an important consideration for a power FET, since an input signal is fed to the gate electrode, and a relatively high gate resistance would result in input signal attenuation, reduced gain and frequency cut off.
However, since no r.f. signals are coupled to the gate electrodes in passive switching applications, this consideration should not be important for passive switching FETS. Moreover, as also shown in FIG. 1, the interconnections for the gate fingers, the interdigitated drain fingers, and the source pads occur off the mesa portion of the chip. This arrangement is also required in high power MESFETS in order to provide requisite FET parameters in these applications such as breakdown voltages and low leakage currents. Accordingly, by using conventional power FET approaches for switching MESFETS, the presence of the parallel gate fingers, the source overlay structures, and interconnections of gate electrodes, drain electrodes, and source electrodes to common gate, drain, and source pads which are disposed off the mesa unnecessarily increase the size and hence, parasitics, complexity, and fabrication difficulties of FETS when used as passive switches. This in turn limits their r.f. performance capabilities and also limits the degree to which the structures may be easily integrated to form higher order passive switches such as 1.times.4, 2.times.2, and 2.times.4 switching implementations.


A drill or machine tool attachment for use with a vacuum debris extraction system, comprising a bar to which a vacuum extraction nozzle is attached, and a tube slidably mounted on the bar and connected to a drill or machine tool. The nozzle is located on the bar ahead of the drill or machine tool, with the tube biased toward an extended position by at least one spring. The limit of the extended position is set by a locking plate. In use, as the apparatus is offered up to a workpiece to perform a drilling or machining operation, the nozzle makes initial contact with the surface of the workpiece and as the operator applies pressure to the assembly, the drill or machine tool and associated bit or tool moves slideably against the action of the spring thereby guiding the bit or tool through an aperture in the nozzle to contact the workpiece.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of machine tool attachments and more specifically, but not exclusively to such attachments for use with debris or swarf removal apparatus.
2. Discussion of Prior Out
In the fields of hand power tools there have been any number of attempts to try and minimize the problem of debris or swarf production by such methods as vacuum removal at the workface and/or small debris collectors placed in the vicinity of the drill bit or machine tool.
One such method of vacuum removal has been described in GB Patent Application Number 9600117.7 filed by the inventor, which comprises the use of a debris collection bowl having a first an aperture for the insertion of a drill bit or machine tool and a second aperture for connection to vacuum source. When in use, the collection bowl is offered up to a workpiece, a drill bit or machine tool inserted through the first aperture and the debris or swarf created is drawn away by the vacuum source to a collection point.
The problem associated with the use of such a system of debris or swarf removal lies in the requirement of the operator to use one hand for holding the vacuum attachment in place on the workpiece and his other hand for operating the drill or machine tool. This problem my become significant when an operator is required to perform numerous sequential drilling or machining operations, thus requiring the operator to repeatedly perform the action of re-positioning and holding the debris of swarf removal attachment followed by inserting and guiding the drill bit or machine tool. As will be appreciated, any increase in the number actual tasks required to be performed by an operator may lead to a reduction in the overall time to complete a set task. which, in times of increasing efficiency and reducing man-hours, may impose a significant financial burden on a manufacturer.

British Aerospace Public Limited Company


A variable valve gear for internal combustion engines, having at least one camshaft and pivot lever disposed in the cylinder head, which lever contacts a valve that closes by means of spring force. An intermediate element of a transfer element is mounted in a supporting and displaceable manner, twice on the supporting body and on the pivot lever. The intermediate element engages a supporting surface disposed on the supporting body, first by way of a supporting cam segment disposed on the intermediate element, and second with the controlling cam segment of the supporting body, and third with the pivot lever, by way of an outer contour surface disposed on the intermediate element. The intermediate element indirectly contacts the cam of the camshaft, by way of a roller disposed on an oscillating crank, which is connected with the intermediate element in articulated manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a variable valve gear for internal combustion engines.
2. The Prior Art
A device for variable activation of valves by cams is described in German Patent No. DE 100 61 618 B4. This device is disposed in a cylinder head with a camshaft that is mounted in a fixed position, with valves that close by means of spring force, and together with a stroke transfer arrangement assigned to each of the valves, is guided in the cylinder head in a fixed position. An element that is adjustable for valve stroke adjustment is disposed in the cylinder head, mounted in a fixed position but so as to pivot. It has a supporting cam segment and a controlling cam segment, which run one after the other in an axial plane. An intermediate element is prismatically supported on the element that can be changed in its position, both on the supporting cam segment and the controlling cam segment, with a non-positive lock, and is guided to pivot and glide on the two cam segments in this connection, during the stroke movement. Furthermore, the intermediate element engages one of the cams of the camshaft as well as with a stroke transfer arrangement for a valve. The controlling cam segment determines the movement path of the intermediate element during the stroke of the cam as a function of the pivot position of the changeable element, and thereby the amount of the stroke brought about at the valve by the stroke transfer arrangement.
The design configuration of this embodiment is limited, because the supporting cam segment and the controlling cam segment are disposed running one after the other on the element that can be changed in its position, and therefore a certain distance between the two prismatic engagement lines on the supporting cam segment and the controlling cam segment as well as the intermediate element is necessary.
A variable valve drive for internal combustion engines is described in German Patent Application No. DE 100 31 783 A1, having a valve arrangement moved indirectly by a cam, by way of a rocker or toggle lever mounted directly or indirectly on the cylinder head, so as to pivot. This arrangement has one or more valves that close under the effect of a spring. The rocker or toggle lever engages an intermediate lever that is guided to have a rocking movement. This intermediate lever engages, in sliding or rolling manner, the cam of a camshaft, and a controlling cam segment of a supporting body mounted directly or indirectly on the cylinder head, so as to rotate. The supporting body determines the amount of the valve stroke with its position and the region of a controlling cam segment that becomes effective thereby. The angle position of the supporting body can be adjusted by means of a suitable control and a corresponding actuator.
The complicated and high-effort structure of the adjustment mechanism for changing the stroke of the valve opening range is a disadvantage in this connection. Furthermore, simultaneous adjustment of the valve stroke and the valve opening range cannot be carried out at the same time with the state of the art as described.
In German Patent Application NO. DE 10 2004 010 418.2, which was not published prior to this application, a variable valve gear with an adjustable valve stroke is described, in which forward displacement of the valve opening range automatically takes place in the case of an adjustment in the direction toward a lesser stroke. In this connection, an intermediate lever stands in an effect connection with a pivot lever that activates a valve, by way of a roller disposed on the intermediate lever, and with a supporting cam segment disposed on a pivoting supporting body, and it contacts the cam contour of the camshaft by way of a roller disposed on the intermediate lever. An oscillating guide crank pivots on the intermediate lever, which crank is disposed on a setting arm coupled with the supporting body, in articulated manner.
Introduction of force into the valve gear, which is caused by the displacement of the intermediate lever by the cam contour, is a disadvantage in this connection. Furthermore, this solution requires a relative great construction space.

Variable valve gear for internal combustion engine

IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr


This invention provides 1,3-oxazin-4-one derivatives represented by following general formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 represents a phenyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.2 represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, an aralkyl group or a phenyl group which may be substituted; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 each independently represent a lower alkyl group; and W represents an oxygen atom or a group represented by the formula --N(R.sup.6)-- in which R.sup.6 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group or a lower alkynyl group. There are also provided herbicidal compositions containing the derivatives and intermediates for preparing them. The compounds according to the present invention exhibit strong herbicidal activities and thus they are useful as active ingredients of agricultural chemicals.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to novel 1,3-oxazin-4-one derivatives, herbicidal compositions containing same, and novel intermediates for preparing same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Certain types of 1,3-oxazin-4-one derivatives, such as 6-methyl-3-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)-5-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-1,3-oxazin-4-o ne, and their herbicidal activities are disclosed in, for example, WO 093/15064.
However, the compounds described in the above-mentioned international publication differ from the compound of this invention since none of them have an acid amide substituent on the 3-position of the 1,3-oxazine ring. Further, the herbicidal activities and selective toxicities of the foregoing known compounds have been unsatisfactory.

1,3-oxazin-4-one derivative, herbicide containing same, and intermediate for preparing same


A sealing system features a primary and secondary bullet seals where the secondary seal is preferably bidirectional and is activated to spread fins with a t-shaped ring that is driven with differential pressure to advance after temperature exposure softens a stop material on the extending portion of the t-shaped ring. Opposed t-shaped rings are disposed at ends of the backup ring that have fins at both ends. Advancement of the t-shaped ring spreads the fins and retains them in the spread condition for enhanced sealing. Optionally the primary seal can also be actuated with a similar t-shaped ring with a temperature sensitive delay feature.

Bullet seals are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,547 where seals 80 and 82 are disposed in mirror image with an o-ring 78 between them to handle pressure differential in opposed directions. These seals have a generally pointed end and an opposite finned end adjacent the o-ring. These seals were designed to replace the stacks of chevron shaped seals shown in FIG. 1 of that patent. There were no backup seals used for pressure differentials in a given direction and no efforts to actuate the finned end beyond the axial pressure from fluids in the string. Other related seal designs are shown in U.S. Pat Nos. 5,879,010; 7,341,258; 5,524,905; 7,363,981; 6,318,729; 7,819,184 and 7,401,788.
Of the bullet seals that have been deployed in the past there have been issues with reliable performance particularly where significant temperature fluctuations of over 200 degrees F. could occur. These seal assemblies had no backup as illustrated in FIG. 1 with opposed bullet seals 10 and 12 separated by an o-ring 14 and disposed in a mirror image layout for opposing pressure differentials from either an uphole or a downhole direction. The past design focused on ease of assembly and a need to optimize a sealing system in a small confined space. The bullets were installed in an activated configuration. In some applications backup bullet seal pairs were used where the primary and the backup seals were identically configured and installed in a configuration that application of a net differential pressure in one direction activated both the primary and secondary seals due to axial compression through the o-ring in between opposed seal pairs and more rigid end rings adjacent the tapered ends of the seals.
What is needed and provided by the present invention is an assembly of bullet seals with a backup that is delayed in being deployed using primarily a temperature effect on a material that prevents advancement of a ring between end fins. The backup seal is not actuated until pressure is communicated to it such as by a failure of a primary seal and then there is the effect of temperature of well fluids to allow the t-shaped ring to advance as the material on the leading branch of the t-shaped ring softens to allow pressure differential to advance the ring and spread the end fins of the bullet seal to enhance its performance. These and other features of the present invention will be more readily understood by those skilled in the art from a review of the detailed description of the invention and the associated drawings while recognizing that the full scope of the invention will be determined by the appended claims.

Backup bullet seal with actuation delay feature


A method of completing a well includes lowering a wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well. A hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess is secured to external threads of the wellhead. A blowout preventer assembly with an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements is landed on the hub, and the locking elements are engaged with the recess of the hub. The well is drilled through the blowout preventer assembly to a greater depth then the blowout preventer assembly and the hub are removed. A threaded flange with a plurality of bolt holes spaced around the flange is secured to the external threads of the wellhead and a wellhead member is bolted to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This invention relates in general to wellheads having bowls for more than one casing hanger, and a method for installing the wellhead assembly.
2. Description of Prior Art
When drilling a well, after drilling to a first depth and installing a conductor pipe, a wellhead can be landed on the conductor pipe. Additional well operations can be performed through this wellhead during the drilling process. During such operations, it may be desirable to temporarily attach certain equipment or components to a top end of the wellhead. At certain times during the drilling process and related operations, it may be necessary or desirable to remove the equipment or components attached to the top of the wellhead. For example, if a easing string becomes stuck and needs to be cut within the wellhead, the equipment or components attached to the top of the wellhead can be removed to facilitate the cutting of the casing. Traditionally, the equipment or components attached to the top of the wellhead are connected to the wellhead with a bolted or threaded connection, making it time consuming to disconnect the equipment or components attached to the top of the wellhead from the wellhead.
After the drilling process and related operations are concluded and the well completion is being finalized, a wellhead member will be secured to the top of the wellhead which is expected to remain in place for the duration of production operations of the well. This more long term wellhead member is traditionally connected to the top of the wellhead with the same connection means as the temporary equipment or components used during drilling operations were attached to the top of the wellhead. However the preferred connection means for connecting the more long term wellhead member to the top of the wellhead may not be ideal for connecting the temporary equipment or components to the top end of the wellhead.

Method of installing a multi-bowl wellhead assembly


The invention teaches a method for using a test liquid to simulate the effects of a coolant condensate on an electrical power station component in the event of an accident with an uncontrolled escape of coolant condensate, in which a film is formed on a surface of the power station component and then a resistance test of the power station component is performed. A test liquid formed of polyglycol ether which has a content of between 0.01 and 0.5 weight % dissolved in deionized water, a conductivity between 1 and 6 .mu.S/cm at room temperature, and a surface tension up to 50 mN/m at room temperature is provided. A power station component is coated with a film of the test liquid. A resistance check of the coated power station component is then performed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a test liquid used to simulate the effects of a coolant condensate on an electrical power station component in the event of an accident involving an escape of coolant condensate.
It is known from Published French Patent Application 2,225,819, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,821,640, to use a test liquid to wet an insulated cable in order to check its insulation.
In the case of a coolant loss accident (CL accident), major amounts of steam are generally produced. The condensate that then occurs wets numerous components, including the energy generation and distribution and control systems. That creates a moist film, which becomes conductive from contaminants on the component surface. If one of those components is impaired in its function or destroyed by the condensate that wets it, for instance because its cables, distributors and leadthroughs are poorly insulated, the result can be that the provisions necessary to control the accident are made more difficult. Moreover, not only the coolant system but also the components damaged by the condensate will then have to be repaired.
In order to avoid such damage, all of the components of a power station that could become wetted with condensate in the event of a CL accident are built in such a way that they are not impaired in their function by being wetted under accident conditions, for instance by being encapsulated, potted, or equipped with long creep paths (so-called coolant loss resistance).
Since as a rule insulation materials age, and thus the coolant loss resistance can drop over the service life of a component from external factors and even the operation of the component itself, the coolant loss resistance of affected components should be checked regularly by suitable processes. One such process is disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,982 entitled: "Process for Checking the Efficiency of an Electric Power Station Component.", which was filed simultaneously with the instant application.
In particular, that process enables such testing without having to remove the component. Thus connections or distributors, for instance, can be tested in the operationally ready state without destruction or dismantling and the test can even be performed during ongoing operation. the test process in accordance with the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,773,982 entitled: "Process for Checking the Efficiency of an Electric Power Station Component.", which was filed simultaneously with the instant application, provides for simulation of the wetting by condensate in the case of the coolant loss accident by applying a test liquid of defined conductivity that provides good wetting, in order to then measure the insulation resistance as a value for the functioning of the component. The surface is subsequently dried again. The surface may preferably be rinsed before drying with a residue-free, removable rinsing medium.
If a crack occurs in the coolant system, especially for instance, in a nuclear reactor cooled with light water, then because of the high pressure at the elevated operating temperature, the water escapes into other parts of the power station in which electrical components are located. This water condenses on the various components, and while it largely drops off them (especially when their surface is very clean), nevertheless if dust has deposited on them after relatively long periods of operation, it mixes with that dirt. The result is that on the magnet drives for the control rods, the open-loop and closed-loop control devices and signal systems, a moist film of dirt at approximately 160.degree. C. forms, which can cause short circuits in the power supply, incorrect signals or missing signals and other defects that impair the function of those devices. The vulnerability to malfunction is further increased by the pressure of the coolant vapor.
The process detects the danger of such functional disturbances in good time to enable taking suitable countermeasures (such as replacing the threatened components).

Method of using a test liquid for checking the efficiency of electrical power station components