To prevent piracy, audiovisual content is encrypted prior to transmission to consumers. A low-cost, high-security cryptographic rights module (such as a smartcard) enables devices such as players/displays to decode such content. Security-critical functions may be performed by the cryptographic module in a manner that allows security compromises to be addressed by upgrading or replacing cryptographic modules, thereby avoiding the need to replace or modify other (typically much higher-cost) components. The security module contains cryptographic keys, which it uses to process rights enablement messages (REMs) and key derivation messages (KDMs). From a REM and KDM, the security module derives key data corresponding to content, uses public key and/or symmetric cryptography to re-encrypt the derived key data for another device, and provides the re-encrypted key data to the decoding device. The decoding device then uses cryptographic values derived from the re-encrypted key data to decrypt the content.

Introduction
Systems that protect valuable content require effective security. For content distributed in physical form, such as film being transported to movie theaters, physical security measures can be sufficient. Unfortunately, traditional physical security techniques are slow, expensive, cumbersome, and cannot be used with non-physical content distribution models. As a result, content providers rely on cryptographic hardware to ensure that only authorized users can access their data.
To prevent misuse of decryption keys, cryptographic hardware used to manage content decryption keys must be effectively tamper-resistant. Building effective tamper resistant hardware has proven extremely difficult, especially for systems that are the subject of determined attacks, because they are large or protect high-value content. As a result, many systems (including most satellite television systems) use replaceable security devices, such as smartcards, so that security can be re-established after an attack without replacing the entire playback system. Nevertheless, smartcards used for prepaid telephone, pay-TV, and transit applications are broken regularly. For example, prepaid telephone cards used in Germany were attacked in 1998 with estimated losses of US$38 million ("Pirates Cash in on Weak Chips," Wired News, May 22, 1998). Similarly, access cards and systems for cable and prepaid satellite television services are regularly "hacked," necessitating repeated costly card replacements.
Smartcards must effectively resist a variety of attacks against cryptographic algorithms, protocols, software, and chip hardware. Unfortunately, designing a smartcard that implements sophisticated protocols yet contains no security flaws has proven to be a very difficult task, since unexpected problems or errors in any portion of the design can render the entire card insecure. Cost considerations also favor attackers, since smartcards typically cost between $1 and $15, yet may be trusted to protect services or information worth thousands of dollars.
A smartcard system will only be attacked seriously if it is in the attacker's interest to break it. With smartcard designs of the background art, once attackers develop a means to compromise one card, the incremental cost to break a large number of cards is usually very small. As a result, smartcard security efforts typically focus on preventing the initial attack by making the card more difficult to break. For example, vendors try to increase the cost of reverse-engineering the device or imaging the card's ROM. Such techniques are helpful because they increase the cost required to break the system the first time, but for very large systems they are ineffective because attackers will devote enough effort to attacks that they will eventually succeed.
Prepayment and Post-Payment
In many systems of the background art, digital content is distributed in encrypted form. Access to the keys or algorithms required to decrypt the content is regulated by a rights management system that enforces the content owner's access policies. These access policies vary greatly in complexity. For example, the simplest schemes simply involve providing a decryption key upon payment, while the approaches described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,019 to Ginter et al. provide for rather sophisticated and flexible distribution mechanisms.
The two most common payment methods present in such schemes are prepayment and post-payment. Because these approaches have different security requirements, their architectures and typical requirements will be described separately.
In prepayment schemes, the user obtains prior authorization from the content provider. In typical prepayment systems, the user provides a payment (or a commitment to pay) then receives a content decryption key that allows access to the purchased content.
Prepayment systems must effectively be able to resist a variety of attacks. One class of attacks involves directly breaking the encryption (or any other protection mechanisms used to prevent unauthorized use of the content). Another attack involves capturing and redistributing the digital content after it has been decrypted. Other attacks involve unauthorized redistribution of the content decryption keys. Still other attacks involve capturing the content in analog form (e.g., as it is presented to the user).
Some of these attacks can be prevented effectively and others do not present a serious financial threat to content distributors. Strong encryption algorithms (such as triple DES) can reliably thwart attackers who do not have the correct decryption keys. Attacks against the decrypted content are not very serious if the content's value decreases rapidly with time or if the re-recording process significantly degrades the quality of the content. Watermarking techniques can also prevent, detect or trace some content recording attacks. Attacks that involve copying decryption keys are serious and have proven challenging to prevent. Because it is usually impossible or too expensive to transmit a different ciphertext to each potential user, attackers can purchase a decryption key once, then redistribute it to unauthorized parties.
Systems known in the background art distribute content decryption keys in encrypted form to a tamper-resistant cryptographic unit connected to (or part of) the user's playback device. Because decryption keys with long-term value are never exposed in unencrypted form, many attacks can be prevented—if the tamper-resistant module is unbreakable.
Because smartcards and other tamper-resistant cryptographic hardware commonly used to implement the cryptographic unit often have limited performance and bandwidth, the cryptographic unit is often used to generate short-lived subkeys from the main content decryption key. These subkeys are then transmitted to a less secure portion of the system, such as the main playback device, and used to decrypt the content itself.
The security of the system thus depends on the security of the cryptographic unit. If the cryptographic unit is compromised, attackers can determine the decryption keys and algorithms and use these to access content without authorization (e.g. by emulating an authorized cryptographic unit and/or the entire playback device).
In post-payment schemes, the user can decide to access some content without notifying the content provider or obtaining permission in advance. Instead, the content provider later audits the user's usage and determines the appropriate fees to charge. In some systems of the background art, post-payment is referred to as pay-per-view.
In addition to being susceptible to the attacks described above against prepayment systems, post-payment schemes are vulnerable to a variety of additional attacks. For example, the user's purchase audit records must be stored until the content provider retrieves them. Modification or destruction of these records can make it impossible for the content provider to determine the correct amount to charge. As a result, secure storage is required in the cryptographic unit for the audit data.
Although cryptographic techniques can secure the audit data from tampering (provided that the cryptographic unit has not been compromised), users generally do have the ability to prevent the audit process altogether. For example, in many consumer systems, two-way communication requires a telephone call, which users can prevent by simply disconnecting the telephone line. Users can often even destroy the cryptographic unit to conceal their purchases. As a result, measures are generally required to make users allow audits. For example, it is possible to penalize users by terminating service or preventing access to additional post-payment (pay-per-use) content if successful audits are not performed in a timely manner. Back-end systems can also charge users with penalties or other fees for audit noncompliance.
Post-payment systems involve more risk because purchases occur without live interaction with the content provider. As a result, each cryptographic unit is typically preprogrammed with the cryptographic keys for viewing all content the user might possibly purchase. As a result, compromise of a single cryptographic module can potentially compromise all post-payment content in a system.
Many systems combine prepayment and post-payment approaches. Prepayment is generally used to regulate access to content sold on a subscription basis. For example, access to electronic news services, music channels, subscription television channels, etc. are commonly sold on a prepayment basis. Premium content is often provided on a post-payment (pay-per-use) basis, where users can use content at any time but their cryptographic modules periodically provide the content provider with a list of the premium content that has been used. Post-payment of this type is used in the "Divx" video playback system as well as most cable and satellite television "pay-per-view" schemes. Prepayment protocols can be used for extremely high value pay-per-view content if penalties are insufficient to ensure successful auditing or if the risks are great enough to offset the cost and effort to initiate two-way communication with the content provider before access is authorized.
The Cryptographic Rights Unit (CRU)
A variety of designs and architectures have been proposed and used for cryptographic units that manage and protect the secret keys and algorithms used in content distribution systems. If legitimate users can be trusted to protect their keys, software-only approaches can be acceptable and have the advantage of avoiding the cost and expense of building and distributing specialized hardware. In many cases, however, tamper-resistant modules are required.
No architecture can provide perfect security. For example, an exact replica of an authorized satellite television receiver (including the receiver's cryptographic rights unit) will be able to view the same signals as the original. As a result, the security depends on preventing attackers from building working copies or emulators of authorized playback devices.
Commercially-deployed approaches usually use tamper-resistant hardware modules to enforce the content provider's access policies. FIG. 1 shows a smartcard of the background art for regulating access to encrypted content. The exemplary system includes three types of memory 110: ROM 115, EEPROM 125, and RAM 120. Each type of memory has advantages and disadvantages. ROM is fast and inexpensive, but cannot be modified and can often be read using advanced imaging techniques. RAM is fast and can be updated quickly, but loses its contents when power is lost. EEPROM retains its contents even when power is disconnected, but is relatively expensive to manufacture and is quite slow to modify.
The ROM and/or EEPROM generally include software, which is executed by microprocessor 140. The software includes instructions that implement and/or manage protocols and cryptographic keys involved in decrypting content. Because cost, memory, and I/O bandwidth limits make it difficult to decrypt a large amount of data in the tamper-resistant module, the tamper-resistant module can supply content decryption keys for individual blocks or streams of content to the playback system, which performs the bulk data decryption. A cryptographic processor 150 can optionally assist with the cryptographic computations by reducing the amount of time or program code required for the computation or by implementing obfuscated algorithms that are difficult to reverse engineer.
To support both prepayment and post-payment, at least four basic operations are supported over I/O interface 145: adding new prepaid rights keys or privileges, recording purchases (for post-payment), deriving content decryption keys (for either prepayment or post-payment), and post-payment auditing.
The device of FIG. 1 can potentially be attacked in a variety of ways. Attackers typically begin by extracting the software code from one device using any of a wide variety of techniques, such as physically imaging a chip or modifying a target chip using ion beam lithography. Although many techniques for performing the ROM and/or EEPROM extraction are relatively expensive, the operation only has to be performed once, since all units in the system normally have the same or similar software. Some techniques, such as tamper-resistant chip coatings, memory encryption, etc. can complicate memory extraction attacks, but such techniques are expensive to implement and only increase the cost for performing the software extraction.
Once the software is known, attackers can reverse engineer the code, yielding all cryptographic algorithms and keys contained in the extracted regions. Again, some techniques, such as the use of obfuscated or nonstandard software, can complicate this process somewhat.
If cryptographic processor 150 is not present, the attacker can then produce an emulator of the target device. Once an emulator has been developed, it is often difficult for the provider of the system to re-establish security without replacing all CRUs. Even if legitimate devices are configured to allow updates to the portions of their software or keys in EEPROM, the emulator will simply accept the same updates and continue operating unless the content provider manages to identify the compromised keys and stop providing service to the corresponding accounts.
If the emulator is imperfect and legitimate devices are configured to allow software updates, it may be possible to modify legitimate devices in a way that the emulator will not process correctly. Unfortunately, all the attacker has to do is correct the emulator. For example, pirates have produced CRU emulators that operate a personal computer and updated their emulator software to fix any errors in the emulator's operation.
Code update capabilities are a double-edged sword—although they can thwart some attacks, attackers may be able to subvert them to inject malicious code into legitimate devices. Although code updates can be protected with digital signatures and/or MACs (Message Authentication Codes), attacks against the hardware, software, and/or cryptography pose a significant risk. It may also be possible for attackers to insert code in other ways, for example by exploiting pointer errors to redirect memory updates to code regions.
For example, if the attacker is able to trick microprocessor 140 into executing malicious (i.e., attacker-written) code, then the attacker can use the first code to load more malicious code into EEPROM 125 or RAM 120. This malicious code can then further modify the device, for example by adding unauthorized functions that bypass non-cryptographic protections, delete post-payment audit records, add/modify/output cryptographic keys such as rights keys, etc. Although some techniques (such as hashing EEPROM contents as part of key derivation processes) have been attempted to detect some such attacks, these techniques tend not to be very effective and have been evaded by clever attackers. Although it would be possible to make microprocessor 140 execute only code from ROM 115, the system designers would then be unable to patch problems or transmit code updates to address bugs.
It is extremely difficult or impossible to reliably prevent all major attacks using architectures of the background art. Once attackers reverse engineer the software executed by microprocessor 140, they can identify and exploit software flaws or other implementation weaknesses. If these weaknesses in turn allow unauthorized modification of the device's software, the content provider's own cryptographic rights units (CRUs) and/or playback hardware can even be used to attack the system. The book European Scrambling Systems 5 by John McCormac (Baylin Publications, 1996) contains more information about how some existing systems have been designed and attacked and why architectures of the background art have proven ineffective.
Using architectures of the background art, any weakness in the cryptographic unit thus tends to cause a serious compromise of the entire device. Building a device that resists all known invasive and non-invasive hardware attacks, software attacks, protocol attacks, cryptographic attacks, fault induction attacks, etc. is extremely difficult—and new attacks may be discovered after a device is deployed. As a result, many content providers suffer from high piracy rates and the expense of replacing cryptographic units when they are broken.

Specialized circuitry for cryptographic authentication and other purposes


Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a mobility management method, user equipment, and a base station. The mobility management method may include: receiving, by user equipment UE in a connected mode, a source identifier of the UE from a first base station, where the source identifier is used to uniquely identify the UE in the first base station; entering, by the UE, a low-overhead state in the case that a low-overhead activation condition is satisfied, where in the low-overhead state, the UE stores a connection context of the UE in the connected mode, and camps on a cell according to a cell reselection criterion during movement; and reporting, by the UE when a first preset condition is satisfied, the source identifier to a second base station to which a second cell belongs, where the second cell is a serving cell on which the UE currently camps.

Mobility management is important in a wireless mobile communications system. Mobility management may generally include mobile network handover, cell reselection, and the like of user equipment (UE).
In a Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), UE includes UE in an idle mode and UE in a connected mode. The UE in the idle mode is not connected to a base station, and cannot send data; and performs cell reselection during movement. If the UE in this mode needs to send data, the UE first needs to switch to the connected mode. The UE in the idle mode may enter the connected mode after obtaining a connection context and a dedicated intra-cell UE identifier by using a radio resource control (RRC) connection setup procedure. The UE in the connected mode is connected to a base station, and can send data; and performs a handover during movement. The UE in the connected mode may enter the idle mode by using an RRC connection release procedure.
A typical handover procedure of the UE in the connected mode may include the following key steps: A source base station, that is, a current serving base station of the UE, configures a measurement parameter for the UE. The UE performs measurement and reports a measurement result to the source base station. The source base station sends a handover request to a target base station, and after receiving an acknowledgment from the target base station, sends a handover command to the UE. The UE accesses the target base station, implements uplink synchronization, and sends a handover complete message and the like.
During future network evolution, networks are deployed in more forms, such as a heterogeneous network, coordinated multipoint (CoMP) transmission, small cell networking, and dense small cell networking. These network deployment forms pose a new challenge to UE mobility management. If a current handover procedure is still used, the UE needs to constantly perform measurement and reporting, leading to huge handover signaling overheads and radio resource waste.

Mobility management method, terminal, and base station


A number of cationic antimicrobial polymers have been synthesized by a condensation polymerization in bulk. The initial polymer formed has backbone tertiary nitrogens, which are subsequently quaternized using a suitable quaternizing agent (e.g., alkyl halide). The cationic polymers include polyamides, polycarbonates, polypolyureas and polyguanidiniums having a cationic repeat unit comprising the quaternary ammonium nitrogen as a backbone nitrogen. The cationic polymers can be active against Gram-negative, Gram-positive microbes, and/or fungi.

The present invention relates to condensation polymers for antimicrobial applications, and more specifically, to cationic forms of polycondensation polymers for topical antibacterial use.
Antimicrobial agents are commonly used in personal care products to inhibit microbial growth and infections therefrom, and product decomposition. Most antimicrobial agents used in these products are small molecules, including anilides (e.g., triclocarban), bis-phenols (e.g., triclosan), biguanides (e.g., chlorhexidine) and quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., cetylpyridium chloride and cetrimide). Among them, triclosan is one of the most extensively used compounds. Triclosan is present in more than 50% of consumer products including soap, deodorant, toothpaste, mouth wash, cosmetics (e.g., Garden Botanika® Powder Foundation, Mavala Lip Base, Jason Natural Cosmetics and Movate® Skin Litening Cream HQ), cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, children's toys, bedding, socks, shoes and trash bags. It is effective against Gram-positive bacteria, while it has little activity against P. aeruginosa (Gram-negative bacteria) and molds. At high concentrations, it is biocidal with multiple cytoplasmic and membrane targets. However, at low concentrations, it is bacteriostatic by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis. On the other hand, triclosan has cumulative and persistent effects on the skin. It was found in human breast milk and urine samples. At minimal concentrations of triclosan (<μg/L) and chlorine (<mg/L), common household tap water levels, triclosan can degrade to form toxic derivatives, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. Moreover, in sunlight and wastewater chlorine treatment, it also forms highly toxic carcinogenic dioxin-like compounds. After use, it is discharged into water. Triclosan was found in 85 out of 139 streams and rivers in 30 states in the US, and is toxic to aquatic species. It is persistent in the environment, and was detected in sediments in a Swiss lake as far back as the 1960s. Therefore, the use of triclosan in consumer products will be banned in Europe and in the United States within 2 years.
Many strains of bacteria spores (e.g., Clostridium species), Gram-positive bacteria (e.g., mycobacteria) and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa)) have intrinsic resistance to the antimicrobial agents listed above. Moreover, these antimicrobial agents are not effective against biofilms. For example, Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) and Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia) biofilms were found in disinfectant chlorhexidine solution, P. aeruginosa biofilm in iodophor antiseptics and on the interior surface of polyvinyl chloride pipes used in the production of providone-iodine antiseptics. Overuse of these antimicrobial agents has led to drug resistance in microbes. Major concerns include cross-resistance and co-resistance with clinically used antimicrobial agents, which may present a potential public health risk.
Most small molecule antimicrobial agents do not physically damage the cell wall, but rather penetrate the cell wall and act on specific intracellular targets. Consequently, bacterial morphology is preserved, allowing bacteria to easily develop resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been explored as an alternative. AMPs (e.g., magainins, alamethicin, protegrins and defensins) do not have a specific target in microbes. They interact with microbial membranes based on electrostatic interaction, inducing damage to the microbial membranes by forming pores in the membranes. The physical nature of this action prevents microbes from developing resistance to AMPs. Although efforts have been made to design synthetic peptides with various structures over the last two decades, high manufacturing cost has limited their application in personal care products.
A number of cationic polymers that mimic the facially amphiphilic structure and antimicrobial functionalities of peptides have been proposed that can be more easily prepared at low cost and on large scale compared to peptides. For example, antimicrobial polynorbornene and polyacrylate derivatives, and pyridinium copolymers were synthesized either from amphiphilic monomers (homopolymers) or from cationic (hydrophilic) monomer and hydrophobic comonomer (random copolymers). However, most antimicrobial polymers reported in the literature are non-biodegradable and/or require several steps of synthesis. With the high volume of poorly degradable single-use consumer products already destined for landfills, the problem would be exacerbated by the addition of non-biodegradable antimicrobial materials that destroy bacteria and fungi responsible for slow landfill degradation.
A number of biodegradable cationic polycarbonates having high potency towards pathogenic microbes and low toxicity. These cationic polycarbonates degrade in aqueous solution especially in an alkaline environment which is often found in consumer care products. On the other hand, the synthesis of polycarbonates requires several steps like monomer synthesis, ring-opening polymerization and post-quaternization, which can translate into high consumer prices.
Currently, biodegradable, safe and cost-effective antimicrobial agents are needed for use in personal care products that can kill multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi, remove biofilms, and prevent drug resistance.

Condensation polymers for antimicrobial applications

International Business Machines Corporation

Agency For Science, Technology And Research


A catheter has a radially expandable end region containing a plurality of fluid containing channels. A circular assembly containing a plurality of cylinders each containing a piston is arranged so that each piston is connected with one channel. A rotary mechanical assembly is connected so that movement of an arm extending from the rotary assembly causes actuation of one or more pistons to cause selected channels in the catheter to be pressurized, expanding the radial portion of the catheter adjacent the pressurized channels and enabling the catheter to be more easily guided in the desired direction through bodily passageways.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a catheter that has an expandable end portion containing longitudinally extending expandable channels which can be selectively pressurized so that the catheter expands radially adjacent the pressurized channel or channels and enables the catheter to be guided through bodily passageways. A mechanical rotary device can be manually adjusted to select the pressurized channels and enable the catheter to be directed as necessary.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Catheters, flexible endoscopes utilizing fiber optics quite often referred to as fiberscopes, and bronchoscopes are used widely in the medical field. Catheters are generally elongated tubes inserted into a body cavity or passageway to inject or withdraw fluids or other material. A flexible fiberoptic endoscope is used to perform internal observations in a body passage such as in a colonoscopy, and is valuable as an aid in performing procedures such as gall bladder removal without cutting the patient. Bronchoscopes are used for inspection of the trechea and bronchi. Catheters and such similar devices are used in diagnosing and treating many ailments and in virtually all passageways of the body, from blood vessels and urinary tracts to nasal and throat openings. They function to augment the flow of blood, air, urine, or as a means of treatment through drug delivery and removal of plaque and clots.
Navigating such devices through tortuous and/or branching bodily passageways is quite difficult. The services of skilled medical professionals is required if perforation of a passageway or other damage is to be avoided. Because of anatomical variations and pathological alterations even skilled, experienced professionals have great difficulty at times.
This invention is concerned with a unique catheter type of device that can be guided through the bodily passageways by providing a plurality of minute longitudinal channels adjacent the outside wall of an expandable front portion of the device, and manually operable means permitting the channels to be pressurized resulting in a turning of the front end of the device in the desired direction as it is passed through the desired bodily cavity.
Directional control of catheters is known in the art and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,985 to Boretos. This device uses a pressurized control fluid which is expelled through control ports near the front end of the catheter. The pressurized fluid which escapes into the bodily cavity may be detrimental in some applications, and the present invention is preferable in all applications since no fluid is forced into the cavity. The device of Boretos is also expensive and complex. Other catheters using a plurality of projecting hollow nibs for assisting movement of a catheter through the bodily passage are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,928 to DelGuercio, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,872 to Meiri et al, but neither of these devices is similar to the present invention.


In a process for producing an alkenylbenzene by the reaction of an alkylbenzene having 8 or more carbon atoms and a conjugated diolefin, the improvement in which the reaction is performed in the presence of a catalyst obtained by dispersing (a) an alkali metal and (b) potassium carbonate and/or potassium hydroxide in the presence of (c) an aromatic hydrocarbon having at least a substituent with a double bond.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for producing an alkenylbenzene efficiently in and safely by the reaction of an alkylbenzene and a conjugated diolefin in the presence of an alkali metal. More specifically, this invention relates to a process for producing an industrially useful alkenylbenzene. For example, 5-(o-tolyl)-pentene, an alkenylbenzene obtained by reacting o-xylene with 1,3-butadiene can be converted into naphthalenedicarboxylic acid which is useful as a high-molecular weight starting material by a reaction sequence in which 5-(o-tolyl)-pentene is cyclized into dimethyltetralin, and said dimethyltetralin is dehydrogenated into dimethylnaphthalene which is then oxidized into naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.
2. Description of Related Art
There has been so far known a process for producing an alkenylbenzene by the reaction of an alkylbenzene and 1,3-butadiene in the presence of an alkali metal (see U.S. Pat. No. 3,244,758).
The above process, however, suffers a defect that if an alkenylbenzene is obtained in high yield, costly metallic potassium has to be used in a large amount.
Further, in order to solve this problem, a process has been proposed in which when metallic potassium and metallic sodium are conjointly used as a catalyst in blowing 1,3-butadiene into an alkylbenzene for reaction, costly metallic potassium may be used in a small amount (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 34,570/1981 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,766,288 and 3,953,535).
Still further, an improved process has been proposed in which the reaction of o-xylene and butadiene is performed in a fixed bed with metallic potassium supported on potassium carbonate or alumina (U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,717).
These processes are, however, all processes directly using metallic potassium. Metallic potassium is highly reactive with air, oxygen, water, etc., fires only when contacting these substances and is a potential fire hazard. Especially, a sodium (Na-K) alloy is highly reactive with oxygen and water, burning on contact with traces of oxygen, water, etc., and being quite dangerous in the presence of inflammable substances (oils).
In British Patent No. 1,269,280, it is stated that in a side chain alkylation reaction of aromatics with olefins using sodium and an anhydrous potassium compound as a catalyst, a diene hinders the reaction.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Application (Kokai) No. 263,643/1986 involves a process in which toluene is alkenylated with butadiene using metallic sodium and anhydrous potassium sulfate as a catalyst.


A device for detecting wear of a wear member composed of electrically resistive material. The wear member comprises at least two electrodes separated from each other, where each electrode overlies, or is embedded in, an outer surface of the electrically resistive material. One of the electrodes is connected to a resistor at a measurement node to form a resistive voltage divider. A voltage measurement device measures a change in voltage at the measurement node, where the change is voltage is indicative of the degree of removal of resistive material from a face of the wear member and where the change in voltage is continuously variable and not limited to discrete wear levels.

In off-road vehicles and equipment, some portions of the vehicle or implements may wear from contact with harvested agricultural materials, mined ore, mined materials, gravel, crushed stone, concrete or asphalt, ceramics, steel, ground, clay, sand, abrasive materials, or other materials. The off-road vehicles and equipment may use replaceable wear members from wear-resistant, durable or sacrificial materials to protect underlying structural members. The wear members are sometimes located in inaccessible locations in the equipment, implement or machinery that is difficult to inspect without incurring significant labor or maintenance costs. Accordingly, there is a need to continuously monitor wear members for signs of wear and worn or alert the operator when or that the wear member may require replacement.

Device for detecting wear of replaceable components


A correction fluid dispenser comprises a body member adapted to contain a correction fluid and a tip disposed at the forward end thereof for delivery of the fluid to a surface. The tip terminates in an orifice formed by a circular rim with a spherical ball of greater diameter than that of the rim contained in the tip. A cylindrical valve member is disposed having a forwardly facing surface contacting the ball and a plurality of axial cavities formed therein adjacent the tip inner wall for directing fluid along that wall to the spherical ball surface.

The present invention relates to fluid dispensers and in particular to a correction fluid dispenser of the pencil or pen type as is generally employed for correcting typewriter or other printed errors.
Various devices are known which are employed in correcting errors occurring in typewritten material or other printed media. Many of these devices employ a pen or pencil type of structure which may be moved along the line to be erased applying the liquid substance, which is generally white in color. These devices generally have an internally spring-biased plunger which closes the discharge orifice of the device to prevent drying of the correction fluid reservoir, or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,949, issued to Petrillo and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, a spherical ball may be employed which is spring-biased to ensure its contact with the paper during the erasing procedure, as well as for closure of the discharge orifice.
While the spring-biased ball has proved to be successful in achieving its intended function, it has been found that a more efficient valve arrangement than that disclosed in the aforementioned Petrillo patent may be provided which will achieve a more uniform flow of liquid to the ball, and therefore to the print to be erased, than in the prior art devices. The dispensing mechanism of the instant invention is effective in achieving these improved results by providing valve elements which retain their structural integrity under operative conditions during the life of the dispenser.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a correction fluid dispenser of the pen type having a spherical ball in which the flow of fluid material to the ball is more uniform than in devices developed heretofore.
A further object of the invention is to provide a correction fluid dispenser of the type which is simple to manufacture and easy to operate.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a correction fluid dispenser of the pencil or pen type which is simple to manufacture and has a minimum number of components.


The invention relates to an electro-optical device for measurements of flow for the characterization of microparticles, comprising a measurement chamber (CUM) in which there circulates the flow of the fluid to be characterized, at least two luminous sources (S1,S2) of disjoint spectra, a device for measuring resistivity (RES), and at least three other detectors (D1,D2,D3) each allowing the measurement of an optical parameter, the optical parameters being chosen from among fluorescence (FL), extinction (EXT), wide angle diffraction (SSC) and small angle diffraction (FSC).

The present invention relates to the general field of electro-optical flow measuring devices for characterizing microparticles, in particular biological cells, comprising a measurement chamber in which the flow of the fluid to be characterized circulates and the cells to be characterized are contained. This field is based on analysis methods using electrical and optical measurements to count and differentiate cells contained in a sample to be analysed. The present invention more specifically relates to a multiparametric electro-optical device for cell counting and characterization.
The fluid to be characterized is preferably a blood sample, but it may also be a biological fluid of another type such has cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow etc. The sample may also contain particles of any type which are to be differentiated and counted.
More specifically, the invention concerns devices comprising at least two light sources, a resistivity measurement device, and several detectors allowing the measurement of an optical parameter, typically extinction measurement and side scatter measurement.
These measurements allow the characterization of biological cells contained in the fluid.
With respect to hematopoietic cells, the person skilled in the art knows that morphological analysis of the cell, obtained by volumetry or diffractometry, including extinction and absorption phenomena, allows discrimination between the main cell lines including erythrocytes or red blood cells, thrombocytes or platelets, and leukocytes or white blood cells. This last population is itself sub-divided into several categories e.g. lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils.
To a certain extent, it is possible to assess the level of maturity of these cells by simultaneously determining their volume and apparent absorption in white light such as described in the patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,181 filed by the Applicant. An embodiment of a device developed for near-monochromatic light is described for example in the publication WO 2006/053960.
This assessment of cell maturity is important since it allows early diagnosis to be performed. In general, in the absence of any pathology, the majority of the cells present in the circulating blood are mature cells.
For each of the aforementioned cell types, different maturity levels are known. For example, red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes or red blood corpuscles, are first fabricated in the form of proerythroblasts, then basophilic erythroblasts, and then polychromatophilic erythroblasts. The polychromatophilic erythroblasts develop into acidophilic erythroblasts and then into reticulocytes. It is these reticulocytes that finally differentiate into erythrocytes once they have passed into the circulating blood.
White blood cells or leukocytes are derived from bone marrow in a first form of myeloblasts. These myeloblasts then yield pro-granulocytes that will later change into basophilic, eosinophilic, or neutrophilic granulocytes, first unsegmented but then their nuclei increasingly segment as they mature.
These same myeloblasts are also the origin of the monocyte line which will yield monoblasts, promonocytes, and then the monocytes which will pass into peripheral blood.
The pluripotent stem cell, from which the myeloblast originates, also yields the lymphocyte line via differentiation in the form of a lymphoid stem cell of which part of the line, the T-lymphocyte line, will continue its maturation in the thymus and glands and the other part will remain in the bone marrow to give the B-lymphocyte line. These B-lymphocytes, once activated in the form of plasmocytes, produce antibodies to combat pathogenic antigens.
Blood platelets, or thrombocytes, derive from megakaryoblasts, which originate from the myeloid progenitor from which the myeloblast originated, and once they have arrived at their ultimate maturation stage, i.e. thrombocytogenic megakaryocytes, they produce platelets by disintegration of their cytoplasms. The young platelets, reticulated platelets, have an RNA content that is the remainder of their original cell.
The diagnosis of certain pathologies requires ever finer tuned counting and characterization of hematopoietic cells in circulating blood. In particular, it has become important to be able to bring to light specific populations, such as reticulocytes and erythroblasts, which are immature versions of erythrocytes (red blood cells). Similarly, the bringing to light of immature cells, precursors of leukocytes (called immature lymphocytes, monocytes or granulocytes), is becoming increasingly more important. The classification and counting of activated lymphocytes or of reticulated platelets would also make it possible to obtain a veritable improvement in patient diagnosis.

Device and method for multiparametric measurements of microparticles in a fluid


A device for enhancing the mobility of a standard mixer, the device including a housing attached to a mixer, the housing having at least one shoulder attached thereto, the at least one shoulder having at least one nodule jutting out therefrom, a lever pivotally connected to the housing, a rod pivotally connected to the lever, a plate mounted to the rod, the plate having at least one finger that protrudes therefrom and a retractable member having at least one transfer ball attached thereto for rolling on a surface, the retractable member slidably engaged to the at least one finger, the retractable member having at least one groove thereon for fitting the at least one finger therein, the at least one groove having at least one bar fitted therein for permitting the first side of the at least one finger to slide over the at least one bar.

A standard mixer is a staple in the kitchen of homes and businesses around the world. Because of its utilitarian aspect especially in food applications, typically a mixer is used in or around the area of a kitchen and, when not in use, stored in various places, such as on a kitchen countertop, in a kitchen cabinet, within an appliance garage or other similar compartment or storage unit. Therefore, generally after the mixer has been used, it is moved to a separate location for storage purposes. Once it is needed again, it is repositioned to the proper area of the kitchen for reuse.
Mixers exist in varying shapes, sizes and weights. Most mixers, however, are substantial in size and are heavy; some weigh in excess of twenty-five (25) pounds. They tend to comprise a plethora of structural as well as electrical and mechanical components, thus contributing to their considerable weight. Also, because mixers comprise internal parts that move and/or rotate when in operation, they are designed and manufactured to remain stationary while in use. Therefore, because of their considerable weight and because of the manner in which they are designed, typically mixers are inert to movement. They are designed to sit upright on a surface and to resist forces which displace them, such as forces that would cause them to slide on a surface such as a countertop. Consequently, intentionally repositioning and/or moving a mixer along a surface entails picking the mixer up vertically from the surface, moving it to the desired location and then setting it down. Therefore, the intentional moving, displacing and/or repositioning of mixers can be a daunting task particularly if they are cumbersome and heavy.
Occasionally, a mixer is stored on a countertop surface and moved from one countertop location to another countertop location for use. Unfortunately, moving the mixer from one location to another on the same surface requires a user to pick up the mixer vertically and place it at the desired spot. Because the mixer is not designed to slide on a surface as previously mentioned, the mixer must be removed from the surface by the user, such as by picking it up so that it is disengaged from the surface, suspended in mid air, moved to the desired location and then placed back onto the surface. Additionally, for cleaning purposes, a mixer may be relocated to an area next to the sink. Again, in doing so; the mixer cannot be slid or rolled along the surface.
Due to a mixer's considerable size and weight, users may find it difficult to lift. For some users, lifting a mixer may exacerbate back or neck problems and/or cause bodily pain. For others, a mixer may weigh too much to lift without the aid and assistance of others. Moreover, lifting and carrying a mixer expends additional time and considerable effort for the user. Also, it increases that chances that the mixer could be damaged due to falling accidently out of the user's hands while the vertical lift is in progress.
What is needed is a device that, when prompted (activated), permits a standard mixer to be moved from one location on a surface to another location on the surface without removing the mixer vertically from the surface, thereby permitting the mixer to be repositioned with a minimum amount of time and effort. More specifically, what is needed is a device that, when prompted, permits a standard mixer to roll easily on a surface until it is repositioned to the desired location.
A device that attaches to a standard mixer which, when prompted (activated), permits the mixer and the attached device to roll easily on a surface such as a countertop until repositioned at the desired surface location is a novel invention that meets the needs described in the above paragraphs. Disclosed herein are embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can comprise additional embodiments not necessarily disclosed in this paper.
An embodiment of the present invention comprises a device which attaches to the bottom (i.e., underside) of a standard mixer. Typically, to prevent any movement such as sliding or rolling, a standard mixer has feet that extend downward from the bottom of the mixer which make contact with a surface or has a flat bottom which contacts the surface. The device can attach to either type of mixer as well as to other types. Similar to the bottom of many standard mixers, the bottom of the device comprises feet that extend downward which can make contact with a surface, thereby preventing the mixer from moving about the surface unless prompted. When prompted, a retractable member having transfer balls attached thereto descends from the bottom of the device. The retractable member descends until the retractable balls make contact with the surface and extend downward lengthwise further than the feet of the device, thereby causing the feet to detach from the surface. Then, the mixer is permitted to roll on the surface and can be positioned to a desired location.
Once the mixer is positioned to the desired location, the device can be prompted again. When prompted again, the retractable member retracts into the device, thereby causing the transfer balls to retract into the device. As the transfer balls retract, they move upward and are detached from the surface. Once the transfer balls retract, the feet of the device contact the surface. Now the mixer is in stationary mode, inhibiting movement about the surface so that it can be used, stored, cleaned, etc.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the prompting can occur through the use of a lever that is positioned on the side of the device. When the lever is pulled/pushed, the retractable member descends/ascends and the tractable balls contact/detach the surface, thus allowing/preventing the mixer from rolling on the surface. In another embodiment of the present invention, the prompting can occur through the use of a switch positioned on or about the device. The switch can comprise three different modes: a mode to cause the retractable member and transfer balls to descend so that the mixer can roll on a surface, a mode to cause the retractable member and transfer balls to retract so that the mixer is stationary and does not roll and a mode that causes no action by the device (i.e., the 'off' position). This embodiment comprises certain electrical components such as, without limitation, an actuator, battery and switch—instead of a lever—to cause the device to operate. A user can adjust the switch so that the device performs the desired function.

Device for enhancing the mobility of a standard mixer


This invention offers a method to improve-etching resistance of etching mask upon etching comprising steps of forming a pattern on a substrate by using photoresist, applying a composition for forming an etching protection layer containing water-soluble or water-dispersible resin, crosslinking agent and water and/or water-soluble organic solvent as a solvent, forming etching protection layer which is insoluble in a developer containing water in the interface between a composition for forming an etching protection layer and a photoresist by heating, removing by a developer unnecessary area excluding etching protection layer made of a composition for forming an etching protection layer, and treating a substrate by etching using photoresist pattern as a mask.

In various fields including manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit such as LSI, formation of a liquid crystal display device of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, manufacture of a circuit substrate such as a thermal head etc., photolithography technology has so far been employed for forming microelements or conducting fine processing. In the photolithography technology, a positive or negative-working photoresist has been used to form a resist pattern and a radiation sensitive resin composition containing an alkali-soluble resin and a radiation sensitive resin composition comprising a quinone diazide compound is well-known as a positive-working photoresist. This composition is disclosed as "Novolak resin/quinone diazide compound" having various formations in many examined patent publications or unexamined patent publications such as Japanese examined patent publication No. Sho 54-23570 (U.S. Pat. No. 3,666,473) and other technical literatures. This kind of photoresist is applied on a silicon substrate, a substrate coated with a film of a metal such as aluminum, molybdenum, and chromium or a substrate coated with a film of a metal oxide such as ITO by the publicly known method such as a spin coat method, a roll coat method, a land coat method, a spray coat method, a dip-coat method to form a thin film, and then a circuit pattern etc. are irradiated using a radiation such as ultra-violet light as an exposure source through a mask pattern. After the exposure to light, a development is conducted to form a resist pattern. Further a fine processing can be made by etching a substrate through this resist pattern as a mask. In this etching process, a resist pattern that performs as a mask requires a sufficient etching resistance.
On the other hand, micronization of wiring width and separation width is further required in the production process recently as a semiconductor device is being highly integrated. In order to respond to this, a process using short wavelength light source which is effective for a high micronization is proposed and partially utilized practically for a light exposure equipment, i.e. a process using deep ultra violet light such as KrF eximer laser (248 nm) and ArF eximer laser (193 nm), further X-ray and electron beams as exposure light source. As the light source is getting in the short wavelength tendency, the material with no absorption in wavelength region to be applied is required for a composition of aforementioned photoresist and, for example, the material such as a chemically amplified type resist based on para-hydroxystyrene is taking a leading position for KrF light source. These kinds of polymer have the problems that they have less etching resistance than the aforementioned novolak resin in general and require etching condition, particularly etching selective ratio between a resist film layer and a layer to be etched, i.e. optimization of etching speed in each layer (to be slowed for a resist and to be fast for an etched layer) and further a deterioration of a pattern-transferred form after etching takes place. Furthermore in order to realize a micronization, a mean to make the resist film thickness thinner upon coating and exposing to light, the aforementioned chemically amplified resist is being used. This makes the etching process more difficult. When using ArF eximer laser light source, acrylic polymers are being proposed wherein an aliphatic cyclic compound is introduced as a material which is transparent to the wavelength used for exposure to light. These polymers were deemed to be further low etching-resistant and made manufacture of a semiconductor device more difficult.
Further, a method to make a resist pattern practically fine using pattern forming equipment so far publicly known are studied. For example in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. Hei 10-73927, a process is described wherein a pattern is formed by the method so far known using a radiation sensitive resin composition so far applied, then a layer is applied on the resist pattern formed, acid generated in a resist by heating and/or exposure to light or acid existing in a resist is diffused into the aforementioned coated layer, the coated layer is crosslinked or hardened by this diffused acid and the resist pattern is made thicker by removal of uncrosslinked coated layer to make the width between resist patterns narrower as a result, to realize the micronization of resist pattern by decreasing separation size or hole diameter and form a fine resist pattern having a higher resolution than the limit of resolution so far known practically. However, it is not mentioned in the patent publication to improve an etching resistance of a resist.
Under the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to offer a method to improve etching resistance of a photoresist pattern that is formed by the method so far applied and a method to etch a substrate using the resist pattern as an etching mask, the etching resistance of which is improved.

Etching method and composition for forming etching protective layer


A cylindrical reinforcing collar is fitted onto a cylindrical gas discharge section of a tank body and then engaged integrally on the exterior of the tank body between the cylindrical gas discharge section and the dome section by shrink fitting. This provides, easily and inexpensively, a high-pressure tank capable of withstanding high pressures of 35 to 75 MPa while keeping its lightness in weight.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements of a high-pressure tank into which high-pressure gas is charged and improvements of a method for fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-pressure tanks into which a gas, such as natural gas or hydrogen gas, is charged and stored at high pressure, are generally subjected to winding which is a technique for wrapping carbon fibers or the like around the tank body for reinforcement. A cylindrical gas discharge section and a continuous dome section of the tank, in particular, are likely to concentrate stress and therefore must be reinforced firmly. However, the vicinity of the boundary between the dome section and the cylindrical gas discharge section is difficult to subject to winding and thus difficult to reinforce.
Therefore, the dome section and the cylindrical gas discharge section are generally increased in thickness as compared with a cylindrical middle section of the tank by necking a predetermined region of an elongated hollow cylindrical blank continuing from its opening end by means of spinning.
In this connection, the applicant filed a patent application on a technique for further thickening the dome section and the cylindrical gas discharge section by flow forming the predetermined region of the elongated hollow cylindrical blank continuing from its opening end into a larger thickness than the other region and then necking the thickened predetermined region through spinning, and has already obtained a patent for the technique (see, for example, Patent document 1)
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 3251216 (page 3 and FIG. 1)
For the first-mentioned technique, however, there is a limit to how much the thickness of the dome section and the cylindrical gas discharge section can be increased because of the use of an elongated hollow cylindrical blank having a uniform thickness as a whole. Therefore, this technique is difficult to apply particularly to high-pressure tanks for hydrogen gas into which the gas is charged at a pressure of between 35 MPa and 75 MPa.
To cope with this, it can be considered to ensure the thickness of the dome section and the cylindrical gas discharge section by increasing the thickness of the entire middle section of the elongated hollow cylindrical blank. In this case, however, the entire high-pressure tank thus fabricated will also be thickened and thereby increased in weight, which hinders weight reduction. In addition, since the tank uses the thick elongated hollow cylindrical blank, its material cost will be high.
On the other hand, for the second-mentioned Patent document 1, since the predetermined region of the elongated hollow cylindrical blank continuing from the opening end is increased in thickness as compared with the other region, the dome section and the cylindrical gas discharge section can have a larger thickness as compared with the first-mentioned technique and the entire tank weight can be reduced by thinning the middle section. This Patent document 1 technique, however, requires the elongated hollow cylindrical blank to undergo two process steps of flow forming and spinning, which takes much labor. In addition, in order to ensure a sufficient thickness of a dome section and a cylindrical gas discharge section in a high-pressure tank for hydrogen gas, it is necessary to increase the amount of reduction of the blank. This may invite the complete closure of the cylindrical gas discharge section and thereby necessitate subsequent boring of a gas outlet in a later process step, which requires extra labor.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

High-pressure tank and method for fabricating the same


A computer-readable recording medium stores a visualization program that renders an internal organ and causes a computer to execute a process that includes generating along an input normal vector, a given stereoscopic shape; calculating an overlapping portion that overlaps the given stereoscopic shape and the shape of the internal organ; changing a degree of transparency of the overlapping portion; and rendering the shape of the internal organ to include the overlapping portion for which the degree of transparency has been changed.

Conventionally, numerical analysis is performed to reproduce phenomena of the heart, which pumps blood throughout the entire body by contractions of the myocardium in response to electrical signals. In general, numerical analysis results are displayed by color coded plots using 3-dimensional computer graphics technology. Distribution of physical values such as stroke work and workrate can be interpreted through cross sectional and isosurface display areas. Techniques are conventionally known that use a computing device to perform numerical simulations related to internal organs such as the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, etc. in addition to the heart, and use a visualization device to display simulation results to thereby perform visualization of numerical simulations related to the internal organs. For example, refer to Schroeder, W., Martin, K., and Lorensen, B., "The Visualization Toolkit", 2nd Edition, January 1997, Prentice Hall PTR, pp. 360-362.
Nonetheless, with the conventional techniques above, when the interior of internal organs having a cavity such as the heart, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and bladder, is to be viewed, a model of the organ has to again be created. Therefore, high-speed rendering of the interior of the organ is difficult. For example, to check blood flow distribution within the heart, after creating a model of the heart having an opening at the location to be observed, rendering has to again be performed, and the direction of blood flow in the heart has to be rendered a high speed, processes that are difficult.

Visualization method, and visualization apparatus


A layer on the reverse side of an imaging member provides excellent crack resistance to the imaging layer(s) on the front side. The crack-deterring backing layer can be a laminated self-adhesive, such as tape, or a coating. Because the crack-deterring backing layer is on the reverse side, it does not affect the electrical properties of the imaging member. Overcoat layers may be used whose function is limited to improved scratch resistance.

The present disclosure relates generally to electrophotographic imaging members. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to imaging members having enhanced durability. In particular, the imaging members comprise a crack-deterring backing layer on the side of the substrate opposite that of the imaging layers.
In the art of electrophotography, an imaging member or plate comprising a photoconductive insulating layer on a conductive layer is imaged by first uniformly electrostatically charging the surface of the photoconductive insulating layer. The plate is then exposed to a pattern of activating electromagnetic radiation, for example light, which selectively dissipates the charge in the illuminated areas of the photoconductive insulating layer while leaving behind an electrostatic latent image in the non-illuminated areas. This electrostatic latent image may then be developed to form a visible image by depositing finely divided electroscopic toner particles, for example from a developer composition, on the surface of the photoconductive insulating layer. The resulting visible toner image can be transferred to a suitable receiving substrate such as paper. This imaging process may be repeated many times with reusable photosensitive members.
Imaging members are usually multilayered photoreceptors that comprise a substrate support, an electrically conductive layer, an optional hole-blocking layer, an optional adhesive layer, a charge generating layer, a charge transport layer, and an optional protective or overcoat layer(s). For some multilayered flexible photoreceptor belts, an anti-curl layer is employed on the reverse side of the substrate support, opposite to the side carrying the electrically active layers, to achieve the desired photoreceptor flatness.
Imaging members are generally exposed to repetitive cycling, for example by the rollers of a printing machine. This cycling leads to a gradual deterioration in the mechanical and electrical characteristics of the electrically active (i.e. photoconductive) layers. In particular, repetitive cycling can cause cracks to form in the outermost exposed layer, i.e. the charge transport layer or the overcoat layer. Cracks are problematic because they can manifest themselves as print-out defects which adversely affect copy quality. Charge transport layer cracking thus reduces the service life of the copier or printer.
In addition, the operating environment exposes the imaging member to several conditions, which can decrease its service life. The imaging member is exposed to several airborne chemical contaminants. Typical chemical contaminants include solvent vapors, environment airborne pollutants, and corona species emitted by machine charging subsystems such as ozone. It is also subjected to constant mechanical interactions against various subsystems. These mechanical interactions include abrasive contact with cleaning and/or spot blades, exposure to toner particles, carrier beads, toner image receiving substrates, etc. In particular, these mechanical interactions can scratch the outermost exposed layers. Again, these scratches impact copy quality and service life.
High crack resistance and high scratch resistance are therefore desirable attributes. Overcoat layers help increase both crack resistance and scratch resistance. However, the material properties that are favored to increase one many times undermines the other. For example, a low Young's modulus is desired for increased crack resistance, but a high Young's modulus is desired for increased scratch resistance. The Young's modulus should not exceed 20 GPa and is usually no higher than 5 GPa for flexible imaging members (i.e. belts). The yield strength should no exceed 100 MPa and is usually no higher than 50 MPa. In addition, the overcoat layer should not interfere with the electrical properties of the imaging member. Consequently, the overcoat layer should provide high crack resistance and high scratch resistance, with low interference with the electrical properties of the underlying layers.
Generally, a compromise between these goals is required. Thus, rather than being excellent in all properties, an overcoat is usually excellent in one property and only good in others. It is desired to provide a backing layer that reduces the requirements of an overcoat layer. This would allow the overcoat layer to be tailored to be enhanced in one or more of the desired properties.


A vise includes a fixed body mounted to a working table. The fixed body includes a compartment defined therein, a longitudinal bore extending therethrough and partially communicating with the compartment, and a transverse bore defined in two lateral sides thereof and communicating with the compartment. A shaft is pivotally mounted in the longitudinal bore and includes a reduced eccentric section. A positioning block is mounted in the compartment of the fixed body and includes a hole in alignment with the transverse bore. An adjusting screw rod is extended through the transverse bore of the fixed body and the hole of the positioning block. The adjusting screw rod includes a first end to which an operative handle is attached and a second end to which a movable jaw is fixedly attached. A pivoting member is provided for pivoting the shaft between a first position in which the adjusting screw rod disengages from the positioning block and a second position in which the adjusting screw rod engages with the positioning block.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved vise which may be quickly moved to securely clamp the work piece to be processed.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical vise generally includes a fixed jaw, a movable jaw attached to an end of a screw rod, and a handle attached to the other end of the screw rod. Rotational movement of the handle causes longitudinal movements of the screw rod and the movable jaw so as to release or clamp a workpiece between the jaws. Nevertheless, it is time-consuming to move of the movable jaw to clamp the workpiece as the movable jaw is merely moved by a pitch of the screw rod upon each rotation of the handle. The present invention is intended to provide an improved vise which mitigates and/or obviates the above problems.


An electrical insulator is produced by coating a molded part of the insulator with a hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating. The plasma-polymer coating is produced by igniting a plasma in a non-polar working gas or a working gas having non-polar groups at a working pressure of between 0.001 Pa (1xc2x710xe2x88x925 mbar) and 50 Pa (5xc2x710xe2x88x921 mbar). The electrical power input per chamber volume lies between 0.5 and 5 kW/m3, the gas flow per chamber volume lies between 10 and 1000 sccm/m3. A durable, hard and hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating is created, the quality of which is independent of the material of the molded part.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of producing an electrical insulator. A hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating is applied to a molded part of the insulator.
The term xe2x80x9celectrical insulatorxe2x80x9d is to be understood in this context to mean any electrically insulating component in an electric circuit or an electrical installation. Such an insulating component is, for example, a barrier layer used in a circuit, an insulating sheathing of a current-carrying conductor or a printed-circuit board for electronics. For the purposes of the present description, however, an electrical insulator is in particular also an insulator as used in power engineering for routing current-carrying lines or keeping them apart. In particular, an electrical insulator is also understood as meaning a high-voltage insulator, as used for routing overhead power lines or for keeping them apart. An insulating housing of a high-power semiconductor or of an electrical switching element, such as a thyristor or a thyratron for example, also represents an electrical insulator for the purposes of the present description.
Electrical insulators are produced from many different materials. However, plastic, glass and ceramic, in particular porcelain, are primarily used. The production of an electrical insulator from these materials generally takes place by molding a deformable raw composition and subsequently curing it. Depending on the material used, the curing in this case takes place by cooling, exposure to light or, in the case of ceramic, by firing. The molded insulator, which may also comprise a plurality of pieces of different material (known as a composite insulator), is referred to below as a molding. The production of such moldings of electrical insulators is general state of the art. For the production of a ceramic high-voltage insulator, reference may be had, by way of example, to the Siemens company publication xe2x80x9cHigh-Voltage Ceramics for all Applicationsxe2x80x94by the Pioneer of Power Engineering!xe2x80x9d, Order No. A 96001-U10-A444-X-7600, 1997.
If an electrical insulator is used over a prolonged period, it is subject to a greater or lesser degree of superficial soiling, depending on the location at which it is used, which can considerably impair the original insulating characteristics of the clean insulator. For example, superficial flashovers occur due to the soiling. Because a rough surface soils more quickly than a smooth one, a ceramic insulator is, for example, provided with a surface glaze, which improves the technical properties of the insulator. The application of dirt-repellent lacquers or coatings to reduce the long-term soiling of the surface is also customary for other electrical insulators.
The same problem of loss of the insulating property exists if the electrical insulator is used in damp surroundings or where there is high atmospheric humidity or it is exposed outdoors to damp effects of the weather such as fog or rain. Condensation or rain causes water to precipitate on the surface of the electrical insulator. When it evaporates, previously dissolved dirt particles adhere to the surface of the insulator. Therefore, superficial soiling is formed over time, causing the insulating characteristics of the clean insulator to deteriorate. Even a smooth surface does not prevent this soiling. The same problem occurs if the insulator is used in a salty environment, such as for example near the coast or close to industrial sites.
To prevent premature flashover along the moist or soiled surface of the insulator, high-voltage insulators must be provided with so-called shielding ribs, whereby the creepage distance over the surface between the parts that are insulated from one another is extended to a considerable extent. However, this complex measure requires high expenditure on material and leads to high production costs.
As a solution to the problem of superficial soiling, in particular also in damp surroundings, the Siemens company publication xe2x80x9cSIMOTEC Verbundinsulatoren: Ihr Schlxc3xcssel zu einer neuen Generation von Schaltanlagenxe2x80x9d [SIMOTEC composite insulators: your key to a new generation of switchgear] Order No. A96001-U10-A413, 1996, discloses a so-called composite insulator which has shielding ribs made of a silicone rubber. The hydrophobic surface of the silicone rubber counters the formation of a film of water and the adherence of layers of foreign material. Water precipitated on the surface of such an insulator forms beads together with the foreign matter dissolved in the water, without a film of dirt being formed in the process.
However, in spite of its hydrophobic surface property, in damp surroundings silicone rubber tends gradually to take in water. This leads to a temporary deterioration in the insulating characteristics when there is high ambient atmospheric humidity and, if high voltages are to be insulated, leads to the insulator being destroyed if flashovers occur. This is because the taking in of water means that the flashover no longer occurs along the surface but partially through the insulator itself. The same adverse effects also occur if dust and dirt particles are incorporated into the surface of the silicone rubber.
Another proposal for producing a hydrophobic coating on an electrical insulator is disclosed by the publication xe2x80x9cInsulators Glaze Modified by Plasma Processesxe2x80x9d, Tyman, Pospieszna, and Iuchniewicz; 9th International Symposium of High-voltage Engineering, Graz, Austria, Aug. 28 to Sep. 1, 1995. There, a hydrophobic, plasma-polymer coating is produced on the glaze of a ceramic by plasma-treatment processes. For this purpose, in a first working step, a noble-gas plasma is produced from argon in a closed vessel, in order to detach alkali ions, such as sodium or potassium, that are located in the glaze, from the surface by gas bombardment. After this surface treatment, hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) is admitted into the vessel as the working gas and a plasma is in turn produced from this gas at a pressure of over 1.12 mbar (112 Pa). The removed alkali ions are replaced by chemically solidly bonded hydrophobic groups by a plasma-polymerization process. In this process, a plasma-polymer, hydrophobic coating is formed. The hydrophobia and adherence of the plasma-polymer coating is disadvantageously dependent on the type of glaze. For instance, it is found that a brown glaze, which has far fewer sodium ions than a white glaze, offers better preconditions for a plasma-polymerization process and displays favorable chemical compounds for the formation of the hydrophobic layer.
The prior art process accordingly produces a hydrophobic coating on the glaze of a ceramic insulator by plasma polymerization. The quality of the coating, however, is strongly dependent on the composition of the glaze. The process was carried out on very small pieces of ceramic in a Leyden jar. It is not suitable for the coating of large electrical insulators.
The object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing an electrical insulator which overcomes the above-noted deficiencies and disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods of this general kind, and wherein a hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating is applied to a molded part of the insulator. The hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating is intended in this case to be applied with the same quality, independently of the material of the molded part or of the material of its surface. Furthermore, the production method is to be equally suitable for insulators of any desired size, i.e. for insulators of microelectronics up to high-voltage insulators of several meters in length. The applied plasma-polymer coating is to be durable and hard and also solidly bonded to the material of the molded part.
With the above and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of producing an electrical insulator, which comprises the following steps:
introducing a molded part of an insulator into a vacuum chamber of a plasma reactor and evacuating the chamber;
admitting a non-polar working gas or a working gas having non-polar groups into the chamber;
adjusting a working pressure of between 0.001 Pa and 50 Pa in the chamber under continuous gas flow;
forming a plasma from the working gas by generating an electrical field in the chamber, wherein an electrical power input per chamber volume is set to between 0.5 kW/m3 and 5 kW/m3 and a gas flow per chamber volume is set to between 10 sccm/m3 and 1000 sccm/m3;
maintaining the plasma at least until a closed hydrophobic coating of the plasma polymer formed from the plasma of the working gas is formed on a surface of the molded part; and switching off the field and removing the coated insulator from the chamber.
In other words, the molded part of the insulator that is produced in a known manner is introduced into an evacuable chamber of a plasma reactor, the chamber is evacuated, a non-polar working gas or a working gas having non-polar groups is admitted to the chamber. A working pressure of between 0.001 Pa (1xc2x710xe2x88x925 mbar) and 50 Pa (5xc2x710xe2x88x921 mbar) is set in the chamber under a continuous gas flow, and a plasma is formed from the working gas by generating an electric field. The electrical power input per chamber volume is set between 0.5 kilowatt/m3 and 5 kilowatts/m3 and the gas flow per chamber volume is set between 10 sccm/m3 and 1000 sccm/m3. The plasma is maintained at least until a closed coating of the plasma polymer formed from the plasma of the working gas is formed on the surface of the molded part, the field is switched off and the finished coated insulator is removed from the chamber.
The unit xe2x80x9csccmxe2x80x9d is the unit which is customary in plasma technology. It stands for standard cubic centimeters and refers to the gas volume converted to standard conditions. The standard conditions are defined by a temperature of 25xc2x0 C. and by a pressure of 10.13 Pa (1013 mbar).
The invention is based in this respect on the fact that, according to the prior art, in a method for producing a hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating on the glaze of a ceramic insulator, a working pressure of over 1.12 mbar is used. At this relatively high working pressure, the average free path length between the ionized molecules of the plasma is relatively small. Therefore, polymerization and precipitation of the substance formed already occurs in the plasma as a result of interaction of the ionized molecules. Inhomogeneities of the coating occur at the surface of the insulator itself on which the plasma polymer should actually form. According to the prior art, an ion bombardment forms on the surface of the substrate to be coated. This ion bombardment is inhomogeneous. In this way, shaded areas of the substrate to be coated are no longer reached by the ionized molecules of the plasma, so that no coating with the plasma polymer can take place there. At the working pressure of over 100 Pa (1 mbar), a uniform homogeneous coating of the substrate can be produced only for a substrate of even proportions and small dimensions. The spatial extent of the plasma may in this case only vary within a few centimeters. This is because investigations have shown that, with a spatial extent of the plasma over more than 50 cm, a homogeneous coating is no longer possible at the working pressure of over 100 Pa (1 mbar) for physical reasons.
In the case of the method according to the prior art for coating the glaze of a ceramic insulator, however, the working pressure cannot simply be reduced, since working of the pretreated glaze by the ions of the plasma can then no longer be achieved. Replacement of the alkali ions detached from the glaze by chemically solidly bonded groups of the plasma polymer formed can then no longer be accomplished.
It was thus surprisingly found that, if the working pressure is set to 1xc2x710xe2x88x925 mbar and 5xc2x710xe2x88x921 mbar, a durable plasma-polymer coating can be accomplished if the plasma is additionally formed with an electrical power input per chamber volume of between 0.5 kilowatt/m3 and 5 kilowatts/m3 and with a gas flow per chamber volume of between 10 and 1000 sccm/m3.
It was additionally also surprisingly found that the plasma-polymer coating formed by following such a procedure is independent of the material of the chosen insulator. No pretreatment of the surface of the insulator is necessary either to create a reactive surface to which the plasma polymer then chemically bonds, for example by detaching alkali ions from the glaze by means of argon sputtering. At the chosen working pressure and with the chosen power input, the plasma polymer formed evidently crosslinks with itself so well that the chemical bonding to the surface of the insulator is not of any importance. An abrasion-resistant and hard coating is formed from the plasma polymer. The non-polar working gas or working gas having non-polar groups produces a not very reactive, i.e. low-energy, plasma-polymer surface as a coating on the surface of the insulator. This surface is hydrophobic, i.e. water-repellent, to a high degree. In addition, the plasma-polymer coating is resistant to UV exposure. Furthermore, such a coating or layer does not absorb water. The penetration of dust and dirt particles into the surface is also prevented.
At the specified working pressure, an oriented movement of plasma constituents does not occur. Ion bombardment does not occur. The relatively great free path length of the plasma constituents has the effect that polymerization does not already occur in the plasma, but only at the site of the sample to be coated. A homogeneous coating can be accomplished even for insulators of large dimensions.
The expression plasma polymer refers to a polymer produced by the plasma process which, as distinct from a polymer produced by conventional chemical means, has a much higher crosslinkage of the individual molecular groups among one another, is not oriented but amorphous and, moreover, has a much higher density. A plasma polymer is distinguished, for example in comparison with a conventional polymer, by broadening of the infrared vibration bands measured by means of IR spectroscopy.
The method according to the invention offers the advantage that an electrical insulator can be produced with a durable, abrasion-resistant and highly hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating. The size and material of the molded part of the insulator intended for coating are of no significance. In this respect, the method is suitable in particular for insulators with large dimensions, such as for example high-voltage insulators with lengths of several meters.
In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the electrical power input per chamber volume is between 1 kilowatt/m3 and 3.5 kilowatts/m3.
It is also advantageous if the gas flow per chamber volume is set between 20 sccm/m3 and 300 sccm/m3.
For the resistance of the plasma-polymer coating and for the protection of the molded part from external influences, it is advantageous if the plasma is maintained until the plasma-polymer coating has a layer thickness of between 100 nm and 10 xcexcm.
For cleaning off oxidizable components, such as oils or greases, which adhere to the surface of the molded part of the insulator, it is advantageous to introduce into the chamber when it is being evacuated an oxygen-containing gas, in particular air, at such a metered rate that a pressure of between 1 and 5 mbar temporarily prevails in the chamber, with a plasma being simultaneously ignited in the gas for a period of between 1 second and 5 minutes. In this way, an oxidation of the surface impurities takes place. The oxidized constituents are desorbed. After this treatment, the clean surface of the molded part of the insulator is obtained.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the plasma is ignited in a clock-controlled manner. It has been found that the homogeneity of the plasma-polymer coating can be increased in this way.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, it is advantageous in clock-controlled ignition if the plasma is ignited at a clock rate of 0.1 to 100 Hz.
The ignition of the plasma by generating an electric field can take place in a way known per se. For instance, the electric field may be inductively or capacitively coupled in by means of a microwave generator. Investigations have shown, however, that plasma ignition by applying a voltage to electrodes arranged on the chamber is particularly suitable, in particular for the treatment of molded parts of large and elongate insulators. In this case, one electrode is designed for example in the form of a rod, while the other electrode is formed by the chamber wall itself. Two opposite rod-shaped electrodes may also be used. When the plasma is ignited by means of electrodes, parts of the surface of the molding to which access is difficult are also reliably coated with the plasma polymer.
In principle, the plasma can be produced by an electric field which is constant over time. However, it is advantageous if the electric field is an alternating electric field with a frequency of between 1 kHz and 5 GHz. The frequency actually used is in this case dependent on the working gas used.
In a further advantageous refinement of the invention, a working pressure of between 0.1 Pa (1xc2x710xe2x88x923 mbar) and 10 Pa (1xc2x710xe2x88x921 mbar is set in the chamber.
It is particularly favorable for the production of the plasma-polymer coating if a hydrocarbon, in particular acetylene and/or methane, is used as the working gas.
It is advantageous for the quality of the plasma-polymer coating produced on the molded part of the insulator if an organosilicon or organofluorine compound is used as the working gas. The plasma polymer formed from the plasma of these compounds is distinguished by a high degree of crosslinkage of the individual molecular groups among one another. On account of this crosslinkage, the coating produced is extremely stable and protected from external effects. It has a high level of hardness. Moreover, plasma polymers which have been produced from the plasma of non-polar organosilicon or organofluorine compounds or organosilicon or organofluorine compounds having non-polar groups display a high and sustained level of hydrophobia.
It is particularly favorable for the hydrophobia, hardness and quality of the plasma-polymer coating if hexamethyldisiloxane, tetraethylortho-silicate, vinyltrimethylsilane or octofluorocyclobutane is used as the working gas. Similarly, a mixture of the working gases mentioned produces a good result.
In accordance with a further advantageous refinement of the invention, an additional gas is admixed with the working gas. In this case it is advantageous if the additional gas is a noble gas, a halogen, in particular fluorine, oxygen, nitrogen or a mixture thereof.
The method for producing a plasma-coated insulator is suitable in particular for a high-voltage insulator. A high-voltage insulator may have dimensions from just a few centimeters up to several meters. In particular, the method is suitable for a long-rod insulator, as is used for supporting overhead lines. Such an insulator is produced as a molding with a number of disk-shaped shielding ribs, in order in this way to increase the conducting path distance between the two ends of the insulator. Such an insulator offers reliable protection from flashovers, even when its surface is soiled.
Since an insulator provided with a plasma-polymer coating as provided by the production method according to the invention has a highly hydrophobic surface, it is reliably protected from dirt being deposited due to impurities dissolved in water. Since the insulator is protected in this way from soiling, specifically when it is operated for a prolonged period outdoors, it is possible to dispense with increasing the conduction distance by forming shielding ribs. It is even conceivable in this respect to design the insulator in the ideal form as an elongate tube. In this way, an enormous saving of material is brought about in comparison with a conventional high-voltage insulator. The production method also turns out to be particularly simple for producing the molding and is, moreover, much more favorable than the production method for a molding provided with shielding ribs.
Since the quality of the plasma-polymer coating produced is independent of the material of the molding of the electrical insulator, it is particularly expedient if the molding consists of a fired ceramic, a glazed, fired ceramic, a glass or a plastic, such as for example a silicone rubber, an epoxy resin or a glass-fiber-reinforced plastic. Specifically in the case of a rough surface as well, such as a fired, but unglazed ceramic, the production method according to the invention produces an insulator with a highly hydrophobic surface which even exceeds the properties of a ceramic insulator that is glazed but not provided with a hydrophobic coating. The rough surface does not present any difficulties for the application of the coating. A molding of a silicone rubber can also be processed by the method according to the invention into an insulator with a hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating. In this way, the good electrical and dirt-repellent properties of an insulator made of a silicone rubber are retained unchanged, with the undesired properties of the silicone rubber, that is the taking in of water and/or the incorporation of dust and dirt particles, also being reliably avoided. Moreover, any desired plastic can be further processed by the method according to the invention into a high-quality insulator provided with a hydrophobic surface. The invention opens up the possibility of producing a molding for an insulator from any desired plastic and providing this molding with a hydrophobic coating by plasma polymerization. Such a plastic insulator has much improved long-term characteristics with regard to its insulating capability in comparison with a conventional plastic insulator. In the long term, such plastic insulators could replace the expensive silicone rubber insulators. Here, too, the invention also opens up the possibility of avoiding complex forms for an insulator to increase leakage distances.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
To explain the invention, two examples are presented below:
A known procedure is used for preparing a kneadable composition from the starting materials kaolin, feldspar, clay and quartz by mixing with water, and for producing a hollow-cylindrical clay body with a number of shielding ribs from this composition by turning. The clay body is dried and fired to form a molded part. The length of the molded part is approximately 50 cm. The molded part of the ceramic insulator is introduced into an evacuable chamber with a volume of 1 m3 of a plasma reactor. After the chamber has been evacuated, a mixture of hexamethyldisiloxane and helium is introduced as the working gas.
Under a continuous gas flow of 30 sccm of hexamethyldisiloxane and 30 sccm of helium, a working pressure of 9xc2x710xe2x88x923 mbar is set in the chamber by controlled pumping extraction. Under these conditions, a plasma is ignited in the working gas by means of electrodes. For this purpose, an alternating electric field is applied to the electrodes with a frequency of 13.56 MHz and a power of 2 kW. After a period of 30 minutes, the molded part now provided with a hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating, i.e. the finished high-voltage insulator, is removed from the chamber after air has been admitted.
A molded part, produced according to example 1, of the ceramic high-voltage insulator is introduced into an evacuable chamber with a volume of 350 1 of a plasma reactor. Vinyltrimethylsilane is used as the working gas. With a flow of 100 sccm, a working pressure of 1.5xc2x710xe2x88x921 mbar is set in the chamber. A plasma is ignited in the chamber by applying an electric voltage to electrodes. The voltage is an AC voltage with a frequency of 13.56 MHz. The power consumed is 1.2 kW. After a period of 20 minutes, the molded part provided with a hydrophobic plasma-polymer coating is removed from the chamber after air has been admitted.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method for producing an electrical insulator, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Method for producing an electrical insulator