An integrated circuit has a doped silicon semiconductor with regions of insulators and bare silicon. The bare silicon regions are isolated from other bare silicon regions. A semiconductor device on the doped silicon semiconductor has at least two electrical connections to form regions of patterned metal. A metal is electroplated directly on each of the regions of patterned metal to form plated connections without a seed layer. A self-aligned silicide is located under each plated connection, formed by annealing, for the regions of plated metal on bare silicon.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present invention generally relates to bulk metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETS) and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs and specifically, a self-aligned silicide (salicide) process for thin film SOI MOSFETs having low resistivity contacts and a self-aligned silicide (salicide) process for shallow junctions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a reduction of a short channel effect in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFET has been addressed by using ultra-thin silicon films (e.g., having a thickness substantially within a range of about 50 nm to about 3 nm). However, using an ultra-thin SOI film can result in high source/drain series resistance. A portion of the high source/drain series resistance can be reduced by using a self-aligned silicide (salicide) contact (e.g., for a discussion of salicides, see Lisa T. Su et al., "Optimization of the series resistance in sub-0.2 fim SOI MOSFET's", Electron Device Letters, 15(9), p. 363, September 1994 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,987,050).
The conventional salicide process has been limited to bulk or thick SOI films (e.g., for purposes of this disclosure, a "bulk" or "thick" SOI film is thicker than 100 nm). Reduction of a SOI film thickness to an estimated 10 nm precludes the use of conventional salicide. That is, if the amount of silicon consumed by the formation of the silicide alloy becomes a large portion of the initial SOI film thickness, then the contact area will decrease, leading to an increase in the contact resistance. Further, even if a conventional salicide was used with thin films, there is no guarantee of low parasitic resistance because an ultra-thin silicon film may be completely consumed during the silicide formation. Further, the conventional salicide process can form a metal-rich silicide which is characterized by higher resistance, if there is not enough silicon to complete the reaction that forms the low resistivity silicide phase.
In the case of a thin SOI film, the percentage of the SOI consumed by the silicide considerably affects the series resistance. It has been demonstrated that when 80% or more of the SOI layer is consumed, the series resistance begins to increase as a result of a reduction in the contact area (e.g., see Su et al., supra).
Alternatively, if the silicide layer is made extremely thin (e.g., less than 30 nm) to avoid consuming the thin SOI film, then the silicide layer loses its efficiency in reducing the series resistance. For example, if the silicide is in the thick regime, then a reduction of the silicide thickness would roughly yield a proportional increase in the series resistance. This linear behavior would hold down to about 20 nm (depending on the silicide metal). A thinner silicide film may exhibit nucleation problems and some of the phases may not form. All of this would lead to a very steep increase in the contact resistance.
The series parasitic resistance should be minimized to facilitate the fabrication of high performance thin film SOI MOSFETs. The conventional salicide process is not applicable to the production of ultra-thin SOI MOSFETs, and therefore a new salicide process is required to overcome the problems of the conventional method. Further, the conventional method and structures are deficient in their silicide/SOI interface roughness.
Yet another problem of the conventional structures and methods is associated with shallow junctions used in both bulk and SOI MOSFET structures. That is, shallow junctions provide many benefits when used with the fabrication of submicron MOSFET. For example, they allow for a large punch-through voltage. That is, the lateral spread of the source and drain depletion regions below the surface layer makes a MOSFET more prone to punch-through. Therefore, shallow source and drains effectively suppress subsurface punch-through path.
Additionally, shallow junctions provide better short channel behavior, and in particular less Vr roll-off (e.g., see S. Wolf, Silicon Processing for the VLSI Era, Volume 3—The Submicron MOSFET, Lattice Press, 1995).
Additionally, such shallow junctions allow for steeper junction (dopant) profiles. For example, low energy implants are used to form shallow junctions. The lateral projection range decreases with the implant energy, and therefore more abrupt junctions can be obtained.
To reduce the series resistance to the source and drain, a self-aligned (salicide) process may be used in the fabrication of the MOSFET device. The top surface of the source and drain regions are silicided, by converting some of the superficial Si into silicide phases such as CoSi2, or TiSi2.
The conventional salicide process typically comprises the following process. First, blanket deposition of a metal such as Co, Ti or Ni, is performed. For example, the typical required film thickness for Co is about 8 nm. The Co deposition is followed by a TiN cap deposition of about 20 nm thick, to prevent oxidation during anneals. Then, a first rapid thermal anneal (RTA) is performed to form the CoSi, TiSi2, or NiSi phase. For example, a 525° C. anneal would react the deposited Co with the underlay Si, converting some of the Si into CoSi.
Thereafter, selective etching of the unreacted metal is performed. For example, the Co that was deposited over non-Si surfaces, such as the dielectric sidewall spacers of the device, cannot react with the Si during the anneal, and therefore would not convert into CoSi. The unreacted Co is etched selectively, leaving the CoSi regions intact.
Finally, a second RTA is performed to form the CoSi2 or TiSi2 low resistive phase. For example, the CoSi is annealed at about 750° C., to form the CoSi2 phase. It is noted that the formation of the CoSi2 phase requires additional consumption of Si from the source and drain regions. The NiSi2 phase has a higher resistivity than NiSi. Thus, a second RTA is not applied in the case of nickel. The silicide forms a junction with the source or drain silicon.
The location of the Silicide/Si junction plays a significant role. At the junction of the contact and the silicon, there is a potential barrier referred to as the Schottky barrier. The Schottky barrier is not desirable, since it leads to a rectifying contact. For example, the Schottky barrier height of CoSi2 on n-type silicon is about 0.64 eV. If the silicon doping is made very high (e.g., such as 5×1019 cm-3), the potential barrier narrows, and electrons can easily tunnel through the thin barrier into the semiconductor. The contact is then referred to as a "tunneling contact", which performs as an ohmic contact.
Referring to the structure 17 in FIG. 1, to make a good ohmic contact to the source 19a and drain 19b, the silicide/Si junction should form at the peak concentration of the dopants in the source 19a and drain 19b. In addition, the silicide/Si junction should not be deeper than the source/drain junction depth, or otherwise a leakage path may form.
Combining the shallow junction requirement with the requirements associated with the silicide/Si junction position is not trivial. As explained above, the salicide process converts some of the source and drain silicon into silicide. For example, the silicon film thickness that is consumed in the formation of CoSi2 alloy is about 3.64 times thicker than the initial as-deposited Co film.
A Co film of 8 nm thickness would yield a CoSi2 film of about 28 nm, and would consume about 29 nm of silicon. On the other hand, the source and drain junction depth is projected to be about 20 nm for devices with a 100 nm gate length (e.g., see the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, 1999 Edition, Semiconductor Industry Association, Executive Summary).
As may be seen by this example, if the junction is made very shallow as required by the semiconductor road map, the silicide film thickness, X silicide, and therefore the silicide/Si junction position, may even exceed the source/drain junction depth. Since the silicide film cannot be made thinner, due to the resistance constraint, the conventional salicide process must be modified to accommodate the shallow junction technology requirement.
In the example of FIG. 1A, the integrated circuit (IC) has a semiconductor 11 with regions of insulators 13 and bare silicon 15. The IC may comprise a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The bare silicon regions are isolated from other bare silicon regions. A semiconductor device 17 is located on the semiconductor 11. The semiconductor device has source 19a and drain 19b to form regions of patterned metal. As shown in FIG. 1B, an oxide spacer 21 is formed on the sidewalls of the device 17. In FIG. 1C, a layer 23 of metal is deposited on the entire device as a seed layer. The device 17 is then annealed (FIG. 1D) to form self-aligned silicides 25 (i.e., salicide) under the seed layer 23. Finally (FIG. 1E), any unreacted metal and by products are removed.
The ability to make large arrays of metal on silicon could provide vertical vias, hard masks for vertical etching, or even single electron transistors given the size and spacing of these arrays of metal clusters. In addition, by not having the constraint of a seed layer, wires or interconnects also may be plated. Thus, improvements in electroplating metals for semiconductor applications continue to be of interest.
The embodiments disclosed herein differ from known semiconductor devices in at least two ways. First, embodiments of solutions disclosed herein may comprise vertical transistors rather than conventional lateral transistors. Second, conventional solutions use a material to form the gate completely from block copolymers. In contrast, the embodiments disclosed herein form at least the source and drain contacts, but do not engineer the gate insulation material.

System, method and apparatus for seedless electroplated structure on a semiconductor substrate


The present invention relates to recovery of aqueous (meth)acrylic acid by condensation of a (meth)acrylic acid-containing stream to produce aqueous (meth)acylic acid having a higher concentration of (meth)acrylic acid and a lower concentration of formaldehyde, i.e., not more than 0.1 weight %, than the aqueous (meth)acrylic acid produced using hithertofore known separation methods. The (meth)acrylic acid-containing stream may be the raw product stream of catalytic oxidation at least one C2-C4 alkane or alkene.

Monomers, such as unsaturated carboxylic acids and unsaturated nitrites, are industrially important as starting and intermediate materials for producing various synthetic resins, coating materials, fibers, plasticizers, synthetic resins, and the like. Commercially, there are various processes for producing unsaturated carboxylic acids (e.g., acrylic acid and methacrylic acid) and unsaturated nitriles (e.g., acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile), but broadly, all such processes begin in essentially the same manner, via the catalytic reaction of one or more hydrocarbons to produce an impure gaseous material comprising the desired monomer. It is then necessary to recover the desired monomer from the impure gaseous material, and then to further purify it in order to minimize the amount of other materials, by-products, and impurities present in the recovered monomer stream.
For example, one well-known and commercially successful process for acrylic acid manufacture involves a two-step vapor phase catalytic oxidation reaction wherein propylene is converted first to acrolein in a first process step, and the acrolein is then converted to acrylic acid in a second process step. The resulting gaseous material stream comprises acrylic acid, but also water, unreacted propylene and acrolein, and several by-products including, but not limited to, one or more of the following compounds: formaldehyde, acetic acid, propionic acid, benzaldehyde, furfural, and maleic acid. Another known process which is currently being explored and developed is the single step vapor phase catalytic oxidation of propane in the presence of a suitable catalyst, and which also produces a gaseous material stream comprising acrylic acid, water, carbon oxides, unreacted propane, propylene, acrolein and several by-products including, but not limited to, one or more of the following compounds: formaldehyde, acetic acid, propionic acid, benzaldehyde, furfural, and maleic acid.
Regardless of the reaction process which produces it, aqueous acrylic acid is then most typically recovered from the raw gaseous product stream in an absorption tower, wherein a cooled absorbent, such as water or an organic compound (e.g., diphenyl ether) directly contacts the gaseous material stream, simultaneously condensing and absorbing various components, including acrylic acid and water, from the gaseous material stream to produce an aqueous acrylic acid stream. This aqueous mixture typically contains appreciable amounts of by-products and impurities such as acrolein, formaldehyde, and water. This is, at least in part, because direct-contact absorption processes also capture by-products and impurities with the (meth)acrylic acid from the gaseous (meth)acrylic acid-containing material, rather than only the desired (meth)acrylic acid product. For this reason, it is common for the resulting aqueous acrylic acid stream to be subjected to one or more purification steps. The intended use for the acrylic acid will often determine the degree to which the material stream must be purified and the extent to which the other materials must be removed or separated from the acrylic acid.
Purification, or separation, of the desired acrylic acid product from other materials in the aqueous acrylic acid stream may be accomplished by one or more well-known and understood processes including distillation, extraction, and/or crystallization. One of the most common of these purification steps is the use of azeotropic distillation to remove water from the aqueous acrylic acid stream. The purification of aqueous acrylic acid streams via azeotropic distillation is well known in the art of acrylic acid production. Various azeotropic distillation processes have been developed over the years based upon different azeotropic agents, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,264 teaches the use of isobutyl acetate (IBAc) as the azeotropic agent, GB Patent No. 2146636 teaches the use of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as the azeotropic agent, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,817 teaches the use of toluene as the azeotropic agent.
Further purification processes, such as multiple distillation steps in series, or crystallization processes, are often necessary to meet final product quality requirements. Of course, each additional purification step requires additional initial capital investment, as well as higher operational costs.
For example, the process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,981 involves absorption of (meth)acrylic acid by direct contact of the material stream with water, followed by azeotropic distillation, and then by crystallization of the resulting aqueous acrylic acid to remove additional impurities and thereby minimize polymerization and formation of other solids. Such a complex process is therefore economically unattractive to construct and operate.
It is important to note that some of the by-products and impurities in the aqueous acrylic acid stream may interfere with the operation and efficiency of downstream processes, such as further purification, storage, or reaction to produce other materials (e.g., esters of (meth)acrylic acids). For example, as explained in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0167650, high levels of formaldehyde in acrylic acid streams interact adversely with some polymerization inhibitors (e.g., phenothiazine ("PTZ"), hydroquinone ("HQ"), and monomethyl ether of hydroquinone (MeHQ")) resulting in formation of solid precipitates in the acrylic acid product. This reaction also reduces the effectiveness of the inhibitor molecules in preventing polymerization of the acrylic acid monomer, since some of the inhibitor is consumed in forming the solid precipitates. Further, these effects worsen with increasing temperatures, such as are often used in azeotropic distillation columns. It would therefore be advantageous to remove as much of these impurities as possible at the recovery step, prior to downstream purification of the aqueous acrylic acid. Unfortunately, the disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0167650 does not provide guidance for removing such impurities. Instead, the application only proposes that one limit, i.e., reduce, the concentration of inhibitors in the process to avoid the formation of precipitates. Such an approach is clearly at odds with reliable process operation, as it obtains reduced precipitate formation at the cost of insufficient process inhibition.
As an alternative to conventional absorption with water or organic absorbents, U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,161 describes a process for recovering (meth)acrylic acid from a hot gas containing (meth)acrylic acid and a high proportion of non-condensable constituents, by "fractional condensation" of the hot gas. The desired aqueous acrylic acid product (having greater than 95% by weight acrylic acid) exits from the side of the fractional condenser, while light ends (uncondensed components) exit from the top and the heavier impurities and by-products exit as a condensed liquid stream from the bottom. Thus, the process of U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,161 produces an aqueous acrylic acid product, and at least two by-product streams which must be handled separately. Optionally, a wastewater stream may be withdrawn from the side of the fractional condenser, further increasing the acrylic acid content of the aqueous acrylic acid side stream, but also creating a third by-product stream which must be processed. The fractional condenser used in this process is divided into "sections" to solve various engineering problems (i.e., separation of multiple components whose boiling points differ by greater than 25° C.) and accomplishes simultaneous cooling of the hot gas and condensation of the higher boiling fraction thereof. Thus, this process may be considered a combination of rectification and absorption which is often accomplished in two separate steps in conventional processes. The benefits of obtaining a purified acrylic acid stream from such a process are outweighed, however, by the substantial complexity of having multiple streams to process and the incremental capital cost of the additional process equipment required for such an operating approach.
European Patent No. EP 1319648 B1 presents a process for producing acrylic acid wherein the effluent of a two-stage propylene oxidation process is first fed to a quench tower, wherein acrylic acid is captured via direct contact with process water. The resulting aqueous acrylic acid stream is then subjected to azeotropic distillation to remove wastewater from the aqueous acrylic acid, and the wastewater is recycled to the top of the quenching tower. A second aqueous acrylic acid stream is also withdrawn from the upper section of the quench tower and distilled; the removed water from this stream is also recycled to the top of the quench tower. Thus, this process involves withdrawing multiple product streams, both of which comprise water and acrylic acid, and both of which require further processing to produce acrylic acid of the commercially useful purity.
Industry would welcome processes which produce aqueous acrylic acid with less impurities and by-products so as to minimize problems in downstream purification steps involving accumulation of foulants, such as precipitates and polymer solids, which interfere with equipment performance and reduce the amount of inhibitor available for preventing polymerization of the (meth)acrylic acid product during later stages of processing, including purification, transport and storage. It is also desirable for such processes to be as simple as possible, i.e., to require as few process steps and as little equipment as possible, to thereby minimize capital and operating expenses.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for production of aqueous (meth)acrylic acid


A method for forming a bottom spin valve sensor element with a novel seed layer and synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer. The novel seed layer comprises an approximately 30 angstrom thick layer of NiCr whose atomic percent of Cr is 31%. On this seed layer there can be formed either a single bottom spin valve read sensor or a symmetric dual spin valve read sensor having synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layers. An extremely thin (approximately 80 angstroms) MnPt pinning layer can be formed directly on the seed layer and extremely thin pinned and free layers can then subsequently be formed so that the sensors can be used to read recorded media with densities exceeding 60 Gb/in2. Moreover, the high pinning field and optimum magnetostriction produces an extremely robust sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the fabrication of a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) magnetic read head, more specifically to the use of novel seed layers in the fabrication of single and double spin valve sensors for reading ultra-high density recorded media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Early forms of magnetic read heads decoded magnetically stored data on media such as disks and tapes by making use of the anisotropic magnetoresistive effect (AMR) in magnetic materials such as permalloy. This effect was the change in the electrical resistance, r, of certain magnetic materials in proportion to the angle between the direction of their magnetization and the direction of the current flow through them. Since changing magnetic fields of moving magnetized media, such as magnetically encoded tapes and disks, will change the direction of the magnetization in a read head, the resistance variations of the AMR effect allows the information on such encoded media to be sensed and interpreted by appropriate circuitry.
One shortcoming of the AMR effect was the fact that it produced a maximum fractional resistance change, DR/R (where DR is the change in resistance between the magnetic material subjected to its anisotropy field, Hk, and the material subjected to zero field), which was only on the order of a few percent. This made the sensing process difficult to achieve with accuracy.
In the late 1980's and early 1990's the phenomenon of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) was discovered and soon applied to read head technology. The GMR effect derives from the fact that thin (≅20 angstroms) layers of ferromagnetic materials, when separated by even thinner (≅10 angstroms) layers of conductive but non-magnetic materials, will form ferromagnetic (parallel spin direction of the layers) or antiferromagnetic states (antiparallel spin direction of the layers) by means of exchange interactions between the spins. As a result of spin dependent electron scattering as electrons crossed the layers, the magnetoresistance of such layered structures was found to be significantly higher in the antiferromagnetic state than the ferromagnetic state and the fractional change in resistance was much higher than that found in the AMR of individual magnetic layers.
Shortly thereafter a version of the GMR effect called spin valve magnetoresistance (SVMR) was discovered and implemented. In the SVMR version of GMR, two ferromagnetic layers such as CoFe or NiFe are separated by a thin layer of electrically conducting but non-magnetic material such as Cu. One of the layers has its magnetization direction fixed in space or "pinned," by exchange anisotropy from an antiferromagnetic layer directly deposited upon it. The remaining ferromagnetic layer, the unpinned or free layer, can respond to small variations in external magnetic fields such as are produced by moving magnetic media, (which do not affect the magnetization direction of the pinned layer), by rotating its magnetization direction. This rotation of one magnetization relative to the other then produces changes in the magnetoresistance of the three layer structure.
The spin valve structure has now become the implementation of choice in the fabrication of magnetic read head assemblies. Different configurations of the spin valve have evolved, including the bottom spin valve, wherein the pinned layer is at the bottom of the configuration and the top spin valve, wherein the pinned layer is at the top. In addition, the qualities of the spin valve have been improved by forming the pinned layer into a synthetic antiferromagnet, which is a layered configuration comprising two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic coupling layer, wherein the ferromagnetic layers are magnetized in antiparallel directions. The present challenge to the spin valve form of sensor is to make it suitable for reading recorded magnetic media with recorded densities exceeding 20 Gb/in2. This challenge can be met by making the free layer extremely thin, for improved resolution in the track direction, while not reducing Dr/r, which is a measure of the sensor's sensitivity. One way of achieving this goal is by forming the spin valve on a seed layer, which is a layer of material whose purpose is to improve the crystalline structure of magnetic layers grown upon it. Many spin valves are formed on seed layers of Ta. Huai et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,476) disclose a synthetic spin valve sensor in which the seed layer can be Ta in a high resistivity phase. The present inventors have already shown that spin valves fabricated using a NiFeCr seed layer have a greatly enhanced GMR effect as measured by Dr/r. Presently, the NiFeCr seed layer is becoming the industry standard for heads capable of reading densities exceeding 20 Gb/in2. The Cr composition of the seed layer in these heads is between 20 and 50 atomic percent, with the optimum value of Dr/r obtained with 40 atomic percent. Lee et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,191) disclose a top spin valve using a NiFeCr seed layer wherein the atomic percentage of Cr is between 20 and 50%. Lee et al. note a Dr/r for the configuration of 7.7%. Huai et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,707) disclose single and dual bottom spin valves using NiFeCr seed layers with a range of Cr atom percent between 20% and 50%, with approximately 25 atomic percent being preferred. They note an improvement in the texture of a synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer. The head so formed was characterized by DR/R between 9.42 and 10.19 and by sheet resistances between 12.77 and 14.9. Subsequently, it was shown that a synthetic pinned layer spin valve head made with a NiCr seed layer having 40 atomic percent of Cr yielded better synthetic pinned layer properties than such a head made with a NiFeCr seed layer having 40 atomic percent of Cr. In a very early patent, Lee et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,936) provide such NiCr and NiFeCr seed layers in read heads using permalloy magnetoresistive elements. Aoshima et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,892) disclose a bottom spin valve read head with CoFeB free and pinned layers and using a Ta/NiFeCr seed layer wherein the Cr is at 24.3 atomic percent. Fukagawa et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,911) teach the formation of a seed layer to enhance the (111) crystalline orientation of subsequently deposited antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic layer. Fukugawa teaches an NiCr or NiFeCr alloy with the addition of an element X of atomic percent between 0.1 and 15%, that will bond to oxygen more readily than the Cr.
A top spin valve read head with NiCr and NiFeCr seed layers has been commercially used for reading recorded densities between 10 and 20 Gb/in2. This head has a free layer of NiFe(60A)/CoFe(10A) and a read head width of approximately 0.3 microns. For reading recorded densities of about 30 Gb/in2, a NiCr seed layer with 40 atomic percent Cr still suffices when a NiFe(40A)/CoFe(10A) free layer is used together with a read head width of approximately 0.24 microns. For reading recorded densities of about 45 Gb/in2, a NiCr seed layer with 40 atomic percent Cr is incorporated into a bottom spin valve configuration with a CoFeB(10A)/NiFe(20A) free layer and a read head width of approximately 0.17 microns. The configuration of this read head provides marginal performance in terms of signal-to-noise ratios and other benchmark parameters. To achieve capabilities of reading area densities exceeding 45 Gb/in2, a magnetic read width of 0.15 microns or smaller is indicated along with an ultra-thin free layer of the form CoFeB(5A)/NiFe(20A). In addition, a thinner antiferromagnetic pinning layer of MnPt would be needed to reduce current shunting. A bottom spin valve configuration (see below) meeting these requirements has been produced with the following specific materials and thicknesses, yet its performance would be inadequate for reading area densities of 60 Gb/in2:NiCr(40%)60/MnPt100/CoFe15/Ru7.5/CoFe20/Cu18/OSL/CoFeB5/NiFe20/Ru10/Ta10.In the above configuration the numbers (other than the 40%) refer to approximate thicknesses in angstroms. The NiCr seed layer has 40% atom percent Cr. MnPt is the antiferromagnetic pinning layer, CoFe/Ru/CoFe is the synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layer, Cu is the spacer layer, OSL represents an oxygen surfactant layer formed on the Cu spacer layer, the surfactant layer being a sub-monolayer of oxygen deposited on the Cu surface by exposing the Cu layer to low-pressure oxygen in a separate chamber, CoFeB/NiFe is a composite free layer formed on the surfactant layer and Ru/Ta is a composite capping layer. The configuration provides a DR/R of 12.7% and a sheet resistance of 19.6
Clearly, to achieve acceptable performance for reading 60 Gb/in2, a novel improvement of the configuration above will be required. It is the purpose of this invention to provide that improvement by the simple means of changing the seed layer from NiCr(40%) to NiCr(31%), which will also allow a thinning of the synthetic pinned layer. The head so formed will have a thinner free layer than any of those disclosed in the prior art cited above. Due to a significant reduction in the thickness of the antiferromagnetic pinning layer, the head will have a thinner overall profile. It will also have values of DR/R and sheet resistivity that indicate a higher sensitivity than the prior art heads cited above. The NiCr(31%) seed layer can also be incorporated into a symmetric dual spin valve configuration, in which a free layer is centered between synthetic antiferromagnetic pinned layers that are positioned above and below it. The novel seed layer allows such a dual configuration to be formed with sufficient overall thinness and sensitivity to meet the requirements of reading storage media with area densities exceeding 60 Gb/in2.

Method of fabricating novel seed layers for fabricating spin valve heads


An automated telephone dialing system. The system enables a handheld PID to automatically dial a telephone number stored its memory by interacting with a telephone. The telephone is equipped with a wireless port for short-range wireless data transfer. Similarly, the PID is equipped with a wireless port for short-range wireless data transfer. The PID establishes a wireless communication with the telephone. The PID is configured to control the telephone via the wireless communications such that the telephone dials a telephone number stored on the PID. The telephone number can be dialed in response to the user interacting with application executing on the PID. The application can be a contact management or address management program. The user can interact with the program, select a contact, address, phone number, or the like, through a GUI of the PID, and have this number automatically dialed by the telephone. In this manner, the user's PID seamlessly interacts with the user's telephone to dial numbers and establish phone calls without requiring the user to access controls of the telephone. The wireless communication between the PID and the telephone can be compatible with a version of the Bluetooth specification. The wireless communication between the PID and the telephone can also be compatible with a version of the IrDA specification.

Personal Information Devices include the class of computers, personal digital assistants and electronic organizers that tend both to be physically smaller than conventional computers and to have more limited hardware and data processing capabilities. PIDs include, for example, products sold by Palm, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., under such trademark as Pilot, and Pilot 1000, Pilot 5000, PalmPilot, PalmPilot Personal, PalmPilot Professional, Palm, and Palm III, Palm V, Palm VII, as well as other products sold under such trade names as WorkPad, Franklin Quest, and Franklin Convey.
PIDs are generally discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,125,0398; 5,727,202; 5,832,489; 5,884,323; 5,889,888; 5,900,875; 6,000,000; 6,006,274; and 6,034,686, which are incorporated herein by reference. PIDs typically include a screen and data processor, allowing the PID user to operate a substantial variety of applications relating to, for example: electronic mail, a calendar, appointments, contact data (such as address and telephone numbers), notebook records, expense reports, to do lists, or games. PIDs also often include substantial electronic memory for storing such applications as well as data entered by the user. Due to their substantial variety of applications and uses, personal information devices are becoming increasingly widely used.
Another widely used handheld digital device is the cellular telephone, or simply referred to as the cellphone. Cellphones are portable handheld devices that share a number of attributes of the PIDs. Cellphones, of course, include microphones and speakers with which to receive and send sound signals, typically the user's voices on either end of a connection. When in association with a modem or other such devices, the cellphone also may send and receive data signals, (including audio data signals). Many cellphones often include a screen in which to display information. However, cellphones typically have, or can accommodate, substantially fewer applications than many PIDs and user's find them much more difficult to use entering data, such as names and phone numbers, than PIDs. Further, some cellphones have less available memory for storing data signals than of many PIDs.
Because of this more limited functionality, cellphones are typically used for communication as opposed to personal information management (e.g., maintaining and updating appointments, contact lists, addresses, telephone numbers, and the like). Although many modern cellphones include computer resources to run some form of contact or telephone number lists, most users manage such information using other resources, such as, for example, a PID, and access cellphone (e.g., dial the correct number) once the proper telephone number is obtained.
There is a problem with this approach in that telephone numbers can be rather lengthy to dial, especially considering the small keypads on some cellphones. If the user makes a mistake while dialing, but doesn't notice the mistake untill the call goes through, the user must typically terminate the call (e.g., hang up) and start all over again. In addition, the user must devote attention to devices, for example, obtaining the correct telephone number from a PID and then correctly punching in the number on the keypad of the cellphone. One prior art solution to this problem involves the use an automatic audible-tone dialer in conjunction with the cellphone. However, audible-tone dialers have met with only limited success in the marketplace and do not work on all cellphones.
Accordingly, what is required is a method whereby a user's handheld PID can automatically dial a telephone number stored in its memory. What is required is a solution that allows applications executed on the user's PID, such as, for example, an address book program, to access the user's telephone and automatically dial members stored in the program. What is further required is a solution which enables a user's PID to seamlessly interact with the user's telephone to dial members and establish phone calls without requiring the user to access controls of the telephone. The present invention provides a novel solution to the above requirements.

Method and system for wirelessly autodialing a telephone number from a record stored on a personal information device


A power supply circuit (8) incorporates a DC power supply (8A), a switching element (8B), and a diode (8C). A transformer (12) incorporates a ring core (13), a primary windings (13B), and secondary windings (13C). The switching element (8B) goes ON and OFF on the basis of a signal pulse supplied from a pulse generating device (5), so that a DC current pulse is supplied to the primary side of the transformer (12). An inverting device (15) connected across the power supply circuit (8) and transformer (12) incorporates switches (151), (152), (153), and (154), and is controlled by a signal from a relay circuit. When the switches (151) and (152) are closed, the switches (153) and (154) are open. The first half-wave of the voltage pulse of the current induced on the secondary side of the transformer (12) is supplied to a machining gap formed between a wire (1) and work piece (3) in the direction of the work piece (3). The subsequent half-wave is then supplied to the machining gap in the direction of the wire (1). At this time, the voltage waveform of the current pulse is biased to the positive side in terms of the potential of the work piece with respect to the wire (1). Thus, undesirable coating of the material of the wire (1) onto the surface of the work piece (3) is prevented. When the switches (151) and (152) are opened and the switches (153) and (154) are closed, the AC current pulse induced on the secondary side of the transformer (12) is biased to the negative side.

Electrical discharge machines are typically divided into a mechanical device featuring a member that supports the work piece and a mechanical member that moves the working electrode and the work piece relative to one another, and a power supply device that is invariably located at a physical distance from the mechanical device and that generates a power pulse. The power supply device generally includes an electrical circuit that generates a power pulse, a control device that controls the amount of energy in the power pulse and its ON and OFF tines, and a control device that controls the relative movement of the working electrode and work piece with respect to one another. The power supply device is connected by a suitable conductor to the mechanical device bearing the work piece and working electrode. Some of the elements which comprise the electrical discharge circuit are physically positioned on the mechanical device, e.g., the lead wires and the conductive members connecting the lead wires and electrode. These elements may be regarded as part of the power supply device.
Such an electrical discharge machine may feature a known power supply system of a type that supplies an AC voltage to the machining gap to machine the work piece.
Particularly in machining process where a water-base machining fluid is used, electrical discharge machines that employ an AC power pulse to machine the work piece enable the average voltage at the machining gap to be brought to substantially zero, making it possible to prevent electrolysis that corrodes the machined surface.
Power supply systems that supply AC voltage include systems that operate by converting a high-frequency DC pulse into an AC pulse, and supplying the high-frequency AC pulse to the machining gap. In concrete terms, these systems are provided with at least a DC power supply and a switching element, and means for turning the switching element ON and OFF in response to a specified signal from a pulse emitting device so as to generate a continuous high-frequency DC pulse having a specified ON time and OFF time. The high-frequency DC voltage is converted into an AC pulse by means of a transformer, and the high-frequency AC pulse is supplied to the machining gap.
Although this type of device will deliver comparatively small amounts of energy in the individual power pulses when used to supply several .mu.s (microsecond)-long power pulses of AC current per cycle, it can still deliver sufficiently large amounts of energy in a given unit time. This principle allows machining to be carried out quickly without compromising the desired surface roughness. Moreover, wire-cut electrical discharge machines that use a wire as the working electrode to cut the work piece can furnish a large voltage at the wire electrode regardless of the small amounts of energy per cycle, enabling a reduction in the amplitude of wire electrode oscillation. As a result, such devices can be used to machine work pieces to a better configurational accuracy and a lower roughness on the machined surface.
Despite such advantages, however, electrical discharge machines that supply an AC pulse to machine the work piece have the drawback of frequently allowing the electrode material (depending on the electrode and work piece material) to stick to the work piece and coat its surface. This coating is particularly marked when the work piece material is tungsten carbide containing cobalt (WC--Co) or copper (Cu), and the electrode material is copper (Cu) or brass (Cu--Zn). In order to obtain a finished product from the work piece, the surface must be ground or subjected to other treatment to remove this coating. A thick coating of electrode material on the surface of the work piece can sometimes prevent the desired surface roughness from being obtained.
In the past, the AC voltage pulse waveforms provided at the machining gap by power supply systems that convert a DC pulse into an AC pulse were regarded as being substantially sinusoidal. However, under careful study, the waveform of such AC voltage pulses was revealed to be formed such that the potential of the work piece with respect to the electrode was biased to a negative polarity. For ease of explanation, when the work piece is positive and the electrode negative, the voltage will be designated as being positive, and as being negative in the opposite situation.
Even if a sinusoidal voltage pulse is supplied, this undesirable coating frequently occurs. Accordingly, even when a sinusoidal AC voltage pulse waveform is obtained in this type of electrical discharge machine by adjusting the ON and OFF timing of the switching element by a frequency corresponding to a constant of the power supply circuit so as to shape the voltage waveform of the AC pulse, the problem of undesirable coating remains difficult to solve. Moreover, simply performing such an operation with this type of device is difficult in and of itself.
In order to solve this problem, the present inventors have supplied an AC voltage pulse having a waveform biased to a positive polarity to carry out repeated machining of-numerous work pieces, and found that this undesirable coating was virtually eliminated.
On the other hand, when the work piece material was e.g. steel (Fe), the absence of coating was marked. When a high-frequency AC voltage pulse biased to a positive polarity was then supplied and a steel work piece was machined, there was an even greater effect on the roughness of the machined surface.
The present invention has been conceived in the light of the above situation, and has the purpose of providing a power supply system that is constituted so as to supply an AC pulse to the machining gap, that is particularly suited devices that convert a DC pulse into an AC pulse and supply the AC pulse to the machining gap, and that is capable of preventing the undesirable coating of electrode material that can stick to the surface of the work piece.
Moreover, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a power supply system for electrical discharge machines with which the waveform of the high-frequency AC pulse supplied to the machining gap can be selectively biased in response to machining conditions that include differences in work piece materials to a positive polarity or a negative polarity, viewed in terms of the potential of the work piece with respect to the electrode, to machine the work piece.
Other purposes of the present invention will be discussed in part in the following explanation, and will in part be revealed by means of the described embodiments to those skilled in the art.

Power supply system for electrical discharge machining unit, and method for electrical discharge machining


A transparent composite material is able to promote visibility in a transparent coordinate input device due to the reflection of display light while the generation of an interference fringe at an input operating time is restrained. Many ridge portions extending in one direction are formed on the surface of a first transparent resistance film. Such ridge portions are projected stripes formed in a triangular shape in section, and are constructed by alternately forming one set of slanting faces on the surface of the first transparent resistance film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transparent coordinate input device for directly inputting coordinates on a screen, and a transparent composite material constituting this transparent coordinate input device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A portable information terminal represented by PDA generally has a coordinate input device for selecting a menu and inputting data by directly operating the display screen such as a liquid crystal display panel, etc. by a pen, a finger, etc. Such a coordinate input device normally has a transparent coordinate input device formed on the liquid crystal display panel and the data in inputted by indicating the display of the liquid crystal display panel. As is well known, the transparent coordinate input device of a resistance film type particularly widely used among the transparent coordinate input device has a glass plate forming a transparent resistance film called ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) on its surface on the liquid crystal display panel side, and a soft transparent resin film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate film), etc. forming a similar transparent resistance film on its surface on the operation side. This transparent coordinate input device is a flat panel device made by spacing these two transparent resistance films from each other by an insulating spacer, etc., and oppositely arranging these two transparent resistance films.
When an input operation is performed by pressing the surface of the transparent coordinate input device by a pen or a finger in such a transparent coordinate input device, it is known that the transparent resin film on the operation side is slightly recessed and a rainbow-colored annular interference fringe is generated with the pressing portion as a center. When such an interference fringe is generated, visibility of the liquid crystal display panel is reduced during every operation of the transparent coordinate input device so that it is difficult to perform a smooth and comfortable input operation. Such an interference fringe is particularly notably generated as the size of the transparent coordinate input device is increased. Therefore, an interference fringe countermeasure has been strongly desired due to the increase in the display screen size of the recent portable information terminal.
In consideration of the above present situation, a transparent coordinate input device having many fine projections formed on the surface of the transparent resistance film on the liquid crystal display panel side or the operation side is known as the conventional interference fringe countermeasure in the transparent coordinate input device. In such a transparent coordinate input device, light for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel is diffused in many directions by the fine projections formed on the surface of the transparent resistance film so that the generation of the interference fringe is restrained. (For example, see Patent Literature 1.)
[Patent Literature 1]
Japanese Unexamined Published Patent Application No. H8-281856
However, in the transparent coordinate input device having many fine projections formed on the surface of the transparent resistance film on the liquid crystal display panel side or the operation side as mentioned above, the individual projections respectively play the role of a microscopic lens so that many bright spots are formed by the display light of the liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, a problem exists in that the display is glittered when the liquid crystal display panel is seen from the outside of the transparent coordinate input device. Further, a problem also exists in that the liquid crystal display panel cannot be clearly observed and is defocused by the lens effect of the individual projections. Such glittering and defocusing due to the conventional transparent coordinate input device caused a reduction in the visibility of the liquid crystal display panel.

Transparent composite material having ridge portion formed in transparent resistance film for transparent coordinate input device


An anti-theft detection system. A target comprising a frequency multiplier is affixed to goods in a retail store. A low power radio frequency source is placed near the exits to the retail store, and the target emits harmonics of the frequency transmitted by the radio frequency source when located near the radio frequency source. A detector also located near the exits to the retail store detects the harmonics and commands an alarm, thereby allowing for an apprehension of shoplifters.

The present invention relates generally to anti-theft detection systems, and more particularly to an anti-theft electronic security system using a frequency multiplier.
Electronic security systems are known for the detection of unauthorized removal of items from stores and other facilities. These detection systems are beneficial in that the presence of such detection systems deters shoplifting theft and allows for the apprehension of those not deterred. These detection systems are found in a variety of locations, including retail stores, particularly those selling clothing, books, videotapes, and the like. The detection system sometimes comprises a magnetic strip attached to a good along with a detector which monitors magnetic fields for determining when the magnetic strip passes through an area proximate the detector. The detection system sometimes also comprises plastic tags attached to clothing and the like, also along with a magnetic field detector. The plastic tags contain a resonant circuit which, when passed through a magnetic field, resonate and disrupt the magnetic field in a detectable manner. Detection systems of this type have been installed in a large number of locations, and are widely used.
These detection systems are not without problems, however. The magnetic strip or tag containing a resonant circuit, both of which may be generally described as a target, is generally attached (and sometimes detached) by a retailer in a labor intensive operation. The targets also are often too large to be accommodated easily by many retail items, or too expensive to justify using with certain items, particularly those found in retail food and drug stores. These detection systems also do not allow for the placement of goods near the detectors as such goods would activate the sensing alarm. This decreases the amount of floor space available for the display of product. These detection systems also are adversely affected by the presence of nearby metallic objects, as well as by noise generators such as laser product scanners and the like. Additionally, there is evidence that some detection systems affect pacemaker operations, and therefore possibly pose health risks to individuals who require the use of a pacemaker.


The invention relates to a direct plug-in connector (1) for establishing an electric connection between a conductor (30) and a metallized through opening (40) of a printed circuit board (50). The direct plug-in connector (1) has a fastening element (4) and a contact (2) with at least one first contact arm (3a). The first contact arm (3a) is configured for the electric connection of the conductor (30) to the metallized through opening (40). The fastening element (4) can assume a fastening position and a release position, the fastening element (4) being configured to fasten the direct plug-in connector (1) to the metallized through opening (40) in the fastening position.

DE 10 2013 214 232 A1 discloses a plug-in apparatus with two plug-in elements which lie opposite one another and a clamping pin which can be moved relative to the plug-in elements.
DE 10 2016 111 926 A1 discloses a plug-in contact with a bracket arm.
DE 10 2015 119 484 A1 discloses a plug-in contact which is bent away in an L-shaped manner.
SKEDD contacts (SKEDD is a trademark, EU010723948) are known which make a vibration-proof connection and reversible plugging into a metallized drilled hole of a printed circuit board possible. A SKEDD contact is produced by way of punching and subsequent bending, the SKEDD contact being produced from a piece of material and having two different material thicknesses.


Wind turbine blade (11) with a flashing beacon on its tip which is connected to the wind turbine rotor hub (13) where this beacon includes a lighting module (21) in the tip area of the blade (11) which is supplied by a device that includes a light emitter (23) situated in the hub (13) or in the root area of the blade (11), a light to electrical energy converter (27) connected directly to this lighting module (21) and a conductor (25) of light but not electrical energy from this light emitter (23) to this converter (27).

In the wind industry the need for wind turbines to have light beacons to alert air traffic to their presence is well known. In fact, there are administrative regulations that require it when the maximum height that their blades reach exceeds certain pre-established limits.
In wind turbines of up to 2-3 MW, with rotors of 80-100 metres in diameter and total heights lower than 150 metres, the beacon system usually used consists in placing light sources on the nacelle of the wind turbine.
Nevertheless, in higher power wind turbines such as the new wind turbines of 4-5 MW, the rotors have diameters greater than 100 metres and the total height of the wind turbine exceeds 150 metres, which means that the beacon system should include light sources, not only on the nacelle of the generator, but also on the tip of the blade.
One known beacon system consists of placing a module with lamps or LEDs in the blade tip area, supplied with a conventional copper cable that runs from the hub of the rotor inside the blade to the tip. An example of this type of beacon system is described in WO 2006/028481.
One problem with this type of system is that it is not possible to ensure that the power supply cable to the lights or LEDs is not affected by lightning strikes despite having protection systems for this purpose. Moreover, there is the risk that this power supply cable acts as a point of entry for the lightning into the hub of the rotor and other areas of the wind turbine.
To avoid damage due to lightning strikes, both the wind turbine in general and the blades in particular are equipped with lightning protection systems. The wind turbine blades, typically manufactured from composite materials, constitute the most likely point for direct lightning strikes. For this reason, the majority of wind turbine blades are equipped with lightning receptors on the tip and in other areas of the blade connected to a lightning conductor cable that runs the entire length of the blade from the tip to the root. In the case of lightning striking the blade, the electromagnetic field induced in the area surrounding the conductor cable endangers any additional conductive elements in the blade. The lightning protection standards state that any conductive element in the blade must be connected electrically to the main lightning protection system of the blade. Nevertheless, this connection must be made carefully avoiding the deterioration of the conductive elements. In cases where the additional conductive elements are confined to a small and clearly delimited space, the protection system may consist of including these elements in a Faraday cage and connecting them through the protection devices belonging to the main lightning conductor cable. Nevertheless, if the additional conductive elements are long and are parallel to the main earthing conductor, their protection system is more complicated and its efficacy is not guaranteed. In the case of having a cable that runs parallel to the main lightning conductor cable, no system can be guaranteed to protect this cable against the effects of lightning with 100% efficacy.
Another known beacon system consists in placing the light sources on the hub of the rotor and guiding the light up to the tip of the blade using fibre optics or other means of transmission.
The documents WO 03/050412 and WO 2007/068251 describe systems like this.
These systems have the advantage that they do not include conductive elements in the blade and therefore are not exposed to the effects of lightning, but they have the inconvenience of a low efficiency in light transmission. When using fibre optics as means of transmission, the optimum efficiency that can be achieved when coupling the light to the fibre optic is very low (no more than 10%) and the resulting system is energy inefficient and costly. In addition, with current fibre optic technology and for the wavelength that must be used for lighting the tip of the blade (˜620 nm) the power losses caused in a blade longer than 50 metres are very high.
This invention is directed at the solution of this problem.

Wind turbine blade with a light beacon at the tip


An air filter, especially for cleaning combustion air for internal combustion engines. The air filter includes a substantially cylindrical housing having a raw inlet and a pure air outlet. A pure air outlet is fitted substantially concentrically on the face of a cylindrical housing. The raw air inlet is fitted on the surface of the housing jacket, and an essentially menthol-free filter element is secured in the housing. The housing aperture is fitted with adaptive systems having an integrated dirt extractor.

The invention relates to an air filter, especially for the air intake of internal combustion engines.
Such an air filter is disclosed in German Patent 42 41 586. This known filter can be used anywhere, i.e., it can be used both in motor vehicle manufacture and in earth-moving machines or construction machines. The filter inserts of these air filters are replaced after a certain period of time. Depending on the amount of dust involved, the useful life of an air filter can be from a few days (construction machinery) to several months.
Especially in machines or vehicles which are used in very dusty areas, it is necessary to remove the dust from the housing continuously or at intervals. In the state of the art a dust discharge opening is provided for this purpose.
It has been found in such filter systems that various applications necessitate adaptations regarding the filter insert, the pore size or the addition of safety elements or the like. Thus it is desirable to match the filter system to the particular application, and of course the adaptation is to be made reasonably economical.

Air filter especially for cleaning combustion air for internal combustion engines


A gas turbine nozzle section of a gas turbine may include an inner endwall with a leading edge. A serpentine passage may be configured substantially within the leading edge. The serpentine passage may have an inlet and an outlet. Air may be received at the inlet and exhausted at the outlet, cooling the leading edge.

Gas turbines, which may also be referred to as combustion turbines, are internal combustion engines that accelerate gases, forcing the gases into a combustion chamber where heat is added to increase the volume of the gases. The expanded gases are then directed towards a turbine to extract the energy generated by the expanded gases. Gas turbines have many practical applications, including use as jet engines and in industrial power generation systems.
Among the components of a gas turbine may be one or more nozzles that may direct and accelerate a flow of gases toward turbine blades (may also be referred to as "buckets") to cause the blades to rotate about an axis at the center of the gas turbine. Such nozzles may be stationary and in the form of an airfoil that extends radially between an outer endwall and inner endwall of a gas turbine. Hot gases may flow through a path that is formed by the outer and inner endwalls and the airfoil walls. A leading edge of each endwall may form an overhang that extends upstream from each such airfoil. As will be appreciated, this leading edge and the endwalls can reach very high temperatures, and overheating may affect turbine performance. Therefore, measures are often taken to cool these sections of a gas turbine. While the central portion of the endwall can be cooled by impingement, the leading edge portion of a nozzle airfoil endwall may overlap portions of a turbine blade by design (e.g., a turbine blade "angel wing") in order to prevent gases from flowing through the space under the leading edge. This leading edge overhang configuration of a nozzle endwall may be particularly difficult to cool. This portion may also be subject to particularly high temperatures and stresses as the blade portions directly proximate to the leading edge portion of a nozzle airfoil may on occasion rub the leading edge. An impingement plate design is not well suited to cool this portion as it will not typically be robust enough to endure contact between the blade and the nozzle airfoil endwall.


Method for operating refrigerating plants in which a thermal coupling of an electromotively and/or mechanically driven compression refrigerating plant with a thermally supplied refrigerating plant takes place in such a way that the compression refrigerating plant condenser is cooled by the thermally supplied refrigerating plant.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a method for operating a refrigerating plant.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Apart from electric power and/or mechanical energy, increasingly thermal energy in the form of warm water, hot water and steam is used for driving refrigerating machines. This thermal energy can e.g. be district heating, which is in part available in excess form in summer from heating power stations (HPSs) and block heating power stations (BHPSs). Waste heat from industrial processes or solar/geothermal energy can also be used as motive energy.
Particularly in summer the district heating thermal energy and solar energy are particularly attractive for the operation of refrigerating plants, because this energy becomes available at the precise time when cold is e.g. needed for summer air conditioning. Thermal energy is also an option for refrigerating plants operated throughout the year.
A special type of problem e.g. arises in the case of refrigerating plants operated throughout the year and which are supplied with heat from BHPSs. Other than for heating purposes in winter, in summer this heat is difficult to sell. The summer demands are largely limited in the residential and industrial areas to service water heating. However, in the case of current-carrying power-heat coupling there is necessarily an excess waste heat availability, which could be usefully paid off by means of a power-heat-cold coupling.
The temperature level in a district heating network is in winter typically 100 to 130xc2x0 C., whereas in summer it is lowered to values around 90xc2x0 C. The usable temperature level of the waste heat of internal combustion engines of a BHPS is by design typically 90xc2x0 C., apart from hot-cooled engines or pure exhaust gas utilization. These examples show that in numerous cases temperatures around 90xc2x0 C. are expected, making difficult a use for cold generation purposes.
Apart from a low efficiency with hot water, steel equipment at such low temperatures suffer from a problem which, although not unsolvable, is difficult to implement from an ecological and economic standpoint. Admittedly water/lithium bromide absorption refrigerating plants can be operated with such low temperatures, but with the low efficiency levels achieved have difficulties in providing cold water at e.g. 6xc2x0 C. Admittedly ammonia/water absorption refrigerating plants can reach temperatures below 6xc2x0 C. and even below 0xc2x0 C., but the costs are very high and the efficiency once again low. Mention is finally made of adsorption plants, which admittedly can cope with low temperatures, but are expensive to purchase, very large, heavy and also very energy-intensive.
In many hot countries the power consumption in summer is high and often higher than in winter, because the numerous electric room cooling devices lead to pronounced current peaks, which have to be expensively covered and often lead to overloading of the main supply networks. In cooler countries the power consumption in winter is admittedly high, but at the same time in the case of power-heat coupling the heat demand for heating purposes is also high and a BHPS can e.g. favorably cover the parallel energy requirement by full load operation. In summer, due to the limited heating heat requirement, a reduction of the power generation is favorable, because room cooling equipment in cool countries provide no significant contribution to the power consumption and the peaks are not or are less pronounced than in hot countries.
In both the cases described (not and cold countries), the re is consequently a wish, even though for completely different reasons, to use thermal energy in summer for operating a refrigerating plant. Winter operation with thermal energy is often impossible (no solar heat production), undesired (already existing high heating heat demand) or uneconomic (due to seasonly higher returns from heat sales for heating purposes).
The problem of the invention is to provide a method which permits a particularly economic operation of a refrigerating plant.
According to the invention this problem is solved by a thermal coupling of an electromotively and/or mechanically driven compression refrigerating plant with a thermally supplied refrigerating plant in such a way that the condenser of the compression refrigerating plant is cooled by the thermally supplied refrigerating plant. The subclaims contain advantageous developments of the invention.
Refrigerating plants with an electrical or mechanical drive are generally constructed as compression refrigerating plants. The energy requirement for driving a compressor is dependent on the evaporation and condensation temperature. As the evaporation temperature is generally fixed by the cold application, with regards to the compressor energy demand scope only exists when fixing the condensation temperature, which should be as low as possible with rising condensation temperature it is e.g. appropriate to operate with cooling water from a cooling tower, condensation of the refrigerant in an evaporative cooler or condensation with an air-cooled condenser. The use of cooling towers and evaporative coolers is being made ever more difficult or is even prohibited, because the water demands are considerable. Air cooling is the least favorable solution to the high temperature, although no water is consumed.
For a low temperature of the thermal motive energy, refrigerating plants with a thermal drive are normally absorption refrigerating plants. At the prevailing low temperatures it is difficult and/or energy-intensive, to make available usable use temperatures. At the low temperature of the thermal motive energy a high use temperature is increasingly more economic. With respect to the condensation of the refrigerant and the removal of the absorption heat the same criteria apply as in a compression refrigerating plant.
If the compression refrigerating plant is equipped with an air-cooled condenser, it can condense the refrigerant in winter at a low external temperature without cooling by the adsorption refrigerating plant in the case of low energy demand. The adsorption refrigerating plant can then be switched off or used for other purposes.
Thus, in winter the low air temperature for condenser cooling of the compression refrigerating plant reduces the electrical or mechanical energy demand thereof. The adsorption refrigerating plant can remain switched off if thermal motive energy is scarce or expensive. The adsorption refrigerating plant can also be used for other cooling or refrigerating functions if a need exists. In this case there are two autarchic refrigerating plants. In summer the adsorption refrigerating plant is operated with existing and/or inexpensive (free) thermal motive energy. The adsorption refrigerating plant serves to cool the condenser of the compression refrigerating plant, so that the electric or mechanical energy requirement of the compression refrigerating plant is low. Simultaneously the use temperature of the adsorption refrigerating plant is high, e.g. the refrigerant is condensed with an air-cooled condenser without any consumption of water. Water cooling of the condenser is obviously also possible.
The following construction is proposed for an advantageous coupling of the compression refrigerating plant condenser with the adsorption refrigerating plant. The adsorption refrigerating plant is constructed as a water cooler (for frost or corrosion protection reasons it is also possible to use another liquid, e.g. a brine, included hereinafter under xe2x80x9cwaterxe2x80x9d). The compression refrigerating plant is a bare or finned conduit condenser, the refrigerant to be condensed flowing through the pipes and the cooling air around the pipes. Fans ensure the air flow and they are conventionally exhaust fans.
With a low outside temperature (e.g. in the case of cold winter weather) the condenser of the compression refrigerating plant is cooled with external air. With high outside temperatures the compression refrigerating plant condenser is cooled with cold water from the adsorption refrigerating plant. For this purpose the compression refrigerating plant condenser is flooded with cold water from the adsorption refrigerating plant.

Method for operating a refrigerating system


The oil control ring (1) comprises a retaining ring (2) and a scraper (3) having a scraper fin (3a), wherein the scraper (3) is arranged in the retaining ring (2) in such a way that the scraper fin (3a) is oriented towards the center (1a) of the oil control ring (1) in order to scrape oil on a piston rod (6). The scraper (3) comprises a plurality of scraper segments (3e) which are arranged in succession in the circumferential direction (1b) of the oil control ring (1), and the retaining ring (2) has a groove (2b) for accommodating the scraper segments (3a) in a positive manner, and the retaining ring (2) has an abutment point (2g). The retaining ring (2) forms at least one plastic first end face (2d, 2e) which is oriented towards the center (1a) of the oil control ring (1). The scraper (3) is made of a harder material than the plastic forming the first end face (2d, 2e), the scraping fin (3a) of the scraper (3) has a contact point (3c) oriented towards the center (1a) and the scraper (3) and the retaining ring (2) are adapted to each other in such a way that both the at least one first end face (2d, 2e) and the contact point (3c) can lie against the piston rod (6).

The document EP 1 446 597 B1 discloses an oil scraper ring which can, in particular be used as an oil barrier for piston rods of ship diesel engines. The oil scraper ring has oil scraper lips composed of plastic oriented towards the piston rod side which oil scraper lips scrape the oil present at the piston rod and, for example, supply this again to a crank housing. This known oil scraper ring has the disadvantage that the scraping is not very efficient since the scraping edge is not very stable. Furthermore, a relatively large wear is present, so that the oil scraper ring must be maintained relatively frequently. Moreover, it is known, for example from the document WO 95/23305, to provide a metal scraper which contacts at the piston rod. Such an oil scraper ring has the disadvantage that a relatively large wear is present at the piston ring and/or at the scraper.


The present invention is on the provision of a composition, method, use of composition to reduce the drying time of keratin fibers, preferably human hair. The composition is aqueous and comprises two or more cationic polymers wherein one of the cationic polymers has a charge density in the range of 2 meq/g to 4 meq/g, and the other cationic polymer has a charge density in the range of 4.1 meq/g to 7 meq/g, and an aminosilicone. A kit of parts is disclosed which comprises the composition and a blow dryer.

The present invention is on a composition, a method, a use, and kit-of-parts to reduce the drying time of wet or moist keratin fibers, preferably human keratin fibers, and more preferably human hair.
A common method to reduce the drying time of hair is raising the temperature of the hair combined with a steady airflow to allow for faster drying. Especially for customers with long hair, the drying time upon cleansing and/or styling is a significant factor and commonly shortened by heating the hair by means such as a blow-dryer.
Nevertheless, blow-drying is time consuming as well and due to the heat exposure to hair is conferred a non-negligible amount of heat damage.
As for the heat damage, cationic conditioning polymers with a charge density between 4.1 meq/g and 7 meq/g are commonly employed as conditioning polymers in hair science (WO2014071354, IP.com 000242076D). Such polymers having a cationic charge density from 4.1 meq/g and 7 meq/g are also marketed for relaxing curly/kinky hair (Mintel 10107510).
However, as time is a costly good across all industry sectors and for individual customers as well, a reduction of process times while maintaining an at least equal amount of service quality is strongly encouraged by everyone. Therefore it would be highly desirable for efficiency reasons to reduce the time of heat exposure to hair while maintaining its healthy state.
It has been found out that the combination of two cationic polymers with certain charge densities and an aminosilicone reduces the drying time of hair. With respect to prior art, the literature is silent on the core of the present invention.

Composition to reduce the drying time of keratin fibers, method and use thereof


An optical recording/reproducing method employs a recording laser beam having a first output and a first wavelength, and a reproducing laser beam having a second output lower than the first output and a second wavelength shorter than the first wavelength. A disk-like recording medium is irradiated with the recording and reproducing laser beams by use of an objective lens having an NA of about 0.55 so that a small mark equal to or smaller than about one fourth of a spot size optically defined from the wavelength of the recording laser beam and the NA of the objective lens is formed on the recording medium by a recording characteristic of the recording medium and a shielding plate provided in an optical system for irradiation with the laser beam. Two-dimensional recording is performed as a recording system to arrange marks at lattice points of a two-dimensional lattice which extend in a track direction and a track radius direction. The reproducing system detects a reproduction signal from the mark on the two-dimensional lattice point, and the reproduction signal from each mark is used to perform a signal processing, thereby detecting information.

At the present time, the surface density of commercially available optical disk devices is on the order of about 880 megabits per square inch. A surface density capable of being generally realized at the research and development level while overcoming the strict environmental conditions for using optical disk devices is said to be about three times as high as the surface density realized at the product level. In commercially available optical disk devices, a wavelength of 780 nm is used, the numerical aperture (NA) of the objective lens is 0.55, mark length recording is used as a recording system, and continuous servo is used as a servo system. "Standard ECMA-195" is a reference article by ECMA (European Computer Manufacturer Association) containing standards for data interchange on 130 mm optical disk cartridges.
An object of the present invention is to realize the highest density recording/reproducing characteristic of an optical disk while using constituent elements which are realizable at the present time. A recording density of 10 Gbit/in.sup.2 can be realized.

High-density information recording/reproducing method


Organic nitrites can be produced from a compound which is a mono/polyhydric alcohol or an aldehyde- or ketone-derivate thereof after de-aeration of the same, using NO gas, and stored in an environment saturated with gaseous NO. Organic nitrites produced according to the invention exhibit less impurities and improved storage stability compared to conventionally produced nitrites. The organic nitrites of the invention can easily be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and have utility for the treatment of various conditions.

Nitric Oxide
Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule of importance in several biological systems, and is continuously produced in the lung and can be measured in ppb (parts per billion) in expired gas. The discovery of endogenous NO in exhaled air, and its use as a diagnostic marker of inflammation dates back to the early 1990-ies (See the published international patent applications WO 93/05709 and WO 95/02181). Today, the significance of endogenous NO is widely recognized, and since a few years back, a clinical analyzer is available on the market (NIOX®(, the first tailor-made NO analyzer for routine clinical use with asthma patients, AEROCRINE AB, Solna, Sweden).
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) has published guidelines for clinical NO measurements (American Thoracic Society, Medical Section of the American Lung Association Recommendations for standardized procedures for the online and offline measurement of exhaled lower respiratory nitric oxide and nasal nitric oxide in adults and children—1999, in Am J Respir Crit Care Med, 1999; 160:2104-2117).
It is generally recognised that endogenous generation of the gaseous NO molecule plays an important role in the modulation of pulmonary vascular tone to optimise ventilation-perfusion matching (Persson et al. 1990). In healthy human adults, NO is of importance in regulation of both basal pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance (Stamler et al. 1994). Local regulation of blood flow is influenced by administration of NO synthase inhibitor in healthy human subjects (Rimeika et al 2004). Vasodilator effects of endogenous NO in the postnatal pulmonary circulation clearly contribute to the adaptations of the fetal lung to air breathing at delivery (Abman et al. 1990). NO generation in the postnatal lung is stimulated for example by mechanical stretch, increased shear forces and increased O2 tension in the alveoli (Heymann 1999). Measuring NO in exhaled breath is a good way of monitoring changes in endogenous NO production or scavenging in the lung (Gustafsson et al. 1991).
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,177 discloses a method for treating or preventing ischemia comprising administering to a patient by an intravascular route a gaseous mixture comprising NO and carbon dioxide CO2 wherein the NO is present in an amount effective to treat or prevent ischemia.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,103,769 discloses a similar method, with the difference that saline, saturated with NO, is used.
The published international application WO 94/16740 teaches the use of NO delivering compounds, such as S-nitrosothiols, thionitrites, thionitrates, sydnonimines, furoxans, organic nitrates, nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, iron-nitrosyl compounds, etc, for the treatment or prevention of alcoholic liver injury.
Nitrates are presently used to treat the symptoms of angina (chest pain). Nitrates work by relaxing blood vessels and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload. Examples of presently available nitrate drugs include:
Nitroglycerin (glyceryl nitrate) (1,2,3-propantriol-nitrate), which is today mostly taken sublingually to curb an acute attack of angina. Strong headaches and dizzyness due to the rapid and general vasodilatory effect are frequently encountered side-effects. Nitroglycerin infusion concentrates are also available, and diluted in isotonic glucose or physiological saline for intravenous infusion. Tolerance development is a problem both in acute and in long-term treatment regimens.
Isosorbide mononitrate (1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-glucitol-5-nitrate), which is taken as prophylactic against angina pectoris. Tolerance development is a problem in long-term treatment regimens. Frequent side-effects include headache and dizziness, as encountered with nitroglycerin.
Isosorbide dinitrate (1,4:3,6-dianhydro-D-glucitol-2,5-nitrate), which is taken both acutely and prophylactically against angina pectoris and cardiac insufficiency.
Pentaerythrityl nitrates, a group of organic nitrate, are known to exert long-term antioxidant and anti-atherogenic effects by as yet unidentified mechanisms. Pentaerythrityl tetranitrate has been investigated in the context of nitrate tolerance, an unwanted development in nitrate therapy, and experimentally tested in pulmonary hypertension.
A number of compounds, glyceryl trinitrate, ethyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrate, isobutyl nitrite, isoamyl nitrite and butyl nitrite, have been tested in vivo and found to generate NO (Cederqvist et al., 1994). Significant correlation was obtained between in vivo generation of NO and effects on blood pressure in a rabbit model.
Accordingly, it has been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,181 that certain organic nitrites traditionally synthesized, have utility in treating male impotence and erectile dysfunction through topical or intracavernosal administration to the penis.
Inorganic nitrates and nitrites, such as potassium nitrite and sodium nitrite, have a long use as food preservatives. Nitrates and nitrites have in general been considered to be potentially harmful, due to the theoretically possible formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in food, and in humans in vivo. Lately, the role of dietary nitrates and nitrites has been re-evaluated, in particular as the endogenous production of NO in the arginine-nitric oxide system and its role in host defence has been discovered (Larsen et al., Effects of dietary nitrate on blood pressure in healthy volunteers, N Engl J Med 355, 2792-3 (2006)).
Finally, L-arginine, and esters thereof, such as the ethyl-, methyl- and butyl-L-arginine have been used to increase the endogenous production of NO.
WO 96/38136 discloses nitrosation of proteins using gaseous nitric oxide under anaerobic conditions, forming nitric oxide adducts used to coat the surfaces of devices to be introduced into the human body. Related patents are U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,709 and international patent publication WO 96/35416.
Among the compounds and compositions presently available, many are associated with undesired properties or side-effects, such as toxicity problems, stability problems, delayed action, irreversible action or prolonged action, etc. One particular problem, frequently encountered when administering a NO-donating compound in the form of an infusion, is the production of methemoglobin (metHb).
One objective behind the present invention was to develop improved methods for the production and handling of NO-donating compounds, such as organic nitrites, and the production or formulation of pharmaceutical preparations containing such compounds. Known organic nitrites and their therapeutic use are frequently associated with problems likely to be due to impurities and degradation products present in the compositions. It is also difficult to prepare pharmaceutical formulations containing organic nitrites, as the mixing steps and vehicles used may trigger further degradation. Similarly, due to the reactive properties of NO, the storage properties of such formulations are often less than satisfactory.
Another objective was to identify new methods and compositions for the delivery of NO, without the side effects or tolerance development associated with conventional treatments and drugs.
Another objective was to identify and synthesize novel NO-donating compounds.
Other objectives, the solutions reached and the advantages associated therewith will become evident upon study of the description and examples.

Method for the manufacture of therapeutic compounds and compositions, compounds and compositions produced therewith, and their use


Various aspects of apparatus for accessing a network through a wireless access point and methods of power savings for such apparatus include scheduling a sleep state interval, entering a sleep state at the beginning of the scheduled sleep interval, and buffering data during the sleep state for transmission following the sleep state.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications, and specifically to power saving modes in wireless devices.
2. Background
The deployment of wireless local area networks (WLANs) in the home, the office, and various public facilities is commonplace today. These networks typically employ a wireless access point (AP) that connects a number of wireless stations (STAs) in a specific locality (e.g., home, office, public facility, etc.) to another network, such as the Internet or the like.
STAs that operate in an IEEE 802.11 compliant WLAN (i.e., Wi-Fi network) use carrier sensing multiple access (CSMA or CSMA-CA) to access the wireless channel. CSMA is a media access control (MAC) protocol that ensures that only one STA has access to the wireless channel at a time. Specifically, only one of the STAs is permitted to exchange data with the AP during any given interval. Meanwhile, the other STAs "listen" to the channel to determine if and when the channel is available. Thus, STAs often experience a substantial amount of "idle" time (e.g., wherein the STAs are not transmitting and/or receiving data) while connected to a network. To save power, many STAs are configured to enter into a "sleep" state when the idle time exceeds a threshold period. The sleep state is a low power mode in which transmitter, receiver, and/or other internal components are temporarily powered down.
The AP periodically broadcasts beacon frames to enable any STA within range to establish and/or maintain a connection with the wireless network. Each beacon frame includes a traffic indication map (TIM) specifying which STAs in the network, if any, have downlink data waiting in the AP's queue. Thus, to ensure that the STA does not miss any incoming data, it periodically wakes up from the sleep state to listen for beacon frames broadcast by the AP. The STA may also wake from the sleep state when it has uplink data for the AP in its queue. Once awaken to receive or transmit data, the STA will return to the sleep state only after it has been idle for another threshold period.
STAs that operate in an IEEE 802.11 compliant WLAN, as well as other similar devices, can experience significant power savings by entering into a sleep state when inactive. However, further power savings may be achieved with more efficient algorithms for controlling the sleep state of the devices.


Implement lock assembly for retaining batons, nightsticks, and other handheld devices within a holster. The assembly includes a base, a lock, and a release. Operation of the assembly is by a user applying pressure to the lock, pivotally moving the lock from an open position to a closed position. In the normal open position, an implement may be inserted or removed from the holster. In the closed position, the lock retains the implement within the holster. The lock may be opened by applying pressure to the release. The lock may engage and retain a baton along the length of the baton grip, allowing a user to adjust the position of the baton within the holster when the baton is retained by the lock.

Law enforcement officers typically carry handheld objects on their belts using holsters. While many of the holster devices currently known provide access to useful implements like batons, nightsticks, and pepper spray, such devices are deficient in many respects.
Some holsters are open topped, enabling quick removal of the holstered implement by the wearer. Such a configuration may endanger both the wearer and third parties because the holstered implement may fall out of an open topped holster. Open topped holsters are susceptible to unauthorized implement removal by third parties. Additionally, known open topped holsters provide only one holstered position for an implement. For example, a baton or nightstick holster is configured to contain a fixed length of the nightstick within the holster, with the remainder of the nightstick protruding from the open top of the holster. This provides a graspable area of a fixed length, with no option of user adjustability of the graspable area.
Other known holsters include a detachable retaining flap. Generally, the flap is configured to wrap over at least a portion of the exposed top of an implement contained within the holster. The flap retains the implement via removable attachment of the flap to an outer portion of the body of the holster, thereby creating a retaining strap. The removable attachment is generally facilitated by a snap or button assembly. Such holsters reduce the risk of a holstered implement inadvertently falling out, however these devices make the drawing process more cumbersome and time consuming and only slightly reduce the risk of an unauthorized individual accessing a holstered implement. The wearer of such holsters must perform at least three distinct hand motions in order to draw and make ready a baton or other implement stored in the holster. First, the wearer must release the flap by decoupling the snap assembly. Second, the wearer must grasp the baton handle while avoiding gripping any part of the holster, such as the flap. Third, the wearer must remove the baton from the holster.
Because the flap may be removed by detaching the flap from the outer portion of the holster, a third party can easily disengage the snap or button assembly retaining the flap and remove the implement before the wearer reacts. Additionally, such holsters are difficult to operate without looking at the device during drawing and reholstering.
Furthermore, many prior art holsters are not ambidextrous. That is, they are specific to a right-handed or left-handed user.
Given the foregoing, what are needed are lock assemblies which securely retain holstered implements such as batons, nightsticks, pepper spray, and handcuffs. Additionally, assemblies are needed which reduce the risk of unauthorized implement removal by third parties and assemblies which reduce the hand motions necessary to release an implement and make it ready for use. Finally, implement assemblies are needed which may be operated by a left hand or a right hand and operated without the wearer looking at the assemblies and/or the locks thereof.

Attachment and lock for baton in a holster


A fluid spray apparatus includes an inlet and first and second outlets. A first actuator may communicate the inlet with at least one of the outlets. A second actuator also may communicate the inlet with at least one of the outlets. A passage network of the fluid spray apparatus communicates the first and second actuators with the first and second outlets. A diverter structure is disposed in the passage network. The diverter structure includes a first diverter structure arrangement. In the first diverter structure arrangement, the first actuator communicates the inlet with the first outlet and the second actuator communicates the inlet with the second outlet. The diverter structure also includes a second diverter structure arrangement. In the second diverter structure arrangement, the first actuator communicates the inlet with the second outlet and the second actuator communicates the inlet with the first outlet.

The present disclosure relates generally to a fluid spray apparatus. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a fluid spray gun including multiple outlets.
Fluid spray guns are known in the art. In herbicide applications, spray guns with adjustable nozzles designed to be twisted back and forth by a user are available. A user may wish to apply herbicide to a nearby target with a fan-type pattern and to a distant target with a straight stream pattern that will break up into smaller droplets near the target. To adjust the nozzle to either setting, the user must remove his or her hand from the backpack pumping lever to twist the adjustable nozzle. This method also requires the user to make contact with parts covered in the herbicide. Furthermore, the method can become tiresome to a user, prompting the user to leave the nozzle on the straight stream pattern. If left on the straight stream pattern, the spray will over-penetrate the nearby targets and cause poor performance, environmental problems, and wasted herbicide.


Apparatus and methods for repelling geese include a solar-powered, photocell controlled flasher for disposition on a body of water or on land where geese inhabit. The method includes the steps of intermittently flashing a light into an area where geese sleep, and disturbing the geese from rest.

There have been many attempts at products and solutions to rid areas of unwanted geese. Most involve high maintenance products and techniques, such as spraying the areas with a ground spray and respraying days later, or installing speakers to emit geese distress calls in the area or sirens. Spray effectiveness is finite, costly and must be replenished as dictated by the environment. Loud speakers are annoying, troublesome and require an electrical source and operational attendance.
Other labor intensive solutions involve planting buffers around the water, keeping swans or other natural predators around, bringing in dogs on a daily basis to scare the geese, or in some cases authorizing selected hunters to cull the geese. Many of these current solutions are not acceptable to humans, such as the noise of distress calls or sirens mounted on and around buildings, and concerns over chemical sprays, dogs or firearm discharge in populated areas. The common factor among all of these resolutions is that they require a large amount of effort yet produce inconsistent, at best, and short-lived results. Results are typically not permanent without costly and disturbing repeatability.
Accordingly, it is one objective of the invention to provide improved apparatus for repelling geese.
Another objective of the invention has been to provide improved methods for repelling geese.
A further objective has been to provide improved apparatus and methods for repelling geese and which requires minimum maintenance, repeatability and human attention as compared to prior apparatus and methods.
Another objective of the invention has been to provide apparatus and methods for repelling geese through the interruption of a natural life cycle of the geese.

Method and apparatus for repelling geese


Radio telephone tuning information is determined by a measuring computer (20) stored in the memory of the radio telephone (1). A microprocessor (10) receives from the sensors (14) information about the operating temperature, according to which appropriate tuning data is selected from memory. The information is used to adjust signal levels and deviations through logic controlled amplifiers (16, 17). The tuning can be made automatically without opening the casing of the radio telephone.

The present invention relates to a logic controlled method of tuning signals and/or deviations in a radio telephone having a logic section controlling its operation, and the use of this method in series production and maintenance. The invention also relates to a radio telephone tuned with a method according to the invention.
In a radio telephone some signal levels and deviations must be kept within the adjusted value under all conditions, independent of temperature. Some of these signals include for example the low frequency level of the receiver, the deviation of the transmitter or of the control signal, etc. The signals pass through, e.g., amplifiers, filters, detector circuits, mixers, and modulators. Temperature causes amplification changes or deviations in all of these stages. The most common approach in the prior art is to accept these changes, and to compensate them by temperature dependent resistances such as NTC and PTC resistors.
However, this approach has proved to be a poor solution because some circuits, such as filters and detector circuits, behave differently in different temperatures, and it is not possible to fully predict the changes. The variations of the compensating component tolerances also effect the changes.
The prior art solution was to accept a poorer yield in production or to use better quality components. Both alternatives lead to increased production costs and moreover, the better quality components may increase the size and power consumption of the radio telephone and thus impossible use in small sized handsets.

Logic controlled tuning signal level and deviation compensation in a radio telephone