A device for improving the cosmetic appearance of the skin is disclosed, wherein said device comprises RF generating means for generating N independent RF signals of predetermined waveforms, frequencies, amplitudes, and relative phases; control means for controlling the output of said RF generating means, said control means in communication with said RF generating means; N pairs of RF electrodes, each of said pairs in independent communication with said RF generating means, said RF electrodes configured to transmit RF energy to said skin; and an electrically insulating casing adapted to hold said RF electrodes such that said RF electrodes may be placed in simultaneous physical contact with said skin.

Improving the appearance of the skin has been the goal of many esthetic products and procedures for many years, since a tight skin, without wrinkles or cellulite, has a younger and more appealing appearance. Apart from age related changes, the skin also suffers from exposure to chemical and physical injuries, such as tobacco, cosmetics, esthetics and radiation from the sun and other sources. Those factors contribute to the decrease in collagen production, to reduced elasticity, and the appearance of wrinkles.
The skin and muscles of the face are structured differently than other places on the body. One side of the facial muscles is connected to the bone and the other to the skin. As the muscle deteriorates through the aging process, the attached facial skin loses it elasticity. Loss of elasticity causes the skin to sag and wrinkle. Strengthening relevant muscle groups restores and maintains the original shape and contour of the muscles. As facial muscles get stronger, they get shorter and flatter, causing the attached skin to become firmer, and smoothing wrinkles, improving facial appearance. Additionally, a contracting muscle's blood supply is 10 times greater than a muscle at rest. This fresh blood supply delivers vital oxygen and nutrients to the skin, revitalizing the tissue.
The most common method of heating the dermis, is the use of RF radiation, applied by antenna or electrodes. For example, WO98005380 discloses a method of tightening skin using an RF electromagnetic energy delivery device. However, the manner (and specifically, the protocol) in which the RF is transmitted to the region of interest is highly important. Some methods will have no effect and others may have the opposite effect.
U.S. Pat. Appl. 20100016850 discloses an invention that demonstrates that application of electrical currents of about 1 milliampere, and voltages greater than 4V have a much greater esthetic effect on the skin than application of lower currents and voltages known in the prior art. This application further discloses that simultaneous application of electrical currents on the skin yields better esthetic results.
All of the RF devices known in the prior art irradiate the tissue with RF energy that has a single phase. This means of irradiation is relatively inefficient, because the waveform necessarily passes through zero twice per cycle; that is, there will inevitably be periods of irradiation during which no energy is being transferred to the skin.
Thus, means for providing RF (or in general, any kind of energy) to the region of treatment (e.g., the skin) in which an essentially continuous transfer of the energy (e.g., the RF) to the skin remains a long-felt, yet unmet, need.

Esthetic device for beautifying skin and methods thereof


Dual interface modules, and methods for manufacturing the same, are described. A substrate layer is provided with at least one dual interface section. At least two first through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. A first connection element is arranged in each first through-hole. Each first connection element is connected to a contact pad that is arranged on a first side of the substrate. Each first connection element is connected to a connection pad that is arranged on a second side of the substrate. At least one electronic element is arranged on the second side of the substrate in each dual interface section. Two second through-holes are formed in the substrate in each dual interface section. Two soldering pads with a first side and a second side are arranged on the second side of the substrate layer.

As the use of plastic cards for credit cards, identification cards and the like continues to become more widespread, credit card fraud and identification card fraud are becoming increasing problems. The ease in which criminals have been able to manufacture or manipulate known cards is a result of the existence of the easily-altered magnetic stripe storage medium used by current cards. These magnetic stripes are easy to program and reprogram using commonly available technology, resulting, e.g., in so-called magnetic stripe cloning.
Thus, there is a need in the plastic card industry to provide a more secure plastic card that is more difficult or nearly impossible to duplicate or to manipulate. The likely successor to the magnetic stripe cards is known as a memory card or smart card. The smart card can generally be described as a card having an integrated circuit with memory that is capable of securely storing data and/or executing processing functions.
Contact smart cards make contact through several contact pads place on the surface of the card. These pads provide electrical connectivity when inserted into a reader, which is typically used as a communications medium between the smart card and a host. Cards typically do not contain batteries—power is supplied by the card reader—through some of these contact pads.
The most recent development in smart cards is a contactless card that interacts with a terminal reader using electromagnetic coupling. The smart card incorporates an inlay that is a symmetrical substrate incorporating a micro chip bounded to an antenna and functioning as the heart of a radio-frequency identification (RFID) part, a near field communication (NFC) chip, or similar chip credential. This smart card requires only proximity to a reader antenna to communicate. Contactless cards also typically operate without batteries and obtain power through induction from the electromagnetic field of the reader antenna. When in proximity to a reader antenna, they accumulate charge from the electromagnetic field, power up and consequently respond to commands over the same radio frequency channel, communicating in a bi-directional manner. Contactless technology is rapidly replacing traditional machine readable identification technologies in numerous applications such as those employing bar codes and magnetic stripes, offering substantially enhanced security and convenience.
For some applications it is preferred to provide a smart card that allows insertion into a reader, as well as contactless interaction. These so-called dual-interface cards implement contactless and contact interfaces on a single card, sometimes with some shared storage and processing. However, when manufacturing such cards, the electrical connections of a dual interface module that include the chip and the contact pads for contact operation, as well as an antenna with contacts for contactless operation that are embedded in the same card body, causes problems.

Dual interface module and dual interface card having a dual interface module manufactured using laser welding


An adaptor for setting a self-drilling, chemically anchorable, fastening element (5) includes a rotor member (21) rotatably supported in the adaptor housing (36) and having at its opposite ends (23,25) respectively, a coupling section (24) for connecting the rotor member (21) with a drilling tool (8) for joint rotation therewith, and a coupling receptacle (26) for fixedly receiving a free end (6) of the fastening element (5). Support elements (52,53) are provided in one of two housing parts (41,51) for rotatably supporting the rotor member (21). Sealing elements (42), which are provided in another housing part (41), for a connection channel section (32) that connects a connection opening (37) in the housing (36) for the ejection medium (4) with a feeding channel (31) in the rotor member (21).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adaptor for setting a self-drilling, chemically anchorable, fastening element and including a rotor member rotatably supported in the adaptor housing and extending along a longitudinal axis and having a coupling section provided at its first end for connecting the rotor member with a drilling tool for joint rotation therewith, a coupling receptacle provided at a second end of the rotor member opposite the first end for fixedly receiving a free end of the fastening element for joint rotation of the fastening element with the rotor member, and a feeding channel for an ejection medium and opening into the coupling receptacle. A connection channel section for connects a connection opening provided in the housing for the ejection medium with the feeding channel of the rotor member. Support elements are provided between the housing and the rotor member for rotatably supporting the rotor member, and sealing elements are provided also between the housing and rotor member for sealing the connection channel section.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Self-drilling, chemically anchorable, fastening elements used in construction and, in particular, self-drilling, chemically anchorable rock anchors for use in mine and tunnel regions are known for a long time. They are used primarily for stabilization of excavation or of walls in hollow spaces such as tunnels, galleries, and the like. During formation of cavities and hollow spaces, mechanical properties and, in particular, the load-carrying capacity of rock layers diminish. These rock layers are anchored with chemically anchorable fastening elements to further located, undamaged rock layers, securing them to the undamaged layers.
German Publication DE 100 17 763 A1 discloses a self-drilling, chemically anchorable, fastening element having an anchor tube provided with a drilling head at one of its ends and an engagement element for the drilling tool at its other, free end. In the tubular member, there are provided a receptacle for the ejectable mass in which the ejectable mass itself and an ejection piston are located. In the first step, the fastening element, which is driven by the drilling tool, is drilled into a constructional component. In a further step, e.g., after the drilling tool has been disconnected, an ejection device is secured on the engagement element, and the to-be-ejected mass is forced out in the direction of the drilling head by an ejection mechanism. The forced-out mass flows through outlet openings in the drilling head toward the borehole bottom and in an annular gap between the borehole wall and the anchor tube. After the forced-out mass has hardened, the fastening element is anchored in the constructional component.
German Publication DE 103 34 374 A1 discloses an adaptor for setting a self-drilling, chemically anchorable, fastening element in a constructional component, i.e., for drilling the fastening element into the constructional component and for a subsequent forcing-out of the hardenable mass stored in the fastening element. The adaptor has a housing and rotor member rotatably supported in the housing and extending along a longitudinal axis. The rotor member has a coupling section provided at its first end for connecting the rotor member with a drilling tool for joint rotation therewith, and a coupling receptacle provided at a second end of the rotor member opposite the first end for fixedly receiving a free end of the fastening element for joint rotation of the fastening element with the rotor member. In the rotor member, there is provided a feeding channel for an ejection medium and which opens into the coupling receptacle. In the housing, there is provided a connection opening for an ejection medium. A connection channel section connects the connection opening with the feeding channel of the rotor member.
Between the housing and the rotor member, there are provided support elements for rotatably supporting the rotor member and which are spaced from the outer rim of the housing. Between the housing and the rotor member, there are also provided sealing elements for sealing the connection channel section. The sealing elements are spaced from the support elements.
Water under high pressure is used as an ejection medium for forcing out the hardenable mass from the fastening element. In addition, there is provided a second, rinsing water channel extending in the axial direction of the rotor member. During the drilling process, rinsing water is fed to the drilling head of the fastening element through this channel. Also, drillings from the region of the drilling head can be removed through channel.
The adaptor of DE 103 34 374 A1 provides for drilling and subsequent forcing out of a hardenable material, without a need to disconnect the drilling tool and to provide a separate ejection device for ejecting the hardenable mass contained in the fastening element. This substantially reduces the costs associated with setting of a fastening element.
However, the drawback of the known device consists in that upon wear of sealing elements, the resulting leakage leads to the damage of support elements and makes manufacturing and maintenance of the adaptor more expensive.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an adaptor of the type described above having a simplified design and service-friendly.

Adaptor for setting a self-drilling, chemically anchored, fastening element


An invention is provided for a dual mode hybrid electric thruster propulsion system. The dual mode hybrid electric thruster provides low thrust using ion/plasma exhaust only, and high thrust by mixing a neutral molecular gas with the ion/plasma exhaust. The dual mode hybrid electric thruster includes a main propellant duct defining a main propellant intake. Coupled to the main propellant duct is an accelerating element, which includes an ionization chamber and an exhaust output. In addition, a momentum exchange zone is located at the exhaust output of the accelerating element. The momentum exchange zone includes a secondary propellant duct defining a secondary propellant intake, which provides a secondary propellant into the momentum exchange zone. In high-thrust mode, the momentum exchange zone exchanges momentum between high velocity ions from the accelerating element with atoms of the secondary propellant.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to propulsion systems and more particularly to a dual mode hybrid electric thruster.
2. Description of the Related Art
Spacecraft such as communications satellites typically utilize electric thrusters for stationkeeping and other functions. Electric thrusters, such as ion thrusters utilize electrical power generated by the solar cells of the satellite to supply energy to a propellant to achieve the propulsion. The ion thruster also has a high specific impulse, making it an efficient engine which requires very little propellant. As a result, ion thrusters require relatively small amounts of a consumable propellant, which is an advantage over using an engine using chemical propellants.
Ion propulsion generally involves employing an ionized gas accelerated electrically across charged grids to develop thrust. The electrically accelerated particles can achieve speeds of approximately 30 km/second. The gas used is typically a noble gas, such as xenon. The principal advantage afforded by ion propulsion systems over conventional chemical propulsion systems is their very high efficiency. For example, with the same amount of fuel mass an ion propulsion system can achieve a final velocity as much as ten times higher than that obtainable with a chemical propulsion system.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art ion thruster 100. In operation, ionized gas 102 is accelerated across an ion-optics system 104. The ionized gas 102 is a plasma of ions and electrons that is created and confined within the body of the ion thruster. Ions from the plasma are electrostatically accelerated rearwardly by ion-optics system 104, driving the spacecraft forward in the opposite direction. The ion-optics system 104 includes grids to which appropriate voltages are applied in order to accelerate the ions rearwardly. The grids are in a facing orientation to each other, spaced apart by relatively small clearances such as about 0.035 inches at room temperature. The grids include aligned apertures therethrough. The ions accelerated by the applied voltages pass through the apertures, providing the propulsion.
Ion propulsion is well suited for space applications where low thrust is often acceptable and fuel efficiency is critical. More and more ion propulsion is becoming a component of new spacecraft designs. Spacecraft, including satellites as well as exploration vehicles, are presently making use of ion propulsion systems. For example, ion thrusters are currently used for spacecraft control on some communications satellites. Some existing systems operate by ionizing xenon gas and accelerating it across two or three charged molybdenum grids.
Unfortunately, the range of ion propulsion applications is narrowed by the fact that, although they are efficient, ion propulsion systems develop very low thrust when compared with chemical propulsion systems. Chemical propulsion systems create thrust by thermodynamically expanding heated propellant gas through a nozzle. The energy to heat the propellant is stored in the chemical bonds of the propellant or propellant/oxidiser combination and released through decomposition in single propellant systems or chemical reaction in multi-propellant systems.
Chemical propulsion systems are generally, solid fuel propulsion systems, fluid fuel propulsion systems, or cold gas propulsion systems. Solid fuel propulsion systems provide large amounts of thrust, but cannot be shut off once ignited. The fuel and the catalyst combine to generate high temperatures and pressures. The gaseous fuel then passes through a nozzle and is expelled. The release of the hot gas creates an equal and opposite force pushing the engine forward. Higher combustion temperatures result in greater thrust. A solid fuel engine burns from the inside out, and as a result, the cavity inside the engine is getting larger.
Liquid fuel propulsion systems typically provide less thrust per kilogram of fuel than solid fuel propulsion systems and are much more volatile. Two liquids are combined inside of a combustion chamber and ignited. The resulting gas is expelled through a nozzle. Unlike solid fueled engines, liquid fueled engines can be turned off and on whenever they are needed and the efficiency reduction over the lifetime of the engine is smaller.
Cold gas propulsion systems generally include a single gas and a nozzle. Whenever thrust is needed the nozzle is opened and some of the gas is expelled. Cold gas systems do not produce as much thrust per kilogram of fuel as liquid or solid fueled systems due to the lack of combustion. The thrust and the efficiency rely solely on the pressure in the containment tank. As the cold gas system is used the pressure goes down and so does thrust and efficiency.
Chemical propulsion systems are limited by the available reaction energies and thermal transfer considerations to exhaust gas velocities of a few thousand metres per second. As a result, spacecraft typically use chemical thrusters to provide high thrust at a low Isp for orbit raising and altitude and orbit control subsystems (AOCS). When low thrust is ideal, such as during station/attitude control, spacecraft, when so equipped, employ electric thrusters at a high Isp.
Typical missions therefore often utilize spacecraft carrying both thruster types at a cost and mass disadvantage. To avoid the mass disadvantages of carrying low-efficiency fuel for (say) orbit raising from initial transfer/parking orbit to final altitude, one other prior art solution has been to suggest the application of low thrust ion engines to this orbit raising phase, but with compromise in extended periods of transportation (up to several months), with risk of Van Allen belt radiation damage amongst other concerns. Another prior art design has been a two-stage ion thruster which applies two different voltages for ion extraction. This design allows for some level of thrust control, but the resultant increase thrust is very small.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a dual mode propulsion system. The system should be throttleable. Thus, the system should provide higher thrust at times needing more rapid motion, such as during orbit raising, and reverting to lower thrust and higher fuel efficiency usage at times when low thrust is ideal, such as during station/attitude control.


A lamp unit of a vehicle lamp includes a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light-emitting element arranged so as to face upward behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a reflector arranged so as to cover the light-emitting element from above and to reflect the light from the light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis. A mirror member is provided between the reflector and the projection lens. The mirror member includes an upward reflecting surface that upward reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector, and a front end edge formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens. A region of the upward reflecting surface located nearer a self-lane side than the optical axis is constituted with a horizontal plane including the optical axis. A shielding projection that shields the reflected light from the reflector deflected by the horizontal plane is formed in a position of the horizontal plane that is apart from the front end edge of the upward reflecting surface to a rear side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lamp unit of a vehicle headlamp, and particularly, relates to a projector-type lamp unit that uses a light-emitting element as a light source.
2. Related Art
In recent years, even in vehicle headlamps, lamp units that use a light-emitting element, such as a light-emitting diode, as a light source have been adopted.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called projector-type lamp unit including a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light-emitting element arranged so as to face upward behind a rear focal point of the projection lens and in the vicinity of the optical axis, and a reflector arranged so as to cover the light-emitting element from above and to reflect the light from the light-emitting element forward toward the optical axis.
In such a case, in the lamp unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, a mirror member that has an upward reflecting surface that upward reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector, and has a front end edge formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens is provided between the reflector and the projection lens. A portion of the reflected light from the reflector is reflected upward by the mirror member, thereby forming a light distribution pattern for low beams that has a cut-off line as an inverted projection image of a front end edge of the upward reflecting surface at its upper end.
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2005-166590
In the projector-type lamp unit provided with a mirror member as disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, a light distribution pattern for low beams that has clear cut-off lines at its upper end can be formed while the utilization efficiency of the light from the light-emitting element can be enhanced.
However, this lamp unit is configured such that a portion of the reflected light from a rear reflector is reflected upward by the mirror member. Thus, not only a region in the vicinity below the self-lane cut-off line in the light distribution pattern for low beams becomes bright, but also, a region in the vicinity below the opposite-lane cut-off line becomes bright. The light that forms the region in the vicinity below the opposite-lane cut-off line may be regularly reflected by a road surface that gets wet, for instance, during a rainy day and enter driver's eyes on the opposite lane. The light may enter driver's eyes on the opposite lane even a vehicle is pitched. Thus, there is a problem in that, if the light is excessively strong, large glare may be given to a driver in the opposite lane.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of characterizing inventory items to a planogram includes receiving images of view of a scene with inventory items and corresponding indicia using an imaging device; receiving utterances (such as spoken description of inventory items) from a user using a voice recognition system; identifying inventory items in the scene and a corresponding identification code based at least in part on the images and at least in part on the utterances; identifying a plurality of attributes corresponding to the inventory items; and characterizing the inventory items to a planogram based on the respective identification code and plurality of attributes.

Generally speaking, entering product information into a newly installed retail system heavily relies on importing data from an external database or entering all the information manually. To address situations when such information is missing or incomplete, a more efficient solution is required.
Some attempts have been made to resolve this issue. For example, U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 20,130,173,435 by Cozad discloses systems and methods for managing product location information. The application focuses on scanning item identifiers corresponding to items on the shelves of a store, and creating a planogram of a store when necessary. U.S. Pat. App. No. 20,130,037,613 by Soldate discloses apparatus, system, and method to stock product and maintain inventory, and focuses on providing instructions to correctly stock a product, providing a next task upon completion of the stocking, and updating an inventory database based on completion of the stocking. A user provides stocking confirmation by scanning device or through voice input, and updates inventory management database by stocking product to a particular location using scanners or other handheld devices. U.S. Pat. App. No. 20,140,003,727 by Lortz et al. discloses image-augmented inventory management and wayfinding. The application focuses on receiving a query regarding an establishment, retrieving an output image from an image database in response to the query, and transmitting the output image to a mobile device. However, none of the references explicitly mentions a workflow capable of allowing a user to direct an employee to describe location of retail inventory, especially using verbal commands on the go, along with configuring or updating a database of the inventory management system.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and system for efficiently entering product information into an inventory system.

Method and system for inputting products into an inventory system


There is disclosed a method and system for surveillance of a suspect of automated banking machine (ABM) fraud. In an embodiment, there is a detector for detecting the presence of a foreign device targeting an ABM, the detector being configured to generate an alarm notification upon such detection. A plurality of surveillance cameras may be positioned to monitor an ABM and its surroundings. A video recording device is operatively connected to the detector and configured to archive the video signals recorded from the plurality of surveillance cameras upon receipt of the alarm notification. The detector may be configured to generate the alarm notification after a predetermined delay, and at least one of the archived recorded video signals should have a recorded length exceeding the predetermined delay for alarm notification in order to permit review of suspicious activity that generated the alarm notification.

The present invention relates to a system and method for surveillance of suspects of automated banking machine (ABM) fraud.
ABMs have become ubiquitous and are now found in many locations including banks, shopping malls, casinos, airports, bus and train terminals, gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, retail outlets, etc. The widespread availability and use of ABMs has unfortunately also prompted the development of ABM targeted technologies designed for fraudulent purposes. One example is an unauthorized magnetic stripe reader that may be surreptitiously placed by a suspect on or near an ABM to "skim" data from victims' bank cards. To skim the victims' bank cards, the unauthorized magnetic stripe reader may, for example, be integrated with the magnetic stripe reader on the ABM, or camouflaged in various locations on the ABM, or placed at a secured entrance permitting access to the ABM.
The bank card information illicitly skimmed in this manner allows a suspect to create a copy of a victim's bank card for fraudulent purposes. To provide additional protection, most bank cards have an associated personal identification number (PIN). Thus, in addition to obtaining a copy of the information stored on the magnetic stripe of the bank card, the suspect also needs to obtain the PIN. Suspects may attempt to do this, for example, by placing a spy camera on or near the ABM to point to the keypad on the ABM as the victim is entering the PIN. Alternatively, the suspect may place a wiretap or a keypad sensor on or underneath the actual ABM keypad in order to capture or sense the keystrokes as the victim enters the PIN.
With both the bank card information and the PIN, the suspect has sufficient information to duplicate the victim's bank card, and if undetected, to fraudulently withdraw funds from the victim's bank account(s). These fraudulent activities have led to security and privacy concerns, and to tangible and significant monetary losses for the victims and/or the financial institutions providing the ABMs.
What is needed is a more effective system and method for surveillance of suspects of ABM fraud.

System and method for surveillance of suspects of automated banking machine fraud

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention relates to an in-wheel motor driving apparatus for reducing weight, improving Hall sensor assembly performance, and reducing a defect rate. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the weight of an in-wheel motor can be reduced by separating a suspension housing and a shaft and applying different materials thereto. Furthermore, the ease of assembling a Hall sensor can be improved, and the defect rate can be reduced.

Futuristic transportation devices for rapidly traveling a short distance are required at a time when a range of activity becomes wider and an amount of activity becomes larger in centers of cities. Additionally, a range of leisure cultures to which the transportation devices are applied becomes wider.
In terms of the futuristic transportation devices, electric energy stored in a battery rather than fossil fuels such as gasoline, diesel oil and the like may be used to drive a motor. A typical example of the motor is an in-wheel motor.
The in-wheel motor is a system used for transportation means powered by electricity. Power output from a motor disposed in a rim may be directly delivered to a wheel.
In case the in-wheel motor is applied to a transportation device, a device for driving and a device for delivering power such as an engine, a transmission, a gear and the like may be omitted. Accordingly, the transportation device may become lightweight and loss of energy during a process of delivering power may be reduced.
An in-wheel motor for an electric vehicle is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0095721 (published on Aug. 29, 2012 and referred to as "prior art document 1") as a prior art document relating to the present disclosure. The in-wheel motor for an electric vehicle disclosed in prior art document 1 includes a motor for generating rotational power, a speed reducer for delivering rotational power of the motor, a hub installed at the front of the speed reducer, a disc assembled to the hub and a wheel. However, a suspension housing and a suspension assembly and the like are not disclosed in prior art document 1. Accordingly, it is difficult to buffer and absorb an impact from a road surface.
Additionally, an in-wheel motor system is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0132216 (published on Nov. 17, 2014 and referred to as "prior art document 2") as another prior art document relating to the present disclosure. For the in-wheel motor system in prior art document 2, a motor is mounted onto a rim of a wheel of a vehicle to directly drive the wheel. However, the in-wheel motor system does not include a suspension housing and a suspension assembly and the like. Accordingly, it is difficult to buffer and absorb an impact from a road surface.
Against this backdrop, there is a growing need for technologies for buffering and absorbing an impact from a road surface through the application of a suspension housing and a suspension assembly to an in-wheel motor, and realizing a lightweight in-wheel motor and ensuring improved ease in assembly and a lower defect rate on the basis of the structural improvement.


A turbine exhaust thin strut includes an airfoil section having a profile substantially in accordance with at least an intermediate portion of the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in Table 2. The X and Y values are distances, which when smoothly connected by an appropriate continuing curve, define airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at each distance Z are joined smoothly to one another to form a complete airfoil shape.

A gas turbine engine typically includes an exhaust duct through which hot combustion gases are flowed during operation of the engine. The exhaust duct conventionally comprises an inner cylindrical member forming the inner wall of the gaspath and an outer cylindrical member forming the outer wall of the gaspath. A plurality of radially extending struts spans the gaspath between the inner and outer cylindrical members.
Hot combustion gases discharging from the turbine into the exhaust duct during operation of the engine have a residual velocity component in the tangential direction with respect to the inner annular gaspath. The tangential velocity component of the hot combustion gases is undesirable as it detracts from the momentum increase that produces a forward axial thrust in the gas turbine engine. Conversion of the tangential velocity to axial velocity increases the axial thrust produced in the mixer and is essential for optimum operation of the turbine engine.
The tangential velocity component of the flow are redirected axially by the struts of the exhaust duct. More specifically, each strut has an airfoil for axially straightening the flow, the airfoil profiles being configured so as to aerodynamically affect the turning of the flow of gases.
In an exhaust duct following a single stage low pressure (LP) turbine, and particularly where the duct has forced mixer component following it, the strut airfoil shape must remove a substantial amount of residual swirl in the flow leaving the single stage LP turbine, in order to ensure that the forced mixer component which follows can function correctly. The amount of swirl will vary from the inner to the outer annulus and from one engine operating condition to another. At altitude, the flow Reynolds Number will be such that the flow is subject to flow separation unless great care is taken in determining the airfoil profile shape. Thus, the flow regimes this type of airfoil is exposed to will vary substantially with engine operating conditions and will be subject to flow separation. Therefore, improvements in airfoil design are sought.


A system for delivering fluid in a machine is provided. The system includes a pump, a first valve disposed downstream of the pump, a check valve disposed downstream of the first valve, at least one accumulator disposed downstream of the check valve, and an auxiliary system disposed upstream of the check valve. The system further includes a control unit configured to receive a signal indicative of a fluid demand from the auxiliary system. The control unit is also configured to selectively control the first valve in a first position to limit flow of the fluid from the pump to the auxiliary system, and in a second position to allow flow of the fluid from the pump to the auxiliary system based, at least in part, on the received signal. The check valve limits flow of a fluid from the at least one accumulator to the auxiliary system.

A machine, such an articulated truck, having an auxiliary system, such as an automatic traction control, may employ a hydraulically operated cross axle differential. The differential may be powered by a hydraulic circuit associated with the machine. In some situations, a braking circuit employed for providing hydraulic power to hydraulically operated brakes of the machine may be employed for providing hydraulic power to the differential as well. Accordingly, the hydraulic circuit may employ one or more hydraulic accumulators, inverse shuttle valves, or the like.
In some situations, the differential may be hydraulically coupled to the hydraulic circuit upstream of the inverse shuttle valve and the hydraulic accumulators. Typically, a working pressure of the hydraulic accumulators may be substantially greater than a working pressure of the differential. As a result, during a pressure demand on the differential side, fluid under pressure may be delivered from the hydraulic accumulators to the differential through the inverse shuttle valve. As a result, the differential may induce a parasitic load on the hydraulic accumulators which may be primarily employed for powering the hydraulically operated brakes.
This may frequently trigger a low brake pressure warning in an operator console of the machine. Also, the inverse shuttle valve may be generally designed for allowing fluid flow there through in one direction, such as towards the hydraulic accumulators. As such, reverse flow of the fluid there through from the hydraulic accumulators towards the differential may result in vigorous movement of a valve element with respect to a valve seat of the inverse shuttle valve. This vibration may result in undesirable noise from the inverse shuttle valve, reduced valve life, and so on. Hence, there is a need for an improved system for providing hydraulic power to the auxiliary system of the machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,070 describes a vehicle brake control device for reducing noise and pulsation while securing a pressure boost during an anti-skid control and traction control. The brake control device includes a main brake line routed through a master cylinder, an inlet valve, and a wheel cylinder. An accumulator to store hydraulic pressure is installed in the brake line between the master cylinder and the wheel cylinder.


A substituted lithium-manganese metal phosphate of formulaLiFexMn1-x-yMyPO4 in which M is a bivalent metal from the group Sn, Pb, Zn, Ca, Sr, Ba, Co, Ti and Cd and wherein: x<1, y<0.3 and x+y<1, a process for producing it as well as its use as cathode material in a secondary lithium-ion battery.

The present invention relates to a novel substituted lithium-manganese metal phosphate, a process for producing it as well as its use as cathode material in a secondary lithium-ion battery.
Since the publications by Goodenough et al. (J. Electrochem. Soc., 144, 1188-1194, 1997) there has been significant interest in particular in using lithium iron phosphate as cathode material in rechargeable secondary lithium-ion batteries. Lithium iron phosphate, compared with conventional lithium compounds based on spinels or layered oxides, such as lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide and lithium nickel oxide, offers higher safety properties in the delithiated state such as are required in particular for the use of batteries in future in electric cars, electrically powered tools etc.
Pure lithium iron phosphate material was improved by so-called "carbon coating" (Ravet et al., Meeting of Electrochemical Society, Honolulu, 17-31 Oct. 1999, EP 1 049 182 A2), as an increased capacity of the carbon-coated material is achieved at room temperature (160 mAH/g).
In addition to customary solid-state syntheses (U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,382 C1 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,640 C1), a hydrothermal synthesis for lithium iron phosphate with the possibility of controlling the size and morphology of the lithium iron phosphate particles was disclosed in WO 2005/051840.
A disadvantage of lithium iron phosphate is in particular its redox couple Fe3+/Fe2+ which has a much lower redox potential vis-à-vis Li/Li+ (3.45 V versus Li/Li+) than for example the redox couple Co3+/Co4+ in LiCoO2 (3.9 V versus Li/Li+).
In particular lithium manganese phosphate LiMnPO4 is of interest in view of its higher Mn2+/Mn3+ redox couple (4.1 volt) versus Li/Li+. LiMnPO4 was also already disclosed by Goodenough et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,382.
However, the production of electrochemically active and in particular carbon-coated LiMnPO4 has proved very difficult.
The electrical properties of lithium manganese phosphate were improved by iron substitution of the manganese sites:
Herle et al. in Nature Materials, Vol. 3, pp. 147-151 (2004) describe lithium-iron and lithium-nickel phosphates doped with zirconium. Morgan et al. describes in Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 7 (2), A30-A32 (2004) the intrinsic lithium-ion conductivity in LixMPO4 (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) olivines. Yamada et al. in Chem. Mater. 18, pp. 804-813, 2004 deal with the electrochemical, magnetic and structural features of Lix(MnyFe1-y)PO4, which are also disclosed e.g. in WO2009/009758. Structural variations of Lix(MnyFe1-y)PO4, i.e. of the lithiophilite-triphylite series, were described by Losey et al. The Canadian Mineralogist, Vol. 42, pp. 1105-1115 (2004). The practical effects of the latter investigations in respect of the diffusion mechanism of deintercalation in Lix(MnyFe1-y)PO4 cathode material are found in Molenda et al. Solid State Ionics 177, 2617-2624 (2006).
However, a plateau-like region occurs for the discharge curves at 3.5 volt vis-à-vis lithium (iron plateau), the length of which compared with pure LiMnPO4 increases as the iron content increases, which results in a loss of energy density (see Yamada et al. in the publication mentioned above). The slow kinetics (charge and discharge kinetics) of manganese-containing metal phosphates, in particular Lix(MnyFe1-y)PO4 with y>0.8, have so far made the use of these compounds for battery applications largely impossible.

Substituted lithium-manganese metal phosphate


In real time communication, long interruption of a media data signal caused by underflow or overflow of a buffer is reduced. A monitoring unit 35a monitors a state of the buffer 34 periodically. When the number of encoded data in the buffer 34 shows tendency of increasing from a standard data storage number, successively a predetermined number of times, then, it is judged that the buffer tends to overflow. And, the decoding unit 35 is made to skip at least one encoded data to be read and processed this time from the buffer 34. Further, when the number of encoded data in the buffer 34 shows tendency of decreasing from the mentioned standard data storage number, successively the predetermined number of times, then, it is judged that the buffer tends to underflow. And, the processing unit 35 is made to suspend operation during at least one period of the above-mentioned reproduction period.

The present invention relates to a technique of processing a packet data stream received through a packet-switched network, and particularly, to a technique suitable for real time reproduction processing of a packet data stream representing an audio signal or a video signal.
Recently, real time communication systems using a packet-switched network, such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), are proposed.
In this kind of real time communication system, in the transmitting end, a media data signal (i.e., an audio signal of, for example, talking voice, or a video signal of, for example, a dynamic image), which requires real time, is sampled at a sampling period, packeted, and transmitted onto a packet-switched network. Thus, the transmitting end transmits sequentially each of packet data constituting a packet data stream that represents the media data signal, onto the packet-switched network in accordance with the above-mentioned sampling period. Then, in the receiving end, each packet data constituting the above-mentioned packet data stream is received through the packet-switched network and processed in the order of reception, so that the media data signal represented by the packet data stream is reproduced.
In the meantime, when communication is performed through a packet-switched network, sometimes a packet data reception period deviates from a packet data transmission period, i.e., a sampling period of a media data signal in the transmitting end, owing to fluctuation of packet data transmission delay times (hereinafter, referred to as transmission fluctuation) on the packet-switched network. In that case, when the receiving end immediately processes packet data received from the packet-switched network, it is impossible to process continuously and sequentially the packet data, which constitute the packet data stream sent from the transmitting end, in accordance with the above-mentioned sampling period. As a result, there arises interruption or collapse of the media data signal.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a flow of a media data signal in the case where packet data received from a packet-switched network are processed immediately in the receiving end.
In the figure, the reference numeral 701 refers to an input signal as a media data signal inputted into a packet data transmitting apparatus, 702 to a reproduced signal as a media data signal outputted from a packet data receiving apparatus, 703 to a packet data stream transmitted from the packet data transmitting apparatus to a packet-switched network, and 704 to a packet data stream received by the packet data receiving apparatus through the packet-switched network. And, the reference numeral 705 refers to a sampling period T1 for the packet data transmitting apparatus to generate the packet data stream 703 from the input signal 701, and 706 to a packet data transmission period T2 for the packet data transmitting apparatus to transmit sequentially the packet data constituting the packet data stream 703 onto the packet-switched network. Generally, in the case of real time communication, the sampling period T1 705 coincides with the packet data transmission period T2 706. Further, the reference numeral 707 refers to a propagation delay time T3 of a packet data on the packet-switched network.
Now, in FIG. 8, when respective propagation delay times T3 707 of a plurality of successive packet data are equal to each other, as in the case of the first and second packet data in the packet data stream 703, the packet data reception interval T between the plurality of successive packet data coincides with the packet data transmission period T2 706 of the packet data transmitting apparatus. In that case, at a point of time when reproduction processing on a certain packet data has been finished, the packet data receiving apparatus starts reproduction processing on a packet data to be reproduced next to the mentioned packet data. Thus, even when the packet data receiving apparatus processes the packet data immediately after reception from the packet-switched network, a reproduced signal can be obtained without causing interruption or collapse of the reproduced signal.
On the other hand, when transmission fluctuation arises with respect to at least one of a plurality of successive packet data as in the case of the second and third packet data in the packet data stream 703, and consequently, a packet data reception interval T in the mentioned plurality of successive packet data in the packet data receiving apparatus becomes longer than the packet data transmission period T2 706 of the packet data transmitting apparatus, then, sometimes there arises a situation where reproduction processing on a packet data to be reproduced next to a certain packet data is not started at a point of time when reproduction processing on the mentioned certain packet data has been finished. In that case, when the packet data receiving apparatus performs reproduction processing on packet data immediately after reception from the packet-switched network, there arises interruption between a reproduced signal obtained by reproduction of the certain packet data and a reproduced signal obtained by reproduction of the packet data to be reproduced next to that certain packet data.
Further, when there arises transmission fluctuation with respect to at least one of a plurality of successive packet data, as in the case of the third and fourth packet data in the packet data stream 703, and consequently, a packet data reception interval T in the mentioned plurality of successive packet data in the packet data receiving apparatus becomes shorter than the packet data transmission period T2 706 of the packet data transmitting apparatus, then, sometimes there arises a situation where reproduction processing on a packet data to be reproduced next to a certain packet data is started before the reproduction processing on the mentioned certain packet data is finished. In that case, when the packet data receiving apparatus performs reproduction processing on packet data immediately after reception from the packet-switched network, there arises collapse in a reproduced signal obtained by reproducing the certain packet data.
As described above, when a receiving end immediately processes packet data received from a packet-switched network, there arises interruption or collapse of a media data signal owing to transmission fluctuation. Thus, conventionally, the receiving end is provided with a buffer for absorbing transmission fluctuation, and packet data received from the packet-switched network are stored once into the buffer. Then, it is awaited that a predetermined number of packet data are stored in this buffer, and thereafter, the packet data are read sequentially from the buffer to subject them to reproduction processing. Such operation can reproduce the media data signal while preventing occurrence of interruption and collapse owing to transmission fluctuation.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a flow of a media data signal in the case where packet data received from a packet-switched network are stored once in a buffer and processed. Here, an element having the same function as in FIG. 8 has the same reference numeral.
In the figure, the reference numeral 704a refers to packet data stored in a buffer in the packet data receiving apparatus, 709 to a buffering waiting time T5 extending from storing of the first packet data into the buffer to a start of reproduction processing on packet data, and 710 to a packet data reproduction period T4.
Now, in FIG. 9, when the packet data receiving apparatus receives packet data through the packet-switched network, the packet data are stored once into the buffer. Then, it is awaited that the buffering waiting time T5 709 elapses. And, after the predetermined number of packet data (in this example, two packet data) are stored in this buffer, the packet data are read sequentially from the buffer in accordance with the packet data reproduction period T4 710 to perform reproduction processing. Accordingly, even when transmission fluctuation arises with respect to at least one of a plurality of successive packet data as in the case of the second and third packet data or the third and fourth packet data in the packet data stream 703, and consequently, a packet data reception interval T in the mentioned plurality of successive packet data in the packet data receiving apparatus becomes shorter or longer than the packet data transmission period T2 706 of the packet data transmitting apparatus, the reproduced signal can be obtained without causing interruption or collapse of the reproduced signal.
Here, in providing the receiving end with the buffer for absorbing transmission fluctuation, it is favorable to set the buffer size such that the maximum transmission fluctuation expected on the packet-switched network can be absorbed. However, sometimes, there arises transmission fluctuation exceeding the expected range, on the packet-switched network. When there arises transmission fluctuation that can not be absorbed by the buffer, buffer's underflow (a state in which the buffer is empty and a packet data to be processed next does not arrive at the buffer yet) or overflow (a state in which the buffer is full with packet data and still a packet data arrives one after the other) occurs. Thus conventionally, when buffer's underflow occurs, the reproduction processing on packet data is suspended until the predetermined number of packet data are stored in the buffer. When the predetermined number of packet data are stored in the buffer, then, the reproduction processing on packet data is resumed. When buffer's overflow occurs, the buffer is cleared, and the reproduction processing on packet data is suspended until the predetermined number of packet data are stored in the buffer. When the predetermined number of packet data are stored in the buffer, then, the reproduction processing on packet data is resumed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining processing in the case where underflow occurs in the buffer provided in the packet data receiving apparatus for absorbing transmission fluctuation, in the example of FIG. 9.
As shown in the figure, when transmission fluctuation exceeding the expected range arises with respect to at least one of a plurality of successive packet data as in the case of the 51st and 52nd packet data in the packet data stream 703, and consequently, a packet data reception interval T in the mentioned plurality of successive packet data in the packet data receiving apparatus becomes extremely longer than the packet data transmission period T2 706 of the packet data transmitting apparatus, then, sometimes there arises a situation (underflow) where, at a point of time when the reproduction processing on a certain packet data is finished, storing of a packet data that should be subjected to the reproduction processing next to the mentioned certain packet data has not stored into the buffer yet. In that case, the reproduction processing on packet data is suspended. Then, it is awaited that the buffering waiting time T5 709 elapses. After the predetermined number of packet data (in this example, two packet data) are stored in this buffer, the reproduction processing on packet data is resumed. As a result, there arises interruption of the buffering waiting time T5 709 in the reproduced signal. Here, the transmission fluctuation that can be absorbed is the larger, the longer the buffering waiting time T5 709 becomes.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining processing in the case where overflow occurs in the buffer provided in the packet data receiving apparatus for absorbing transmission fluctuation, in the example of FIG. 9.
As shown in the figure, when transmission fluctuation exceeding the expected range arises with respect to at least one of a plurality of successive packet data as in the case of 71st and 72nd packet data in the packet data stream 703, and consequently, a packet data reception interval T in the mentioned two successive packet data becomes extremely shorter than the packet data transmission period T2 706 of the packet data transmitting apparatus, then, sometimes there arises a situation (overflow) where, a new packet data arrives at the buffer even though the buffer is full with packet data, in the packet data receiving apparatus. In that case, the buffer is reset once (clearing of the inside of the buffer). Then, it is awaited that the buffering waiting time T5 709 elapses. After the predetermined number of packet data (in this example, two packet data) are stored in this buffer, the reproduction processing on packet data is resumed. As a result, there arises interruption of the buffering waiting time T5 709 in the reproduced signal. Here, the transmission fluctuation that can be absorbed is the larger, the longer the buffering waiting time T5 709 becomes.
As described above, conventionally, a receiving end is provided with a buffer for absorbing transmission fluctuation, and packet data received from a packet-switched network are stored once in this buffer. Then, the packet data are read sequentially from the buffer in accordance with a sampling period, and processed.
Here, conventionally, a precision error between a clock generator (which generates a clock used for generating a packet data stream from an inputted media data signal) in a transmitting end and a clock generator (which generates a clock used for reading packets sequentially from a buffer to perform reproduction processing) in a receiving end is not taken into consideration. An error between those clocks causes difference between a sampling period T1 705 (a packet data transmission period T2 706) in the transmitting end and a packet data reproduction period T4 710. Accordingly, the number of packet data stored in the buffer increases or decreases, finally causing underflow or overflow of the buffer.
Conventionally, buffer underflow and overflow generated by such a cause also have been processed similarly to the buffer underflow and overflow generated by transmission fluctuation exceeding an expected range. As described above, the transmission fluctuation that can be absorbed by the buffer is the larger, the longer the suspension time (which is equal to the buffering waiting time T5 709) of the reproduction processing on packet data in the case of buffer underflow or overflow becomes. Such long interruption of the reproduced signal deteriorates the quality of real time communication.

Packet data processing apparatus and packet data processing method


A coating pigment composition comprising a hydrous clay, a caustic leached calcined clay, and a porous mineral provides a coating having excellent balance of color intensity and color definition characteristics when printed on by multicolored inks. The pigments of this invention offer a low cost alternative to conventional silica-based coatings in addition to affording other desirable benefits such as improved rheology, less required coat weights, and higher coating solids compared to conventional silica coatings.

1.1 Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward novel clay-based pigments. More particularly, the invention relates to a modified kaolin pigment useful in the coating of paper for ink-jet printing applications.
1.2 Related Art
It is known that surface characteristics of paper (or any other printing surface) play a large role in how ink will be received and appear after application to the printing surface. Thus, varying print appearances can be expected depending on whether the surface ink is being applied to is uncoated or coated. Printing on uncoated paper results in low quality printing while printing on coated paper results in a higher quality print albeit of varying quality according to the nature of the paper coating composition.
Two of the more important characteristics to be controlled in color ink jet printing are depth of penetration and feathering or bleeding of the ink when applied to the paper. Too deep of a penetration results in poor color intensity. Bleeding results in poor printing definition. A further criteria, not known to have been identified in the prior art of multicolor ink jet printing and as hereinafter disclosed, is to control the contact angle of the various ink jet colors (i.e., cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) in a manner that the inks will substantially have the same contact angle when applied to the coated paper. When the contact angles of the various inks are substantially the same, the appearance of the ink colors are more uniform, i.e., one color does not appear more dull or more bright than another color.
A common component of paper coating compositions of the prior art is silica. While silica is an effective paper coating constituent as a hydrophilic pigment, it is somewhat more expensive than clay-based pigments and has severe rheological limitations such as in the amount of coating solids and Brookfield viscosity.
Thus, there is a need in the art for less expensive pigments which do not sacrifice printing qualities and desirably improve rheological properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,174 is directed to a method of ink jet recording and identifies desirable properties of substrates or coatings for satisfactory color ink jet printing. This patent purports that maintaining an R.sub.f value (ratio of traveling distance of dye to that of the solvent in the aqueous ink) of less than 0.59 produces images of high quality having high ink absorption and image density.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,487 describes ink jet recording medium coatings containing a high swelling montmorillonite clay and silica.
However, these references do not disclose or suggest the claimed combination of components of the applicants' invention.
We have now found a kaolin-based pigment which is less expensive than silica and provides outstanding color intensity and resolution in addition to several other advantages hereinafter described.


An armpit sweat absorption system comprised of a disposable absorption pad that is placed inside a pocket located under the armpit of a conventional yet modified men and women's undershirt. The pocket, located at the arm pit location serves as an “under-pocket” to contain the disposable absorption pad. The under-pocket is a simple layer of undershirt material that reinforces the under arm and has room to hold the pad. The pad material is a composite of gauze-like cotton material suitable for absorbing moisture. The combined effort of under pocket and absorption pad is meant to absorb unsightly underarm perspiration and provide garment protection from clothes fading and discoloration due to sweating and deodorant stains that tend to drain through.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to underarm protection and garment protection in the course of underarm perspiration. Specifically, the system is used for both reducing the effects on clothes of absorbed perspiration and guarding the outer garment from unsightly stains of perspiration and stains caused by deodorant and perspiration leakage that builds up on the shirt around the area of the armpit.
2. Prior Art
U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 417,333 to Re shows a pocket for attachment at about the rib cage region (under the arm) of a sleeveless undershirt and is designed for the pocket to serve as a harness for carrying a holster, handcuff or other mechanical instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,536 to Kramer shows an undergarment with an integrally stitched pocket at about the rib cage region beneath the arm to be used as a holster and to secure the weapon in a concealed fashion adjacent the body and ready for use.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0083529 to Tate describes a moisture-absorbing fitness or work out garment with protective pockets designed for the containment of valued items. The garment includes waterproofing materials and sown side pockets that serve to hold a towel, keys, or other valued item.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0098783 to Parson, describes an absorption device using excess cloth fastened to lingerie. These sleeves form folds of sleeve material under the armpits that absorb perspiration and prevent staining the outer garment. Attached to lingerie, the sleeves have bights formed in the sleeve material. These bights prevent the sleeve material from gathering, or bundling, as the lingerie shoulder straps are adjusted to adapt to the wearer's physique, thereby establishing a smooth transition from the sleeves to the lingerie that avoids forming unsightly humps in the outer garment surface. When the sleeves are used with a body shirt, a crotch strap is provided on the body shirt to stabilize the body shirt on the wearer's torso and to prevent the body shirt from "riding up" on the wearer's torso during strenuous physical activity.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0258903 A1 to Eberle, describes a treated absorption and perspiration pad that uses adhesives to fasten to an underarm area of an upper torso garment such as a shirt, blouse, or tee shirt.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,989 relates to breathable absorbent articles particularly sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence products or sweat pads particularly such breathable absorbent articles which are worn by direct attachment to the skin of the wearer in the area where absorption of bodily liquids is desired.
What does not exist in the market place is a one-piece garment that serves the purpose of providing an extra layer of absorption support in a self-contained shirt. The wearer should be able to easily remove and replace such an extra layer of absorption support at will. The extra layer of absorption support should also be held in place without causing discomfort or disruption to every day wear. None of the above prior art patents and patent applications, taken individually or in combination, provides the desired extra layer of absorption support.


A vacuum pump comprises pumping elements arranged in a pumping chamber. An electric motor drives the pumping element. A frequency inverter is provided for changing the rotational speed of the electric motor. The frequency inverter is arranged in a frequency inverter housing immediately connected to the pump housing. An air cooler and a liquid cooler are arranged in the frequency inverter housing to cool the frequency inverter.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure refers to a vacuum pump, in particular a screw-type vacuum pump, a Roots vacuum pump or a rotary vane vacuum pump.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Vacuum pumps comprise pumping elements arranged in a pumping chamber formed by the pump housing and serving to convey a fluid, especially a gas such as air. The pumping elements are usually driven by an electric motor. For a simple variation of the rotational speed of the vacuum pump it is known to use frequency inverters, so as to be able to change the motor speed in a simple manner. A frequency inverter is a sensitive electronic component. To allow a good cooling and a vibration-free arrangement of the frequency inverters, it is known to provide them in a control cabinet independent from the vacuum pump and separately from the pump. However, this is troublesome in particular because of the necessary wiring between the control cabinet and the electric motor of the vacuum pump. Therefore, it is generally preferred to arrange the frequency inverter directly at the vacuum pump.
For frequency inverters arranged immediately at the vacuum pump it is known to provide air cooling for the cooling of the frequency inverters. In this case, the cooling is effected using ambient air drawn by a blower and blown towards the frequency inverter. Thus, the cooling is achieved by forced convection. However, such air-cooling means are disadvantageous in that high protection ratings cannot be achieved or only with great effort. Even for lower protection ratings a complex housing is required. Especially in a dirty environment the maintenance effort is high, since frequent cleaning and filter changes are necessary. It is further known to cool the frequency inverters using natural convection, in which case the housing is immediately provided with cooling ribs. However, this design is only possible if the ambient temperatures are correspondingly low and the pump is operated in a performance range where the frequency inverter is not heated up much. Since a free inflow of air has to be guaranteed, a high risk of contamination exists for this design as well.
It is further known to provide the frequency inverter with immediate water cooling. In this case, the frequency inverter is connected with a cooled surface of the vacuum pump. However, this has a drawback that the frequency inverter is exposed to the vibrations of the vacuum pump.
Moreover, the cooling requirements of the vacuum pump and the cooling requirements of the frequency inverter have to correspond to each other.
The frequency inverter used thus has to be adapted to the corresponding requirements. It is further known to provide a separate cooling plate for the frequency inverter, which is connected to a separate cooling circuit.
This is an extremely complex solution. It is a general drawback of water cooling for a frequency inverter that at a high air humidity condensate can also form within the frequency inverter.
It is an object of the disclosure to provide a vacuum pump with a frequency inverter, wherein a reliable cooling of the frequency inverter is guaranteed.                disclosure


The invention relates to an optical system for forming and image on a concave spherical surface comprising, perpendicularly to the optical axis of the spherical surface, starting from the object side: a first elliptical plano-complex lens (L1) with convexity direct towards the object side; a second aspherical plano-concave lense (L2) whose radius of curvature decreases with distance from the axis, with concavity directed towards the image side, made of a material with a smaller Abbe number that that of the first lens; a parallel-faced plate (S1) on which bear the planer faces of the first and second lenses; a third aspherical plano-convex/concave lens (L3) exhibiting a convex shape in its central part and a concave shape at its periphery.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical system capable of forming an image on a concave spherical surface. It especially applies to the case where the concave spherical surface comprises a pixel array capable of forming the detector of a digital image capture device, for example usable in a portable device.
2. Description of the Related Art
As illustrated in FIG. 1, when a lens 1 is used, parallel axial rays 3 form an image focused at a point F located on an image plane 5. However, if the field aperture is large, non-axial rays 7 cannot be considered to focus on a focal plane. Instead of this, these non-axial rays focus at points, such as point F′, located on a focusing surface 9 which generally is a sphere portion.
If it is desired for the image to effectively form on a planar focal surface, a complex optical system such as that described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,180,687, which comprises a lens comprising six complex aspherical lens surfaces for correcting irregular curvatures of the field, and the various aberrations and distortions inherent to an optical system.
An image capture system in which the image is formed on a concave spherical surface has been provided, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,467,361. This system essentially comprises a ball lens. A disadvantage of such ball lenses, in addition to the fact that they provide a poor correction of distortions, is that their manufacturing is incompatible with collective methods developed to manufacture lenses by deposition of a layer on a transparent plate, and simultaneous forming of a large number of identical lenses by molding, assembly, and cutting into individual lenses. Such collective methods are for example described in a document entitled "wafer-level cameras" by Margaret Zoberbier et al. disclosed at the International Image Sensor Workshop, Bergen, Norway 2009.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,688,531 describes a system for forming images on a planar surface and essentially aims at performing astigmatism corrections, but does not concern field curvature aberrations.
Thus, known systems have various disadvantages.

Optical system for forming an image on a concave spherical surface

Commissariat à L'énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives


A wear-resistant armored cutting tool may be provided. The wear-resistant armored cutting tool may include a tool body, a bolster, at least one wear-resistant member, and a cutting tip. The bolster may be fixedly attached to the tool body with an end of a surface of the tool body disposed adjacent the bolster. The at least one wear-resistant member may be fixedly attached to the tool body. The at least one wear-resistant member may be disposed adjacent to the end of the surface of the tool body. The cutting tip may be fixedly attached to the bolster. The bolster, the at least one wear-resistant member, and the cutting tip may each have a material hardness which is greater than that of the tool body.

Cutting tools, such as earth cutting tools, often experience severe wear during use. The bodies of these cutting tools may wash out leaving a thin cross-section of the tool behind that is susceptible to failure, and which may leave an undesired milling pattern. These cutting tools often fail and need to be replaced.
Cutting tools and methods of their manufacture are needed to overcome one or more issues of the existing cutting tools.


Disclosed is an actuator device for an optical device. The actuator device includes a core arranged in an optical device inside of which an optical path passes through, a coil wound around the core, and a rotational magnet formed into an approximately cylindrical shape, at least one end of which includes a bearing portion in an axial direction, and which rotates according to a direction of a magnet field output from the core by electrifying the coil. The actuator device further includes a drive pin rotated in association with the rotational magnet, a base member securely supporting the core and rotatably supporting the rotating magnet, and an optical member moving in and out of the optical path based on rotation of the rotational magnet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an actuator device for an optical device that moves an optical member in and out of an optical path using magnetic force, and also to an image-capture apparatus including such an actuator device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An actuator device for an optical device in related art is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication NO. 2004-194403. In Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication NO. 2004-194403, an electro-magnetic actuator configured to generate drive force from electro-magnetic force. Specifically, the electro-magnetic actuator is applied at the time of driving a shutter blade of camera, and the like, and a camera shutter device that employs the electro-magnetic actuator. The electro-magnetic actuator described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication NO. 2004-194403 is configured as follows. "This electro-magnetic actuator includes a rotor having an outer circumference divided in a circumferential direction such that each divided portion is polarized into alternately different magnetic polarity and having a drive pin formed in a manner protruding from the above-described outer circumference, an exciting coil, and a yoke having a circular arc surface facing the outer circumference of the above-described rotor and having a first magnetic polarity portion and a second magnetic polarity portion in which mutually different magnetic polarities are generated by allowing to flow electric current in the above-described coil". "In this electro-magnetic actuator, the drive force is output from the above-described drive pin by rotating in a prescribed angle range, and the above-described rotor is protruded from the above-described outer circumference to the outside in a radial direction and is polarized into the same magnetic polarity as this outer circumference, and in addition this rotor has projection portions formed in a manner being opposable to the above-described first magnetic polarity portion and the above-described second magnetic polarity portion".
According to the electro-magnetic actuator having such configuration that is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication NO. 2004-194403, "a surface facing the yoke increases as the whole of rotor since the projection portion is provided which is protruded from the outer circumference of the rotor to the outside in the radius direction while being polarized into the same magnetic polarity as this outer circumference and that is formed in a manner being opposable to the first magnetic polarity portion and second magnetic polarity portion of the yoke". As a result, there can be expected such an effect "that the electro-magnetic actuator capable of generating desired retaining force and drive torque can be provided while reducing a size of the actuator.
An actuator device using a magnetic force of a magnet has been provided to move an optical member such as a shutter and a fixed diaphragm in an optical device. A plastic magnet having a magnetic powder mixed into plastic, for example, is generally used as the magnet for this actuator device. Since the plastic is used as a major component, this plastic magnet is excellent in formability, however, the generated magnetic force is weak.
Accordingly, a diameter of the plastic magnet may be increased to increase the magnetic force to a prescribed value in the optical device of related art. As a result, the whole optical device increases in size and hence an image-capture apparatus having such optical device also increases in size.
In contrast, a permanent magnet having a neodymium compound and a samarium compound, capable of generating a strong magnetic force, with the magnet being small in size has recently been developed and used.
In this case, the permanent magnet having the neodymium compound and the samarium compound is formed by sintering. Thus, it is preferable that the sintered permanent magnet be formed into a simple shape in view of formability. The simple shape, in this case, implies a cylindrical column since the cylindrical column can easily be manufactured comparatively by sintering.

Actuator device for optical device and image-capture apparatus


A geometric compression ratio in an engine main body 1 is set to 15 or less. Injection control means (ECU 40) performs a main injection of injecting fuel near a compression top dead center, and a preceding injection prior to the main injection at a specific region of predetermined load within an operating region on a relatively low-speed side. The injection control means performs, as the preceding injection, a pilot injection of performing injection at a timing such that at least part of a fuel spray reaches outside a cavity 31 on a top face of a piston, and a pre-injection of injecting fuel at a predetermined timing after the pilot injection, to suppress thereby ignition of the fuel injected by the pilot injection and shorten an ignition delay of the fuel injected by the main injection.

In diesel engines installed in automobiles, a plurality of fuel injections are carried out in each cylinder during one engine cycle, with a view to, for instance, reducing the amount of NOx and soot in the exhaust gas, lowering noise and vibration, and improving fuel consumption and torque. For instance, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-293383 (hereafter, Patent document 1) discloses a fuel injection mode in which two injections, namely a pre-injection for premixing and a pre-injection for pre-heating, are performed ahead of a main injection for torque generation.
Concerning the setting of injection timing in pre-injection for premixing and pre-injection for pre-heating, Patent document 1 also discloses the features of determining the timing at which a heat release amount or a heat release rate drops in a cylinder while varying the injection timing of pre-injection for pre-heating towards the advance side, in a state where the injection timing of the main injection is fixed, to acquire thereby an advance angle limit of pre-injection for pre-heating; and determining similarly the timing at which the amount of heat released in the cylinder becomes zero while varying the injection timing of pre-injection for premixing, in a state where the injection timing of the main injection is fixed, to acquire thereby the lag angle limit of pre-injection for premixing.
In diesel engines installed in automobiles, NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) performance is an important consideration at a region of high frequency of use and of partial load on a relatively low-speed side (low load to medium load). In particular in the medium load region within the above operating region, the heat release rate (or heat release speed dQ/dθ) increases abruptly accompanying an increase in the fuel injection amount during main combustion at which the fuel injected by the main injection burns (combustion where diffusion combustion is predominant). This is likely to give rise to an increase in combustion noise and loss of NVH performance, all of which is problematic.
As a countermeasure, the technology disclosed in the abovementioned Patent document involves only setting the lag angle limit of pre-injection for premixing and the advance angle limit of pre-injection for pre-heating, and fails to suppress abrupt increases in the heat release rate during the main combustion. Therefore, there is a need for technologies that allow actively controlling the combustion mode in the cylinders so as to suppress abrupt increases in the heat release rate during the main combustion in a predetermined load region.

Diesel engine for automobile, control device and control method


Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer-program products for identifying an occurrence during a conversation being conducted between a first party and a second party where sensitive information is conveyed by the first party or the second party. In particular embodiments, speech analytics is used to monitor audio of the conversation and a first speech characteristic is detected indicating a start event identifying a start of an occurrence where sensitive information is conveyed by the first party or the second party. Following the detection of first speech characteristic, a second speech characteristic is detected in the audio indicating an end event identifying an end of the occurrence. Accordingly, identifiers for the start and end events are then recorded in various embodiments as metadata along with a recording of the audio of the conversation to identify where in the recording the occurrence takes place.

Contact centers frequently encounter calls being conducted between parties and agents of the contact centers in which situations arise where the parties and/or the agents provide sensitive information. "Sensitive information" is understood to be any type of information that may be desired to be limited in its exposure. For example, a party may call the contact center to purchase a product and during the call, the party may provide his credit card number to pay for the product. In this example, the credit card number is considered to be sensitive information. In many instances, calls involving the disclosure of sensitive information may be recorded for a number of various reasons and contact centers may be required to comply with governmental regulations, industry standards, and/or corporate policies that prohibit the storing of sensitive information using unsecure methods and/or unlimited access controls. Therefore, the contact centers may wish to "cleanse" any recordings having sensitive information.
Today, many contact centers rely on scripted or previously-structured workflows to attempt to identify occurrences where sensitive information is likely discussed and then halt recording during these occurrences so that the sensitive information is not recorded. However, using this type of approach for "cleansing" recordings of sensitive information is only effective if the sensitive information falls within a structured pattern and/or workflow. Therefore, any deviation from a script or workflow that results in an occurrence where sensitive information is conveyed outside of a structured pattern and/or workflow is likely to be missed. Therefore, a need exists in the industry for identifying occurrences where sensitive information is conveyed in an "unstructured" manner to avoid accidental storage of sensitive information that was conveyed outside of a structured pattern and/or workflow. Accordingly, it is with respect to this consideration and others that the disclosure herein is presented.

Compliance management of recorded audio using speech analytics


Disclosed are an electrophotographic toner which is a spherical particle comprising a binder resin having encapsulated therein a colorant and has a volume average particle size of from 3 to 12 .mu.m, the binder resin being a non-crosslinked styrene-acrylic resin having an acid value of from 30 to 120, containing from 5 to 60% by weight of the components having a molecular weight in terms of polystyrene by gel permeation chromatography of 200,000 or more and having a ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight-average molecular weight Mw to the number-average molecular weight Mn of from 4 to 30; and a process for preparing an electrophotographic toner comprising spherical particles having a volume average grain size of from 3 to 12 .mu.m, the process comprising mixing a mixture comprising the above-described resin, a colorant, a wax and an organic solvent as essential components with an aqueous medium in the presence of a neutralizer in an amount sufficiently large to render the resin self-emulsifiable to effect phase inversion emulsification, thereby producing particles each comprising a binder resin having encapsulated therein a colorant and a wax in the liquid medium, and separating and drying the particles. The toner obtained by the present invention is improved in the thermal fixing characteristics and the environmental stability of charging, exhibits a wide fixing temperature width at the heated roll fixing and has excellent triboelectricity.

Various toners are being used as the electrophotographic toner, however, almost all are amorphous toners prepared by the so-called grinding method and a very small number of toners are spherical toners prepared by the polymerization method.
In recent years, the toner is required to satisfy various demands so as to improve the image quality or save energy of a copying machine or printer. For example, the toner is keenly required to have a small particle size for improving the image quality, however, the amorphous toner prepared by the grinding method cannot be free of conspicuous reduction in the fluidity as a result of formation into small particles. Further, the colorant comes out on the surface of a toner particle and accordingly, the control of electrostatic charge is troublesome. Furthermore, in order to reduce the demand power of a copying machine or printer, the toner must have both the capability of fixing at low temperatures and the hot-offset resistance.
Almost all toners (in particular, a negatively polar toner comprising a styrene-acrylic resin as the binder) use a CCA (charge control agent), however, the CCA contains a heavy metal and may pollute the environment and therefore, it is desired, if possible, not to use the CCA.
The electrophotographic toners known up to the present time in the field of conventional techniques such as the grinding method or polymerization method have not succeeded in satisfying all these requirements.
The process for preparing a toner by the phase inversion emulsification method is a new technique of which basic technique is first disclosed in JP-A-5-66600 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). JP-A-5-66600 describes a negatively charging toner comprising an anionic self-emulsifiable binder resin having encapsulated therein a colorant and the preparation process thereof, in which the particle size distribution and the triboelectricity are mainly studied but the fixing property is not specifically compared and studied. The binder resin used here is a styrene-acrylic resin having a weight-average molecular weight of from 35,000 to 60,000 and in the light of the technical structure of the present invention, the styrene-acrylic resin obtained according to JP-A-5-66600 comprises less than 4% of the components having a molecular weight in terms of polystyrene by GPC of 200,000 or more and has a Mw/Mn ratio of about 3.
To speak roughly, the preparation process of the toner by the phase inversion emulsification method is a technique of dispersing an organic solvent solution of a resin containing a hydrophilic group and having a self-emulsifiability, a colorant and the like in an aqueous medium and forming a spherical particle having encapsulated therein a colorant.
This process is advantageous in that the particles can be easily prepared without consuming huge energy such as grinding and at the same time, small size particles can be very easily prepared. Further, particles having a sharp grain size distribution can also be prepared. Furthermore, since a surface active agent or protective colloid is not substantially used, the cleaning operation can be simple and the problem of environmental stability of the charging is relatively lightened, as compared with the process using a dispersion stabilizer such as a polymerization toner.
However, in the preparation process of the toner by the conventional phase inversion emulsification method, an organic solvent solution of resin is used and a cross-linked resin cannot be used substantially. Further, even if the resin used is not crosslinked, when the resin used contains less than 4% of the components having a molecular weight in terms of polystyrene by GPC of 200,000 or more and has a Mw/Mn ratio of about 3 as described above, it is difficult to achieve satisfactory fixing properties.
Furthermore, the toner prepared by the phase inversion emulsification method using no surface active agent nor protective colloid is disadvantageous in that since the toner particle contains a polar group having hygroscopicity, the environmental stability (the degree of deflection in the triboelectricity of toner upon changing of the temperature or humidity) is insufficient and also it is considered to be ascribable to the spherical shape of the toner particle, the charge rising at the triboelectric charging is deficient.
The object to be attained by the present invention is to remarkably improve the heated roll fixing property by specifying the molecular weight distribution of the binder resin in the light of the construction of the binder resin used in JP-A-5-66600.
The ultimate object to be attained by the present invention in an optimized embodiment is to provide a toner which (1) is excellent in the heated roll fixing property, (2) has good fluidity even when the particle is formed to have a small size and (3) exhibits good triboelectricity even without using a CCA, more specifically, to provide a spherical toner capable of fixing with a heated roll over a wide fixing temperature range and having excellent triboelectricity while improving the thermal fixing property and the environmental stability of charging which are the problems most earnestly desired to solve in the conventional phase inversion emulsification method.

Electrophotographic toner and process for the preparation thereof


The present subject matter relates to clutch arm and release devices and methods such as for a variable speed transmission. A clutch linkage can include a control shaft pivotable about an axis, a substantially U-shaped arm connected at two points to the shaft, and a plurality of projections positioned on the arm. The arm can be moved between positions in response to rotational movement of the control shaft, and the projections can thereby engage and exert a force on a movable sleeve to move the sleeve, such as for causing a clutch bearing to move between an engaged and a disengaged position.

In one typical kind of clutch engagement/disengagement system, a clutch disengaging unit operates by a sleeve mounted on a guide (e.g., on the output shaft of the transmission). This sleeve can be moved to cause a clutch element to shift between an engaged and disengaged position. For instance, where the clutch element is a friction plate of a plate or disk clutch, movement of the sleeve on the guide can deform a diaphragm spring of the clutch such that pressure plates are disengaged from corresponding friction linings on the clutch disk.
A simple mechanical linkage can serve as the mechanism by which the sleeve is moved to shift the clutch element between the engaged and disengaged positions. Specifically, in one common configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a clutch linkage 100 can include a control shaft 102 on which two separate arms 104 are attached for pivoting movement with control shaft 102. Each of arms 104 can include an inward-facing protrusion 106 (i.e., facing towards the other of arms 104). Protrusions 106 can engage a sleeve 108 to move sleeve 108 between the engaged and disengaged positions. Specifically, for example, sleeve 108 can include a groove 110 in which protrusions 106 can be disposed or inserted. As a result, when control shaft 102 is rotated, arms 104 move sleeve 108 along a guide 112 to engage or disengage a clutch element 150, such as a pressure plate of a disk clutch.
Although this simple linkage arrangement can be used for transmitting the motion of control shaft 102 to clutch element 150, the effectiveness of such a component can be compromised by certain aspects of the design. For instance, because arms 104 are independently mounted on control shaft 102, small differences in the positions of arms 104 relative to control shaft 102 can exist because of machining tolerances and the precision of assembly and installation of the components. As a result, it is difficult to ensure that both of arms 104 engage their respective protrusions 106 with groove 110 of sleeve 108 at the same instant and to the same extent. This uneven application of force can lead to uneven wear upon clutch linkage 100 and sleeve 108, sleeve 108 can tend to jam or at least offer a very pronounced resistance to axial movement along guide 112, and pressure can be applied unevenly to clutch element 150, which can reduce the operating life of any bearings connected therewith.
These drawbacks can impede the smooth operation of the clutch and reduce the useful life of sleeve 108 and/or guide 112, especially if sleeve 108 is made of a synthetic material (e.g., plastic). Additional drawbacks of such declutching device designs include the initial cost of manufacture of multiple component parts that make up clutch linkage 100, and installation of all of the parts individually can be time consuming. As a result, it would be desirable for a new declutching device that can operate more consistently than current designs without increasing the cost of manufacture or installation.

Variable speed transmission clutch linkage