The disclosure describes a device for inflating and cutting a material web. The device can include a web advancement mechanism to advance a material web in a longitudinal path, an inflation mechanism for inserting a fluid into the material web to create one or more inflated pillows, a fluid inlet for providing the fluid to the inflation mechanism, and a cutting mechanism configured to cut the material web in the longitudinal path.

Many techniques have been used to pack items for shipping and absorb impacts during shipment to protect shipped items. Popular shipping protection methods include the use of foam "peanuts," molded foam components, formed paper, and molded pulp packaging components.
A technique that has gained recent popularity involves inflating pillows from a film material. This style of packaging allows low-volume, uninflated materials to be shipped to packers, who then inflate the raw material into a shock-absorbing packing material that easily fits around items to be packaged within a container. Customized pillow inflating machines may be used at client sites to provide on-site pillow manufacturing.
Several concerns have arisen regarding pillows as a packaging material. It is important for pillow manufacturing machines to be compact, reliable, and easy to operate. Further, pillows should be quickly manufactured and adequately sealed to reduce the likelihood of leaking or bursting. In addition, pillow manufacturing devices should produce as little waste as possible in the form of underinflated or uninflated pillows.

Packaging pillow device with upstream components


A lightweight, high power density, fault-tolerant fuel cell system, method, and apparatus for full-scale clean fuel electric-powered aircraft having a fuel cell module including a plurality of fuel cells working together to process gaseous oxygen from air compressed by turbochargers, superchargers, blowers or local oxygen supply and gaseous hydrogen from liquid hydrogen transformed by heat exchangers, with an electrical circuit configured to collect electrons from the plurality of hydrogen fuel cells to supply voltage and current to motor controllers commanded by autopilot control units configured to select and control an amount and distribution of electrical voltage and torque or current for each of the plurality of motor and propeller assemblies, wherein electrons returning from the electrical circuit combine with oxygen in the compressed air to form oxygen ions, then the protons combine with oxygen ions to form H2O molecules and heat.

Although reduced scale multirotor aircraft (sometimes called multi-copters) are not new, they have been reduced scale models not intended for the rigors or requirements of carrying human passengers, and are mostly used either as toys, or for limited-duration surveillance or aerial photography missions with motion being controlled by radio-control remotes, or for flying pre-planned routes. Most if not all are battery powered. For example, US Patent Application 20120083945 relates specifically to a reduced scale multi-copter, but does not address the safety, structural, or redundancy features necessary for an FAA-certified passenger-carrying implementation, nor any of the systems required to implement a practical, passenger-carrying vehicle with fault-tolerance and state-variable analysis, nor any way of generating its own power from fuel carried on-board. The dynamics and integrity requirements of providing a full-scale aircraft capable of safely and reliably carrying human passengers and operating within US and foreign airspace are significantly different that those of previous reduced scale models.
A large volume of personal travel today occurs by air. For destinations of more than 500 miles, it has historically been the fastest travel mode and, in terms of injuries per passenger mile, the safest. However, only about 200 hub and spoke airports exist within the US, placing much of the population more than 30 minutes away from an airport. Yet there are over 5,300 small control-towered regional airports, and over 19,000 small airfields with limited or no control towers throughout the US, placing more than 97% of the population within 15 to 30 minutes of an airfield. As many have noted before, this is a vastly under-utilized capability.
In the 21st Century, the opportunity is available to apply advanced technologies of the evolving National Airspace System (NAS) to enable more-distributed, decentralized travel in the three-dimensional airspace, leaving behind many of the constraints of the existing hub-and-spoke airport system, and the congestion of the 2-dimensional interstate and commuter highway systems.
Many large cities and metropolitan areas are virtually gridlocked by commuter traffic, with major arteries already at or above capacity, and with housing and existing businesses posing serious obstacles to widening or further construction. NASA, in its 'Life After Airliners' series of presentations (see Life After Airliners VI, EAA AirVenture 2003, Oshkosh, Wis. Aug. 3, 2003, and Life After Airliners VII, EAA AirVenture 2004, Oshkosh, Wis. Jul. 30 2004) and NASA's Dr. Bruce Holmes (see Small Aircraft Transportation System—A Vision for 21st Century Transportation Alternatives, Dr. Bruce J. Holmes, NASA Langley Research Center. 2002) make the case for a future of aviation that is based on the hierarchical integration of Personal Air Vehicles (PAV), operating in an on-demand, disaggregated, distributed, point-to-point and scalable manner, to provide short haul air mobility. Such a system would rely heavily on the 21st century integrated airspace, automation and technology rather than today's centralized, aggregated, hub-and-spoke system. The first, or lowest tier in this hierarchical vision are small, personal Air Mobility Vehicles or aircraft, allowing people to move efficiently and simply from point-to-any-point, without being restricted by ground transportation congestion or the availability of high-capability airports. Key requirements include vehicle automation, operations in non-radar-equipped airspace and at non-towered facilities, green technologies for propulsion, increased safety and reliability, and en-route procedures and systems for integrated operation within the National Airspace System (NAS) or foreign equivalents. Ultimate goals cited by NASA include an automated self-operated aircraft, and a non-hydrocarbon-powered aircraft for intra-urban transportation. NASA predicts that, in time, up to 45% of all future miles traveled will be in Personal Air Vehicles.
Therefore, a full scale multi-copter implementation that finds applications for commuting, for recreation, for inter-city transportation, for industrial, for delivery, or for security and surveillance applications among others with or without human passengers on board, based on state-of-the-art electric motor and electronics and computer technology with high reliability, safety, simplicity, and redundant control features, with on-board capability to generate its own electrical power (as opposed to simply consuming energy previously stored in electro-chemical batteries), coupled with advanced avionics and flight control techniques is described.
Generally, although reduced scale multirotor aircraft (sometimes called multi-copters) are not new, they have been reduced scale models not intended for the rigors or requirements of carrying human passengers. As a result, these devices generally rely upon simplistic power production systems that include basic batteries, heat sinks, and electric motors but lack the radiators, fluids (often referred to as coolant), cooling fans, or monitoring devices for cooling systems that passenger carrying powered vehicles commonly provide.
The dynamics and integrity requirements of providing a full-scale aircraft capable of safely and reliably carrying human passengers are significantly different that those of reduced scale models. Such a vehicle requires state-of-the-art electric motors, electronics and computer technology with high reliability, safety, simplicity, and redundant control features, with on-board capability to generate electrical power, coupled with advanced avionics and flight control techniques. Generating and distributing electrical power aboard the aircraft presents several challenges including inefficient performance and consumption of resources, pollution, greater cost, greater weight or space consumption, restrictions on vehicle configuration, and unwanted vehicle component complexity and redundancy.
Generating electrical power using a fuel cell is an attractive alternative, but the demands of aircraft make current fuel cell technology difficult to implement in a practical manner. Generally, a fuel cell is an electrochemical cell of a variety of types that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidizing agent into electricity directly through chemical reactions, most often, a pair of redox reactions. Two chemical reactions in a fuel cell occur at the interfaces of three different segments or components: the electrolyte and two electrodes, the negative anode and the positive cathode respectively. A fuel cell consumes the fuel with the net result of the two redox reactions producing electric current which can be used to power electrical devices, normally referred to as the load, as well as creating water or carbon dioxide and heat as the only other products. A fuel, for example hydrogen, is supplied to the anode, and air is supplied to the cathode. A catalyst at the anode causes the fuel to undergo oxidation reactions that generate ions (often positively charged hydrogen ions or protons) and negatively charged electrons, which take different paths to the cathode. The anode catalyst, usually fine platinum powder, breaks down the fuel into electrons and ions, where the electrons travel from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit, creating a flow of electricity across a voltage drop, producing direct current electricity. The ions move from the anode to the cathode through the electrolyte. An electrolyte that allows ions, often positively charged hydrogen ions (protons), to move between the two sides of the fuel cell. The electrolyte substance, which usually defines the type of fuel cell, and can be made from a number of substances like potassium hydroxide, salt carbonates, and phosphoric acid. The ions or protons migrate through the electrolyte to the cathode. At the cathode, another catalyst causes ions, electrons, and oxygen to react. The cathode catalyst, often nickel, converts ions into waste, forming water as the principal by-product. Thus, for hydrogen fuel, electrons combine with oxygen and the protons to produce only generated electricity, water and heat.
Fuel cells are versatile and scalable and can provide power for systems as large as power stations or locomotives, and as small as personal electronic devices or hobby drones. The fuel and the electrolyte substance define the type of fuel cell. A fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen or another fuel to cleanly and efficiently produce electricity. Fuel cells create electricity chemically, rather than by combustion, so they are not subject to certain thermodynamic laws that limit a conventional power plant (e.g. Carnot Limit). Therefore, fuel cells are most often more efficient in extracting energy from a fuel than conventional fuel combustion. Waste heat from some cells can also be harnessed, boosting system efficiency still further.
Some fuel cells need pure hydrogen, and other fuel cells can tolerate some impurities, but might need higher temperatures to run efficiently. Liquid electrolytes circulate in some cells, which require pumps and other additional equipment that decreases the viability of using such cells in dynamic, space restricted environments. Ion-exchange membrane electrolytes possess enhanced efficiency and durability at reduced cost. The solid, flexible electrolyte of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells will not leak or crack, and these cells operate at a low enough temperature to make them suitable for vehicles. But these fuels must be purified, therefore demanding pre-processing equipment such as a "reformer" or electrolyzer to purify the fuel, increasing complexity while decreasing available space in a system. A platinum catalyst is often used on both sides of the membrane, raising costs. Individual fuel cells produce only modest amounts of direct current (DC) electricity, and in practice, require many fuel cells assembled into a stack. This poses difficulties in aircraft implementations where significant power generation is required but space and particularly weight must be minimized, requiring a more efficient method to implement the relevant chemical reaction, electromagnetic, and thermodynamic principles in a variety of settings and conditions to achieve viable flight performance.

Lightweight high power density fault-tolerant fuel cell system, method and apparatus for clean fuel electric aircraft


A character data input method for an information processing system. Image information on a form which has only a format and on which no data is recorded is read from an input unit for inputting image information. A plurality of input areas in which data is recorded is prescribed by utilizing this image information. Image information on the same form on which data is recorded is thereafter read from the input unit. The format and data are discriminated from image information on the form on which data is recorded based on the recognized character pattern and border pattern of the format and the information prescribing the data input areas to recognize a character pattern in each data input area.

This invention relates to a technical field in which character data written on a chit or register slip is processed with a computer, and, more particularly, to a system for inputting character data without using any special form for an optical character reader (hereinafter referred to as an OCR).
Conventionally, OCRs are used to input character data on chits or register slips. For OCRs, a special register slip is utilized such that format information (borders, ruled lines and entry space names in this case, although borders, ruled lines, entry space names and the relationship between entry spaces are usually included) is dropped out at the time of inputting so as to read character data alone. A system has also been developed in which characters on a register slip can be read without using such a special register slip. For example, in the system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open S60-160486, pattern data corresponding to one line of characters and mating character borders recorded on a register slip is stored in a memory, and a character border pattern is detected from the memory based on the character border data to cut out a character pattern with respect to each character, thereby effecting character recognition. This conventional system entails problems described below.
In this system, although the need for a special register slip has been eliminated, character data not surrounded by borders, character data which is underlined and character data recorded inside borders rounded at space corners, which are commonly seen in ordinary register slips, cannot be recognized correctly. Further, if one input area includes a plurality of lines as in the case of ordinary register slips, recognition must be effected with respect to each line.
Also, there is a need to solve the problem of a register slip being shifted or inclined when it is input, and the problem of border lines on a register slip being shifted when the register slip is being copied.
Conventionally, values of sum spaces or the like on a register slip are directly read from the slip, but it is necessary for the user to confirm, by calculation, whether they are correctly read. There is also a need to check the conformity between a set of particular data items, such as client's names and client codes or commodity names and commodity codes, related to each other by codes.

Hitachi Software Engineering Company, Ltd.


A method of estimating a longitudinal magnetic relaxation T1 time for a region of a subject. The method includes providing a computer with at least two magnetic resonance (MR) images of the region of the subject that were respectively acquired at different times after the generation of a preparation pulse during a MR pulse sequence; in said computer, analyzing said at least two MR images in order to obtain, from the same location in each of the MR images, a pixel value, wherein each of the pixel values and the time at which their respective MR image was acquired form a data point; and in said computer, fitting the data points to a model representing said longitudinal magnetic relaxation by varying a single adjustable parameter to estimate the T1 time constant for the region of interest, wherein the single adjustable parameter represents a T1 time constant within the model.

T1 relaxation time constant, also known as the spin-lattice or longitudinal relaxation time, is a measure of how fast the nuclear spin magnetization returns to its equilibrium state after an excitation pulse. T1 is a key source of soft tissue contrast in MRI.
Estimating T1 times and using the T1 times to generate a T1 map of an examination area provides a useful tool for a medical professional to identify diseases, lesions and abnormalities in soft tissue that affect T1. T1 mapping is useful to characterize diffuse or infiltrative myocardial diseases, including cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and amyloidosis.
T1 mapping, and in particular cardiac T1 mapping or myocardial T1 mapping, may be performed using specific MR pulse sequences.
One such MR pulse sequence is commonly known as the MOdified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) which may be used for myocardial T1 mapping. In an example MOLLI sequence, an inversion pulse is generated and followed by the acquisition of five images. The five images are acquired during the diastolic period of the cardiac cycle within five successive heartbeats. The diastolic period is the phase of the heartbeat when the myocardium relaxes to allow the chambers of the heart to fill with blood. After the acquisition of the five images, there is a rest period of three heartbeats, before the sequence is repeated for three heartbeats. The inversion pulse and the image acquisitions are electrocardiogram, ECG, triggered meaning that a cardiac event as measured by an ECG apparatus triggers the generation of the inversion pulse and the image acquisitions.
Here, an "inversion pulse" means a 180 degrees excitation pulse that acts to flip the initial longitudinal magnetization of a subject's tissue to point opposite to the direction of the main (e.g. static) magnetic field.
The resultant images may then be sorted in ascending order with respect to the time after the generation of the inversion pulse, the inversion time (TI), and the signal intensity in each pixel of the image may be fit onto an apparent T1 recovery curve during a T1 fitting process. The apparent T1 recovery curve may follow a three-parameter model S(t)=A−B exp (−t/T1*) where S(t) is the signal intensity at time t after application of the inversion pulse. A, B and T1*are the parameters to be estimated by the curve fitting. T1* is the apparent recovery time rather than the actual recovery time T1. T1 can be calculated by applying the correction T1=T1*×((B/A)−1). In some examples, the correction T1=T1*×((B/A)−1)/C may be applied where C is an inversion factor of the inversion pulse. After computing the T1 time for each pixel, a T1 map for the region of interest may be generated.
Another such specialized pulse sequence is commonly known as the SAturation-recovery-Single-SHot Acquisition (SASHA) which may also be used for myocardial T1 mapping. SASHA is also ECG triggered, and within each cardiac cycle during the SASHA sequence, a saturation pulse is generated followed by an image acquisition. In SASHA, each of the images is acquired at the same point in the cardiac cycle, but with different times after the application of the saturation pulse.
Here, a saturation pulse refers to a 90 degrees excitation pulse that acts to tip the initial longitudinal magnetization of a subject's tissue into the transverse magnetization plane.
The resultant images may then be sorted in order of increasing time after the application of the saturation pulse and the signal intensity in each pixel of the image may be fit onto a T1 recovery curve during a T1 fitting process. The T1 recovery curve may follow a three-parameter model S(t)=A−B exp (−t/T1) where S(t) is the signal intensity at time t after application of the saturation pulse. A, B and T1 are the parameters to be estimated by the curve fitting. After computing the T1 for each pixel, a T1 map for the region of interest may be generated. A two-parameter model S(t)=A(1−2 exp (−t/T1)) may also be used.
Another such specialized pulse sequence is commonly known as the Saturation-Pulse Prepared Heart-rate independent Inversion-REcovery (SAPPHIRE) which may also be used for myocardial T1 mapping. SAPPHIRE is also ECG triggered, and within each cardiac cycle during the SAPPHIRE sequence, a saturation pulse is generated followed by an inversion pulse and an image acquisition. In SAPPHIRE, each of the images is acquired at the same point in the cardiac cycle, but with different times after the application of the saturation pulse and inversion pulse.
The resultant images may then be sorted in order of increasing time after the application of the saturation pulse and the signal intensity in each pixel of the image may be fit onto a T1 recovery curve during a T1 fitting process. The T1 recovery curve may follow a three-parameter model S(t)=A(1−B (2−exp (−Tsatinv/T1)) exp(−t/T1) where S(t) is the signal intensity at time t after application of the saturation pulse. Tsatinv is the time between the saturation and the inversion pulse. A, B and T1 are the parameters to be estimated by the curve fitting. After computing the T1 for each pixel, a T1 map for the region of interest may be generated. A two-parameter model S(t)=A(1−(2−exp (−Tsatinv/T1)) exp(−t/T1) may also be used.
It is an object of the present disclosure to improve or at least provide alternatives to existing approaches for estimating T1 times using MR images.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of estimating a longitudinal magnetic relaxation time, T1, constant for a region of a subject, the method comprising:                obtaining at least two magnetic resonance, MR, images of the region of the subject, the MR images being acquired at different times after the generation of a preparation pulse during a MR pulse sequence;        obtaining, from the same location in each of the MR images, a pixel value, wherein each of the pixel values and the time at which their respective MR image was acquired form a data point        fitting the data points to a model representing said magnetic relaxation by varying a single adjustable parameter to estimate the T1 time constant for the region of interest, wherein the single adjustable parameter represents the T1 time constant within the model.
Preferably, the method includes providing a plurality of different models representing said magnetic relaxation which differ according to a respective value of the single adjustable parameter employed therein and wherein said fitting the data points to a model comprises selecting a model which provides the best fit from amongst the plurality of different models.
Fitting the data points to the model may comprise calculating an optimal value of the single adjustable parameter to be employed in the model.
The method may comprise estimating a plurality of T1 times, wherein each of the T1 times is for a different location in the MR images, and wherein the method may comprise, for each of the different locations in the MR images:                obtaining, from the location in each of the MR images, a pixel value wherein each of the pixel values and the time at which their respective MR image was acquired form one of the data points; and        fitting the data points to the model.
The method may further comprise generating a T1 map using the estimated plurality of T1 times.
The model may be of the form
            S                    (        t        )              =          A      -              Be                  -                      Ct                          T                                                                                1                                            ,wherein t is the time after the generation of the preparation pulse, and wherein A, B, and C are constants.
The constant B may comprise a measure of the efficiency of the preparation pulse. The measure of the efficiency of the preparation pulse may be an inversion factor if the preparation pulse is an inversion pulse and may be a saturation factor if the preparation pulse is a saturation pulse. The inversion or saturation factor may be measured or may be calculated using Bloch simulations.
Fitting the data points to the model may comprise:                obtaining a dictionary comprising a plurality of dictionary entries, each dictionary entry being a potential solution to the model, the dictionary being generated by inputting a range of T1 values into the model; and        searching the dictionary entries to find the optimal solution to the model for the data points, and using the optimal solution to estimate the T1 time for the data points.
Searching the dictionary entries to find the optimal solution for the data points may comprise searching two or more of the dictionary entries in parallel using a parallel processor.
Searching the dictionary entries to find the optimal solution for the data points may comprise searching through all of the dictionary entries in the dictionary to find the optimal solution.
During the searching of the dictionary entries, the pixel values of the data points may be scaled to each dictionary entry.
The range of T1 values may be between a minimum T1 value of greater than or equal to 50 ms and a maximum T1 value of less than or equal to 10000 ms.
The range of T1 values may increase in increments of between 0.01 ms and 100 ms between the minimum and maximum T1 values.
The preparation pulse may be an inversion pulse or a saturation pulse.
Prior to performing the fitting, the method may comprise correcting for motion between the MR images. The motion may be corrected for using an image registration algorithm or may use navigator signals during the MR pulse sequence.
Prior to performing the fitting, the method may comprise processing the MR images to recover information on the signal polarity of the longitudinal magnetization at the time of the image acquisition.
Processing the MR images to recover information of the signal polarity may comprise performing a phase sensitive inversion recovery process on the MR images.
The method may be performed by a processor. The processor may be a central processor unit (CPU) or a graphics processor unit (GPU). The processor may be a parallel processor.
The region of the subject may be or comprise all or part of the subject's heart. The region of the subject may thus be a myocardial region of the subject. The determined T1 time constant may thus be a determined T1 time for tissue within the myocardial region of the subject. In examples, where multiple T1 time constants are determined and used to generate a T1 map, the T1 map may be a myocardial T1 map.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer readable medium having instructions recorded thereon on which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described above in relation to the first aspect of the disclosure.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for performing the method as described above in relation to the first aspect of the disclosure. The apparatus may be a magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus.

Method of processing MR images to estimate a longitudinal relaxation time constant


The invention relates to a method for producing bent spring rails from an endless spring band. The method is characterized by the following steps: continuous bending of a section of spring band; cutting the bent section of spring band into a spring rail; discontinuous reverse bending to reduce the internal stresses of the bent, cut-to-length spring rail by subjecting the spring rail to at least one reverse bending force and/or heat-treating the cut-to-length spring rails, the heat treatment being a low-temperature treatment in this case, preferably at a temperature of less than 200 *C.

The invention relates to a method for producing bent spring rails from an endless, or continuous, spring band or strip. The invention further relates to a bending apparatus to perform this procedure.
Spring rails of this type form the support for flat-bar windshield wipers specifically for motor vehicles. In the case of these flat-bar windshield wipers, the support, in the form of one or even more, specifically two, strip-like, elongate spring rails, ensures optimal distribution of the pressure exerted by a wiper arm on the wiper blade against a windshield glass to be wiped. To achieve this, the support is bent accordingly in its unloaded state when the wiper blade is not resting against the windshield glass with a specified curvature. The section of the spring rail, or the spring rail, can have a constant cross-section or one which varies in the longitudinal direction. The support for a flat wiper blade of this type replaces the complex yoke construction such as is known from DE 15 05 397 A1, with two spring rails located at the wiper rubber and not pre-curved in the unloaded state.

Method for producing bent spring rails from an endless spring band


Construction is achieved that is capable of ensuring reliability of a learned value for a step position of a stepping motor 24 which becomes the criterion for the transmission gear ratio control of a toroidal continuously variable transmission 4 without losing opportunities for learning more than necessary even when the ignition switch is turned OFF during learning of the step position. The controller 11 determines the ON/OFF state of the ignition switch 33, and when it is determined that the ignition switch 33 is in the OFF state, the controller 11 prevents learning control from being executed. The state in which the rpm of the engine 1 is dropping from after the ignition switch 33 is turned OFF is eliminated from being an object of learning control for learning the step position, such that erroneous learning is prevented, while the state in which the rpm of the engine 1 becomes stable after the ignition switch 33 is turned ON is not eliminated.

Toroidal continuously variable transmissions that are used as automatic transmissions for automobiles are disclosed in many publications such as JP 2001-317601 (A) and "Toroidal CVT", Hirohisa Tanaka, Corona Publishing Co., Ltd. (Jul. 13, 2000), and such transmissions are well known and are partially being put into use. This kind of toroidal continuously variable transmission includes an input-side disk and an output-side disk that are such that the side surfaces in the axial direction thereof that face each other are toroid shaped curved surfaces, and a plurality of power rollers that is held between these disks. During operation, the rotation of the input-side disk is transmitted to the output-side disk by way of the power rollers. These power rollers are supported by support members such as trunnions so as to be able to rotate freely, and these support members are supported so as to be able to freely pivot and displace around pivot shafts that are located offset from the center axis of the input-side and output-side disks such that the pivot shafts and the center axis do not lie in the same plane. When changing the transmission gear ratio between the input-side and output-side disks, a hydraulic actuator causes the support members to displace in the axial direction of the pivot shafts. Supply and discharge of hydraulic oil to and from this actuator is controlled by a control valve, however, at the same time, the movement of the support members is fed back to the control valve.
When the support members are caused to displace in the axial direction of the pivot shafts based on the supply and discharge of hydraulic oil to and from the actuator, the direction of the force in the tangential direction that acts at the areas of contact (traction sections) between the circumferential surfaces of the power rollers and the side surfaces of the input-side and output-side disks changes, and side slipping occurs in the areas of rolling contact. As the direction of this force changes, each of the support members pivots (inclines) around the respective pivot shaft, and the locations of contact between the circumferential surfaces of the power rollers and the side surfaces of the input-side and output-side disks change. When the circumferential surfaces of these power rollers come in rolling contact with the portion of the input-side disk that is near the outside in the radial direction and the portion of the output-side disk that is near the inside in the radial direction, the transmission gear ratio between the input-side and output-side disks is on the accelerating side. On the other hand, when the circumferential surfaces of these power rollers come in rolling contact with the portion of the input-side disk that is near the inside in the radial direction and the portion of the output-side disk that is near the outside in the radial direction, the transmission gear ratio between the input-side and output-side disks is on the decelerating side.
When this kind of toroidal continuously variable transmission device is assembled in an automatic transmission of an automobile, construction in which the continuously variable transmission is combined with a differential gear unit such as a planetary gear mechanism has been proposed. JP 2003-307266 (A) discloses a continuously variable transmission device in which the input shaft is rotated in one direction, and the rotating state of the output shaft is switched between a forward rotating state and a reverse rotating state with the stopped state (so-called gear-neutral state) in between. In the case of this kind of continuously variable transmission device, in the so-called low-speed mode state, the transmission gear ratio of the overall continuously variable transmission device changes to become infinitely large. In other words, by adjusting the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission, while the input shaft remains in a state of rotating in a single direction, the rotating state of the output shaft can be changed between a forward rotating state and reverse rotating state with a stopped state in between. In the case of a continuously variable transmission device that is capable of achieving an infinitely large transmission gear ratio, the transmission gear ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission is such that near a value where it is possible to achieve a stopped state of the output shaft (geared neutral point, GN point), the state of the power that is transmitted to the output shaft greatly changes even when this transmission gear ratio is changed only a little. Therefore, control of the transmission gear ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission must be performed with high precision.
For example, when the automobile is in the stopped state and the shift lever is moved from a non-moving state such as the P range (parking position) or N range (neutral position) to a moving state such as the D range (normal forward position), L range (high drive forward position) or R range (reverse position), a suitable driving force in the forward or reverse direction is quickly generated and it is necessary to keep the vehicle in the stopped state by a braking force caused by operating the brake pedal. Therefore, in a state in which the shift lever has selected a non-moving state, the transmission gear ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission must be strictly controlled at a value at which it is possible to achieve a state of an infinitely large transmission gear ratio. Supposing that the transmission gear ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission shifts a large amount from a value at which it is possible to achieve an infinitely large transmission gear ratio, and the shift lever has selected a moving state, there is a possibility that a driving force that is greater than anticipated (creep force) will be transmitted and the vehicle will begin to move, or that a driving force in a direction opposite that intended by the operator will be transmitted.
On the other hand, there is a large number of parts assembled in a toroidal continuously variable transmission, and the dimensional precision and assembly precision of many of those parts have an effect on the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission. Therefore, it is feasible that individual differences will occur in the transmission gear ratio of toroidal continuously variable transmissions that are capable of achieving a state of an infinitely large transmission gear ratio that is found through design calculation. Moreover, it is also feasible that the characteristics of a transmission gear ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission that is capable of a state of an infinitely large transmission gear ratio will change due to changes over time of the components that are used for long periods of time (slight plastic deformation).
On the other hand, JP 2004-308853 (A) discloses giving a learning function to a controller for learning the step position of a stepping motor, in which with the shift lever selecting a non-moving state as a condition, the output shaft is stopped with the input shaft rotating as is. More specifically, with the shift lever selecting a non-moving state as a condition, the rpm of the input-side disk and the rpm of the output-side disk of a toroidal continuously variable transmission are detected by respective rotation sensors. The controller finds the rotational speed of the output shaft in a non-moving state based on the actual transmission gear ratio that is obtained from the rotational speeds of the input-side disk and output-side disk (rotational speed of the input-side disk/rotational speed of the output side disk), and the transmission gear ratio of a planetary gear transmission. The controller then adjusts the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission by adjusting the step position (driving amount) of the stepping motor so that the rotational speed of the output shaft is "0". The controller learns the step position for the state where the rotational speed of the output shaft is "0", then stores that step position in the controller memory to complete learning control. The controller controls the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission with the adjusted step position (learned value) as a reference. As a result, it becomes possible to control the transmission gear ratio with high precision without being affected by individual differences in or changes over time of the components of the toroidal continuously variable transmission.
However, in the case of the control method related to learning the step position that was conventionally considered, there is a possibility that when the driver turns OFF the ignition switch (ignition key) during learning of the step position, the controller will no longer be able to accurately learn the step position. In other words, when the user turns OFF the ignition switch in order to stop the engine from running (operating), the engine rotational speed drops over a certain period of time, although it is a short period of time. The speed of this drop is fast, so in this state, there is a possibility that the drop in the rotational speed of the input-side and output-side disks will not be synchronized with each other. Therefore, there is a possibility that the transmission gear ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission, which is calculated from the rotational speeds of the input-side and output-side disks, will be off from the value of the actual transmission gear ratio. When learning of the step position continues in a state such as this in which it is not possible to accurately calculate the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission, a problem occurs in that the obtained learned value is off from a suitable position for stopping the output shaft, and the step position will be incorrectly learned.
Moreover, when the rotation of the engine (crankshaft) is transmitted as is to the input-side disk, it is feasible, as a way to reduce costs, to omit the input-side rotation sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the input-side disk, and calculate the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission using a signal from an engine controller that expresses the engine rotational speed. However, in this case, it is also possible that at the same time that the driver turns OFF the ignition switch, the signal that expresses the engine rotational speed will no longer be obtainable, so it will become difficult to accurately calculate the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission. Therefore, there is a possibility that the obtained learned value will be off from a suitable position for stopping the output shaft.
When the ignition switch is turned OFF in this way during learning of the step position, there is a possibility that the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission will not be able to be calculated accurately regardless of the calculation method used for calculating the transmission gear ratio of the toroidal continuously variable transmission. As a result, there is a possibility that transmission gear ratio control will start in a state in which the step position of the stepping motor is off from the accurate position for stopping the output shaft, so not only is there a possibility that the feeling when shifting will be impaired, but in the worst case, there is also a possibility that the vehicle will move in a direction opposite the position selected by the shift lever.
On the other hand, learning of the step position can only be executed when the engine is running, so, it is possible to simply add the condition that the engine rotational speed is not "0" (zero), or the condition that the engine rotational speed is higher than a specified rotational speed to conditions for allowing learning of the step position. However, in this case as well, even though there is a possibility that the occurrence frequency of the problem described above can be reduced, learning of the step position is executed while the engine rotational speed goes from the idling speed (for example 800 rpm) to "0", or while the engine rotational speed drops from the idling speed to a specified rotational speed or less (for example, when the specified rotational speed is set to 500 rpm, range D in FIG. 4), so basically the problem described above cannot be solved.
Furthermore, by setting the specified rotational speed to a value close to about 90% of the idling speed, it is feasible that the time that the conditions for allowing learning of the step position may be satisfied while the engine rotational speed drops after the ignition switch is turned OFF will be reduced, and that the learning time leading to erroneous learning will be shortened. In this case, it is possible to reduce the occurrence frequency of the problem described above, however, the idling speed fluctuates depending on the temperature of the engine coolant and the like, so there is a possibility that the conditions for allowing learning will not be satisfied even though the ignition switch is ON and the engine rotational speed has not dropped and is within the original range of being an object of learning control, and thus there is a possibility that a new problem will occur in which opportunities for learning are lost more than necessary, and that the frequency that learning control is performed will be reduced more than necessary.

Continuously variable transmission device


A water-proof connector includes a main body with a terminal accommodating chamber provided therein, a pair of covers integrally formed through a hinge on both the sides of the rear portion of the main body which becomes the insertion side of the electric wire with the terminal adhering on it, a concave portion for forming the electric wire through opening and provided in a closed condition converging towards the respective tip end portions of the cover, a rubber sealing material mounted on the inner face of each cover to adhere on the electric wire near the tip end portion, and engaging elements in a cover closed condition.

The present invention generally relates to a water-proof connector to be used for a wire harness or the like for motorcar use, and more particularly, to a water-proof mechanism, provided integrally with a connector main body, on an electric wire insertion side in a connector for accommodating a terminal adhered under pressure on the electric wire.
Conventionally, in a connector for accommodating, in a terminal accommodating chamber formed therein, a terminal adhered under pressure on this type of electric wire, a rubber plug 3 is mounted on the tip end portion of an electric wire W with a terminal 1 adhering under pressure against it as shown in FIG. 5 so as to effect a sealing operation of the electric wire insertion side opening. The rubber plug 3 is made to adhere on the inner face of the terminal insertion opening 4a of the connector 4, or is made to adhere to close the opening from outside into the terminal insertion opening.
When inundation from the opening on the above described electric wire insertion side of the connector is specially required to be prevented, grease is injected into the opening portion on the electric wire insertion side of the connector to effect the water proof operation.
In the above described water proof rubber plug 3 mounted and also, of only the grease injected, an effect with respect to the water proof is hardly provided if high-tension water is jetted into the opening on the electric wire insertion side of the connector with, for example, a high-tension washing operation being effected, with a problem in terms of reliability.
The rubber plug is likely to deteriorate subject to the high-tension water, and the connector sealing function with respect to the normal rain water or the like is also lowered.
Also, in the operationality, grease has to be injected respectively into the opening on the electric wire insertion side of each connector at the later step, with troublesome problems.


A method and an apparatus for acquiring a target frequency of a multi-path signal are disclosed. The multi-path signal includes a first path signal and a second path signal. First, the first path signal is received through a first path and the second path signal is received through a second path. Then, a target region is determined. The target region is a portion of a second cyclic prefix in the second path signal which overlaps with a first cyclic prefix in the first path signal. Afterward, the target frequency is determined based on the target region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for acquiring a target frequency, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for acquiring a target frequency of a multi-path signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a multi-path modulating/demodulating technology with high efficiency. The theorem is to use several sub-carrier waves to transmit the data concurrently to improve the data transmitting rate. As implied by the name, OFDM is used for dividing the available bandwidth into several narrow frequency bands to transmit data in parallel through these frequency bands. Due to the fact that the OFDM wireless communication system has advantages of: high data transmitting rate, high bandwidth using rate, and preventing the radio waves from the multi-path attenuation, the OFDM wireless communication system is widely applied to the new generation wireless communication system.
However, the OFDM technology has its drawbacks, such as a high peak-to-average power ratio and a high sensitivity to the frequency error of the sub-channel. Therefore, in the OFDM wireless communication system, how the frequency recovering can be performed to achieve the effect of frequency synchronization is a very important topic.
The conventional frequency synchronizing method for the multi-path signal is done by adding a cyclic prefix in front of the data sector in the signal. After the signal is received at the receiving end, the frequency/phase is estimated by using the cyclic prefix to obtain the synchronizing frequency. However, when the cyclic prefix is interfered, a serious error occurs in the frequency obtained by the phase estimation and causes a serious frequency departure.
Therefore, the main goal of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for acquiring a target frequency of a multi-path signal to solve the problems above.

Method and apparatus for acquiring frequency of multi-path signal


In cutting a high-accuracy thread, a control unit (CPU) uses a first position data calculation program to determine the moving positions of a workpiece and tool every predetermined rotational angle of a spindle rotating motor. The control unit stores the determined moving positions of the workpiece and tool in a first position data table memory, and outputs the determined moving positions as a workpiece position instruction signal and tool position instruction signal to a workpiece feed control circuit and tool feed control circuit every predetermined rotation. In cutting a low-accuracy thread, the control unit uses a second position data calculation program to determine the moving positions of the workpiece and tool every predetermined time interval. The control unit stores the determined moving positions of the workpiece and tool in a second position data table memory, and outputs the determined moving positions as a workpiece position instruction signal and tool position instruction signal to the workpiece feed control circuit and tool feed control circuit every predetermined time interval.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a machine tool for rotating a workpiece about a predetermined axis, and moving at least one of the workpiece and a tool for machining the workpiece, thereby machining the workpiece into a desired shape, and a control method therefor.
2. Related Background Art
As a machine tool of this type, machine tools equipped with numerical controllers have conventionally been known, and include an arrangement suitable for high-speed cutting and an arrangement suitable for high-accuracy machining. A machine tool having an arrangement suitable for high-speed cutting rotates a workpiece at a higher speed than that in high-accuracy machining, and increases the relative moving speed of a tool to machine the workpiece. For this reason, the rotational speed of the workpiece readily varies due to an increase and variations in cutting resistance generated in machining. The machining accuracy of the workpiece tends to decrease owing to deflection of the tool or the like.
On the other hand, a machine tool having an arrangement suitable for high-accuracy machining decreases the rotational speed of a workpiece in contrast to high-speed cutting to suppress the influence of the cutting resistance generated in machining, and synchronizes the rotational speed of the workpiece with the relative moving speed of the tool to strictly position the tool with respect to the workpiece. In the machine tool having an arrangement suitable for high-accuracy machining, an increase in machining efficiency such as the machining speed is limited, and the machining efficiency depends on the performance of a numerical controller.
For example, when a workpiece is to be threaded, the thread must be shaped to advance the screw by one lead by one rotation of the screw, and thread cutting requires high machining accuracy. Generally in a thread cutting machine tool, the rotational speed of a workpiece is set as low as about 1,500 rpm so as to thread the workpiece at high machining accuracy. Note that the screw has a tolerance class such as the first, second, or third class that is determined based on the machining accuracy such as the dimensional tolerance or tolerance.
Some of screw components including a wood screw do not require high machining accuracy. For example, when wood screws are to be mass-produced, the thread cutting machine tool has an arrangement suitable for high-accuracy machining, as described above, so the machining speed cannot be increased, resulting in low productivity. To increase the productivity, a wood screw may be machined using a machine tool having an arrangement suitable for high-speed cutting. However, the machine tool having an arrangement suitable for high-speed cutting cannot machine screws other than a wood screw that require high machining accuracy.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a machine tool capable of performing high-speed machining and high-accuracy machining and increasing the productivity, and a control method therefor.
According to the present invention, a machine tool for rotating a workpiece about a predetermined axis, and moving at least one of the workpiece and a tool for machining the workpiece, thereby machining the workpiece into a desired shape is characterized by comprising pulse signal generation means for generating a pulse signal every predetermined rotational angle at the predetermined axis, first moving position determination means for determining a moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool every predetermined rotational angle, first movement control means for controlling movement of at least one of the workpiece and the tool in correspondence with the pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation means so as to set the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool to the moving position determined by the first moving position determination means, divided-timing signal generation means for generating a divided-timing signal every predetermined time interval, second moving position determination means for determining the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool every predetermined time interval, second movement control means for controlling movement of at least one of the workpiece and the tool in correspondence with the divided-timing signal generated by the divided-timing signal generation means so as to set the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool to the moving position determined by the second moving position determination means, and control selection means for selecting one of the first and second movement control means to control movement of at least one of the workpiece and the tool.
In the machine tool according to the present invention, when the control selection means selects control by the first movement control means, the first movement control means controls movement of at least one of the workpiece and tool in correspondence with a pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation means so as to move at least one of the workpiece and tool to the corresponding moving position determined by the first moving position determination means. Then, the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and tool is controlled in synchronism with rotation of the workpiece about a predetermined axis. As a result, even if the rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis varies, the workpiece and tool can be strictly positioned with respect to each other, which can realize high-accuracy machining.
In the machine tool according to the present invention, when the control selection means selects control by the second movement control means, the second movement control means controls movement of at least one of the workpiece and tool in correspondence with a divided-timing signal generated by the divided-timing signal generation means so as to move at least one of the workpiece and tool to the corresponding moving position determined by the second moving position determination means. Then, the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and tool is controlled without synchronization with rotation of the workpiece about the predetermined axis. Although high-accuracy machining cannot be achieved, the workpiece can be machined at a machining accuracy corresponding to the rotational speed even when the rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis is high. In addition, when the control selection means selects control by the second movement control means, the rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis can be increased to perform high-speed machining and increase the machining efficiency.
From this, the machine tool according to the present invention enables high-speed machining and high-accuracy machining in one machine tool, thus increasing the productivity.
The machine tool according to the present invention may be characterized in that the control selection means selects one of the first and second movement control means on the basis of a predetermined machining condition of the workpiece. Movement of at least one of the workpiece and tool can be optimally controlled under the machining condition of the workpiece.
The machine tool according to the present invention may be characterized in that the predetermined machining condition of the workpiece may include thread machining accuracy in thread cutting. This enables efficient machining complying with the quality required in thread cutting.
The machine tool according to the present invention may be characterized in that the machine tool further comprises counting means for counting the number of times of generation of pulse signals generated by the pulse signal generation means, and the control selection means switches one to the other of the first and second movement control means when the number of times of generation of pulse signals counted by the counting means reaches a predetermined value. Accordingly, the movement control means can be switched even at the intermediate portion of the shape of the workpiece. As a result, even when the workpiece partially includes a portion requiring high machining accuracy, control by the first movement control means can be selected and switched to perform work at high machining accuracy. At a portion other than the portion requiring high machining accuracy, control by the second movement control means can be selected and switched to perform work at high machining efficiency. From this, even in machining a workpiece partially including a portion having a different machining accuracy, the workpiece can be efficiently machined in accordance with the required quality.
According to the present invention, a control method for a machine tool for rotating a workpiece about a predetermined axis, and moving at least one of the workpiece and a tool for machining the workpiece, thereby machining the workpiece into a desired shape, the machine tool including pulse signal generation means for generating a pulse signal every predetermined rotational angle at the predetermined axis, first moving position determination means for determining a moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool every predetermined rotational angle, first movement control means for controlling movement of at least one of the workpiece and the tool in correspondence with the pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation means so as to set the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool to the moving position determined by the first moving position determination means, divided-timing signal generation means for generating a divided-timing signal every predetermined time interval, second moving position determination means for determining the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool every predetermined time interval, and second movement control means for controlling movement of at least one of the workpiece and the tool in correspondence with the divided-timing signal generated by the divided-timing signal generation means so as to set the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and the tool to the moving position determined by the second moving position determination means, is characterized by comprising the steps of: selecting the first movement control means in machining the workpiece at high machining accuracy, and the second movement control means in machining the workpiece at low machining accuracy; and decreasing a rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis in machining the workpiece at the high machining accuracy, and increasing the rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis in machining the workpiece at the low machining accuracy in comparison with machining the workpiece at the high machining accuracy.
In the machine tool control method according to the present invention, when the workpiece is machined at high machining accuracy, the rotational speed of the workpiece about a predetermined axis is decreased, and control by the first movement control means is selected. The first movement control means controls movement of at least one of the workpiece and tool in correspondence with a pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation means so as to move at least one of the workpiece and tool to the corresponding moving position determined by the first moving position determination means. Then, the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and tool is controlled in synchronism with rotation of the workpiece about the predetermined axis. As a result, even if the rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis varies, the workpiece and tool can be strictly positioned with respect to each other, which can realize high-accuracy machining.
In the machine tool control method according to the present invention, when the workpiece is machined at low machining accuracy, control by the second movement control means is selected. The second movement control means controls movement of at least one of the workpiece and tool in correspondence with a divided-timing signal generated by the divided-timing signal generation means so as to move at least one of the workpiece and tool to the corresponding moving position determined by the second moving position determination means. Then, the moving position of at least one of the workpiece and tool is controlled without synchronization with rotation of the workpiece about the predetermined axis. Although high-accuracy machining cannot be achieved, the workpiece can be machined at a machining accuracy corresponding to the rotational speed. Moreover, when the workpiece is machined at low machining accuracy, the rotational speed of the workpiece about the predetermined axis is higher than that in high-speed machining. High-speed machining can therefore be done to increase the machining efficiency.
From this, the machine tool control method according to the present invention enables high-speed machining and high-accuracy machining in one machine tool, thereby increasing the productivity.
The present invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.
The further application range of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. The detailed description and specific cases will represent a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but are merely examples. Various modifications and improvements within the spirit and scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not to be considered as limiting the present invention.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Machine tool and control method therefor


Apparatus for compressing a fluid comprising a tubular, open-ended housing (2) having a suction end (5) and a discharge end (6), a tubular, open-ended rotor (8) rotatably arranged in the housing (2), an annular driver space (17) which is defined between the inner surface of the housing (2) and the outer surface of the rotor (8), an annular seal preventing fluid flow from the annular driver space (17) to the suction end (5), a rotor driver (20) arranged in the annular driver space (17), and a rotor-driven compressor (30) arranged in the tubular rotor (8), wherein the rotor-driven compressor (30) includes a helical screw blade (32) which is secured to the inner surface of the tubular rotor (8), and wherein the pitch of the helical screw blade (32) decreases in the direction of the discharge end (6).

The present invention relates recovering a fluid from an underground fluid-bearing formation, wherein a borehole extends from surface to the underground formation, and wherein the fluid is passed to surface through a tube extending through the borehole from the underground formation. In the specification the word "reservoir" will be used to denote an underground fluid-bearing formation. The fluid in the underground formation can be present in the form of a supercritical fluid, a gas, or a mixture of gas and liquid. The fluid can consist of carbon dioxide, natural gas or a mixture of hydrocarbons.
The present invention relates more in particular to an apparatus for compressing a fluid, which apparatus can be arranged in the lower end part of the tube which extends through the borehole.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,335 discloses an apparatus for compressing a fluid including a twin rotor screw compressor.
SPE Paper No. 8245, "Field Testing the Turbo-Lift Production System," by H. Petrie and J. W. Erickson, 1979, discloses a liquid poweered downhole liquid pump comprising an open-ended housing and a solid rotor arranged rotatably in the housing. Both the liquid-powered motor and the pump are staged turbines with blades arranged in the annular space between the housing and the solid rotor. The publication does not disclose an apparatus for compressing a fluid including a compressor arranged in a tubular rotor.
It is an object of the apparatus to provide an apparatus which is simpler than the known apparatus and which is furthermore less susceptible to wear at the high fluid flow rates which are encountered as gas is compressed.


Optokinetic nystagmus is the rhythmical scanning of the eyes when primates attempt to stabilize constantly moving visual scenes. If a pattern having distinct vertical features is projected onto a screen and is drifted to the left or to the right, variations of certain parameters associated with optokinetic nystagmus of a subject observing the drifting pattern from the values of those parameters for persons having normal, healthy vision provide an indication of damage to M-type ganglion cells due to the presence of glaucoma in the subject. Such variations occur at an early stage of glaucoma, before other positive indications of the disease are present. Preferably the projected pattern is a coarse sinusoidal grating with vertical striations, which is temporally modulated by a rapid movement or flicker.

In the eye, the final stage of image processing in the retina is performed by retinal ganglion cells. The axons of the retinal ganglion cells project out of the eye to the optic nerve. Glaucoma, which produces irreversible blindness if not treated early enough, destroys these ganglion cells. A classical diagnostic feature of glaucoma is the occurrence of a scotoma (the disappearance of a portion of the peripheral visual field). Unfortunately, by the time a scotoma is detected, the disease has reached a stage where treatment is able to do little more than possibly prevent the occurrence of further blindness. Another classical epidemiological feature of glaucoma is the "cupping" of the optic disc, or papilla, which to some extent reflects the loss of ganglion cell axons.
One approach that has been used to assist in the diagnosis of glaucoma before scotomas have developed is to test the intraocular tension of patients. Tests of intraocular tension, however, often involve the use of drugs, are time consuming, and can be unpleasant for the patient. In some cases, potentially damaging elevated tensions occur only transiently and at unpredictable times during the day. Such transient high tensions may not be detected. Moreover, up to half of all glaucoma patients do not exhibit sustained ocular tensions above 21 mm of mercury (these patients are described as having "low-tension" or "normal-tension" glaucoma). Thus, testing the intraocular tension of a person is not a reliable method for the early detection of glaucoma.
Other proposals for the early detection of glaucomatous retinal damage have involved the assessment of color vision defects. Simple tests of color vision defects, however, have shown a lack of correlation between the defects noted and the presence of optic disk cupping. More complex tests of color vision defects, involving anomaloscopy, are too difficult for clinical use. Moreover, those tests cannot differentiate between color vision defects caused by glaucoma and color deficits caused by other neurological disorders, such as amblyopia and optic neuritis. In addition, it has been reported that up to 25 per cent of patients who have glaucomatous scotoma show no color defects. Thus, assessment of color vision deficits is not a reliable method of detecting glaucoma in its early stages, even if it should become practical to perform detailed color vision tests clinically.
Another problem with psychophysical measurements of visual performance is that the results of such measurements vary significantly among subjects with normal vision. This natural variance reduces the ability to use such measurements to distinguish normal subjects from those with early glaucomatous damage. There has been a long-felt need, therefore, for a method of measuring visual performance which is less subjective than the psychophysical tests that have been carried out hitherto.

Glaucoma testing from observations of optokinetic nystagmus


Current through a wire is sensed with a shunt resistor and a sense resistor in a current divider circuit. The values of the shunt resistor and sense resistor are related to provide a specified gain ratio to increase a dynamic range of current measurement. The sense resistor is a trimmable resistor, the configuration of which can be discerned from a look-up table based on a level of precision needed for current measurement. The two resistors can also be related by thermal coefficients to improve linearity of current measurements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sensing output current in an electrical circuit. The present invention relates more particularly to a shunt resistor connected to an electrical circuit output to measure the current of the output.
2. Description of Related Art
A number of electrical applications, in particular power applications, take advantage of output current sensing to provide feedback control for the electrical circuit or system. Typically, the output current is sensed by measuring a voltage drop across a highly precise resistance to thereby determine the current flowing through the resistance related to the measured voltage drop. Because this technique inherently requires a voltage drop, there is often a large amount of power dissipated in the resistance with large current flows. Indeed, because power equals the resistance times the current squared, increasing current determines an increase in power dissipation proportional to the square of the current.
To solve this difficulty, the precise resistance is employed as a shunt resistance that is as low as possible to reduce power dissipation. However, when the shunt resistance is reduced, the measurable voltage drop across the shunt resistance decreases as well. As a result, the dynamic range of the measurable voltage drop decreases significantly. With the limited dynamic range resulting from the lowered shunt resistance, the accuracy and precision of voltage measurements is degraded.
As an example, a typical shunt resistance is composed of manganin, which is suitable for use in high current applications where current sensing is desired. Typical characteristics of commonly used manganin shunts are provided in Table 1 below.
TABLE 1Manganin shunt characteristicsParameterValueUnitSymbolThermal Coefficient~50ppm/° C.αmResistance0.3 and upmΩRPrecision 1%—Thermal resistance15° C./WRthMaximum power 5WPmaxdissipation
A review of the data in Table 1 reveals several useful conclusions regarding the use of low resistance manganin shunts. For example, the thermal resistance of the shunt is fairly high causing an increase in shunt temperatures due to heat and resistance power dissipation. For example, with a 2 mΩ shunt in an application calling for the measurement of a 50 A output, the change in temperature due to the thermal resistance is given by the following equation.ΔT=2 mΩ·(50 A)2·15° C./W=+75° C.
The maximum allowable power dissipation permitted by the manganin shunt limits the maximum dynamic voltage range as current through the shunt increases. Accordingly, in the higher range of measured current there is a loss of precision in reading the voltage drop across the shunt.
Given a typical power dissipation through the manganin shunt of 5 W, the shunt resistance varies among different measured current output applications. A summary of output current, shunt resistance and dynamic voltage range for the shunt is provided in Table 2 below.
TABLE 2Voltage dynamic across a resistive shuntMax CurrentShunt RDynamicPower ±50 A  2 mOhm±100 mV 5 W±100 A 0.5 mOhm±50 mV5 W±150 A0.22 mOhm±33 mV5 W±200 A0.13 mOhm±25 mV5 W
The data from Table 2 indicates that as the application current increases, the dynamic range available through the appropriately sized shunt resistor decreases. The measurable quantities of changing voltage related to current are thus reduced in higher current applications, making accurate current measurement problematic.
Accordingly, there is a need for a current sensing circuit for use with high current applications with a dynamic range more useful for precision measurements.


A device for controlling a fuel evaporative purge system having a solenoid valve arranged in a purge passage, comprises a unit for determining a maximum amount of fuel vapor to be purged, an air flow meter, a unit for calculating a maximum purging ratio of the maximum amount of fuel vapor to an amount of intake air, a unit for setting a purging ratio which is gradually varied during the purging process, and a unit for activating the solenoid valve. In the purging operation, the activating unit drives the valve at a duty-ratio identical to a ratio of the purging ratio to the maximum purging ratio.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for controlling the operation of a fuel evaporative purge system of an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to a device included in a system provided with a canister for absorbing and temporarily storing a fuel vapor, a purge passage communicating the canister with an intake passage, and a solenoid valve arranged in the purge passage.
In such a system, when the engine is operating under a predetermined condition, i.e., a purging condition, the device activates the solenoid valve to thereby communicate the canister with the intake passage, whereby the fuel vapor is separated from an absorbent contained in the canister and supplied to combustion chambers of the engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among conventional devices for controlling the operation of a fuel evaporative system of an internal combustion engine, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-174557 discloses a device provided with a solenoid valve which is arranged in a purge passage connecting a canister for absorbing fuel vapor with an intake passage for activating the valve at a duty cycle to thereby purge an appropriate amount of the fuel vapor corresponding to an actual driving condition (for example, engine load, engine speed) of the engine.
In the above device, if the current driving condition, which is in a driving range wherein the purging of the system is prohibited (for example, at a low engine load and low engine speed), is changed to a condition which is in a driving range wherein the purging operation can be carried out (for example, at a high engine load and high engine speed), the operation of solenoid valve is controlled so that a value of the duty ratio at which the valve is operated will be gradually increased at a constant rate until reaching a target value determined in accordance with the prevailing driving condition, to thus prevent an abrupt variation of the air-fuel ratio and thereby stabilize an output torque of the engine.
Since the above device employs a method of gradually increasing the duty ratio of the valve at a constant rate, to reach the target duty ratio at the beginning of the purging operation, if a vehicle equipped with the device is abruptly accelerated or decelerated during the process for attaining the target duty ratio, the amount of fuel vapor purged from the canister cannot be rapidly increased in response to abrupt changes of the amount of intake air or the engine load.
Therefore, for example, when such an abrupt change in the intake air amount occurs in an internal combustion engine having an air-fuel ratio feedback control system provided with an air-fuel ratio detecting sensor in an exhaust pipe, to thereby control the air-fuel ratio to a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio, as shown in FIG. 5, a feedback correction coefficient FAF will be changed over a wide range, because the amount of fuel vapor purged is not sufficient to supply a required amount of fuel in response to the change of the intake air amount.
Consequently, the air-fuel ratio of the above engine will be incorrect, and therefore, an output torque of the engine will become unstable.

Device for controlling operation of fuel evaporative purge system of an internal combustion engine


A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Dapasulo’ characterized by its red-purple and white-bicolored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, good basal branching character, and moderately vigorous, upright growth habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant botanically known as Dahlia variabilis and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Dapasulo'.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Rijsenhout, the Netherlands during October 2001. The objective of the breeding program was the development of freely flowering Dahlia cultivars with large flowers and a moderately vigorous growth habit.
The new cultivar is a naturally occurring sport of 'Carol', U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,926 characterized by its dark purple-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and moderately vigorous, upright growth habit. The new cultivar was discovered and selected by the inventor on Oct. 1, 2001 in a controlled environment at Rijsenhout, the Netherlands.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since October 2001 at Rijsenhout, the Netherlands and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.


In some embodiments, a future availability system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a memory having, (i) a future availability program that allows a caller to obtain future availability information about a call recipient if the caller has been designated by the recipient to have access to the future availability data, (ii) program that notifies the caller through a method chosen by the caller when the call recipient's availability changes (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes the future availability program, (c) an inference engine located on the memory that stores information about the call recipient.

Large enterprises receive numerous telephone calls, each of which must be routed in accordance with callers' instructions. Calls typically are routed by a human operator or an automated call routing system (commonly referred to as an "automated attendant" or "autoattendant"). Human operators typically route calls accurately and efficiently, but at a relatively high cost. Autoattendant systems, on the other hand, typically are inexpensive to implement and function very quickly.
Traditionally, autoattendants play an announcement to the caller and prompt a caller to make one of multiple selections using a voice response unit. For example, the caller may be prompted to dial the extension of the party being called. The caller also may be given other options, such as leaving a voice message or accessing a directory of names if the extension of the called party is not known. Some early automated telephone directories required the caller to spell the name of the called party using a telephone dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) keypad. Most recent autoattendant systems are voice-enabled, allowing callers to be routed to a desired call destination simply by speaking the name of the call destination. In these systems, an autoattendant answers an incoming call and asks the caller to speak the name of the party or department being called. The autoattendant includes a speaker-independent speech recognition engine that identifies and translates a received speech signal into name data. The autoattendant obtains a telephone number corresponding to the translated name data from a telephone number directory based on the translated name data, and routes the call to that telephone number.
Presence-based communications applications are entering the mainstream telecommunications environment. In such applications, a user maintains one or more "contact lists" of other parties whose presence status is to be monitored and displayed to the user. If the other party is determined to be "present," the user's contact list will display the available status. The user can then contact the other party for example via a telephone call.
The existing presence based real-time communication systems allow users to determine how and where to receive incoming calls. Further, users of a presence based communication system are able to obtain another user's future availability with a Tell-Me-When feature which sends a message to the user that the other user is able to be contacted. Outside callers have been able to get a general sense for how to contact an individual at a later time by the call recipient setting an announcement detailing how to get a hold of them at a later time. However, presently, presence based communication systems do not allow for an outside party to obtain a call recipient's future voice or calendar availability. It is possible for a user to leave his(er) future availability in a specific announcement to be given to a caller when they call. However, this must be done manually by the user and must be changed each time the user's future availability changes. Further, this manual system does not account for time zone changes. For example, if the caller is in EST (Eastern Standard Time) and the recipient is in PCT (Pacific Coast Time).
Therefore, it is desirable to have a system that allows a user outside of a presence based telecommunications system to obtain the future availability of a call recipient.


A lithographic apparatus includes a support constructed to support a patterning device that is capable of imparting a radiation beam with a pattern in its cross-section to form a patterned radiation beam, a substrate table constructed to hold a substrate, a projection system configured to project the patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of the substrate, an interior space through which an interferometer beam propagates, and a first gas supply for supplying a purge gas to inhibit contamination of the projection system. The purge gas has a predetermined refractive index. The apparatus also includes a second gas supply for supplying a conditioning gas to the interior space for conditioning the interior space, and a refractive index matching system arranged to match the refractive index of the conditioning gas to the predetermined refractive index of the purge gas.

A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a substrate, usually onto a target portion of the substrate. A lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that instance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern to be formed on an individual layer of the IC. This pattern can be transferred onto a target portion (e.g. including part of, one, or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer). Transfer of the pattern is typically via imaging onto a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist) provided on the substrate. In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively patterned. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at one time, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through a radiation beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. It is also possible to transfer the pattern from the patterning device to the substrate by imprinting the pattern onto the substrate.
United States patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,220 B1 describes a lithographic apparatus, having at least one compartment closely surrounding at least one of the mask and substrate holders. During use, a purge gas is supplied to the compartment for flushing the compartment. The purge gas is transparent to the radiation of the projection beam. An air shower is provided above an area traversed by interferometer measurement beams, for interferometer conditioning.
United States patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,729 B2 describes a lithographic projection apparatus in which a purge gas is supplied to a space to displace ambient air from that space. Particularly, the mask and substrate stages are flushed with a specific gaseous composition having a refractive index identical to that of air under the same measuring conditions, so that interferometric displacement measuring devices are able to operate to a required degree of accuracy. For example, according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,729, the purge gas includes two or more components selected from N2, He, Ar, Kr, Ne and Xe.
European Patent EP 0 498 499 B1 discloses, among other things, the application of a constant, preferably laminar stream of air through the space in which interferometer beams propagate. To this aim, an air shower is applied. Both the purity and the temperature of the supplied air can be controlled. The stream of air provides an improved accuracy of a composite interferometer system of the lithographic apparatus.
Each of the above-mentioned patents U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,220 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,729 B2 and EP 0 498 499 B1 is incorporated in the present application in its entirety by reference.
Purge hoods and microenvironments may be used to prevent contamination of optics of the lithographic apparatus. For example, a certain optical performance is maintained using extremely clean dry air, for example, purified compressed air. Such air has a water vapor content of about 0%, or at least <1 ppb. This is advantageous, because water might serve as a catalyst for reactions on the optics when being irradiated with the projection beam, and such reactions deteriorate the functioning of the optics.
A problem with the use of purified dry air is that such dry air may hamper the operation of interferometer positioning devices of the apparatus. These positioning devices utilize interferometer beams which traverse spaces filled with common, usually water vapor containing, clean environmental air, see, for example, EP 0 498 499 B1. This wet clean air is usually circulated in large amounts from an environment of the apparatus, such as the commonly known 'clean room,' through respective areas of the apparatus and back to the clean room environment thereof. In that case, the circulated air has the same humidity as the air of the environment of the apparatus. Particularly, the dry purging air may leak from a respective microenvironment into the space through which interferometer beams traverse, locally leading to variations of the refractive index, which reduce the accuracy of the relevant interferometer measurements.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method


Integrated Microelectromechanical System (“MEMS”) devices and methods for making the same. The integrated MEMS device comprises a substrate (200) with first electronic circuitry (206) formed thereon, as well as a MEMS filter device (100). The MEMS filter device has a transition portion (118) configured to (a) electrically connect the MEMS filter device to second electronic circuitry and (b) suspend the MEMS filter device over the substrate such that a gas gap exists between the substrate and the MEMS filter device. The transition portion comprises a three dimensional hollow ground structure (120) in which an elongate center conductor (122) is suspended. The RF MEMS filter device also comprises at least two adjacent electronic elements (102/110) which are electrically isolated from each other via a ground structure of the transition portion, and placed in close proximity to each other.

1. Statement of the Technical Field
The inventive arrangements relate to Microelectromechanical System ("MEMS") and methods for forming the same, and more specifically to transducers with Integrated Circuits ("ICs").
2. Description of the Related Art
MEMS is a technology of very small devices typically between 2 micrometers to 2 millimeters in size. The MEMS devices can include one or more components between 1 to 100 micrometers in size. Conventional MEMS devices are fabricated using molding techniques, plating techniques, wet etching techniques, dry etching techniques, and/or Electro Discharge Machining ("EDM") techniques. Various materials can be used to create the MEMS devices. Such materials include silicon, polymers, metals and ceramics.
Radio Frequency filters typically occupy a relatively large amount of real estate in an RF system (i.e., >25%). As such, it has been desirable to miniaturize RF filters via MEMS technology, as well as integrate the electronics with the MEMS RF filters as performance can be achieved. In general, there are three techniques for integrating MEMS RF filters with ICs. The three techniques include a pre-processing technique, a post-process technique, and a merged processing technique. The pre-processing technique involves: first fabricating a MEMS device (e.g., MEMS RF filter) on a substrate; isolating the MEMS device using a dielectric layer; and thereafter fabricating the IC. The post-processing technique involves: fabricating the IC on the substrate; isolating the IC using a dielectric layer; and thereafter fabricating the MEMS device. The merged processing technique involves simultaneously fabricating the MEMS device and filter circuitry on a substrate in an interleaving fashion. Typically, the MEMS device is fabricated using a polysilicon material. The ICs are fabricated using thin-film dielectrics and metals (e.g., gold, nickel, aluminum, copper, chromium, titanium, tungsten, platinum and/or silver).
Despite the advantages of integrating RF filters with ICs, the conventional processes for achieving such integration suffer from certain drawbacks. For example, the disposition process of a MEMS device comprising the polysilicon material requires high temperatures (e.g., excess of 1000° C.). The materials that are used to build the ICs have melting points that are much lower (e.g., 300-400° C.) than the temperatures required to fabricate the MEMS devices. Consequently, the ICs may possibly be damaged during the post-processing technique or the merged processing technique as a result. Also, commercially available conventional integrated RF filters exhibit at best an insertion loss of 9 dB, which is considered those skilled in the art as undesirably high. The high insertion loss is primarily due to the use of dielectric films (e.g., Silicon Germanium ("SiGe")) that are inherently lossy at higher frequencies as a result of doping.

Integrated microelectromechanical system devices and methods for making the same


Disclosed herein are compositions comprising polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, polycarbonate, flame retardant additive, and an anti-static agent. Also disclosed are materials and devices made thereof. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Polymeric compositions are suitable for a large number of applications because of their high strength-to-weight ratio and ease of processing. Desired properties of such materials include high impact strength, desired anti-static performance, and desired flammability performance. However, polymer compositions can have build-up of electrostatic charges in the polymeric resin which attracts dust and foreign particles, thereby spoiling the appearance of molded parts made therefrom. Moreover, the buildup of electrostatic charges renders the polymeric resin unusable in certain electrical and electronic applications. It is therefore desirable to have polymeric resins that possess antistatic properties (i.e., are electrostatically conductive) and while maintaining high impact strength and desired flammability performance.
Thus, there is a need for materials with the desired properties discussed above. Such compositions, materials and articles of manufacture with the compositions are disclosed herein.

Antistatic flame retardant resin compositions and methods and uses thereof


A camera system includes an interchangeable lens including an image-pickup optical system, a camera body including an image sensor, and an adapter attached between the interchangeable lens and the camera body. The adapter includes a lens side mount to which the interchangeable lens is detachably attached, a camera side mount detachably attached to the camera body, and a tilt-shift unit configured to provide at least one of a tilt operation and a shift operation. A flange focal length of the interchangeable lens is longer than a flange focal length of the camera body. A length of the adapter from the lens side mount to the camera side mount in an optical axis direction is equal to or smaller than a difference between the flange focal length of the interchangeable lens and the flange focal length of the camera body.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adapter attached between an interchangeable lens and a camera body, and a camera system.
Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, an adapter has been known as a component used to connect a camera body and an interchangeable lens with each other, when the camera body and the interchangeable lens have different mount shapes. The mount shape may be different due to a difference of an image size (for example, a full size corresponding to 35 mm silver halide film and an APS-C size smaller than it), or due to a difference of a flange focal length or a flange back. In general, an interchangeable lens having an image size smaller than a sensor size of a camera body cannot be attached to the camera body.
The interchangeable lens and adapter may be used for the shift photography to correct a perspective in photographing a building, or for the tilt and shift (collectively referred to as a "tilt-shift" hereinafter) in photographing a product, a landscape, etc. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. ("JP") 2000-89284 proposes a tilt-shift adapter configured to insert an auxiliary optical system, to extend a flange focal length, and to prevent a shield of an object light flux in a mount and on an inner surface of a mirror box in a camera.
The structure of JP 2000-89284 requires the adapter for the auxiliary optical system, and thus the adapter becomes complicated, large, and expensive.

Adapter having tilt-shift unit, and camera system