Methods and systems are provided for mitigating engine pre-ignition based on a feed-forward likelihood of pre-ignition and feedback from a pre-ignition event. In response to an indication of pre-ignition, a cylinder may be enriched while an engine load is limited. The enrichment may be followed by an enleanment to restore exhaust catalyst feed-gas oxygen levels. The mitigating steps may be adjusted based on engine operating conditions, a pre-ignition count, as well as the nature of the pre-ignition.

Under certain operating conditions, engines that have high compression ratios, or are boosted to increase specific output, may be prone to low speed pre-ignition combustion events. The early combustion due to pre-ignition can cause very high in-cylinder pressures, and can result in combustion pressure waves similar to combustion knock, but with larger intensity. Strategies have been developed for prediction and/or early detection of pre-ignition based on engine operating conditions. Additionally, following detection, various pre-ignition mitigating steps may be taken.
The inventors herein have recognized that not all cylinder pre-ignition events are the same, and that pre-ignition mitigation steps may need to be adjusted based on the nature of the pre-ignition event, as well as the pre-ignition history of the cylinder. For example, mitigating steps used for a cylinder with sporadic pre-ignition may not be as effective for a cylinder with recurrent pre-ignition. In other words, a more aggressive approach to pre-ignition mitigation may be required during some pre-ignition events as compared to other pre-ignition events.
Thus, in one example, the issue may be addressed by a method of operating an engine comprising, in response to intermittent pre-ignition in a cylinder, enriching the cylinder, and limiting engine load by a first amount, and in response to persistent pre-ignition in the cylinder, enriching the cylinder, and limiting engine load by a second amount, greater than the first amount.
In one example, in response to an indication of cylinder pre-ignition, an engine controller may update a cylinder pre-ignition history. The indication of pre-ignition may be based on engine operating conditions such as knock intensity (as determined by a knock sensor), a crankshaft acceleration (as determined by a crankshaft sensor), spark plus ionization, and/or based on changes in cylinder pressure as a result of abnormal cylinder combustion events. The cylinder pre-ignition history may include, for example, a cylinder pre-ignition count, including a number of cylinder pre-ignition events that have occurred over the lifetime of the cylinder's operation, as well as a number of cylinder pre-ignition events that have occurred over the current engine cycle. The history may further include a number of consecutive pre-ignition events in the cylinder. In one example, in response to a plurality of discrete pre-ignition events over a plurality of consecutive cylinder combustion events (that is, a number of consecutive cylinder pre-ignition events being less than a threshold), an engine controller may determine intermittent pre-ignition in the cylinder, and may adjust the mitigating steps accordingly. In another example, in response to a plurality of continuous pre-ignition events over the plurality of consecutive cylinder combustion events (that is, a number of consecutive cylinder pre-ignition events exceeding the threshold), the engine controller may determine persistent pre-ignition in the cylinder, and may adjust the mitigating steps accordingly.
For example, in response to the indication of intermittent pre-ignition in the cylinder, the controller may immediately enrich the cylinder and limit the engine load by a first amount, while in response to the indication of persistent pre-ignition in the cylinder, the controller may immediately enrich the cylinder by a second, larger amount. In both cases, enriching the cylinder may include operating the cylinder at an air-to-fuel ratio richer than stoichiometry for a given duration. By enriching the cylinder in response to an occurrence of pre-ignition, an immediate cylinder air charge cooling effect may be achieved that may reduce the occurrence of further abnormal combustion events. The simultaneous limiting of engine load, for example by reducing air flow, can further assist in reducing the occurrence of additional pre-ignition events. However, the effect of load limiting on pre-ignition may be delayed until a stable air flow is reached.
The enrichment in response to the intermittent pre-ignition may differ from the enrichment in response to the persistent pre-ignition. For example, the enrichment in response to the intermittent pre-ignition may be less rich and/or for a shorter duration while the enrichment is response to the persistent pre-ignition may be more rich and/or for a longer duration. The engine load limiting may be similarly adjusted. As such, limiting an engine load may include reducing the air flow by adjusting one or more of a throttle opening, engine boost, cam timing, valve timing, waste-gate timing, etc. Thus, in one example, in response to the intermittent pre-ignition, throttle opening and boost may be reduced by a smaller amount, while in response to the persistent pre-ignition, throttle opening and boost may be reduced by a larger amount. In another example, the camshaft timing may be adjusted by a larger amount in response to persistent pre-ignition and by a smaller amount in response to intermittent pre-ignition.
In one example, the load limiting may be synchronized with the enrichment by performing the load limiting at a ramp-in rate that is coordinated with the enrichment operation. For example, the ramp-in rate may be adjusted such that ramping in of the limited load is completed concurrent to completion of the enrichment.
In another example, an engine may include a first and second group of cylinders. Herein, in response to intermittent pre-ignition in a cylinder in the first group of cylinders, the controller may enrich the given cylinder and limit an engine load of all cylinders in the first group, and not the second group, for example by adjusting a cam timing of first group but not the second group. In comparison, in response to persistent pre-ignition in a cylinder in the first group, the controller may enrich the given cylinder and limit an engine load of all cylinders in the first and second group. In one example, this may include limiting an engine load of all cylinders in the first and second group by the same (larger) amount. In another example, this may include limiting an engine load of all cylinders in the first group by a larger amount while limiting an engine load of all cylinders in the second group by a smaller amount.
Similarly, the enrichment profile for other cylinders of the different groups may be adjusted differently based on the nature of the pre-ignition. For example, in response to persistent pre-ignition in a cylinder in the first group, the given cylinder may be enriched more rich and/or for a longer duration, while other cylinders in the first group are also enriched, but for a shorter duration and/or less rich. In another example, cylinders in the second group may also be enriched in response to the persistent pre-ignition to reduce the likelihood of further engine pre-ignition events. In comparison, in response to intermittent pre-ignition in a cylinder in the first group, only the given cylinder may be enriched. Still other combinations may be possible.
Further still, in addition to the enrichment and load limiting, cylinder spark timing may be advanced by an amount. Specifically, spark may be advanced, relative to the spark timing at the time of pre-ignition detection, towards MBT. The amount of spark advance may be adjusted based on the current engine speed, the enrichment, and/or the nature of the pre-ignition. Thus, as the degree of richness and/or duration of enrichment increases, the amount of spark advance may be increased. Further, a higher amount of spark advance may be used in response to persistent pre-ignition while a smaller amount of spark advance may be used in response to intermittent pre-ignition. Since the cylinder may be more tolerant to spark advance due to the richer than stoichiometry air-to-fuel ratio during the enrichment, spark advance may be advantageously used in conjunction with the enrichment to maintain IMEP under the rich conditions of the cylinder.
The updated pre-ignition history (including the updated pre-ignition count) may also be used to determine a likelihood of pre-ignition in a cylinder. For example, at the onset of engine operation, a controller may determine a feed-forward likelihood of pre-ignition based on the engine's operating conditions and further based on the pre-ignition history of the engine's cylinders, and accordingly may preemptively limit an engine load based on the likelihood of pre-ignition. The above described pre-ignition mitigating steps (enrichment and further load limiting) may then be applied in response to the indication of pre-ignition, and the nature of the pre-ignition.
In this way, by adjusting pre-ignition mitigating steps based on the nature of the pre-ignition, pre-ignition related issues may be better addressed, and further occurrences of pre-ignition may be reduced. Specifically, by responding more aggressively to persistent pre-ignition and less aggressively to intermittent pre-ignition, engine pre-ignition may be better addressed.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Method and system for pre-ignition control


A capo for use with a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings a neck comprising a fingerboard and a back comprises a string-engaging arm, a clamping arm, and a pivotal connection to pivotally interconnect a string-engaging arm and clamping arm. The string-engaging arm adapted to in use extend across the fingerboard above the strings and in use press against the strings. The clamping arm is adapted to, in use, extend across engage the back of the neck. The pivotal connection is disposed, in generally towards one side of the neck and at a position behind the fingerboard inboard of a side edge of the fingerboard. This arrangement and location of the pivotal connection reduces the forces required in use to operate the capo.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a capo for a stringed instrument, in particular a guitar, banjo or similar such instrument.
2. Background Art
A capo, sometimes variously termed a capodastro, capodaster, capo tasto or cejilla, is a device well-known and used by players of stringed instruments and in particular guitar and banjo players. A capo can be used with a stringed instrument, for example a guitar or banjo, which has a neck and a set of strings extending along the length of the neck. The neck comprises a fingerboard portion adjacent to the strings and a back. The fingerboard includes a number of fret bars which protrude slightly from the fingerboard/neck surface and extend laterally across the neck. The capo, when applied, serves to hold the strings against the fingerboard provided along the neck, and in particular against one of the number of fret bars disposed along the length of the fingerboard and which extend from the fingerboard, to reduce the effective length of the strings and therefore adjust the pitch produced by the strings.
When a capo is in use on an instrument neck a string-engaging portion or arm of the capo is arranged to press the strings against the surface of the fingerboard to sandwich the strings against the fret bars and/or fingerboard. In order to press the string-engaging portion against the fingerboard the capo is required, and includes suitable means for it, to be clamped to the neck. In a number of previous capo designs the clamping of the capo to the neck has been provided through the use of relatively cumbersome clamping mechanisms utilizing screw mechanisms, toggle levers, springs and other means which are difficult to handle and/or time consuming to attach. In particular, the constructions of previous capos have generally been such that the acts of attaching one to an instrument neck, removing it, or moving its position have undesirably required the use of two hands.
There are numerous examples of such capo designs including such clamping mechanisms. In particular examples of such designs are proposed and described in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,045; U.S. Pat. No. 4,149,443; U.S. Pat. No. 6,965,067, US 2004/0261600, U.S. Pat. No. 390,612 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,969.
In other prior capo designs spring activated mechanisms (generally torsion springs) are used to provide the clamping force. Examples of such capos are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,576, U.S. Pat. No. 6,528,711, U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,440, U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,110, US 2005/0098019 and U.S. Des Pat. 378,825 and U.S. Des Pat. 372,259. With the spring type capo designs the string-engaging arm is pivotally attached at one end to a clamping arm. In use the capo is fitted to the instrument neck with the string-engaging arm abutting against the strings and pressing the strings toward the fingerboard whilst the clamping arm abuts and bears against the opposite rear surface of the neck. A torsion spring is provided within/adjacent to the pivotal mounting to urge the two arms together, with the strings and neck of the instrument sandwiched therebetween, and provide the clamping force.
As described in the prior patents such spring type capo designs are easier and quicker to apply and can be fitted by the player one handed. However, the force generally required to be applied by the user to apply, adjust or remove such spring activated capos is high and uncomfortablef or the user.
A further prior capo design described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,441 has sought to alleviate this problem by use of a toggle type linkage. This linkage, however, adds to the bulk and cost of the device.


Provided are a fluororubber composition maintaining rubber properties and excellent in flowability and mold releasability as well as capable of reducing a cross-linking time when molded, and a fluororubber sealing material formed of the fluororubber composition. The fluororubber composition contains a polyol cross-linkable based fluororubber; an aliphatic acid amide based compound; at least one member selected from a phosphoric acid ester based compound, an aliphatic acid ester based compound and a fluorine-containing based compound; and a polyol based cross-linking agent. The fluororubber sealing material is formed of the fluororubber composition.

A fluororubber has excellent properties in a heat-resistance, an oil-resistance and a chemical-resistance or the like, whereas a material price thereof is comparatively high. Further, a fluororubber tends to have low processability prior to a molding step, allowing an increase in a process cost thereof. Hereby, a manufacturer of rubber parts has continued significant efforts to achieve various refinements in order to reduce a manufacturing cost of a fluororubber product.
One approach for reducing a manufacturing cost is to replace a raw material currently used with a low-priced material. However, replacement to a low-priced material while satisfying product performance may be sometimes difficult. Particularly, in case of a functional rubber part, it may be often difficult to secure the product quality.
Another approach for reducing a manufacturing cost is to attain improvement in the processability. In particular, examining reduction of a cross-linking time, improving mold releasability as well as dimensional stability and reducing burr generation in the molding step are directly effective on the productivity of products. Therefore, such examinations and improvement may be expected leading to the cost saving.
For improving the processability as mentioned above, an additional approach for introducing a new facility may be considered. However, this approach is not so easy as the introduction of a new facility largely affects the production cost. Therefore, in many cases, such an approach is taken as to improve a formulation of a rubber composition (i.e., compound).
An approach for improving a formulation includes a method for selecting a fluororubber polymer which is considered to have better processability than other fluororubbers. However, this method may have a concern that such a fluororubber polymer is not sufficiently adapted to unique manufacturing steps taken by a rubber component manufacturer. Accordingly, it is needed to improve processability by improving blending of a process aid.
Many methods for improving processability of a fluororubber composition have been disclosed so far. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for improving mold releasability by adding a perfluoropolyether based fluorine oil to a polyol cross-linkable fluororubber, thereby to improve the mold releasability or the like. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for improving moldability such as flowability by including a glycerin ester of unsaturated aliphatic acid in a fluororubber.

Fluororubber composition and fluororubber sealing material


A method for adjusting a medical device is provided. The method includes obtaining an initial trajectory of a component of the medical device. The initial trajectory of the component includes a plurality of initial positions. For each of the plurality of initial positions, the method further includes determining whether a collision is likely to occur between a subject and the component according to the initial trajectory of the component. In response to the determination that the collision is likely to occur, the method further includes updating the initial trajectory of the component to determine an updated trajectory of the component.

Lenses play an important role in the field of security monitoring. The lenses in a camera receive rays that are reflected by an object and project the rays to an imaging sensor in the camera to generate an image of the object. The performance of the lenses may affect the image quality, which may affect the accuracy of the result in the security monitoring. The apertures and image planes of some existing lenses used in the security monitoring are relatively small, and the existing lenses cannot achieve a constant aperture, which decreases the image quality. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a lens system that can achieve a relatively large constant aperture and a relatively large image plane.

Systems and methods for adjusting medical device

SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.


A compressor adapted for use in a gas turbine engine includes an impeller, a diffuser, and a deswirler. The impeller is arranged circumferentially about an axis and configured to rotate about the axis. The diffuser is arranged circumferentially around the impeller to receive the air from the impeller. The deswirler is configured to receive the air from the diffuser and to conduct the air into a combustion chamber.

Gas turbine engines are used to power aircraft, watercraft, power generators, and the like. Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The compressor compresses air drawn into the engine and delivers high pressure air to the combustor. In the combustor, fuel is mixed with the high pressure air and is ignited. Products of the combustion reaction in the combustor are directed into the turbine where work is extracted to drive the compressor and, sometimes, an output shaft. Left-over products of the combustion are exhausted out of the turbine and may provide thrust in some applications.
Centrifugal compressors use a rotating impeller device to increase kinetic energy in the flow path air and convert the kinetic energy into potential energy in the form of pressure as the air is forced radially outward by the impeller. Such a compressor usually includes a diffuser and deswirler that delivers air from the compressor to the combustor. The diffuser is located downstream and radially outward of the exit of the impeller to decelerate the air delivered from the impeller smoothly and recover static pressure. The deswirler is located downstream of the diffuser and includes vanes that redirect airflow from a circumferential and radial direction to a generally axial direction to be delivered to the combustor.

Centrifical compressor assembly for a gas turbine engine

Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.


In a method and apparatus for wireless transmission of messages between a vehicle-internal communication system and a vehicle-external central computer, the vehicle-internal communication system has acoustic output unit for the playback of a received message. In the vehicle-external central computer, the message, which is at first present in text form and is to be sent to the vehicle-internal communication system, is transformed into a phonetic transcription; the phonetic transcription, is then transmitted to the vehicle-internal communication system. In the vehicle internal communication system, the phonetic transcription is transformed to speech and is emitted via the acoustic output unit. Spoken messages from a vehicle occupant are recorded via an acoustic input unit, processed and transmitted to the central computer by reversal of the same process.

This application claims the priority of German patent document 199 33 318.1, filed 16 Jul. 1999, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a process for wireless transmission of messages between a vehicle-internal communication system and a vehicle-external central computer.
Wireless transmission processes of this general type have been known for a long time, for example, in connection with the RDS (Radio Data System). By means of the RDS, for example, up-to-date traffic information can be delivered to the driver in the form of speech.
Furthermore, processes are generally known for electronically generating a spoken text and for transforming text to speech (TTS=TEXT-TO-SPEECH) in which the text is first transformed to phonetic transcription (phonetic-prosodic parameters), and the phonetic transcription is then transformed to speech. Such a process is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,592,585, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In the '585 patent, the two steps referred to above are carried out by a single special computer.
In the future, the transmission and reception of fairly long text messages (for example, dictated texts and/or E-mail messages) is to be permitted in motor vehicles. However, the acts of inputting text via a keyboard for sending a message, and of reading the text of a received message draws the driver's attention away from the traffic situation particular during the drive. It is therefore desirable to provide a vehicle mounted arrangement which permits the acoustical sending of messages which are to arrive at the recipient in the form of text, and the acoustical delivery of messages which are worded by the sender in the form of a text.
Conventional systems for accomplishing this purpose would require a speech recognition system and a TEXT-TO-SPEECH system in the vehicle, which would considerably expand the system expenditures of a vehicle-internal communication system. This is undesirable, however, because such a communication system should also perform a variety of additional functions, such as the operation of a navigation system and/or of a telephone system.
It is an object of the invention to permit the acoustical sending and receipt of relatively long text messages on board a vehicle, by means of a vehicle-internal communication system and to minimize the computing output of the vehicle-internal communication system required for this purpose.
These and other objects and advantages are achieved by the method and apparatus according to the invention, for wireless transmission of messages between a vehicle-internal communication system and a vehicle-external central computer. The vehicle-internal communication system according to the invention has an acoustic output unit for the playback of a received message. In the vehicle-external central computer, the message, which is at first present in text form and is to be sent to the vehicle-internal communication system, is transformed into a phonetic transcription and is transmitted to the vehicle-internal communication system in the form of the phonetic transcription. In the vehicle-internal communication system, the phonetic transcription is transformed to speech and is emitted via the acoustic output unit. Thus, for example, an E-mail arrived at the central computer can be transmitted to the vehicle and be read out.
The vehicle-internal communication system preferably also has an acoustic input unit by way of which a spoken message from an occupant of the vehicle is recorded and transformed to a phonetic transcription in the vehicle-internal communication system. The phonetic transcription is then transmitted to the vehicle-external central computer which subsequently transforms the message from a phonetic transcription into text and stores it and/or processes it in this form. If, for example, an E-mail message is present, it is transmitted from the central computer to the recipient.
The messages can be stored and managed in the vehicle in the form of phonetic transcription.
An important feature of the invention, is that only lower-expenditure transformation of phonetic transcription to speech and vice-versa is carried out in the vehicle. The high expenditure computing output, which is required for the transformation of the phonetic transcription to text and vice-versa, on the other hand, is shifted to a vehicle-external system which has sufficient computing capacity.
Furthermore, a phonetic transcription plays back speed in the form of compressed audio data. During the sending and receiving of phonetic transcription, the effective bandwidth requirement for the signal transmission can therefore be considerably reduced, whereby the charging times of the vehicle-internal communication system are minimized.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for wireless transmission of messages between a vehicle-internal communication system and a vehicle-external central computer

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A probe test head for a high density pin count integrated circuit, includes: a flexible membrane; an array of conductive structures, each one of the structures including a mechanically compliant probe tip affixed to the membrane, such that an attachment point enables mechanical actuation of the probe tip through a conductive member parallel to the membrane. A method for fabrication and measurement apparatus are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention herein relates to microprobes for testing of integrated circuits, and more particularly, to a compliant membrane probe.
2. Description of the Related Art
Current thin film interposer (TFI) technology has provided significant performance improvements over existing vertical probe technologies. Reference may be had to existing thin film interposer technology from International Business Machines, Inc. of Armonk, N.Y. However, TFI is mechanically limited due to involvement of a rigid probe. For example, rigid probes may not conform well to non-planar samples that arise in a test environment. Examples include non-planar situations arising in "controlled collapsible chip connections" (C4). Commonly used controlled collapsible chip connections often include solder balls having a solder of about 97% lead and 3% tin. Diameters of the balls typically range from about 75 to about 125 micrometers, and provide for a chip-to-carrier interconnect.
The C4 process includes arranging an array of these balls or bumps on the surface of a chip, either in an area array or peripheral configuration. The chip is placed face down on a carrier. When heat is applied, the solder reflows to the pads joining the chip to the carrier. A non-planar C4 array profile can result from uneven thermal response during the reflow process, as well as temperature gradients within the chip during test.
Various testing apparatus include design features to compensate for an uneven profile. For example, rigid probes compensate for the initial non-planar relationship of controlled collapsible chip connections by mechanically deforming all of the connections until contact is made with each one. This requires a significant amount of force and is reaching the limits of current test hardware (Prober, probe cards, product wafer). Further, such mechanical stresses cause deformation of the solder balls sufficient to impact the integrity of C4 connectivity between the die and the chip carrier.
What are needed are techniques for making reliable test connections with a plurality of controlled collapsible chip connections. Preferably, the techniques minimize the deformation of the chip connections and do not require an application of excessive force. What are needed are techniques such as those disclosed herein.

Compliant membrane thin film interposer probe for intergrated circuit device testing

International Business Machines Corporation


A support system for a motor within a fan shroud. Struts extending from the shroud to the motor support the motor. The struts are arranged in groups, which are spaced from adjacent groups, and each group contains a non-radial strut.

FIG. 1 illustrates a generic fan, wherein a motor M drives fan blades B. The motor is supported by struts S which extend from an external housing H, often called a shroud.
As discussed later in connection with FIG. 6, the struts S often are designed as vanes, to change the path of air flowing through the fan. Such struts are commonly called stator vanes.
In the prior art, one approach to reducing the torsional vibration is to use struts, or stator vanes, of large cross-sectional area, one of which is shown in FIG. 5. These struts can be arranged radially, as in FIG. 6, or tangentially, as in FIG. 7.
However, the large cross-sectional profile area blocks airflow indicated by the arrows A3 in FIG. 5. This blockage causes a pressure loss, which is counter-productive, because a primary purpose of the fan is to provide an increase in pressure, which induces airflow from the high-pressure region to the low-pressure region.
In addition, these large profile struts cause a pressure disturbance that migrates upstream toward the fan blades. If the fan (not shown) is in close upstream proximity to the struts, as each fan blade (not shown) cuts through the pressure disturbance, a pressure pulse is generated. Consequently, the succession of fan blades cutting the disturbances creates a succession of pressure pulses, which is perceived as a siren-type noise. The tangential orientation of FIG. 7 reduces this noise somewhat
A similar comment applies if the fan is downstream of the struts, wherein the fan blades successively cut the wakes of the struts.
Therefore, while struts of large cross-section can reduce torsional vibration, they cause pressure loss and noise.
Curved stator vanes can be used, as indicated by vane V2 in FIG. 8. These have a smaller cross section, which reduces the problem of a large cross section. They also re-direct tangentially flowing air into a more axial direction which improves system pressure rise performance. However, such stator vanes can exhibit a specific type of torsional vibration.
This problem can be corrected, or reduced, by various cross-bracing schemes, as shown in FIGS. 12A-12C. FIG. 13 illustrates additional cross-bracing schemes, wherein non-radial struts are utilized.
However, these cross-bracing schemes suffer some, or all, of the following problems. One problem is that they increase cost and add mass. In some cases, the cost increase is significant, as when the system is molded from plastic resin, because a more complex mold is then required.
Another problem is that the struts increase pressure loss, and the loss is worsened at the points of intersection between two struts.
Yet another problem is that, depending on the arrangement of the struts, they can interfere with the re-direction indicated in FIG. 8. Effective re-direction of flow creates additional pressure rise which often counters the pressure loss associated with the profile and skin friction losses of the member itself. Thus the reduction of effective re-direction represents a further loss in fan system efficiency.

Fan shroud supports which increase resonant frequency


In one example, a FDB motor having a top-cover attached, EM biased bearing system is provided. The motor includes a shaft and rotor disposed for relative rotation, and an axial limiter for restricting axial movement of the rotor with respect to the shaft, wherein the axial limiter is wet or lubricated during contact. The limiter is spatially fixed with respect to one of the shaft or the rotor and disposed with an axial end surface opposing a surface portion spatially fixed with respect to the other of the shaft or the rotor to form a gap therebetween. The gap may be filled with a fluid such as bearing lubricant, thereby providing a lubricated or wet contact surface to restrict axial movement of the shaft and rotor. Additionally, one or both surfaces may include a groove or slot to provide circulation of fluid through the gap.

1. Field
Various examples described herein relate generally to features for limiting axial displacement of relatively rotating portions within Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) motors (e.g., a "limiter"), and in particular relates to FDB motors having lubricated or "wet" limiters.
2. Description of Related Art
Disk drives are capable of storing large amounts of digital data in a relatively small area. Disk drives store information on one or more recording media, which conventionally take the form of circular storage disks (e.g. media) having a plurality of concentric circular recording tracks. A typical disk drive has one or more disks for storing information. This information is written to and read from the disks using read/write heads mounted on actuator arms that are moved from track to track across the surfaces of the disks by an actuator mechanism.
Generally, the disks are mounted on a spindle that is turned by a spindle motor to pass the surfaces of the disks under the read/write heads. The spindle motor generally includes a shaft and a hub, to which one or more discs are attached, and a sleeve defining a bore for the shaft. Permanent magnets attached to the hub interact with a stator winding to rotate the hub and disc. In order to facilitate rotation, one or more bearings are usually disposed between the sleeve and the shaft.
Over the years, storage density has tended to increase, and the size of the storage system has tended to decrease. This trend has lead to greater precision and lower tolerance in the manufacturing and operating of magnetic storage disks. Accordingly, the bearing assembly that supports the hub and storage disk is of increasing importance.
One typical bearing assembly used in such storage systems includes a fluid dynamic bearing. In a fluid dynamic bearing, a lubricating fluid such as air or liquid provides a bearing surface between a fixed member of the housing and a rotating member of the disk hub. In addition to air, typical lubricants include gas, oil, or other fluids. Fluid dynamic bearings spread the bearing surface over a large surface area, as opposed to a ball bearing assembly, which comprises a series of point interfaces. This is desirable because the increased bearing surface reduces wobble or runout between the rotating and fixed members. Further, the use of fluid in the interface area imparts damping effects to the bearing, which helps reduce non-repeatable run-out.
One embodiment of a FDB motor includes a magnetically biased motor. That is, the bearing design cooperates with a magnetically biased circuit or element to establish and maintain fluid pressure in the bearing areas by providing an axial magnetic force, especially in designs where the thrust bearing is defined in the gap at the end of the shaft. The magnetic bias may reduce or eliminate the need to provide hydrodynamic grooves on one or more motor elements in order to accomplish the same, which in turn reduces power consumed by the motor. Typically in such systems, however, the only force or structure holding the rotating portion of the motor in place is the axial magnetic force; therefore, if shock axial forces exceed magnetic forces in the motor, the rotor can shift and the disk drive can become damaged or fail.
Accordingly, FDB spindle motors, and particular, those having electromagnetic bias and a single thrust bearing, generally include features to limit the axial displacement of the rotating portions relative to the stationary portions during a shock event. Often such features are referred to as a "shock limiter." A limiter generally limits or reduces the potential for axial displacements of the rotating portions of the motor relative to stationary portions beyond a desired or acceptable range of axial motion. A limiter may be fixed to or form part of a rotating member and separated by a small gap from a stationary portion of the motor. During a sufficiently large shock event the limiter will move axially and contact the stationary portion of the motor, thereby limiting the axial motion of the rotational portion of the motor.
If a shock event occurs during operation, however, the limiter feature will place rotating portions in direct contact with stationary portions. The contacting surfaces may lead to particle generation or gall and lock-up of the motor during contact, in part, because the contacting surfaces are not lubricated, e.g., a dry surface-to-surface contact. Particle generation may result in reduced performance or failure of the spindle motor or disc drive, e.g., contaminating bearing fluid or the like.

Lubricated limiter for fluid dynamic bearing motor


The present invention provides methods for reducing the production of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase protein and mRNA, and cyclooxygenase-2 protein and mRNA in cells both in vivo and in vitro via the administration of extracts and compounds derived from the seeds of Pycnanthus angolensis Warb. (P. Kombo), commonly known as African nutmeg. These extracts and compounds, namely, kombo butter, kombo butter acid extract, sargaquinoic acid, sargachromenol, and sargahydroquinoic acid, are also useful in the treatment and prevention of a battery of adverse health conditions in human, animal, and avian subjects that are advanced by the production of nitric oxide or its metabolites and/or by the activity of cyclooxygenase-2. Methods for the isolation of kombo butter acid extracts are also provided.

A considerable amount of epidemiological evidence indicates a strong association between the consumption of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and decreased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. It is generally believed that the primary agents giving rise to these beneficial health effects are phytochemical antioxidants. These compounds effectively neutralize free radicals, active atoms or molecules that can damage DNA and corrode cell membranes. Free radicals play a key role in the development of a number of adverse health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts, and have also been implicated in both initiation and acceleration of the aging process. The results of an extensive body of research indicate the existence of a variety of beneficial properties of free radical scavengers and antioxidants, including anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, anti-hepatotoxic, and anti-aging properties, as well as the utility of such agents in a variety of neurological disorders. Given the wide range and gravity of the adverse health conditions associated with free radicals and other inflammatory factors, there is a critical need for agents capable of exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to improve the pharmacological treatment of conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis), cataracts, rheumatic diseases, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and Alzheimer's disease as well as numerous other neurodegenerative conditions.
Important mediators in the inflammatory response include nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs), which are produced at elevated levels during inflammation. Nearly two decades ago, NO was found to be released by the vascular endothelium and to be a mediator of vasodilator-induced relaxation. Thus, NO is now widely known as endothelium-derived relaxing factor and the endogenous production of NO has been shown to play an essential role in physiological regulation and host defense mechanisms. In innate immunity, production of NO counters microbial and parasitic invasion and is associated with cytotoxic and cytostatic activities against bacteria and tumor cells. Additionally, increasing evidence indicates the importance of NO in the modulation of inflammation and the overproduction of NO has been found during the progress of many inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
NO is a short-lived free radical produced from L-arginine in a reaction catalyzed by NO synthase (NOS). NO mediates diverse functions by acting on most cells of the body via interaction with a variety of molecular targets that are consequently either activated or inhibited [1]. At least three types of NOS isoforms have been reported [2]. Endothelial NOS and neuronal NOS are constitutively expressed and are Ca2+/calmodulin dependent, whereas expression of the high-output isoform, inducible NOS (iNOS) occurs in activated macrophages and endothelial cells following induction by cytokines such as interferon (IFN) α, β, and γ, interleukin (IL)-1α and -1β, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) [3]. Low concentrations of NO produced by iNOS are implicated in the antimicrobial activity of macrophages against pathogens [4]. Excessive production of NO and its derivatives, such as peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide, has been suggested to be mutagenic in vivo, and to provoke the pathogenesis of septic shock and diverse autoimmune disorders [5-8]. Furthermore, NO and its oxidized forms have also been shown to be carcinogenic [9]. Therefore, key therapeutic targets for such adverse conditions include the reduction of NO activity by neutralization of NO as well as reduction of the generation of NO via inhibition of iNOS activity and/or inhibition of iNOS expression.
PGs are important inflammatory mediators that are synthesized from fatty acid precursors via the cyclooxygenase pathway. Two different isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX), designated cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), have been identified. COX-1 is a constitutive isoform that exists in most tissues and is responsible for the production of prostanoids involved in homeostasis. COX-2 is undetectable in most normal tissues, but is induced by cytokines, growth factors, oncogenes and tumor promoters, and is responsible for the production of prostanoids involved in inflammation. Enhanced levels of COX-2 have been found in humans during the course of numerous inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and acute or chronic inflammatory disease. As the induction of COX-2 is responsible for the production of PGs at the site of inflammation, this enzyme, like iNOS, represents a possible target for therapeutic purposes [10].
Although the use of herbal therapy or alternative medicine represents an increasingly attractive approach for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders, there is often little scientific data to support such uses. Accordingly, we have investigated plants and botanical extracts to identify specific compounds possessing bioactivities applicable to the treatment of inflammatory disorders and to understand the biochemical mechanisms of such activities. Anti-inflammatory properties of various phytochemicals are mediated through inhibition of the production of cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, IFN-γ), nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins and leukotrienes [11]. Antioxidants such as (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) [12], resveratrol [13] and naturally occurring flavonoids including apigenin and kaempferol [14] have been reported to suppress NO production through inhibition of NF-κB.
Pycnanthus angolensis Warb. (P. Kombo), commonly known as African nutmeg, is a tropical plant belonging to the Myristicaceae family and having a geographical distribution stretching across western Africa from Guinea to Cameroon, including the countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Uganda [15]. The plant thrives well in secondary forests, growing up to 120 feet tall, and produces fruit annually, typically between September and April. The oblong-shaped fruits, about 1.5 inches long, contain oil-rich seeds encased in a hard shell. The seeds are ready for harvest between December and April. The indigenous populations have devised a variety of uses for virtually all parts of the plant, ranging from incorporation of the plant in furniture, condiments, soaps, and cattle feed to medicinal uses.
Traditional medicinal uses for the plant utilize the bark, roots, leaves, and seeds. The pounded bark is used by the Ibos of Nigeria as a mouthwash and also as a remedy for toothaches and appetite loss. Infusions of the bark are used to prevent abortions, anemia, headache, and scabies [16]. Decoctions of the bark are used as an enema to purify breast milk for nursing mothers, as a purgative, and as an antidote for poisons. Other uses include the treatment of body aches, chest pains, skin lesions, and rashes due to river blindness (Onchocercearsis) and leprosy. Root infusions containing additional herbs are used as an antihelmintic [17]. Decoctions of the leaves are used as an enema to treat toothache and prevent miscarriage. The leaf juice is sucked to cure white tongue thrush and the latex is applied to wounds as an anticoagulant [17]. The Ewes in Ghana use fat from the oil-rich seeds as a mouthwash to cure thrush and as a topical treatment for fungal skin infections. In addition to such medicinal uses, the seeds provide an important source of oil and wax in the local communities for making candles, soap, fuel and lubricants. The oil residue is used as manure and cattle feed, and there are also reports of its use as a condiment in Equatorial Guinea.
Relatively few studies have investigated the chemical components of Pycnanthus angolensis. Two terpenoid-type quinines (pycnanthoquinone A and B) with antihyperglycemic activity have been isolated from the leaves and stem extracts [18,19] and the lignan dihydroguaiaretic acid has been identified in a bark extract [20]. Two isoflavones, 2′-hydroxyformononetin and 7,4′-dimethoxy-2′-hydroxyisoflavone, have been identified in the heartwood of the plant [21]. The seed fat is characterized by the presence of relatively high contents of tetradecanoic acid (60%) and (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid (20%) as well as other unsaturated fatty acids [22,23,24]. A recent study of the seed fat identified a novel polyphenylated hydroquinone carboxylic acid named kombic acid [24], although the structure of this compound as reported there is questionable based on our own research findings. We have discovered that kombo butter, kombo butter acid extract, and three compounds, sargaquinoic acid, sargachromenol, and sargahydroquinoic acid, from the seeds of African nutmeg possess activity as antioxidants, NO scavengers, and inhibitors of the production of NO, iNOS, and COX-2, and are thus useful for the prevention and treatment of a number of adverse health conditions linked to inflammation in human, animal, and avian subjects.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of sargachromenol and sargahydroquinoic acid isolated from Roldana barba-johannis have been evaluated [25]. The anti-inflammatory activity of sargachromenol exceeded that of α-tocopherol, and that of sargahydroquinoic acid was on par with that of a-tocopherol as measured by the TPA-induced mouse ear edema assay. Both of these compounds had less anti-inflammatory activity than indomethacin. The antioxidant activities of these compounds, as measured by the DPPH radical scavenging assay, were found to be better than those of either α-tocopherol or indomethacin. The authors noted that the anti-inflammatory activities of sargachromenol and sargahydroquinoic acid could be related both to their ability to scavenge free radicals and to their possible interaction with enzymes that catalyze the formation of intermediaries in the inflammatory process.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,489,494 to Leonard discloses antioxidants comprising kombic acid, a substituted palmitic fatty acid, or derivatives thereof obtained from crude kombo butter, as well as methods for the isolation of such antioxidants from crude kombo butter. Leonard found that the solubility of kombic acid in either alcohol or supercritical carbon dioxide was much less than that of more common fatty acids and glycerides, and thus that extraction with either of these solvents represented a commercially viable means for the isolation of kombic acid from kombo butter. Leonard also showed that the antioxidant activity of kombic acid with respect to lipid peroxidation either met or exceeded that of α-tocopherol in in vitro assays, and that kombic acid was an effective antioxidant for the stabilization of edible oils, plastics, and cosmetics. U.S. Pat. No. 6,713,512 to Leonard, a continuation-in-part of the '494 patent, discloses the use of kombic acid and derivatives thereof as anticancer and cholesterol-lowering agents.
Published United States Patent Application No. 20030129294A1 to Barclay et al. discloses blends comprising triglycerides and a hydroquinone substituted polyunsaturated fatty acid, as present in kombo butter, or a derivative thereof. A particularly preferred substituted fatty acid is sargahydroquinoic acid. Additionally, the blends may comprise glycerides from kombo butter and/or antioxidant compounds to stabilize the acids of the invention. Also disclosed are food products and dietary supplements having a health component that is a hydroquinone substituted polyunsaturated fatty acid as present in kombo butter, extracts thereof, or a derivative thereof, and particularly sargahydroquinoic acid. Barclay discloses the activity of sargahydroquinoic acid as an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase, a stimulant for increased production of the dermal protein decorin, a ligand for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) subtypes α and γ, an inhibitor of cholesterol esterase and acetylcholine esterase, and an inhibitor of microbial viability and fatty acid catabolism. In light of these findings, Barclay postulates the utility of the hydroquinone substituted polyunsaturated fatty acid preparations of the invention in: treatment and prevention of obesity (pancreatic/gastric lipase inhibitor); improved lipid metabolism, control of hyperlipidemia, and treatment and prevention of cancer (PPAR-α ligand); control of insulin sensitivity to avert short-term problems of insulin resistance including cognitive impairment (poor memory), chronic fatigue, and mood swings, as well as long-term problems including cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PPAR-γ ligand); improved cognition, improved regulation of blood sugar levels, cellular differentiation, lipid metabolism, and glucose metabolism, and treatment and prevention of inflammation, cancer, gestational diabetes, syndrome X, hypertension, and stroke (also as a PPAR-γ ligand); prevention of aging of the skin due to stimulation of the production of the dermal proteins decorin and collagen; and decreased oral and body odor due to the inhibition of microbial viability and fatty acid catabolism.
Additionally, Barclay discloses the antioxidant activity of a kombo nut extract containing approximately 56% sargahydroquinoic acid. Incorporation of 0.5% of the extract in sunflower oil was found to extend the swift induction period for oxidative degradation of the oil from 3 to 17 hours, while incorporation of the same level of a 50% preparation of mixed tocopherols provided only a 4-hour induction period. Barclay also discloses that kombo butter saponifiables exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in levels of prostaglandin E2 in human skin fibroblasts after induction with phorbol myristate acetate in vitro. In light of these findings, Barclay postulates the utility of the hydroquinone substituted polyunsaturated fatty acid preparations of the invention in the treatment and prevention of disease conditions relating to inflammation and the presence of free radicals, including cardiovascular disease, joint diseases, arthritis, peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin conditions, neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer's), and allergies.
Finally, Barclay discloses a process to enrich a hydroquinone substituted polyunsaturated fatty acid from kombo butter. According to the process, kombo butter is refined by the addition of base at a temperature of 40 to 60° C., and the product is separated into organic and aqueous phases. The aqueous phase is acidified to a pH of 0 to 4, and the oily layer is drained off. This affords recovery of a product containing more than 20% by weight of the hydroquinone substituted polyunsaturated fatty acid.
Published United States Patent Application No. 20030206936A1 to Barclay et al. discloses cosmetic compositions comprising an effective amount of a hydroxy phenyl alkyl carboxylic acid, preferably sargahydroquinoic acid or a derivative thereof. The cosmetic benefits disclosed for such active compounds include: treating and preventing wrinkling, sagging, aging and/or photodamaging of skin; boosting the production of collagen and decorin in the skin; soothing irritated, red and/or sensitive skin; improving skin or scalp texture, smoothness, and firmness; reducing body odor; reducing or preventing dandruff, spots, and pimples; and lightening skin or preventing the darkening of skin. The use of kombo butter, its partial glycerides, or its free fatty acids to obtain these cosmetic health benefits is also disclosed. Mirroring the disclosure of the previous Barclay application (No. US20030129294A1) discussed above, examples are presented indicating the utility of sargahydroquinoic acid as a stimulant for increased production of the dermal protein decorin and as a ligand for PPAR subtypes α and γ, as well as the dose-dependent reduction of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels by kombo butter saponifiables in human skin fibroblasts in vitro.
Published United States Patent Application No. 20030181521A1 to Leonard et al. discloses the use of cetyl myristoleate from kombo butter for the treatment of osteoarthritis and orthopedic or muscular injuries in equines. Leonard found that kombo butter-based cetyl myristoleate preparations were much more palatable to horses than preparations derived from beef tallow, thus making ingestion a feasible route of administration for the compound.
Despite the aforementioned references, nothing in the prior art discloses the ability of kombo butter, kombo butter acid extract, sargaquinoic acid, sargachromenol, or sargahydroquinoic acid to inhibit the production of NO and the expression of iNOS protein and/or mRNA. Moreover, although the Barclay applications disclose the ability of kombo butter saponifiables to reduce the levels of PGE2 in human skin fibroblasts in vitro, the use of kombo butter, kombo butter acid extract, sargachromenol, and sargahydroquinoic acid to reduce COX-2 protein and/or mRNA expression is unknown in the prior art. Thus, we have discovered that kombo butter, kombo butter acid extract, sargaquinoic acid, sargachromenol, and sargahydroquinoic acid are useful in reducing NO levels during inflammation not only by radical scavenging, but also advantageously by acting to reduce the levels of NO production in response to inflammatory stimuli at the levels of transcription and translation of iNOS. We have also discovered that kombo butter, sargachromenol, and sargahydroquinoic acid effectively inhibit both COX-2 protein and mRNA expression and that kombo butter acid extract also inhibits expression of the COX-2 enzyme.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of compounds and preparations from African nutmeg seeds


A split gate type flash memory device and a method of manufacturing the split gate type flash memory device are disclosed. The split gate type flash memory device includes a silicon epitaxial layer formed in an active region of a bulk silicon substrate and a disturbance-preventing insulating film formed in the bulk silicon substrate between a source region and a drain region of the device. According to selected embodiments of the invention, the disturbance-preventing insulating film is formed using a Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) forming process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a split gate type flash memory device and a related method for manufacture.
A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0044493 filed on Jun. 16, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrically erasable and programmable nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices are a popular choice for many modern electronic devices, including mobile communication systems, memory cards and the like. For example, Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) is commonly used to store data in cellular phones and in digital camera memory cards. Flash memory, which is a type of EEPROM, may be programmed one cell at a time, but erased in block or sector units comprising multiple memory cells. Flash memory devices typically include one transistor having a floating gate and another transistor having an electron trap layer. Examples of transistors having a floating gate include stacked gate transistors, split gate transistors, and the like.
FIG. 1A is a schematic showing a planar view of a conventional flash memory device having a split gate transistor (referred to hereafter as "split gate type flash memory device"). FIG. 1B is a schematic showing a cross-sectional view taken along a line between X and X′ in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B shows a pair of memory cells.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a semiconductor substrate 10 has an active region 11 defined by a device isolation region 13. Device isolation region 13 typically comprises a shallow trench isolation (STI) film. In addition, the split gate type flash memory device has a source region 15 formed in semiconductor substrate 10. Source region 15 is formed in a predetermined portion of active region 11. Source region 15 is a common source for the pair of memory cells shown in FIG. 1B. Source region 15 is extended in length together with a horizontally adjacent source region 15 to form a common source line.
A pair of floating gates 20 is formed on semiconductor substrate 10 adjacent to both sides of source region 15. Each floating gate 20 has an upper surface covered by an inter-gate insulating film 25. At least one sidewall of floating gate 20 is covered by a control gate 30. Control gate 30 extends from the sidewall of floating gate 20 to cover the upper surface of inter-gate insulating film 25, and to cover a portion of semiconductor substrate 10 disposed adjacent to floating gate 20 and on the distal sides of floating gate 20 relative to source region 15. Control gate 30 extends horizontally to be parallel with the common source line. The horizontally extended control gate 30 functions as a word line.
A drain region 35 is formed in semiconductor substrate 10 adjacent to each control gate 30. A portion of each drain region 35 is typically overlapped by control gates 30. Each drain region 35 is connected with a bit line (not shown) through a contact. A coupling insulating film 40 is formed between each floating gate 20 and semiconductor substrate 10. Coupling insulating film 40 extends down each floating gate 20 and is overlapped, at least in part, by a tunneling insulating film 45 extending over the sidewall of floating gate 20 covered by control gates 30. Tunneling insulating film 45 is patterned according to the shape of control gate 30. Coupling insulating film 40 and tunneling insulating film 45, both of which are formed below control gates 30, function collectively as a gate insulating film for the resulting MOS transistor.
The split gate type flash memory device typically further includes spacers 50 formed on sidewalls of control gate 30, on a sidewall of each floating gate 20 and on a proximal portion of inter-gate insulating film 25 relative to source region 15. Spacers 50 are not essential structural elements, but are typically formed in cases where flash memory devices are merged with the logic devices.
The split gate type flash memory device has a structure wherein each floating gate 20 is isolated from a respective control gate 30. As such, floating gate 20 is electrically insulated. The split gate type flash memory device stores data using various techniques that manipulate cell current, such as electron injection (programming) and electron emission (erasing).
In a case where a programming operation is performed with respect to only a single selected cell, a high voltage, e.g., more than 9V, is typically applied to source region 15, and an appropriate voltage (VD1) such as 0V is applied to drain region 35. Additionally, a voltage at least as high as a threshold voltage (VG1) is applied to control gate 30 of the selected cell, and a voltage of 0V is applied to control gate 30 of the non-selected cell. In this case, hot electrons are injected into floating gate 20 through coupling insulating film 40 in semiconductor substrate 10 down floating gate 20 adjacent to control gate 30 in the selected cell. However, this result does not occur in the non-selected cell.
Unfortunately, the split gate type flash memory device suffers from a problem related to the programming operation. The problem, known as the "disturbance problem", is experienced in the non-selected cell during programming of the selected cell. The disturbance problem is caused, at least in part, by the high voltage applied to source region 15 during programming and more particularly to the portion of source region 15 overlapped by floating gate 20. To be more specific, even though the threshold voltage is not applied to the control gate 30 of the non-selected cell, a depletion area extends toward both sides of source region 15 as a result of the high voltage applied to source region 15. Furthermore, there is an effect in which a certain voltage appears to be applied to floating gate 20 in the non-selected cell. As a result, the depletion area extends through semiconductor substrate 10 down a channel region in the non-selected cell and generates a punch-through, thereby causing the non-selected cell to be programmed together with the selected cell.

Split gate type flash memory device and method for manufacturing same


There is provided a content acquisition apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire content, a recognition unit configured to recognize at least two types of bookmark instructions when the acquisition unit acquires the content, and a control unit configured to, when the recognition unit recognizes a first bookmark instruction, provide a bookmark to the content acquired by the acquisition unit at corresponding time as a bookmarker at time of reproducing the content, and when the recognition unit recognizes a second bookmark instruction, provide the bookmark to the content acquired by the acquisition unit at corresponding time and switch an operation mode of the acquisition unit.

The present disclosure relates to a content acquisition apparatus and a storage medium.
In recent years, a field called a lifelog has been gaining attention. The lifelog means recording every action in a day. As an example, a lifelog camera has been known that is worn by a user and keeps on automatically shooting the surroundings. The lifelog camera can record every action of a user in a day in the form of video, an image, sounds, and the like. Accordingly, the user can reproduce and enjoy the recorded data.
A vast quantity of data is recorded by a lifelog camera. A technique is therefore necessary for efficiently searching for a specific scene in reproducing the data.
In response to such necessity, JP H11-183996A discloses a technique for reproducing an image on the basis of where a camera was positioned at the time of shooting.
JP 2009-094585A also discloses a technique for weighting (marking) video on the basis of camera setting information including a zoom position and a focus distance at the time of shooting, and thereafter reproducing the marked video.
JP 2007-082088A further discloses a technique for marking video on the basis of camera control, a button operation, changes in the background and sounds, and the like at the time of shooting, and thereafter reproducing the marked video.

Content acquisition apparatus and storage medium


A composition is disclosed comprising a polymerizable (meth)acrylate of the structure:

This invention relates to dental resin compositions comprising polymerizable (meth)acrylate resins, their method of manufacture, and the use of such resins for restorative dentistry, including dental adhesives, dental cements, dental filling materials, root canal sealants, crown and bridge materials, and the like.
In recent years, materials used for dental restorations have principally comprised acrylate or methacrylate resins. Resinous materials of this type are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,112 to Bowen, No. 3,194,784 to Bowen, and No. 3,926,906 to Lee et al. An especially important methacrylate monomer is the condensation product of bisphenol A and glycidyl methacrylate, 2,2′-bis[4-(3-methacryloxy-2-hydroxy propoxy)-phenyl]-propane ("BisGMA"). Alternatively, BisGMA may be synthesized from the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A and methacrylic acid (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,066,112 to Bowen).
Because the wear and abrasion characteristics and the overall physical, mechanical, and optical properties of these unfilled acrylic resinous materials is poor, and because acrylic resin systems exhibit high coefficients of thermal expansion relative to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the tooth structure, these substances by themselves are less than satisfactory. In particular, the disparity in thermal expansion coupled with high shrinkage upon polymerization results in poor marginal adaptability, and ultimately leads to secondary decay. Composite dental restorative materials containing acrylate or methacrylate resins and fillers were thus developed. The fillers are generally inorganic materials based on silica, silicate based glasses, or quartz. These filled compositions are useful for a variety of dental treatments and restorative functions including crown and bridge materials, fillings, adhesives, sealants, luting agents or cements, denture base materials, orthodontic materials and sealants, and other dental restorative materials. Despite their suitability for their intended purposes, however, many of these materials have shrinkages of about two to about four percent by volume upon polymerization.
There accordingly remains a need in the art for dental resin materials that have good bonding adhesion to a dental substrate and minimal shrinkage upon polymerization without sacrificing other advantageous physical properties.

Dental resin composition, method of manufacture, and method of use thereof

Abstract: wherein A is an anhydride; a is 0 or 1; n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-C12 alkyl, C1-C12 perhaloalkyl, C1-C12 alkoxy, C1-C12 perhaloalkoxy, C2-C12 alkenyl, C2-C12 alkynyl, (C1-C6 alkyl)-O-(C1-C6 alkylene), or hydroxy(C1-C6 alkylene); x and y are each independently an integer of 1 to 10; z is an integer of 1 to 5; R5 is hydrogen or methyl; M is

Abstract: wherein G and J are each independently O or NR6, wherein R6 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; m is 1, 2, 3, or 4; W is an organic group having the valency of z+1; and q is 0 or 1; and further wherein when a is 1, n+m+q is 1, 2, 3, or 4, and when a is 0, n+m+q is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. The composition finds use as a dental resin.


A shear bar support and/or a shear bar of a forage harvester is provided with a magnet acting on the respective opposite part. The magnet may be powered electrically and depending on an operation mode of the forage harvester. The magnet is located between the outer ends of the shear bar, which ends are fixed by bolts, and the like as is well known. The magnet acts to cause the shear bar to be pressed against the shear bar support in order to decrease or eliminate vibrations thereof.

The present invention relates to a cornection of a shear bar to a shear bar support in a chopper arrangement of an agricultural machine, such as, for example, a forage harvester by means of fastening devices arranged in the outer regions of the shear bar or shear bar support, where the shear bar and/or the shear bar support consist of a magnetizable material, and concerns a shear bar or a shear bar support for such a connection and a machine.
Chopper arrangements are applied in particular in agricultural harvesting machines, such as forage harvesters. They contain a shear bar that interacts with the knives of a cutting arrangement in the form of a chopper drum for chopping crop, for example, for the production of silage material. Chopper arrangements may also be applied in garbage removal or in garbage recycling, in paper and textile manufacturing, in wood products and tobacco processing as well as in othe areas.
The advertising brochure "MEGA" of the CLAAS company, publication number 9/91 (GDS) dt-333/247.202.3, shows a conventional chopper arrangement in a forage harvester, in which a shear bar is secured by screws in its outer end regions on a shear bar support.
From the advertising brochure "Self-propelled Forage Harvester" of the Mengele Company, publication number 5/1189/88-3, a further variation for the securing of a shear bar on a shear bar support is known. Here, the shear bar is clamped to the shear bar support in its outer end regions by means of a special, spring-loaded retainer.
The two types of securing arrangements cited have in common the fact that the shear bars are fastened to the shear bar supports only in their outer regions or boundary regions. As a consequence, the shear bars are not fully in contact with the shear bar supports in their central regions, which can lead to a vibration of the shear bars during an operation of the chopper arrangement. Thereby, an abrasive wear of the shear bars and the shear bar supports.

Connection of a shear bar to shear bar support of a forage harvester


A voice activated wireless phone headset whereby power control, timer and noise level recognition circuits sample ambient noise/voice levels and at predetermined levels provide an “off-hook” telephone condition. The light weight headset fastens around the ear with an adjustable microphone tube that extends towards the user's mouth thus emphasizing vocal noises. The headset will, on receiving a ring signal, begin measuring a pre-selected length of time. If the voice level of the user increases above a threshold level, the headset unit will then send an activation signal to the base unit causing an “off-hook” condition and allowing a phone conversation. A wireless connection to a base unit exists. Bandpass filters, levels, digital signal processing and other methods allow more efficient voice and/or word recognition.

Telephones, while convenient, require the user to use one hand to hold the telephone in proximity to ear and mouth in order to use the telephone. In addition, when the user wishes to use a cell phone control such as the alphanumeric keypad, the user must take the cell phone from their ear and transfer it to a location in which they can see the keypad and push buttons as needed. In addition to inconvenience and distraction from contraindicated activities such as driving, this is a two handed process. These problems are not restricted to telephones as a growing number of types of devices offer users audio input and output data. Personal computers and personal digital assistants, as two examples, offer increasingly efficient speech recognition. Digital and tape recorders, which do not offer voice recognition, are also examples of the types of devices which may increasingly be voice activated and may even offer preprogrammed voice output.
The requirement of holding a device such as a cell telephone to the ear in turn causes various other problems, safe operation of motor vehicles being one major example of such issues, tiredness by the user's arm being a less important type of problem. For these reasons and others, vendors and inventors are offering a range of solutions to the problem of "hands free" cell phone operation.
One attempt to solve this problem is the "hands free cell phone" or speaker phone in which the volume of the audio output and the sensitivity of the audio input are dramatically increased. The user places the cell phone or other device in a special holder or merely places it on seat or dashboard and speaks loudly. Such systems have numerous disadvantages: audio feedback, ambient interference and poor sound quality, among others. Lack of privacy is increasingly an issue as well, since both sides of the conversation are clearly audible to anyone nearby.
One more promising route for improvement is the use of the headset. By wearing earphones and a microphone, a user can escape the need to continuously hold the cellular telephone or other audio input/output device. Unfortunately, headset cords connecting the headset to the base device can entangle the user's hands, arms, or whatever they may be using, such as a computer keyboard or steering wheel, thus posing a threat on their own. The solution to this problem is the wireless headset, in which the headset device and base device communicate by means of RF transmissions.
Wireless headsets offer a potentially life saving hands free mode of operation for motor vehicles and other activities which require continuous active use of two hands. In addition, wireless headsets offer enormous convenience to the office worker. The user wears the wireless headset with microphone and speakers, leaves the base unit safely tucked away, and is in no danger of having one or more hands entangled in a cord or used to control the base device. This life saving ability is of increasing importance as the number of cell telephones on the road proliferates and drivers increasingly ignore safety (and in some jurisdictions the law) in order to use their telephone, computer, recorder or other device. Other situations than driving may also show the life saving features of the present invention: skiing, bicycling, operation of industrial machinery, printing presses, civil engineering equipment, operation of typewriters and word processors and the full range off office equipment.
Various wireless headsets schemes have been proposed. In general, the problem with most headsets is size, bulk, and lack of ease of use. One possible method of shrinking the headset is to minimize the size of controls which must be finger operated.
US Patent Application Publication 2002/0141571 published Oct. 3, 2002 in the name of Larsen et al for HEADSET is one such item: a headset with voice control of transmission and reception amplification. However, this is intended to prevent reception of background noise when the user is not speaking, and to prevent painfully high volumes in the user's ear. It is not related to answering the telephone by voice control.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,911 granted Oct. 1, 2002 to Hijii for PORTABLE TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR teaches the use of voice recognition to originate a telephone call from a cell phone. However, this device actually teaches the use of a push button to answer the telephone, rather than voice activation or voice recognition to provide an off-hook condition. It also uses a wired microphone rather than a wireless headset.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,222 issued Feb. 19, 2002 to Hafiz for VOICE ACTIVATED MOBILE TELEPHONE CALL ANSWERER teaches control of a cell phone without a headset by means of voice recognition of voice spectrum characteristics. Numerous voice recognition and speaker phone patents teach away from the use of a wireless headset by arguing the benefits of voice recognition instead. Another example of this U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,574 issued Feb. 2, 1999 to Eryilmaz for VOICE ACTIVITY DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD teaches a method for voice activation in a speaker phone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,794 issued Mar. 4, 1997 to Larson for TELEPHONE HEADSET IN-USE INDICATOR simply indicates the off-hook status of a headset, so that those seeing the user speaking will know that the user is talking to someone on the telephone.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,524 issued Jan. 18, 1994 to Norris for BONE CONDUCTION EAR MICROPHONE AND METHOD teaches a wired microphone using bone conduction and voice recognition for control of microprocessor systems. It is wired, and uses voice recognition of commands, not voice activation for answering a telephone.
The disadvantage of voice recognition is the complexity and the dubious accuracy of the method. Complexity requires larger CPU's to handle the load, while lack of accuracy involves offering some manual backup.
It would be advantageous to provide a headset for use with a telephone, which headset offered the ability to voice activate in order to answer the telephone, yet avoided the complexity of voice recognition, and thus allowed a "buttonless" headset of diminished size, weight, cost and complexity.


A vaccine for the prophylaxis of dermatophyte infection in animals, such as horses and guinea pigs, comprising a suspension of two strains of killed T. equinum in an effective amount combined with an adjuvant. The vaccine of the invention contains advantages over prior art dermatophyte vaccines in that it reduces the risk of infection in inoculated animals and persons utilizing the vaccine and provides cross-immunity to dermatophytes other than T. equinum.

The present invention relates to the vaccination of horses and other animals against contagious infections caused by Trichophyton equinum (i.e., T. equinum) and other dermatophytes. A novel vaccine has been prepared comprising a suspension of mycelial elements and spores of the "killed" dermatophyte T. equinum along with an adjuvant material (i.e., immunologic stimulator) that enhances the vaccine's effectiveness. The vaccine is effective in prophylaxis of T. equinum infections in horses and other animals and provides cross-immunity to successful attack from other dermatophytes (e.g., Microsporum canis).
1. Field of the Invention
Dermatophytoses are contagious, infectious diseases of man and other mammals caused by a group of keratinophilic, parasitic fungi known as "dermatophytes." Although they are not debilitating or fatal, dermatophytoses are among the most prevalent of human and animal infectious diseases. Millions of adults and children in the United States suffer from one or more types of dermatophyte infection. The dermatophytes that characteristically infect animals (i.e., zoophilic dermatophytes) are highly contagious; they persist in the environment as infectious spores for years, and they often transfer from infected animals to their human attendants as zoonotic infections. As a result they constitute a substantial public health hazard.
Dermatophyte infections can affect various keratinized tissues, such as, the hair and stratum corneum of the skin causing areas of hair loss, scaliness and cutaneous inflammation. The most frequent dermatophyte infection in animals is called "ringworm" (i.e., infections of the skin or hair); the most frequent dermatophyte infection in man is "athlete's foot" (i.e., infections of that appendage). These diseases are a consequence of the host animal's reaction to the dermatophyte as well as the invasion of the animal's tissues by the fungus. Although the disease can generally be treated, treatment may take weeks or months to completely resolve the condition. Ringworm is unsightly, at best, and in severe cases can result in the generation of disfiguring scar tissue. It has been estimated in recent years that approximately $150,000,000 is spent annually in the United States on the treatment of ringworm.
Ringworm infections in humans and animals can be caused by a number of dermatophytes that reside on various animals, such as horses, cattle, pigs, dogs and cats. Hair and other skin fragments or debris infected with dermatophytes are lost by infected animals and contaminate the premises where these animals are maintained. Contamination may last for as much as four years. People, such as handlers, who come in contact with the animals or the premises can become carriers for the fungus to other animals or humans. Because ringworm is a world-wide problem and is transmitted between animals and man, the World Health Organization has attempted to diminish the contacting of viable dermatophytes by persons handling animals through reduction of the incidence of infection in animal populations.
In addition to the health consequences to man, the incidence of dermatophyte infections in animals can cause serious consequences for animal owners. Animals infected with dermatophytes are excluded from the sale or show ring and from competitive events, such as, horse races. Because dermatophyte infections spread rapidly among animals, entire herds, kennels or stables full of animals may become involved when infection in one or more animals is observed. In animals bred for their meat, infection with dermatophytes may result in a diminished rate of weight gain. Although griseofulvin administered orally or as a feed additive may be used to treat certain types of infected animals, it takes long periods of treatment (e.g., one to two months) to be effective, it can be prohibitively expensive where an entire herd is involved and it may also raise concerns if the animals are used to supply meat or dairy products for human consumption.
In particular, equine ringworm, caused by T. equinum is a highly contagious infection among horses and is transmissible also to human handlers. It transmits readily to susceptible horses by contact, brushes, blankets and other tack, wooden posts and fixtures and other items containing infectious hair or scales. Transmission is especially accelerated among horses held in close proximity to one another (i.e., in stables, corrals, etc.). Infected horses are banned from race tracks and show arenas and may be barred from crossing state or international boundaries. Infection has been a particular problem among wild horses gathered under the Bureau of Land Management wild horse program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Because dermatophytes are wide spread parasitic agents and because infection eventually engenders acquired immunity in affected individuals, prophylactic use of immunizing agents is indicated to reduce the susceptibility of animal (or human) populations to these infections. It is recognized, however, that:
[n]o subject in the field of medical mycology has evoked more controversy than "immunity and resistance" in dermatophyte infections. The voluminous literature begins in the early nineteen hundreds and continues to accumulate unabated to the present day . . . There is no single, clear-cut mechanism that will explain all aspects of susceptibility and immunity to dermatophyte infection. (Rippon, "Medical Mycology: the Pathogenic Fungi and the Pathogenic Actinomycetes," W. B. Saunders Company (3rd Ed. 1988), p. 231.)
As reported in Rippon, immunization by injection of live or killed fungi, their extracts, or their metabolic products has been attempted many times in animals. However, the author notes that the challenge with a homologous organism results only in attenuation of the disease. Resistance is transitory, and complete susceptibility returns after a few months. Rippon's conclusions appear to be based in whole or in part on A. W. Lepper, "Immunological Aspects of Dermatomycoses in Animals and Man," Rev. Med. Vet. Mycol., 6:432-42 (1969), which itself is a review of the literature on dermatophyte immunity. See also, S. F. Grappel, "Immunology of Dermatophytes and Dermatophytosis," Bacteriological Reviews, 38: 222-50 (1974).
Prior to the present invention there has been no commercially practicable vaccine for the prevention of ringworm in horses. Prophylaxis (i.e., reduced incidence and severity) of T. equinum infection in horses using a vaccine comprising a suspension of viable T. equinum material is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,434 to Sarkisov et al. However, there are several defects with that vaccine. First, because it is viable it may cause localized infection at the injection site. Second, because the vaccine is live, it cannot be incorporated with other adjuvant materials frequently utilized to enhance immunologic response. Finally and of most significance, there are serious concerns about the infection of handlers and other animals contacted externally with the vaccine, since the vaccine contains "live," i.e., active, T. equinum. For these reasons the vaccine has not been accepted for use in certain European countries or in the United States.
At the present time, there is no known vaccine for prophylaxis of T. equinum in horses or other animals which is effective and does not pose a risk of infection to handlers and animals contacted externally with the vaccine.


This apparatus for producing a bottle can includes a die-ring 22 for holding bottom of a closed-end cylindrical body W, and a tool holding part disposed opposite an opening part of the closed-end cylindrical body W, having plural processing tools 32 for shaping the closed-end cylindrical body W into various forms, the die-ring 22 and the tool holding part being held so that each of them can rotate relatively and move in the direction of a center line of the closed-end cylindrical body W relatively to each other,                each of the processing tools shaping the closed-end cylindrical body into various forms to produce a bottle can, further including:        a regulating means 110 for regulating forward movement of each of the processing tools 32 or the die-ring 22 to prevent the space between each of the processing tools 32 and the die-ring 22 at the forward end of the tool holding part or the die-ring, from lessening to be not more than a predetermined value.

In general, a metallic bottle can (referred to as "a bottle can" hereinafter) is formed by performing processing such as drawing or ironing a metallic sheet made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy in multiple steps, and is widely used as a container for drinks.
An apparatus for producing such a bottle can is equipped with a work holding part which has a die-ring for holding a closed-end cylindrical body shaped from a metallic sheet, and a tool holding part for holding a processing tool for performing a shaping processing on the closed-end cylindrical body, in which the die-ring is circularly arranged and held onto the surface of a disc at one side, whereas the processing tool is circularly arranged and held onto surface of a disc at another side so as to be opposed to each die-ring.
The closed-end cylindrical body is held by the die-ring so as to direct an opening part thereof toward the tool holding part, while aligning the center line thereof with that of the work holding part and tool holding part.
The tool holding part is equipped with various tools (machine tools), as processing tools, for processing corresponding to each processing step, such as plural drawing dies for shaping the opening part of the closed-end cylindrical body into a tapered part or a metal cap by nosing it (neck-in processing), a tool for forming a screw in a metal cap, and a tool for forming a curling part at the open end, etc., and these tools are arranged in order of processing.
It should be noted that as steps of processing which are performed on a closed-end cylindrical body, a neck-in processing to shorten the diameter of the opening part by plural steps, a trimming processing to trim the open-end of the metal cap shaped by the neck-in processing thereby adjusting the height of the closed-end cylindrical body, a screw-shaping processing to shape the metal cap into a screw, a curling part forming processing to curl the open-end part of the metal cap outward in the radial direction, a slot processing to press the outer surface of the curling part inwardly in the radial direction and collapse the outer surface, etc. are exemplary. By using processing tools corresponding to each of these processings, the closed-end cylindrical body is shaped, thereby producing a bottle can.
Moreover, the work holding part and the tool holding part are held so that they can rotate relatively to each other and move in the direction of the center line relatively to each other, and these holding parts rotate relatively to each other, so that each tool can perform processing corresponding to each step on a closed-end cylindrical body when the work holding part and the tool holding part come close to each other, and that the processing tool for the subsequent step can face each closed-end cylindrical body when these holding parts move away from each other. In this way, the action of performing processing when both holding parts come close and rotating when both holding parts move away is repeated, thereby shaping a shoulder part, a metal cap part, a screw shape, etc. successively onto a closed-end cylindrical body to impart the shape of a bottle can.
The bottle can thus shaped is filled with a filling, and then sealed with a cap which is disposed on the metal cap part. The cap is applied by deforming a cap member which is made of aluminum or aluminum alloy shaped into a cup, so as to fit to the screw shape which is formed on the metal cap part. In general, this cap member is applied by rotating disc rollers, while pressing these rollers to the perimeter of the cap member (capping step).
First, the rollers abut an upper part (top face side) of the cap member and start to rotate, and then come into contact with the upper end of the screw thread of the metal cap part while rotating on the perimeter of the cap member, at this time the rollers are introduced by the screw thread shape to come into contact with the thread groove from the upper end of the screw, and rotate up to the lower end of the thread groove. Thus, a screw shape is shaped onto the cap member, thereby applying the cap to the metal cap part of the bottle can.


A device and process for extracting plastic preforms (5) from holders. Said device comprises a plate (23), which features straight slits (26) positioned parallel to each other, that is attached to a supporting table (20, 21). Each slit (26) comprises wider sections and constrictions (29, 30), which have a width (L2) smaller than the diameter of the ring (9) of the preform, so that the ring (9) can be fitted into the slit (26) through the wider section. The plate (23) is moved in the direction <<D>> by a specific length until the constrictions are positioned under the ring, and, thus, the preforms are removed by moving the plate away from the holders.

Plastic materials, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), have been used for some time now to make containers. This is particularly true for food-containing containers, especially drinks. Although said containers can be of different types, they shall be referred to hereinafter generically as bottles, which happen to be the most popular kind.
Two main production processes are used to make plastic bottles; both processes involve making an intermediary product, the so-called <<preform>>. The first type of process is a single-stage process and comprises injection and blow moulding machines forming a single-stage plant. The term <<single-stage>> is appropriate because the plant carries out the complete transformation process of the plastic in a continuous and automatic manner: from the pellet state to the finished, ready-to-use containers.
The second type of process is essentially the same as the first except that it is a <<multistage>> process: after the injection moulding stage, the obtained preforms are pre-cooled to a specific temperature and, then, stored in an intermediate storage place to be cooled further until they reach room temperature. The blow moulding stage of the process is carried out later and, obviously, requires the preforms to be heated beforehand so that the resin is soft enough to be shaped. The first stage of the production process for making containers (i.e. injection moulding to produce preforms) utilizes moulds (specifically, split moulds—each made up of two mould halves—that open and close) with many injection mould cavities. The resin in the molten state is injected into said cavities and remains in the closed mould to cool for a specific amount of time until the preform has solidified enough to allow safe handling without deformation. Since the preform occupies the mould during cooling and solidification, it follows that the longer the preform is cooled inside the mould, the slower the moulding process. In fact, the mould can only be used in the next cycle after it has been opened and freed of the preforms.
For the sake of completeness, it should be remembered that the complete injection moulding stage involves closing the moulds, injecting the resin in the molten state into the injection mould cavities, cooling the resin to solidify the structure of the preforms enough to enable handling, opening the moulds, and ejecting/removing the preforms. This stage, which directly affects and limits the productivity of the container production plant, is the so-called <<bottleneck>> of the production line and lasts longer than the other stages carried out by the plant. Furthermore, it is very difficult to shorten the duration of this stage; thus, improvements to the process have focused on shortening the cooling time inside the mould as much as possible and completing a significant part of the cooling after ejecting the preforms from the mould.
The increasing demand for plastic bottles, and for plastic containers in general, and the need to boost productivity to remain competitive mean that both single-stage and multistage moulding machines must minimize the amount of time the moulds remain occupied during the injection and cooling operations.
State-of-the-art injection and blow moulding plants try to accomplish this by ejecting the preforms as soon as possible after the injection step, completing cooling on special cooling plates fitted with special holders. Known types of cooling plates may comprise means for force cooling the preforms by circulating cooling fluids.
As was already mentioned, the cooling plate is fitted with a number of holders, having a shape that normally complements the contour of the preforms; the holders are held in position and cooled by a system that circulates a cooling liquid. The advantage of using said holders is that the deformation of the structure of the preforms is almost entirely eliminated during the cooling step.
Another means used to accelerate even further the injection moulding cycle in known injection and blow moulding plants is to equip the cooling plate with extra cooling holders (for example, double or triple the number of injection mould cavities). In this way, while an injection moulding cycle is being carried out in the mould, the preforms produced and ejected during the previous cycle(s) are being cooled in the holders of the cooling plate. Thus, by choosing the appropriate number of holders, the cooling stage can last approximately twice or three times the duration of the injection moulding cycle in the mould. Patent Application IT-PN2000A000006 describes an injection moulding plant of the type described above.
Unfortunately, said plant is somewhat complex to make and control. Furthermore, it requires a large number of components that make it expensive to construct and maintain. Unfortunately, the system for extracting the preforms from the cooling turret is quite complex because it uses a large number of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Device and process for extracting plastic items

S.I.P.A. Societa Industrializzazione Progettazione e Automazione S.p.A.