A computer-based method is provided for registering a person in a person registry. The method includes: if a unique person identifier is not received, searching an address book for a match to the person using a search criteria input by a user; and if no match to the person is found, receiving person data input by a user and determining whether the person data satisfies a minimum data requirement, wherein the person data is representative of the person, if it is determined that the minimum data requirement is satisfied, determining whether there is a shared entity that represents the person, and if it is determined that no shared entity represents the person, based on an outcome of a non-shared entity-shared entity reconciliation, either defining a shared entity to represent the person in the address book, transforming a non-shared entity into a shared entity, or transferring data from a non-shared entity to a shared entity.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to secure databases and, more particularly, to methods and systems for defining a person in a shared database as a unique entity.
2. Discussion of Related Art
It has been the practice of professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, and engineers to personally record pertinent information on a subject patient, client or matter so that professional services performed and data pertinent to the subject are documented. The documented information can be in many different forms, such as a patient record database with patient demographic information and clinical data, an engineer's report on the structural conditions of a building, or an invoice including professional fees, travel and other expenses related to the services performed.
In many instances, the professional memorializes the pertinent data or basis for a decision contemporaneously as services are performed, such as by handwritten notes or dictation into a voice recorder, and the information is subsequently gathered for office personnel to enter into a report. Many reports are standardized as forms and the gathered information is filled into the form for efficient reporting. For example, in the case of a physician examining a patient, clinical information is developed during discussions with and physical examination of the patient. The physician dictates or writes the clinical information observed during the examination, and the forms and notes are typically entered by the physician's office personnel. Likewise, the structural engineer dictates or writes his observations during a visual inspection, and a building inspection report is generated by filling in a form-like report with standard pre-filled text on general building condition, supplemented by contemporaneous information using the recorded dictation.
In the case of patient information and report, a patient is typically required to complete a questionnaire which discloses personal information about the patient including medical background information such as pre-existing medical conditions and prescription medications. The reliance on patients to keep track of and report their medical histories, however, can leave the attending medical professional with incomplete and sometimes inaccurate information. For example, patients lose records and may not remember when they had their tonsils out or what vaccinations they received, and their medical records can be damaged or destroyed, e.g., when Hurricane Katrina happens. The patient questionnaire may also establish a patient's current medical condition. A patient history file is opened and the completed questionnaire and other documents are incorporated into the file.
When a patient is examined by a physician, the results of the physical examination or clinical information are routinely recorded such as by the physician entering the information onto a form which is then placed in the patient's history file. It is common practice for the physician to make handwritten notes during the patient's physical examination. The notes are later used by the healthcare professional for personally dictating a patient's report. The dictation is then transcribed, reviewed and signed by the physician who conducted the patient's physical examination.
In the case of medical offices operating under health maintenance organization (HMO) oversight, requiring audits of the examination notes of medical professionals for consistency and trends in diagnosis and treatment, the lack of computerized databases for monitoring and updating clinical examination data and the time consuming process of re-transcribing and editing paper charts complicates this auditing process.
For many healthcare organizations, some with file rooms of paper, medical records about their view of a patient's medical history are based on what the patient has told them and any clinical visits or procedures done at that office. These healthcare organizations are akin to silos in the sense that the information that a hospital has about a patient, e.g., in an emergency room visit the patient experienced an allergic reaction to penicillin, the primary care physician may never get that information unless the patient tells the physician about it.
The technology to assemble and store patient records in computer databases as electronic medical records exists and is being deployed in some hospitals and physician offices. Some healthcare providers and insurance companies are forming regional information networks to share electronic medical records as a means to reduce paperwork, minimize costs of billing, and to fight against false claims.
The Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information ("Privacy Rule") limits the circumstances in which an individual's protected health information may be used or disclosed. The Privacy Rule, which was published in final form on Aug. 14, 2002, establishes, for the first time, a set of national standards for the protection of certain health information. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued the Privacy Rule to implement the requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
A major purpose of the Privacy Rule is to define and limit the circumstances in which an individual's protected health information may be used or disclosed. The Privacy Rule requires that health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and every healthcare provider, regardless of size, who electronically transmits health information maintain reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical and physical safeguards to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the information, protect against any reasonably anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of the information, and protect against unauthorized uses or disclosures of the information.
A need exists for a method and system for assembling medical records from disparate computer-based person records and to make them accessible over the Internet such that the electronic medical records are private and secure. A need exists for a method and system for defining a person in a shared database as a unique entity, for example, to ensure the integrity of the information in the shared database. A need also exists for a method and system for defining a patient in a shared database as a unique entity in order to comply with HIPAA requirements to ensure confidentiality of the health information.


In order to apply and incorporate Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) concepts into a service enterprise environment, the present invention provides a method, system and computer-readable medium that expands DBR through the use of simulation of service activities. In a preferred embodiment, the inventive method includes the steps of: creating a DBR for Services (DBRS) model of a service process; simulating the service process by populating the DBRS model with user-selected values for a constraint drum, a pre-constraint buffer, a service level rope, and a constraint rope, and determining if the service process will be in compliance with a Service Level Agreement (SLA) based on a DBRS simulation of the service process.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to the field of computers, and more particularly to the use of computers to manage service processes. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to service simulations that incorporate the use of a Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) feedback mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
As manufacturers attempt to optimize their operational efficiency, many evaluate their manufacturing process by using a Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) feedback mechanism. DBR is a component of the Theory of Constraints (TOC), which was created by Eliyahu M. Goldratt. A key feature of DBR is to identify a constraint (i.e., equipment whose operation causes a bottleneck in the manufacturing process). The constraint operates at a specified rate ("Drum"). DBR is used to ensure that the constraint always has adequate material ("Buffer") on which to work. The Buffer is kept properly filled through the use of management feedbacks known as "Ropes."
For example, assume that a grinder is the constraint whose operating rate ("Drum") sets the pace at which an entire assembly line operates. All work that is performed before the grinding operation is considered to be the "Buffer," and includes raw materials in the warehouse, products that have been pre-processed (e.g., punched, shaped, rolled, etc.), as required, before being sent to the grinder. To ensure that the steps taken before the grinding operation are adequate to keep the grinder supplied with pre-processed material, an information system ("Rope"), which may be computer based, controls such "pre-grinder" operations.
While DBR works well in a manufacturing environment, utilizing DBR concepts in a service enterprise environment have previously been utilized in a limited fashion. Specifically, DBR concepts applied to services have been limited to environments in which service capacity is assumed to be fixed. What has not been accomplished in the prior art is the utilization of DBR concepts in which capacity is elastic, and then managing demands on the service resources based on such elastic capacity.

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for processing a time domain reflectometry (TDR) signal having a plurality of reflection pulses to generate a valid output result corresponding to a process variable for a material in a vessel. The method includes the steps of determining a background signal for a probe and detecting a sample TDR signal for the probe in the vessel. At least one transition point is established on the sample TDR signal and the background signal. A portion of the sample TDR signal on one side of the at least one transition point is combined with a portion of the background signal on the other side of the at least one transition point to establish an initial boundary signal, and the initial boundary signal is stored. The method also includes the steps of detecting the TDR signal and calculating the output result using the initial boundary signal.

The present invention relates to a processor apparatus and method for a process measurement signal. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved processor for time-of-flight signals to provide an accurate indication of the location of an interface between a first medium and a second medium in a vessel.
The process and storage industries have long used various types of equipment to measure process parameters such as level, flow, temperature, etc. A number of different techniques (such as mechanical, capacitance, ultrasonic, hydrostatic, etc.) provide measurement solutions for many applications. However, many other applications remain for which no available technology can provide a solution, or which cannot provide such a solution at a reasonable cost. For many applications that could benefit from a level measurement system, currently available level measurement systems are too expensive.
In certain applications, such as high volume petroleum storage, the value of the measured materials is high enough to justify high cost level measurement systems which are required for the extreme accuracy needed. Such expensive measurement systems can include a servo tank gauging system or a frequency modulated continuous wave radar system.
Further, there are many applications that exist where the need to measure level of the product is high in order to maintain product quality, conserve resources, improve safety, etc. However, lower cost measurement systems are needed in order to allow a plant to instrument its measurements fully.
There are certain process measurement applications that demand other than conventional measurement approaches. For example, applications demanding high temperature and high pressure capabilities during level measurements must typically rely on capacitance measurement. However, conventional capacitance measurement systems are vulnerable to errors induced by changing material characteristics. Further, the inherent nature of capacitance measurement techniques prevents the use of such capacitance level measurement techniques in vessels containing more than one fluid layer.
Ultrasonic time-of-flight technology has reduced concerns regarding level indications changing as material characteristics change. However, ultrasonic level measurement sensors cannot work under high temperatures, high pressures, or in vacuums. In addition, such ultrasonic sensors have a low tolerance for acoustic noise.
One technological approach to solving these problems is the use of guided wave pulses. These pulses are transmitted down a dual probe transmission line into the stored material, and are reflected from probe impedance changes which correlate with the fluid level. Process electronics then convert the time-of-flight signals into a meaningful fluid level reading. Conventional guided wave pulse techniques are very expensive due to the nature of equipment needed to produce high-quality, short pulses and to measure the time-of-flight for such short time events. Further, such probes are not a simple construction and are expensive to produce compared to simple capacitance level probes.
Recent developments by the National Laboratory System now make it possible to generate fast, low power pulses, and to time their return with very inexpensive circuits. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,345,471 and 5,361,070. However, this new technology alone will not permit proliferation of level measurement technology into process and storage measurement applications. The pulses generated by this new technology are broadband, and also are not square wave pulses. In addition, the generated pulses have a very low power level. Such pulses are at a frequency of 100 MHz or higher, and have an average power level of about 1 nW or lower. These factors present new problems that must be overcome to transmit the pulses down a probe and back and to process and interpret the returned pulses.
First, a sensor apparatus must be provided for transmitting these low power, high frequency pulses down a probe and effecting their return. Such appropriate sensor apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,251 entitled SENSOR APPARATUS FOR PROCESS MEASUREMENT and U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,985 entitled SENSOR APPARATUS FOR PROCESS MEASUREMENT, the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application.
The sensor apparatus is particularly adapted for the measurement of material levels in process vessels and storage vessels, but is not limited thereto. It is understood that the sensor apparatus may be used for measurement of other process variables such as flow, composition, dielectric constant, moisture content, etc. In the specification and claims, the term "vessel" refers to pipes, chutes, bins, tanks, reservoirs or any other storage vessels. Such storage vessels may also include fuel tanks, and a host of automotive or vehicular fluid storage systems or reservoirs for engine oil, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, wiper fluids, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, and fuel.
The present invention propagates electromagnetic energy down an inexpensive, signal conductor transmission line as an alternative to conventional coax cable or dual transmission lines. The Goubau line lends itself to applications for a level measurement sensor where an economical rod or cable probe (i.e., a one conductor instead of a twin or dual conductor approach) is desired. The single conductor approach enables not only taking advantage of new pulse generation and detection technologies, but also constructing probes in a manner similar to economical capacitance level probes.
The present invention specifically relates to a signal processor apparatus for processing and interpreting the returned pulses from the conductor. Due to the low power, broadband pulses used in accordance with the present invention, such signal processing to provide a meaningful indication of the process variable is difficult. Conventional signal processing techniques use only simple peak detection to monitor reflections of the pulses.
The present invention provides signal processing circuitry configured for measurement of the time-of-flight of very fast, guided wave pulses. Techniques used in similar processes, such as ultrasonic level measurement are vastly different from and are insufficient for detection of guided electromagnetic wave pulses due to the differences in signal characteristics. For example, ultrasonic signals are much noisier and have large dynamic ranges of about 120 dB and higher. Guided electromagnetic waves in this context are low in noise and have low dynamic ranges (less than 10:1) compared to the ultrasonic signals, and are modified by environmental impedances. The signal processor of the present invention is configured to determine an appropriate reflection pulse of these low power signals from surrounding environmental influences.
Standard electromagnetic reflection measurements are known as time domain reflectometry (TDR). TDR devices for level measurement require the measuring of the time of flight of a transit pulse and a subsequently produced reflective pulse received at the launching site of the transit pulse. This measurement is typically accomplished by determining the time interval between the maximum amplitude of the received pulse. The determination of this time interval is done by counting the interval between the transmitted pulse and the received pulse.
The present invention provides an improved signal processor for determining a valid reflective pulse signal caused by an interface of material in contact with a probe element of a sensor apparatus. The processor apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for processing high speed, low power pulses as discussed above. In the preferred embodiment of the signal processor apparatus, processing is performed based on a digital sampling of an analog output of the reflective pulses. It is understood, however, that similar signal processing techniques can be used on the analog signal in real time.
It is well known that variations in operating conditions such as environmental variations like temperature, humidity, and pressure; power variations like voltage, current, and power; electromagnetic influences like radio frequency/microwave radiated power which creates biases on integrated circuit outputs; and other conditions such as mechanical vibration can induce undesired drifts of electronics parameters and output signals. The present invention provides a processing means and method for compensating for signal drifts caused by these operating conditions.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for processing a time domain reflectometry (TDR) signal to generate a valid output result corresponding to a process variable in a vessel. The method includes the steps of establishing an initial boundary signal, storing the initial boundary signal and detecting a TDR signal. The method also includes the steps of determining a baseline signal by subtracting the initial boundary signal from the TDR signal, determining the reflection pulses in the baseline signal due to the process variable in the vessel, and computing the level of the process variable in the vessel. This aspect presupposes that an initial boundary signal was previously established for the vessel. An initial boundary signal is ideally established by taking a measurement in the vessel when it is empty to map extraneous reflection sources in the TDR signal. However, in operation it is often impractical to empty a vessel every time a probe is installed. This presents a problem in determining the initial boundary signal to be used in the determination of the baseline signal.
A feature of the present invention is a method of determining the boundary signal without requiring that the vessel be emptied. The process of partial probe mapping combines a background signal with a sample TDR signal to create a partial probe map that can be used as the initial boundary signal. The background signal provides an estimate for probe reflections at the end of the probe and other fluctuations in the immersed portion of the newly installed probe. The sample TDR signal provides a mapping of the reflections from vessel artifacts and other sources above the level of the material in the vessel. Partial probe mapping determines the offset to be applied to the background signal and combines the background signal for one portion of the probe and the sample TDR signal for another portion of the probe to calculate an initial boundary signal for use in determining the process variable in the vessel. The calculation of the offset to compensate for differences in the sample TDR signal and the background signal is required for the partial probe mapping.
In one aspect of the present invention a transition point is chosen on the signals to be used as the point where the signals are combined. An offset adjustment is computed to account for differences between the two signals as the difference between the sample TDR signal at the transition point and the background signal at the transition point. This assures an equal signal value for both the background signal and the sample TDR signal at the transition point eliminating any discontinuity at the transition point in the partial probe map.
In another aspect of the present invention an offset adjustment is computed to account for differences between the two signals as the difference between the average signal value of the sample TDR signal above the transition point and the background signal below the transition point. This makes use of the two portions of the signals used to create the partial probe map.
In yet another aspect of the present invention an offset adjustment is computed to account for differences between the two signals as the difference between the average value of the sample TDR below the transition point and the background signal below the transition point.
In another aspect of the present invention an offset adjustment is computed to account for differences between the two signals as the difference between the average signal value over the entire range of the sample TDR signal and the average signal value over the entire range of the background signal.
In another aspect of the present invention an offset adjustment is computed to account for differences between the two signals as the difference between the average signal value over the portion of the sample TDR signal above the transition point and the average signal value over the portion of the background signal above the transition point.
In yet another aspect of the present invention an offset adjustment is computed to account for differences between the two signals as the difference between the average signal value over a small interval of the sample TDR signal above the transition point and the average signal value over a small interval of the background signal above the transition point.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.


A composite optical film has the functions of brightness enhancement, self-diffusion and defect blocking. The film comprises: a structured substrate including a structured light incidence surface and a light emitting surface opposite to the structured light incidence surface, wherein the structured light incidence surface includes longitudinal prism structures or longitudinal lens structures transversely arranged in rows; a support base plate adjacent to the light emitting surface of the structured substrate, the support base plate having a light incidence surface on one side and a light emitting surface on another side opposite to the light incidence surface, wherein at least one of the light incidence surface and the light emitting surface has a plurality of buried particles, and at least one portion of the buried particles are protruded on the light emitting surface of the support base plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a composite optical film including a structuralized substrate, and in particular, to an optical film capable of enhancing brightness, automatically diffusing light and blocking defects, and further in particular, to a composite optical film applicable to a flat panel display.
2. Description of Related Art
Flat panel displays are widely used for television displays, computer displays, and the displays of hand-held electronic apparatuses (e.g. mobile phones, mobile internet devices (MID) and so on). Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) pertain to a kind of the flat panel displays. LCDs display images by using a liquid crystal module having a pixel array.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional LCD. A backlight LCD 10 comprises a liquid crystal display module 12 and a backlight module 14 forming a plane light source. The backlight LCD 10 further comprises several optical films such as an upper light diffusion sheet 22, a lower light diffusion sheet 24 and brightness enactment sheets (26, 28) interposing between the liquid crystal display module 12 and the backlight module 14. The liquid crystal display 12 comprises liquid crystals sandwiched between two transparent substrates and a control circuit for defining a two-dimensional pixel array. The backlight module 14 has a plane light distribution and serves as a backlight directing light on a plane. As shown in FIG. 1, an edge-type backlight has a linear light source 16 disposed along an edge of a light guide plate 18. A reflecting sheet 20 is used to direct light from the linear light source 16 into the light guide plate 18 so that the light passes the uppermost surface of the liquid crystal display module 12. The optical films of the upper diffusion sheet 22, the lower diffusion sheet 24 and the brightness enactment sheets (26, 28) can redistribute or concentrate the through light. Thus, the light leaving from the optical films can be directed so that it goes towards a direction quite close to the normal line of the surface of the liquid crystal display module 12. The light is evenly distributed on the plane surface of the liquid crystal display module 12 and has a relatively high intensity along the normal line direction.
Power saving, less thickness and lightness is increasingly in demand for the liquid crystal display under constant quality. Therefore, the power dissipation, weight and thickness of the backlight module would be expectably reduced, and the thicknesses of the optical films therein would be also accordingly reduced. Most conventional liquid crystal displays have used two brightness enhancement sheets (as shown in the LCD of FIG. 1). Two brightness enhancement sheets are arranged by rotating them around the normal lines of the film planes so that the longitudinal directions of grooves on the two films are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, the light through the two films would be concentrated along the direction perpendicular to their light output surfaces. When optical turbulence occur in one of the flat surfaces or structuralized surfaces of the two brightness enhancement sheets, a displayed image consequently has undesired visual effects such as interference fringes (i.e. patterns having interlaced bright and dark stripes). The undesired visual effects resulting from the interference fringes, physical defects, spots and unequal distribution can be masked by an upper diffusion sheet 22 (e.g. the upper light diffusion sheet 22 above the brightness enhancement sheet 26).
Up to now, in order to reduce the entire thickness of all optical films in a liquid crystal display, a lot of technologies have focused on reducing the number of optical films used therein. For example, four optical films (FIG. 1 illustrating the optical films 22, 24, 26 and 28) are reduced to three optical films. For a common case, the upper light diffusion sheet 22 and the brightness enhancement sheet 26 are integrated into a single composite optical film, and the single composite optical film is further combined with the lower light diffusion sheet 24 and the brightness enhancement sheet 28 into a three-sheet structure. A liquid crystal display using such a three-sheet structure is widely employed in hand-held electronic apparatuses and laptop computers.
Further, in order to reduce the dimension and the cost of such products, the display manufacturers still need a liquid crystal display with a lighter and cost-effective optical structure superior to one with a three-sheet structure. Such an optical structure is capable of enhancing brightness, automatically diffusing light and masking defects.


It comprises a mechanical power input (1, 55) receiving the power preferably from an electric motor and a mechanical power output (3, 67), as well as transfer means (2, 2', 2", 2'", 4, 64) for transferring this power from the input to the output, and control means (2, 5, 6, 7, 59, 60, 61) for controlling the transfer means (2, 4, 64) to make sure that the power transferred at the output does not exceed a predetermined level. There are provided means to break down the power received at the input into a power applied at the output (3, 67) and excess power which is used to produce the cut-off of power supplied by the motor. This excess power is controlled by the pressure of element (6, 7, 61) whose tension is adjustable which actuates against a movable surface which defines a cam profile, thereby increasing the force or torque during the angular or linear motion of the cam (2, 2', 2", 2'"). The transfer mechanism includes a basic group with four different output alternatives (C1, C2, C3 and C4).

The actuators or actuation mechanisms to transfer mechanical power from one input to an output, existing on the market, generally include a floating endless system, resting on its ends by elastic elements and a crown that, upon turning, when it comes up against an obstacle or reaches the end of its run, the worm moves cutting off the current from the motor. The actuation mechanisms have a series of inconveniences that will be stated hereinafter, determined by the basic concept of embodiment that they apply and which have been tried to be solved in very different ways, though without attacking said basic concept of embodiment.
As it is specified in Siemen's German patent PCT/DE91/00600, upon sizing an action regulator (actuator) for valves it is necessary to take into account certain factors. On the one hand, due to defects, aging or defective maintenance (such as corrosion of the spindle, wear or excess tightening of the packing etc.) the turning torque needed to close the valve may increase considerably (for example from 30 to 80 Nm.) On the other hand, upon sizing the action regulator (actuator) said value (80 Nm) must be taken into account in unfavorable operating conditions of the actuator itself (a voltage drop in the line, tolerances, temperature of the motor, etc.) In this way the actuator in oppositely unfavorable conditions, there may be a supply of 10 times more theoretical turning torque than that which is needed (30 to 300 Nm), in the event that the dependent torque disconnection were to fail. This may seriously affect the actuated mechanism (valve, in this case), even managing to make it unserviceable.
The solution provided by this German patent is that of a breaking frame of the spindle of the valve that acts from a given maximum torque, preventing this to reach the extreme of 300 Nm in the event of failure of the control switches. With this solution the effect is reduced but the problem that causes said effect is not solved.
In order to try to overcome this effect (aside from others), actuator manufacturers include an additional microswitch, of an (intentionally) synchronized path (path limiter) with the torque limiter. Said synchronization disappears as soon as there are minimal temperature variations, once again posing the problem of destroying the valve.
In the event that there is no failure in the control s witches, these actuators have two inconveniences that can lead, at average and high output speeds (100 to 300 nm/min., according to the type of valve), to reach excess output torque values much higher than the values pre-set by said control switches. This excess output torque likewise manages to cause significant damage to the actuated valve.
As is stated in "Bulleltin FC-77 of Limitorque Corp.", said inconveniences are:
1) It does not the release of inertia from the mechanism. In this way excess pressure in the seat of the valve and excess stresses on the rod are created. These anomalies are increased up to significant values when the output speed of the actuator increases. This all makes it necessary to limit the output speeds of actuators. For example in all-or-nothing (closed loop) valves the speeds of the rod are limited to 300 mm/min for gate values and to 100 mm/min for seated valves, running the risk of damaging the valve, despite said limitations. At times, it is even essential to equip the actuator with a second high speed motor, so that in the cases of a serious emergency, the output speed increases considerably, even knowingly that this will lead to the destruction of the seat and greater damage to the value.
In adjustment and shutoff valves, the need of very powerful motors for the shutting itself, involves an increase of the inertia, which requires a reduction of the speed to maintain the precision of the adjustment, sacrificing the response speed, even in some cases, requiring the need of two valves, an adjustment valve and a shutoff valve, for said tasks.
2) These proceblems of excess pressures are increased upon additionally considering the electric signal delay between 20 and 50 mn; that exists between the signal of the switch of the torque limiter and the energization of the of the motor operating and stopping contactors. Besides this anomaly is inevitable and does not depend on the output speed of ther actuator but rather on the electric system used. Its effect simply (increase of torque above the adjusted one) is significant at average and high actuator output speeds (100 to 300 mm/min.).
These two anomalies are produced upon the motor and the other elements of the actuator being permanently mechanically linked up to the output, either by endless-crown embodiment or else in other embodiments used less but also with the same principles. Within all of them the main problem is that of collecting the excess power from the instant from the jump of the torque limitation and to dissipate it in a sure manner and without effecting the limited torque.
Within these embodiments is Bernard's French patent FR 2699983-A1 that uses a planetary reducing mechanism to limit, in its outside crown and by means of adjustable springs, the transmitted torque.
Despite the novelty of this actioning against the "classic" endless-crown, it does not solve its problems. The inertias accumulated at high speeds are still not released and the signal delay times keep affecting it in the same way.
In the moment that the torque control switch is actuated, previously adjusted to a maximum necessary torque, the signaly delay and the inertia (if they are important) make the regulating springs continue to tighten accumalatively and thus a torque greater than the adjusted one to the output shaft of the actuator is transmitted.
Practically the same solutions, when limiting the transmitted torque, are applied by German patent DE-A-3010019.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,264 also deals with a mechanism formed by two planetary reducers. In one of them the outside crown remains fixed by means of a solenoid that comparably energizes the motor. When the motor disconnects, the currect stops reaching said solenoid and, therefore, it totally releases the crown or cam of the planetary element. In this way no torque is transmitted by means of the planetary reducer as of this moment.
This embodiment does not solve the problem of electric delay but rather it even makes it worse by using an electrically excited solenoid. Once this delay has taken place if the torque transmission is totally disconnected, the problem of accumulated inertia is avoided. At any rate this would only serve to "absorb" accumulated inertia of the limitating value since, on the contrary, the outside crown would be kept turning with too much accumulated kinetic energy and the electric signal delay would be even greater than the normal one with the problems that this involves.
Another inconveniences and anomalies, other than the above cited ones, that, said actuators generally have are:
3) Needing an additional manual engaging-disengaging lever to carry out the same functions. In this group Japanese patent JL-60 018 679 that needs a lever that turns its coupling-decoupling elements would be included.
4) The operator needs to use both hands together, having to feel out the above cited lever with one hand, while turning the flywheel with the other hand trying to fit the spaces of the same with the teeth of the intermediate wheel, after having deblocked the motor.
After having fit the teeth in the spaces, it is then possible to operate the flywheel.
The flywheel is likewise used to tune up the path limiter of the actuator mechanism with which the mechanical power is transferred from an input to an output.
This path limitation needs great precision since in the event that the microswitch of the torque limiting mechanism theoretically becomes unservicable, the microswitch of the path limiting mechanism is the one responsible for disconnecting the motor to prevent the deterioration of the valve and/or of the actuator mechanism itself.
5) There is no mechanical manual nor automatic blocking. In the event that this were installed, in conventional actuators, it could not be used because of the permanent mechanical link, already described above, between the motor and the remaining components of the actuator.
6) Stresses higher than those produced by the maximum torque cannot be obtained, without stopping the motor, as there is no centrifugal clutch or multiplier.
7) There is no irreversibility mechanism. This irreversibility, in most motorized valves is ensured by the rod and/or nut of the valve (or of the actuator mechanism) that tends to be irreversible and with a low mechanical efficiency.
This limits the overall efficiency of the unit and prevents use of more efficient rods and nuts (longer pitches and ball spindles) that, by definition would be reversible.
8) The need of costly preparation times of the valve and of the actuator mechanism to be able to make timely checks of the stresses in the spindle.
9) Likewise, these costly preparation times are needed to be able to check inside the actuator.
10) The need to sacrifice the high speed to obtain great toroques at the output of the actuator, or else, the need to use a two speed motor or one with an electric brake.
11) The sporadic and cyclic presence of an operator to retighten the packing, by hand and to control these tightening pressures; being able to destroy the packing by exceeding its limit tightening pressure, being able to even ,at times, brake the movement of the spindle, increasing in these cases the passive stresses that would regulate the correct operation of the actuator-valve unit preventing the correct closing of the valve and thus its wear and tear.
12) Having a regulated maximum torque that is independent of the turning speed of the mechanism.


A vibration exciter, particularly for a vibration pile driver, comprises at least two axles disposed parallel to one another, as well as at least two imbalance masses, which are attached to one or more of the axles. The relative rotary position of the imbalance masses can be adjusted relative to one another by at least one rotary oscillating motor having a rotor shaft and a stator housing. The rotor shaft is an integral part of one of the axles, and the rotary position of the stator housing relative to the rotor shaft can be changed. The stator housing has at least one closure lid that is at least partially unreleasably coated with a slide alloy, for radial and axial bearing of the rotor shaft. At least one shaft seal is disposed between the rotor shaft and stator housing. The seal is hydraulically biased and provided with a support element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a vibration exciter and to an oscillating motor for use in a vibration exciter.
2. The Prior Art
In construction, vibration generators such as vibrators, shakers, or vibratory pile drivers are used to introduce or draw profiles into the ground, or also to compact soil material. The ground is excited by means of vibration, and thereby achieves a "pseudo-fluid" state. The goods to be driven in can then be pressed into the construction ground by means of a static top load. The vibration is characterized by a linear movement and is generated by means of rotating imbalances that run in opposite directions, in pairs, within a vibrator gear mechanism. Vibration generators are characterized by the imbalance that is installed (referred to as "static moment" in technical circles) and by the maximal speed of rotation.
In order to achieve an optimal advance and good compacting, as a function of the goods to be driven in and of the soil properties, it is desirable to regulate the amplitude, frequency, or force direction of the vibration generator. It is practical if the adjustment of the vibration takes place by way of a change in the static moment or the phase position of the imbalances. When the vibration exciter is started up, the inherent frequency range of the soil is passed through. If the soil is excited in the resonance range, the amplitude of the soil vibration becomes very great, and this can result in damage to adjacent buildings. Therefore, no imbalances can be in effect when the vibration exciter is started up.
Known solutions such as planetary gear mechanisms or oscillating gear trains require a lot of space, are not well suited for high speeds of rotation, and produce a high noise level because of additional gear wheels.
To solve this problem, it was proposed in German Patent No. DE 41 18 069 A1 to use a rotary piston adjustment device for orienting imbalance masses. It was shown, however, that with such devices, such as a rotor oscillating motor, leakages occur after only a short period of time at the required high hydraulic pressures that must be guaranteed over a long period of time. This makes complicated control and regulation devices necessary, in order to keep the relative position of the imbalance masses constant.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

ABI Anlagentechnik-Baumaschinen-Industriebedarf Maschinenfabrik und Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH


The present invention relates to a closure strap for closing packages having a bag-shaped or tubular form, in particular for closing sausage-shaped packages, like sausages. The closure strap comprises a strap body including an elongated stripe portion having a first end and a second end, and an insertion portion having a first end, a second end and an insertion channel. The second end of the insertion portion is connected with the first end of the stripe portion. The second end of the stripe portion forms an insertion end for being inserted into the insertion channel of the insertion portion in an insertion direction. The second or insertion end of the stripe portion and the insertion channel have a substantially round cross section corresponding to each other.

The present invention relates to a closure strap for closing packages having a bag-shaped or tubular form, in particular sausage-shaped products, like sausages, according to claim 1.
In particular, the present invention relates to a closure strap for closing packages having a bag-shaped or tubular form, in particular for closing sausage-shaped products, like sausages. The closure strap comprises a strap body including an elongated stripe portion having a first end and a second end, and an insertion portion having a first end, a second end and an insertion channel, wherein the second end of the insertion portion is connected with the first end of the stripe portion. The second end of the stripe portion forms an insertion end for being inserted into the insertion channel of the insertion portion in an insertion direction.
In the practice, it is known to close packages having a tubular or bag-like form by gathering the casing or bag material, forming a neck portion and applying a closure means, like a closure strap, to said neck portion.
A closure strap of this kind for closing bags and the like is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,184. This known closure comprises a flat body having on its one end a generally circular part and a longitudinal band portion coupled to the circular part and extending to the second end of the flat body. The circular part of the closure strap comprises a slot extending vertically to the extension of the longitudinal band portion. Teeth form transversely aligned shoulders which are provided at the longitudinal edges of the band portion having a longitudinal slot provided between said shoulders. For closing a bag, the closure strap surrounds a gathered neck portion of said bag. The free end of the longitudinal band portion is inserted into the slot of the circular part the cross-section of which coincides with the cross-section of the band portion. By pulling the band portion through the slot, the teeth passing said slot, whereby they are pushed together about the width of the longitudinal slot in the band portion. After having passed the slot, the teeth spread back into their former position and engage the opposite side of the circular portion, thereby holding the closure strap in its closed configuration.
This known closure strap is of a substantially flat configuration with a relatively big width so that a relatively long neck portion has to be formed to the bag to be closed and the closing force provided by said closure strap has to act on said long neck portion, accordingly. To assure a save and reliable closing of said bag, a respectively high force has to be provided by said closure strap. Moreover, both ends of said closure strap, and in particular the free end of the longitudinal band portion having sharp edges, extend from the closed bag. In case of a relative strong strap material, other bags positioned adjacent to said strap may be damaged when made of a sensitive material and/or tightly filled.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a closure strap with which the above mentioned drawbacks can be overcome and with which a save and reliable closure of tubular or bag-shaped packages is assured without requiring much space.


An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a gate line on a substrate having a display region and a non-display region, wherein the non-display region is about a periphery of the display region and the gate line includes a gate pad disposed in the non-display region at one end of the gate line, a data line crossing the gate line, wherein the data line includes a data pad disposed in the non-display region at one end of the data line, a thin film transistor connected to the gate line and the data line, a passivation layer over the gate line and the data line, a pixel electrode on the passivation layer in the display region, a first conductive pattern on the passivation layer in the non-display region and an orientation film on the first conductive pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device and a fabricating method thereof.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Due to their small size, light weight, and low power consumption, flat panel display (FPD) devices have been the subject of much research in the field of information technology. Among the many types of FPD devices, liquid crystal display (LCD) devices having excellent color, resolution, and display characteristics are used in devices, such as notebook personal computers and desktop PCs. Generally, LCD devices include first and second electrode bearing substrates that are coupled to each other and spaced apart by a liquid crystal layer. LCD devices exploit optical anisotropy properties of the liquid crystal layer to display images. In particular, an electric field generated when a voltage is applied across the liquid crystal layer between an electrode of the first electrode bearing substrate and an electrode of the second electrode bearing substrate can selectively manipulate the light transmittance of the liquid crystal layer.
Among the various types of LCD devices, active matrix LCD (AM-LCD) devices are commonly used because of their high resolution and their superior ability to display moving images. In the AM-LCD device, pixel electrodes and a common electrode are formed on first and second substrates, respectively. The pixel electrodes each are respectively connected to a thin film transistor (TFT) and are disposed in a matrix. A vertical electric field generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode drives the liquid crystal layer for the pixel in response to a data signal switched through the TFT. The AM-LCD device has excellent light transmittance and high aperture ratio in displaying moving images.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a related art liquid crystal display device. As shown in FIG. 1, an LCD device has a first region "A" where images are displayed and a second region "B" where pads (not shown) connected to a driving circuit (not shown) are disposed. The driving circuit applies signals to the first region "A." In the first region "A," a gate electrode 11 of a conductive material, such as a metal, is formed on a first substrate 10. A gate insulating layer 12 of silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide (SiOx) covers the gate electrode 11. An active layer 13 of amorphous silicon is formed on the gate insulating layer 12 over the gate electrode 11. An ohmic contact layer 14 of impurity-doped amorphous silicon is formed on the active layer 13. Source and drain electrodes 15a and 15b of a conductive material, such as a metal, are formed on the ohmic contact layer 14. The source electrode 15a, drain electrodes 15b and gate electrode 11 are for connecting a TFT "T."
The gate electrode 11 and the source electrode 15a are connected to a gate line (not shown) and a data line (not shown), respectively. The gate line and the data line cross each other and pixel regions are defined between respective pairs of data lines and gate lines. A passivation layer 16 of silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxide (SiOx) or organic insulating material is formed on the source and drain electrodes 15a and 15b. The passivation layer 16 has a drain contact hole 16c exposing the drain electrode 15b. A pixel electrode 17 made of a transparent conductive material is formed on the passivation layer 16. The pixel electrode 17 is connected to the drain electrode 15b through the drain contact hole 16c. A first orientation film 18 is formed on the pixel electrode 17.
A second substrate 20 faces and is spaced apart from the first substrate 10. A black matrix 21 corresponding to the TFT "T" is formed on an inner surface of the second substrate 20. A color filter layer 22 is formed on the black matrix 21. The color filter layer 22 has red (R), green (G) and blue (B) colors that are alternately disposed. One color corresponds to one pixel region. A common electrode 23 mode of transparent conductive material is formed on the color filter layer 22. A second orientation film 24 is formed on the common electrode 23. A liquid crystal layer 30 is interposed between the first and second orientation films 18 and 24 that are made of an organic material including polyimide. The first and second orientation films 18 and 24 determine an initial alignment state of liquid crystal molecules.
The gate insulating layer 12, the passivation layer 16 and the first orientation film 18 extend into the second region "B" of the first substrate 10. The common electrode 23 and the second orientation film 24 extend into the second region "B" of the second substrate 20. Moreover, a seal pattern 40 is formed between the first and second orientation films 18 and 24 in the second region "B." The seal pattern 40 maintains a gap between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, and prevents leakage of the injected liquid crystal material from the LCD device.
Recently, an organic material with a low dielectric constant has been used as a passivation layer in LCD devices to increase the aperture ratio and/or the resolution of an LCD display. For example, photo-acryl is an organic material with a low dielectric constant that has been used. However, the polyimide used for the orientation films has poor adhesion to photo-acryl. Thus, the orientation films of polyimide curl up or peel away in the pad region of the LCD device where the seal pattern attaches to the orientation film to couple the substrates of the LCD device together. This inferiority will be illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in detail.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a portion of an array substrate for a related art liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III′ of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a portion of an array substrate where a gate line and a gate pad are disposed.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, gate lines 51 of a conductive material, such as a metal, are formed on a substrate along a first direction. One end of each gate line 51 is connected to a shorting bar 53, as shown in FIG. 2. Each gate line 51 has a gate pad 52 for applying a signal. The shorting bar 53 is made of the same material as the gate line 51 and extends along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A gate insulating layer 60 is formed on the gate lines 51. A passivation layer 70 of an organic material, such as photo-acryl, is formed on the gate insulating layer 60. The shorting bar 53 is formed below the passivation layer 70. A gate pad contact hole 71 exposing the gate pad 52 is formed in the passivation layer 70. A gate pad terminal 81 made of a transparent conductive material is formed on the passivation layer 70 and electrically connected to the gate pad 52 through the gate pad contact hole 71. The gate pad terminal 81 is simultaneously formed with a pixel electrode (not shown). An orientation film 90 made of polyimide is then formed on the gate pad terminal 81 and the passivation layer 70.
The adhesion between the passivation layer 70 and the orientation film 90 is poor. Thus, a defect resulting from the poor adhesion between the passivation layer 70 and the orientation film 90 will occur. More specifically, the orientation film 90 will curl up or peel away from the passivation layer, especially in the region of the LCD device where the seal pattern attaches to the orientation film to couple the substrates of the LCD device.

Array substrate for liquid crystal display device having conductive patterns and fabricating method thereof


A process is disclosed for the production of an optical thin film waveguide of TiO.sub.2 with an attenuation of <5 dB/cm on a planar inorganic substrate wherein the thin film waveguide is produced by a microwave plasma CVD process (PCVD).

The invention relates to a process for the production of a thin film optical waveguide of TiO.sub.2 with an attenuation of <5 dB/cm on a planar inorganic substrate.
Thin film waveguides on planar inorganic substrates are known per se. Thus, a method for producing the waveguides by sputtering is disclosed in Sov. J. Opt. Technol. 54(l), Jan. 1987, pages 22-24. However, the waveguides described therein exhibit a very high attenuation absorption loss of up to 8 dB/cm, which is unsatisfactory under practical conditions. A similar process has been described in JP-OS 3-28832 of Feb. 7, 1991. Processes for the production of waveguides, ranging from thin film vapor deposition methods via sputtering, dipping and centrifugal processes to CVD, diffusion, ion exchange, or ion implantation methods, are described in L. D. Hutcheson, Integrated Opt. Circuits and Components, M. Dekker, Inc., New York, 1987, pages 57-69.
Although TiO.sub.2 would be well suited as a material for thin film waveguides due to its physical and chemical properties--it has a very high refractive index, good chemical stability, and is very hard--no process for the production of a low-loss TiO.sub.2 thin film waveguide is known from the literature. The apparent reason for this is that TiO.sub.2 has a very strong tendency toward crystallization during its manufacture. Since scattering occurs on crystalline surfaces, evoking a strong absorption loss, the resultant product would suffer.

Process for the production of a thin film optical waveguide of TiO.sub.2


An apparatus includes an FFE circuit, including a clock generator creating multiple sub-rate phases of an input clock, and a multi-phase sampler responsive to a data signal and to the multiple sub-rate phases generated by the clock generator. The sampler is configured to sample the data signal and to generate held sample outputs corresponding to the multiple sub-rate phases. A SC equalization circuit in the FFE circuit has two states and is responsive to inputs from the multi-phase sampler output and the clock generator. The SC equalization circuit is configured to form outputs using the two states. A variable gain output stage in the FFE circuit is responsive to the outputs from the SC equalization circuit and is responsive to gain control signal(s) to provide variable gains to corresponding outputs of the SC equalization circuit to form equalized outputs based on the data signal.

This invention relates generally to circuits and, more specifically, relates to integrated switched-capacitor-based analog feed-forward equalizer circuits.
This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention disclosed below. Abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined below, at the beginning of the detailed description section.
High speed data transceivers are a key component of modern information technology systems, such as internet switch/routers and computer systems. To enable the performance of these systems to continue to grow, the data transmission rate of the transceivers has increased in recent years to 25 Gb/s and higher. In most high data rate line receiver applications, the dispersive effects of the transmission media, which is typically realized as some form of a differential transmission line, require line equalization to permit reliable recovery of the transmitted data. Approaches to realize line equalizer structures within the high speed data transceivers are desired.

Integrated switched-capacitor-based analog feed-forward equalizer circuits


Provided is a shield terminal connection structure and method, which are easy and simple, for connecting a terminal part of a tubular shielding member to a shield structure. A terminal part of a shielding member is inserted to the outside of a tubular part of a shield casing, and then, when a pair of fixing parts, which are placed on a bolt fastening base, are clamped and fixed with a bolt, the terminal part of the shielding member is pressed with the fixing so that a terminal pressing part of a clamping and fixing member is in a surface contact with the tubular part. Therefore, at the same time of clamping and fixing with the bolt, electric connection of the shielding member is also completed.

It is known that, in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle, electromagnetic waves will occur from electric wires of a large current and a high voltage which are connected to a mounted motor. Therefore, it is important to take electromagnetic wave shielding measures which can prevent the influence of the electromagnetic waves and also can prevent the influence of electromagnetic waves from outside. Patent Literature 1 discloses an example of the electromagnetic wave shielding measures. Next, the electromagnetic wave shielding measure is described.
In FIG. 6, a reference numeral 1 shows a braid (shielding member) which is formed in a tubular shape by braiding conductive metal wires. A plurality of electric wires 2 are inserted into the inside of the braid 1. The plurality of electric wires 2 are collectively covered with the braid 1. The plurality of electric wires 2, for example, are inserted into a hole 4 which is formed in a shield casing 3 (shield structure) of a motor. The shield casing 3 is a metal casing member which has conductivity. A shielding shell 5 has conductivity, and is fixed to the shield casing 3. A terminal part of the braid 1 and the shielding shell 5 are fixed when a crimp ring 6 is crimped.

Shield terminal connection structure and method


A chiral inorganic mesoporous material characterized by having a chiral twisted structure and being mesoporous; a process for producing the material; and a method of using the material. The process for inorganic mesoporous material production is a method in which one or more polymerizable inorganic monomers selected from the group consisting of polymerizable inorganic monomers and polymerizable inorganic monomers having a functional group capable of having a charge are polymerized in the presence of a solvent using as a template a self-assembly of a chiral surfactant such as an N-(higher alkanoyl)amino acid salt. Examples of the use of the inorganic mesoporous material include the separation of racemates and reaction fields for asymmetric syntheses.

The characteristic in which a pair of objects reflected in a mirror cannot be superimposed on its reflection such as a right hand and a left hand, is said that the object has chirality, and such a material is called a chiral material. Many chiral materials including various kinds of compounds constituting an living organism, sugar, DNA, amino acid, and protein are known in nature. Known examples of the chiral materials include a case where the chirality exists in a molecule itself, for example such as materials in which the chirality is due to the existence of an asymmetric carbon atom and a case where the chirality is based on the asymmetry of a whole molecule such as substituted allene. Further, there are materials in which chirality occurs due to the existence of an asymmetry in the three-dimensional structure of a molecule although the chirality does not exist in the molecule itself. For example, DNA is known to have a helical structure, and it is well known that the dextrality and sinistrality exist in this helical structure, thereby generating chirality. Further, a crystal of quartz is well known to have chirality based on the asymmetry of the crystal form.
Although organisms existing on the earth are made from chiral amino acids, and the importance of chirality in physiological activities is well known, it is very difficult to synthesize a chiral material selectively. Professor Noyori and others who discovered a process for synthesizing a chiral molecule catalytically from a non-chiral molecule received a Nobel Prize.
Because many physiologically active materials such as pharmaceuticals and agrichemicals are organic compounds, much research on the process of synthesizing the organic compounds stereo-selectively or on the asymmetric synthesis has been performed. However, the example of synthesizing a chiral inorganic material artificially is very rare, and only syntheses of zeolite having pores of a size of the order of atom and a zeolite-like material with a three-dimensional helical structure are reported (refer to Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3). A chiral inorganic material having mesoporous pores which can take in a bulky organic compound has never been known (refer to Non-Patent Document 4).
The inorganic material having a chiral pore is expected to be used as a reaction field for the synthesis of a chiral molecule from a non-chiral molecule and as a separation agent for extracting one chiral molecule from a racemate. And at the same time, the novel use due to the chirality itself is expected to be spread.
For example, nano-technology which has developed in recent years has provided many nano-scaled materials. Although the technologies such as nano-wires, nano-tubes, and a dendrimer have received attention as micro-functional materials utilizing functions of material in nano-scale, none of these materials have a chirality and only the function as a material has been targeted. When these nano-scaled materials have chirality, new functions due to the biospecific property and chirality are expected to be added, and the development of a chiral material is desired also in a nano-technology.
A variety of developments to produce a chiral inorganic material having ordered pores such as silica have been performed. For example, an optically active anionic surfactant such as N-acyl-L-alanine is reported to form a chiral nematic phase in the presence of a small amount of higher alcohol (refer to Non-Patent Documents 5 and 6). The inventors of the present invention have examined a process for synthesizing a chiral inorganic material having ordered pores using such a nematic phase as a template (refer to Non-Patent Document 7).    Non-Patent Document 1: Davis, M. E., Acc. Chem, Res., 26, 111-115 (1993)    Non-Patent Document 2: Gier, T. E., et. al., Nature, 395, 154-157 (1998)    Non-Patent Document 3: Wang, Y., et. al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 42, 4089-4092 (2003)    Non-Patent Document 4: Davis, M. E., Nature, 417, 813-821 (2002)    Non-Patent Document 5: Tracey, A. S. & Zhang, X., J. Phys. Chem., 96, 3889 (1992)    Non-Patent Document 6: Acharya, D. E., et. al., J. Oleo. Sci., 52, 407 (2003)    Non-Patent Document 7: Che, S., et. al., Nature Materials, 2, 801 (2003)

Inorganic mesoporous material having chiral twisted structure and process for producing the same


Described herein is a process for producing phenol in which (a) benzene and hydrogen are contacted with a hydroalkylation catalyst under hydroalkylation conditions to produce cyclohexylbenzene; (b) the cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with an oxidation catalyst under oxidation conditions to produce cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide; (c) the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is contacted with a cleavage catalyst under cleavage conditions to produce a cleavage effluent comprising phenol and cyclohexanone; (d) the cyclohexanone is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to produce a dehydrogenation effluent having at least a portion of the cyclohexanone and a first contaminant; and (e) the first contaminant is contacted with an acidic material under contaminant treatment conditions to convert at least a portion of the first contaminant into a converted first contaminant. Phenol compositions made from the above-described process are also described herein.

Phenol is an important product in the chemical industry and is useful in, for example, the production of phenolic resins, bisphenol A, ε-caprolactam, adipic acid, and plasticizers.
Currently, the most common route for the production of phenol is the Hock process. This is a three-step process in which the first step involves alkylation of benzene with propylene to produce cumene, followed by oxidation of the cumene to the corresponding hydroperoxide and then cleavage of the hydroperoxide to produce equimolar amounts of phenol and acetone.
However, the various steps involved in the production of phenol and acetone from cumene can produce various contaminants that are difficult to separate from the desired phenol and acetone products. Examples of these contaminants may include hydroxyacetone, mesityl oxide, 2-methylbenzofuran, acetophenone, alpha-methylstyrene, cumene, 2-phenylpropanal.
These contaminants, if left in the phenol product, may cause difficulties in downstream processing, or render the phenol unusable for such downstream processing, for example in the subsequent production of bis-phenols and polycarbonates. Therefore, techniques have been proposed to remove those contaminants involving certain treatments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,507 discloses obtaining high purity phenol from cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide through one or more amine treatment steps. The phenol mixture includes at least 0.5 wt % to no greater than 10 wt % of alpha-methylstyrene, and further includes acetol, 2-phenyl-propionaldehyde (2PPA), methyl-benzofuran (MBF), mesityl oxide (MO) and carbonyl impurities. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 3,322,651 discloses a method of producing phenol made by decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide. The phenol is purified by contacting the carbonyl compounds with a nitrogen compound.
The production of phenol from cyclohexylbenzene is an emerging technology, interesting in that it co-produces cyclohexanone rather than acetone. Cyclohexylbenzene can be produced, for example, by direct alkylation of benzene with cyclohexene, or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,513, by contacting benzene with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. The cyclohexylbenzene can then be oxidized to the corresponding hydroperoxide and the peroxide cleaved to phenol and cyclohexanone using an acidic cleavage catalyst.
One problem of producing phenol by way of the cleavage of cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is that the cyclohexanone and phenol produce an azeotropic mixture composed of 28 wt % cyclohexanone and 72 wt % phenol. Thus, any attempt to separate the cleavage effluent by simple distillation results in this azeotropic mixture. To obviate this problem it has been proposed to integrate the cyclohexylbenzene oxidation and cleavage process with a dehydrogenation step whereby at least part of the cyclohexanone is converted to additional phenol (see International Patent Publication No. WO2010/024975). Such a dehydrogenation step is generally achieved by contacting the cyclohexanone with a supported metal catalyst at a temperature of about 250° C. to about 500° C.
The production of phenol from cyclohexylbenzene also produces various contaminants that are difficult to separate from the desired products. However, the nature of those contaminants and the separations involved are significantly different than those involved in the conventional Hock process for phenol and acetone. For example, hydroalkylation of benzene produces significant amounts of, inter alia, cyclohexane and lesser amounts of methylcyclopentane, cyclohexene, phenylcyclohexene, and phenylcyclohexyldiene. Similarly, the oxidation of cyclohexylbenzene typically produces peroxide species alien to the Hock process, such as the desired cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-1-hydroperoxide (CHBHP), and undesired byproduct hydroperoxides such as cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-2-hydroperoxide, cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-3-hydroperoxide, and cyclohexyl-1-phenyl-4-hydroperoxide. Similarly, the cleavage of these various hydroperoxides produces, as both the product of the undesired hydroperoxides and the undesired byproducts of the desired CHBHP, a wide variety of contaminant species are not produced by the chemistry and technology of the Hock process. Similarly, the dehydrogenation of cyclohexanone to phenol typically produces various hydrocarbons such as hexanone, cyclohexenol and methylcyclopentenone.
That said, provided herein are methods for producing phenol and cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene and dehydrogenating a portion of the cyclohexanone into phenol. Further described are methods for managing the contaminants that are generated in the above-described process.
Advantageously, the methods described herein produce high-quality phenol compositions that are novel, useful and very different from those typically produced by conventional methods (e.g., the Hock process). The chemistry associated with cyclohexylbenzene as a starting material in the instant invention, and further the complete absence of cumene and its conversion products and byproducts, potentially provides a phenol composition with contaminants that are of a markedly different type and concentration than the conventional methods. These contaminants may be less problematic in further processing, e.g., to phenolic resins. Moreover, the contaminants produced in the processes described herein have lower volatility compared to contaminants produced by conventional methods, and therefore may be present in lower concentrations.

Dehydrogenation processes and phenol compositions


A self-aligning lens holder includes elements that register against an image sensor chip to align the holder and lens with the chip. The elements may deflect or deform. A corresponding method aligns the lens holder and a fisheye lens to the image sensor.

Modern mobile drive units in fulfillment facilities have an upwardly-facing camera that looks at the underside of its cargo or carrier, such as a pod, and a downwardly-facing camera that looks at fiducial markers on the floor. Mobile drive units use floor fiducials to navigate to various locations in fulfillment facilities. Mobile drive units use pod fiducials prior to actuating a pod to confirm that the correct pod is being moved.
Modern cameras include a solid state image sensor, such as CCD (charge coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) sensor in a single chip mounted on a circuit board. Typically, a lens over the sensor focuses the target image on the sensor.
Conventional assembly of an image sensor and lens on a circuit board can include installing the sensor chip of an assembly board by an automated pick and place machine using conventional surface mount technology. A conventional lens holder is placed about the sensor chip and screwed to the assembly board from the opposite side (that is, an upwardly facing camera would be screwed to the board through the underside of the board). The lens is affixed to the lens holder, such as via a threaded connection or interference fit.
In some conventional lens holder assemblies, a spring assembly preloads (that is, applies a force in a direction opposite a base of the lens holder) the lens to eliminate the thread backlash to maintain constant and desired focal distance. The spring assembly includes a flange plate or washer and a coil spring. The washer is located on the underside of a shoulder of the lens and the coil spring wraps around the shaft of the lens holder to push upwardly on the washer against a base of the lens holder to upwardly bias the lens in the cavity of the lens holder.
Coordination between top and bottom cameras enable the mobile drive unit to position itself under the pod using the fiducial targets. In a simplest configuration, the top and bottom cameras can be positioned at the same location in x-y coordinates such that the top and bottom cameras share a common vertical axis. However, it is difficult to locate the image sensors at the same x-y position on each side of a single printed circuit board due to circuit board layout constraints. Mounting each image sensor on a separate circuit board results in height increase and additional cost and complexity.

Self-aligning lens holder and camera assembly


A relative angle detection apparatus includes a first magnetometric sensor and a first voltage amplifier that output a signal corresponding to a relative rotation angle between a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft; a first amplifier circuit that amplifies the output signal of the first voltage amplifier; a second magnetometric sensor and a second voltage amplifier that output a signal that corresponds to the relative rotation angle; a second amplifier circuit that amplifies the output signal of the second voltage amplifier; a first resistor that is provided between the first amplifier circuit and a power supply terminal, or between the first amplifier circuit and a GND terminal; and a second resistor that is provided between the second amplifier circuit and the power supply terminal, or between the second amplifier circuit and the GND terminal.

The related art proposes a technology in which an electric power steering apparatus includes a torque sensor (a relative angle detection apparatus), and an electric motor is controlled based on a value detected by the torque sensor.
For example, the torque sensor disclosed in JP-A-2009-255645 has the following configuration. That is, the torque sensor is configured to have a torsion bar that coaxially connects an input shaft and an output shaft; a ring-shaped magnet that is attached to an end portion of the input shaft; a pair of magnetic yokes that are attached to an end portion of the output shaft; and a magnetometric sensor that detects magnetic flux density occurring in the magnetic yokes.

Relative angle detection apparatus and electric power steering apparatus


An electronic dispenser for dispensing measured perforated sheets from a roll of perforated web material includes a housing, and a roll carrier disposed in the housing to rotationally support the roll of perforated web material. An electrically driven feed mechanism is disposed in the housing to dispense the sheets of web material therefrom. The feed mechanism includes rollers defining a drafting zone through which the web material is conveyed. The web material is drawn in the drafting zone to an extent necessary to at least partially separate the web material along a perforation line prior to the perforation line passing through the drafting zone.

The present invention relates to a dispenser for a roll of web material, and particularly to an electric dispenser that automatically dispenses individual sheets from a roll of perforated web material.
A number of dispensing devices are well known in the art for dispensing and cutting rolls of web material such as paper toweling. With certain of these dispensers, the process of dispensing and cutting the web material is carried out automatically by a user pulling on the free "tail" end of the web material that extends from a dispensing slot in the apparatus. In a typical configuration, the web material is engaged against a rough friction-enhancing surface of a feed drum and the action of pulling the web tail causes the drum to rotate. The drum includes a drive mechanism and, after the initial pull on the web tail by a user, the drum is driven a predetermined rotational degree to dispense a metered amount of the material. A cam driven cutting mechanism may be provided in the rotating drum that pivots out of a slot in the drum to automatically cut the web at the proper length. The dispensers typically include a stored energy mechanism, such as an eccentric cam, that is spring loaded during the initial rotation of the feed drum, and causes the drum to continue to rotate after the web has been cut. This action causes an additional length of the web material to be feed out of the dispensing slot as the tail for the next dispensing sequence. These types of dispensers are commonly referred to as "no-touch" or "sanitary" dispensers because the user does not manually operate any portion of the drive or cutting mechanism and does not actually have to touch the dispenser. The user only touches the tail end of the web material.
Although effective, the conventional mechanical sanitary dispensers utilizing automatic mechanical cutting and feeding mechanisms can be relatively complicated from a mechanical component standpoint and expensive to manufacture and maintain. Also, some users have noted that such dispensers present an inordinate amount of resistance to pulling a towel from the dispenser. This may be particularly true when the initial pulling action by the user must also provide the force needed to load a spring of the automatic tail feeding mechanism. Thus, web materials with relatively high tensile strength must be used with such dispensers.
Advances have been made in the art relating to electronic sanitary towel dispensers as well. With such dispensers, the unit is typically activated upon detection of motion of a user's arm or hand. A motor is subsequently energized through a control circuit and power source to drive a feed roll and thus dispense a measured length of material. The user then grabs the exposed material and pulls it at some angle to the dispenser cover causing the sheet of material to separate on a cutting edge or serrated tear bar. The cycle is repeated for the next user.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,409 discloses an electronic dispenser wherein initially a full measured length of towel hangs out of the dispenser. A user grabs and separates the towel by pulling it against a tear bar. A force activated switch is configured with the tear bar that activates a dispenser motor through a power source and electronic circuit upon the user tearing the towel. The motor then drives a feed roll to deliver a full measured length of towel material outside of the dispenser cabinet where it hangs for the next user to grab and tear. WO 00/63100 describes an electronic dispenser with a similar operating principle. These dispensers have the disadvantage that the entire towel sheet hangs out of the dispenser prior to use. This is obviously not a sanitary or desirable condition.
Advances in paper making technology allow for relatively easy formation of perforations in sheet material, and a number of dispensers are known for dispensing rolled sheet material having spaced rows of preformed perforations. Such perforations weaken the sheet material, making it easier to separate an individual sheet from the remainder of sheet material. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,679 describes a motorized dispenser for dispensing sheets from a roll having spaced perforation lines. A sensor detects removal of a dispensed sheet before permitting a subsequent dispensing cycle, and also senses the leading edge of the sheet and meters the amount dispensed in order to maintain registration with the perforations. The user must grasp the dispensed sheet and tear the material along the perforation line.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,454 describes a dispenser wherein the sheet material is separated into individual segments by perforated tear lines which are shaped to incrementally pass through a nip formed by nip rollers due to a pulling force exerted on an end-most segment by a user. A drag force opposed to the pulling force is exerted on the sheet material by the nip rollers so that the tear line tears as it passes through the nip. Tearing along the perforated tear line is not completed until a portion of an adjacent segment is presented for pulling by a subsequent user.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,766977 describes a dispenser for dispensing individual sheets from a dispenser containing a source of sheet material having a plurality of spaced perforations. The dispenser includes at least one rotatable roller, a rotation monitor configured to monitor the amount of rotation of the roller to thereby determine the amount of sheet material traveling downstream from the roller, a perforation sensor for sensing perforations in the sheet material, and an outlet for dispensing sheet material. The amount of rotation of the roller is detected and the advancing of the sheet material is stopped when the roller rotates a first predetermined amount and a perforation is detected. The user must grasp the dispensed sheet and tear the material along the perforation line.
The perforated sheet material dispensers, such as those described above, have the disadvantage that the sheets are ultimately separated by the user grasping and pulling on the exposed sheet with sufficient force to separate the material along the perforation line. This necessitates structure and relatively complicated control circuitry to ensure that the perforation line is aligned or registered at a precise location with the housing, and for breaking rotation of the feed roller so that the necessary force is generated for tearing the material. Stretching or slipping of the web material, or tearing of the web material at a location other than at a perforation line, may prevent further operation of the dispenser.
The present invention relates to an improved electric dispenser for perforated sheet material that eliminates that addresses at least some of the drawbacks of conventional mechanical and electrical perforated sheet material dispensers.

Electric dispenser for dispensing sheets from a roll of perforated web material


In a method for operating high-pressure discharge lamps in a pulsed mode to improve the light properties thereof, gating pulses for the high-pressure discharge lamp are in the form of pulse groups of bipolar individual pulses with a pulse width of less than 100 .mu.s. The repetition frequency of the pulse groups is higher than 100 Hz at a duty cycle of less than 0.8 and the individual pulses have a frequency of more than 400 Hz at an arbitrary duty cycle. A sinusoidal keep alive current or direct current is applied to the lamp between the pulse groups. The individual pulses can be spike pulses.

It has been known for some time that the light parameters of discharge lamps can be improved significantly by supplying them with energy in a pulsed form. These methods have attracted particular attention in the gating of high-pressure sodium vapor lamps, for raising the color temperature of the lamps from about 2,000.degree. K. to more than 3,000.degree. K. At the same time, an improvement in the color reproduction is possible. German Patents 2,657,824 and 2,825,532 disclose this technique.
When operating sodium vapor discharge lamps which contain several metal vapors and use bipolar pulses, demixing phenomena are to be avoided.
Then nature of the gating pulses, their shape, pulse width, duty cycle, rise and height have a decisive influence on the light parameters to be attained. Preferably, relatively broad pulses (about 100 to 200 .mu.s) and duty cycles of about 0.2 are generally used, the repetition frequencies being less than 500 Hz, as described in the German Patent 3,636,901.
At frequencies above 500 Hz, the discharge system tends to produce resonance phenomena, which become evident in the form of severe arc instabilities and light yield losses (German Patent 3,122,183). It is also known to change the pulse geometry and the pulse shaping in such a way, when using electronic stabilizers, that the pulses have a rapid transition from the cooling domain into the state of a specified pulse output, an extended reaction time at this level and a rapid return to the state of the cooling phase. For the pulse shaping, a multisectional delay line, network, consisting of capacitative and inductive components, has been suggested. As is known from investigations, the optimum pulse width for sodium vapor discharge lamps lies between 100 .mu.s and 200 .mu.s, so that an appropriate electronic stabilizer would be a very expensive and bulky component when delay lines are used for shaping pulses.
The, generation of relatively wide pulses of appropriate height places high demands on the stabilizer technology, requiring large amounts of energy to be stored and switched.

Method for the pulsed mode of operation of high-pressure discharge lamps


A system for providing a seal between a housing and a shaft is formed of at least two ring members connected to each other by relative diametrical expansion with reduced or eliminated axial resilient deformation. The ring members may be held together by an annular protrusion located within a recess. To eliminate play between the protrusion and the recess, the device may be assembled by heating the recess and inserting the protrusion into the recess while the recess is expanded. The improved system can be accurately assembled, with the ring members located very close to each other. The system has improved oil retention and water exclusion properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for providing a seal between a shaft and a housing. In particular, the present invention relates to a dynamic seal device for preventing lubricant from leaking out of a housing and/or for preventing contaminants from traveling into the housing. The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a sealed system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art devices for sealing a rotating shaft are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,022,479 (Orlowski) and 5,024,451 (Borowski). Seal devices of this type may be used to prevent lubricant from escaping out of a bearing housing and/or to prevent contaminants from working their way into the housing. The prior art devices are formed of at least two ring-shaped members that rotate with respect to each other when the shaft is rotated. One of the members is fixed to the housing and does not rotate. The other member rotates with the rotating shaft.
The two ring members should be located very close together, particularly when the seal device is used to isolate the bearing from small particulate contaminants. Even small quantities of such contaminants are capable of significantly deteriorating the bearing. To prevent such contamination, the two relatively rotatable ring members must be held together very closely, with only a very narrow space therebetween.
The ring members of the Orlowski seal device are connected together by a separate securing means, not shown in the prior art patent. The ring members themselves have no means for establishing and maintaining a narrow spacing therebetween. Therefore, the prior art seal device cannot be manufactured as a unit with a preset, fixed spacing The spacing between the ring members has to be set when the seal device is installed into the housing. This leaves room for human error outside the control of the device manufacturer. In particular, the Orlowski device can be improperly installed, with the ring members located too far apart to perform satisfactorily.
The ring members of the Borowski device are held together by a bead and a groove provided on the ring members themselves. The bead fits within the groove with an interference fit. This arrangement is an improvement over the Orlowski system in the sense that no separate securing means is needed. But the Borowski device is still unsatisfactory because the bead must be resiliently deformed to be positioned within the groove, and the groove must be correspondingly enlarged to receive the deformed bead. The deformation of the bead during assembly makes it difficult to achieve the desired close positioning between the two ring members, as explained in more detail below.


In an embroidery data processing device, when a user selects one of embroidery patterns displayed on a pattern selecting screen of an LCD, a control device reads embroidery data of the selected embroidery pattern from a ROM or external ROM card. The control device compares size data in the embroidery data with size data of a sewing area. When the size data in the embroidery data is larger than the size data of the sewing area, a predetermined computing or operation is executed to convert the sewing data. As a result, the embroidery pattern formed on a workpiece cloth on the basis of the converted sewing data falls within the sewing area.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an embroidery data processing device provided, for example, in a sewing machine, for processing embroidery data used when an operation pertaining an embroidery pattern is executed by the sewing machine in relation to a predetermined working area.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has recently been provided a household embroidery machine storing data of a number of embroidery patterns such as pictures and letters. A desired one or more of the embroidery patterns are selected by a user so that the selected embroidery patterns are formed on a workpiece cloth. The embroidery machine is previously set with a maximum range according to which an embroidery pattern can be formed on the workpiece cloth. This maximum range will hereinafter be referred to as "sewing area." The embroidery machine forms an embroidery pattern on the workpiece cloth on the basis of embroidery data corresponding to each of the embroidery patterns. The embroidery data is stored in an internal memory such as ROM provided in the machine or an external memory medium such as an external memory card (hereinafter, "embroidery card") detachably attached to the sewing machine body.
The embroidery patterns include those of letters, for example, numerals, alphabet, Japanese kana-characters and Chinese characters, and those of frames used for hemming emblems or Wappen and for other purposes. The letter patterns can be enlarged and reduced freely to be formed on the workpiece cloth. On the other hand, picture patterns such as those of flowers, elephants and vehicles cannot be changed in their sizes. Accordingly, embroidery data of the picture patterns are defined so that embroidery patterns formed on the workpiece cloth on the basis of the embroidery data fall within the above-mentioned sewing area.
The sewing area of the embroidery machine has recently been rendered larger and larger. With this, embroidery data of larger picture patterns corresponding to the larger sewing area have commercially been supplied. Since the larger picture patterns cannot fall within the small sewing area of the conventional embroidery machine, a user thereof cannot use the embroidery data (embroidery card) of larger picture patterns.
On the other hand, the larger sewing area increases a manufacturing cost of the embroidery machine. Furthermore, some of the users do not necessitate such a large sewing area as those commercially available. Accordingly, provision of embroidery machines having smaller sewing areas than conventional machines has been proposed for the purposes of reducing the manufacturing cost thereof and meeting a variety of necessity of the users. In the case of the embroidery machine having a smaller sewing area, however, only the currently available embroidery data of small embroidery patterns falling within the small sewing area thereof can be used. This results in a problem that the embroidery data used by the users of the embroidery machines having small sewing areas is reduced.
In order that the embroidery data may be used in the embroidery machines irrespective of the sizes of the sewing areas, originating the embroidery data according to the size of the sewing area has been proposed. However, the origination of the embroidery data according to the size of the sewing area is troublesome and increases the manufacturing cost of the embroidery machine.

Embroidery data processing device for sewing machine