An optical pickup device which can obtain a stable reproduction signal by increasing the numerical aperture of an objective lens includes an objective lens facing a disc, a light source for radiating light to the disc via the objective lens, a beam splitter provided between the light source and objective lens for directing the light reflected from the disc in a path different from that of the light travelled from the light source, a photodetector for detecting the light reflected from the disc and travelled via the beam splitter, and a diaphragm provided between the beam splitter and light source and having a predetermined numerical aperture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical pickup device, and more particularly, to an optical pickup device which can obtain a stable reproduction signal by increasing the numerical aperture of an objective lens.
An optical pickup records and reproduces information such as video or audio data onto/from optical recording media, e.g., discs. The structure of a disc is such that a recorded surface is formed on a substrate made of plastic or glass. In order to read or write information from a high-density disc, the diameter of the optical spot must be very small. To this end, the numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens is generally made large and a light source having a shorter wavelength is used. Using the shorter wavelength light source and large numerical aperture, however, reduces a tilt allowance of the disc with respect to the optical axis. The thus-reduced disc tilt allowance can be increased by reducing the thickness of the disc.
Assuming that the tilt angle of the disc is .theta., the magnitude of a coma aberration coefficient W.sub.31 can be obtained from: ##EQU1## where d and n represent the thickness and refractive index of the disc, respectively. As understood from the above relationship, the coma aberration coefficient is proportional to the cube of the numerical aperture. Therefore, considering that the numerical aperture of the objective lens required for a conventional compact disc is 0.45 and that for a digital video disc is 0.6, a digital video disc has a coma aberration coefficient of about 2.34 times that of a compact disc having the same thickness. The maximum tilt allowance of the digital video disc is therefore controlled to be reduced to about half that of the conventional compact disc. Accordingly, in order to assimilate the maximum tilt allowance of the digital video disc to that of the compact disc, the thickness of the digital video disc should be reduced.
However, such a thickness-reduced disc adopting a shorter wavelength (high density) light source, e.g., a digital video disc, cannot be used in a conventional recording/reproducing apparatus, e.g., a disc drive for the compact disc adopting a longer wavelength light source, because a disc having a non-standard thickness (digital video disc) results in a spherical aberration corresponding to the difference in disc thickness from that of a normal disc (compact disc). If the spherical aberration is greatly increased, the spot formed on the disc cannot have the light intensity necessary for recording, which prevents accurate recording of the information. Also, during reproduction, the signal-to-noise ratio is too low to reproduce the information accurately.
Therefore, an optical pickup adopting a light source having a short wavelength, e.g., 650 nm, which is compatible for discs having different thicknesses, such as a compact disc or digital video disc, is necessary.
2. Description of the Related Art
For the above purpose, research into apparatuses which can reproduce and record information from/onto two kinds of discs having different thicknesses with a single optical pickup device adopting a shorter wavelength light source is underway. Lens devices respectively adopting a hologram lens and a refractive lens have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. hei 7-98431).
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the focusing of zero-order and first-order-diffracted light onto discs 3a and 3b having different thicknesses, respectively. A hologram lens 1, provided with a lattice pattern 11, and a refractive objective lens 2 are provided along the light path in front of discs 3a and 3b. The lattice pattern 11 diffracts light beams 4 from a light source (not shown) passing through the hologram lens 1, to thereby separate the passing light into first-order-diffracted light 41 and zero-order light 40 each of which is focused with a different intensity by objective lens 2 for the appropriate focus point on the thicker disc 3b or the thinner disc 3a, and thus enable data read/write operations with respect to discs having different thicknesses.
However, in using such a lens device, the separation of the light into two beams (i.e., the zero-order and first-order light) by hologram lens 1 lowers the utilizing efficiency of the actually regenerated light to about 15%. Also, during a read operation, the information is included in only one of the two beams, and the beam carrying no information is likely to be detected as noise. Moreover, the fabrication of such a hologram lens requires a high-precision process for etching a fine hologram pattern, which increases manufacturing costs.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conventional optical pickup device (U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,797) which, in lieu of using a hologram lens as above, includes an aperture diaphragm 1a for changing the aperture diameter, so that data can be recorded onto a longer wavelength disc as well as a shorter wavelength disc and so that information can be reproduced therefrom. An aperture diaphragm 1a is installed between an objective lens 2 facing a disc 3 and a collimating lens 5 and controls a light beam 4 emitted from a light source 9 and transmitted through a beam splitter 6, by appropriately adjusting the area of the light beam passing region, i.e., the numerical aperture. The diametrical aperture of the aperture diaphragm 1a is adjusted in accordance with the focused spot size on the disc being employed and always passes the light beam 4a of the central region but passes or blocks the light beam 4b of the peripheral region in accordance with the adjusted state thereof. In FIG. 3, a reference numeral 7 denotes a focusing lens and reference numeral 8 denotes a photodetector.
In the optical device having the above configuration, if the variable diaphragm is formed by a mechanical diaphragm, its structural resonance characteristics change depending on the diaphragm's effective aperture, and thus installation onto an actuator for driving the objective lens becomes difficult in practice. To solve this problem, liquid crystal may be used for forming the diaphragm. This, however, greatly impedes the miniaturization of the system, deteriorates heat-resistance and endurance, and increases manufacturing costs.
Alternatively, a separate objective lens for each disc may be provided so that a specific objective lens is used for a specific disc. In this case, however, since a driving apparatus is needed for replacing lenses, the configuration becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase accordingly.

Optical pickup device having a diaphram with a predetermined aperture


A package for containing and dispensing a multiple-component liquid solution includes a product chamber member movably mounted within the sidewall of a canister, and defining at least first and second separate product chambers for containing liquids to be dispensed. First and second pistons are mounted in fixed positions within the canister and respectively slidably disposed within the first and second chambers. First and second passages extend from the respective pistons for feeding liquids displaced from the chambers through a manifold to a surface applicator mounted on the canister. Cooperating structure on the canister and the chamber member is manipulated by a user to move the chamber member within the canister over the pistons, and thereby to displace liquids from the chambers through the pistons to the manifold, in which the liquids are mixed and fed to the applicator.

The present invention is directed to packages for containing and dispensing multiple-component liquid solutions, such as a two-component deodorant, and to methods for making such packages.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a package for containing and applying a multiple-component liquid solution, such as a two-component liquid deodorant, in which the liquid components are separated within the package and not mixed until the time of application, and in which the relative quantities of the liquids dispensed at each application are controlled by design of the package.
A package for containing and dispensing a multiple-component liquid solution in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention includes a product chamber member movably mounted within the sidewall of a canister, and defining at least first and second separate product chambers for containing liquids to be dispensed. First and second pistons are mounted in fixed positions within the canister and respectively slidably disposed within the first and second chambers. First and second passages extend from the respective pistons for feeding liquids displaced from the chambers through a manifold to a surface applicator mounted on the canister. Cooperating structure on the canister and the chamber member is manipulated by a user to move the chamber member within the canister over the pistons, and thereby to displace liquids from the chambers through the pistons to the manifold, in which the liquids are mixed and fed to the applicator.
A package for containing and dispensing a two-component liquid solution in accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the invention includes a surface applicator mounted over the open end of a canister. An integrally formed product chamber member is movably mounted within the sidewall of the canister, and includes an internally threaded collar and first and second product chambers for containing liquids to be dispensed. A manifold is coupled to the applicator within the canister. The manifold has an outlet coupled to the applicator and a pair of spaced parallel inlets. First and second hollow pistons are suspended from the manifold inlets and respectively slidably disposed within the first and second chambers. A screw has an externally threaded shaft received within the collar and a circular base rotatably supported within the canister. Rotation of the screw within the canister moves the chamber member over the pistons and displaces liquids from the chambers through the pistons and the manifold to the applicator. In the disclosed embodiment, the screw is rotated by a pushbutton mounted within the canister and manipulable by a user from externally of the canister. Alternatively, the periphery of the screw may be accessible to a user through a suitable opening in the canister sidewall.
A package for containing and dispensing a two-component liquid solution in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a canister and a surface applicator mounted over end open end of the canister. An integrally formed product chamber member is movably mounted within the sidewall of the canister, and includes a gear rack and first and second product chambers for containing liquids to be dispensed. A manifold is coupled to the applicator within the canister, and has a pair of spaced parallel inlets. First and second hollow pistons are suspended from the manifold inlets and respectively slidably disposed within the first and second chambers. A gear wheel is rotatably mounted on the canister sidewall in engagement with the rack for manipulation by a user to move the chamber member over the pistons and thereby displace liquids from the chambers through the pistons to the applicator.
A method of making a package for containing and dispensing a multiple-component liquid solution in accordance with another aspect of the invention includes providing a canister having an open end and a sidewall. An integrally formed product chamber member is mounted within the canister, and has at least first and second product chambers and a first element for moving the member with respect to the canister sidewall. A second element is mounted within the canister for engagement with the first element and manipulation by a user to move the product chamber member within the canister. First and second hollow pistons are suspended from a surface applicator. The first and second chambers are filled with first and second liquids to be dispensed, and the surface applicator is assembled over the open end of the canister such that the first and second pistons are respectively disposed in the first and second chambers.


In a recording device, a data memory including a DRAM having a write pointer for each of banks, and a queue control memory that stores an active flag is provided. When frame data is written into a write-target queue, a bank for which an active flag indicates an activated state is selected as a write-target bank among the banks to write the frame data, and if there is no bank for which an active flag indicates an activated state, a bank for which an active flag indicates a deactivated state is selected as a write-target bank, a row address of a write pointer of the bank is activated, and thereafter the frame data is written.

There is proposed a configuration known in the art such as the configuration described in PTL 1 as a communication input/output apparatus for inputting and outputting communication data such as Ethernet (registered trademark) frame data, in which the communication input/output apparatus is used in data communication such as the Internet. FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication input/output apparatus (built-in memory) known in the art.
This communication input/output apparatus includes a multiplexer MUX, a recording device MEM, and a demultiplexer DEMUX.
The MUX adds, to frame data being input, queue designation information corresponding to an output destination of the frame data by a queue designation information adding unit provided for each input port, and thereafter multiplexes the frame data by a multiplexing unit, and outputs the resultant frame data.
The MEM receives, by a writing control unit, the frame data output from the MUX in a time division multiplex manner, refers to the queue designation information and a queue map that are added to each of the frame data, and writes the frame data to an address of a queue corresponding to the queue designation information from among queues logically set up for each output destination of frame data in a built-in data memory. The MEM also reads, in response to a reading instruction from the DEMUX, frame data from the corresponding queue by a reading control unit and outputs the frame data to the DEMUX.
The DEMUX reads, by a reading unit, based on a priority control logic for each output port, frame data from a queue at an output destination corresponding to a priority output port in the MEM, distributes the frame data to a corresponding output port by a distribution unit, and converts the frame data so that the frame data has a communication speed of the output port by a speed conversion unit provided for each output port to output the frame data.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory table showing correspondence between a queue and an output port, and shows a case where the number of output ports is three. In FIG. 28(a), a queue and an output port are associated by one-to-one, but associating a queue and an output port by one-to-many as in FIG. 28(b) can cope with a case where one item of frame data is output by a plurality of output ports. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 28(c), a queue according to the priority for reading may be associated with each output port.

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for receiving data related to a first flight risk factor and a second flight risk factor where the first and second risk factors include one of: a proficiency risk factor, an equipment risk factor, an environmental risk factor, or a performance risk factor. Applying a first weighting to the first flight risk factor to generate a first weighted flight risk factor, and applying a second weighting to the second flight risk factor to generate a second weighted flight risk factor. Assessing a flight risk level for a flight based on the first weighted flight risk factor and the second weighted flight risk factor. Providing data indicating the assessed flight risk level for the flight for display to a user.

This disclosure relates generally to electronic systems and more particularly to the systems for evaluating risks related to complex logistical operations. The risks associated with complex logistical operations, such as air-traffic control and flight scheduling, are numerous and interrelated. Consequently, a comprehensive evaluation of these risks is not usually available in real-time.


The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for improving ribbon replacement for thermal printers. The present invention also applies to replacement of other media in associated printers. The improvement is achieved based a ribbon adapter or media adapter that is designed for two conditions: 1) catch condition for printing, and 2) release condition for replacing the media in the printer. By a single click or press of a button, a user can switch between the two conditions. The printing operation occurs during the catch condition. The catch condition ensures that there is no or little relative movement between media core and media adapter. The media adapter can also support different diameter media cores. The release condition is implemented when the user replaces media. The release condition can provide a relatively easy replacement of a media without a significant force or pressure.

Generally speaking the current ribbon adapter uses a part for catching the ribbon core. This part can be metal or can be plastic. This configuration has two concerns. First, when a user replaces the ribbon in the printer, the user may need to use substantial force to remove the ribbon core from ribbon adapter and install a new ribbon core. The user not only needs to overcome the ribbon's own gravity, but also overcome the sliding friction between the ribbon core and ribbon adapter, because of the interference fit between the core and adapter. The configuration is not very efficient and not very ergonomics-friendly.
Second, since the ribbon core must slide onto and out of ribbon adapter numerous times, this motion causes reciprocating sliding wear, which will deteriorate interface between the catch to the ribbon core. Hence, this wear can affect the synchronism between the ribbon core and ribbon adapter. The result is a reduction in the printing quality. The printer has a tolerance to adjust for this issue, but if the deterioration exceeds the tolerance, poor printing quality will eventually result.
Therefore, a need exists for to improve ribbon replacement process in thermal printers.

Media replacement process for thermal printers


The disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I), which are formyl peptide 2 (FPR2) receptor agonists and/or formyl peptide 1 (FPR1) receptor agonists. The disclosure also provides compositions and methods of using the compounds, for example, for the treatment of atherosclerosis, heart failure, and related diseases.

The present invention relates to novel piperidinone compounds, which are formyl peptide 2 (FPR2) receptor agonists and/or formyl peptide 1 (FPR1) receptor agonists, compositions containing them, and methods of using them, for example, for the treatment of atherosclerosis, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and related diseases.
Formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) belongs to small group of seven-transmembrane domain, G protein-coupled receptors that are expressed mainly by mammalian phagocytic leukocytes and are known to be important in host defense and inflammation. FPR2 shares significant sequence homology with FPR1 and FPR3. Collectively, these receptors bind large number of structurally diverse group of agonists, including N-formyl and nonformyl peptides which act as chemo attractants and activate phagocytes. The endogenous anti-inflammatory peptide Annexin A1 and its N-terminal fragments also bind human FPR1 and FPR2. Importantly, anti-inflammatory eicosanoid lipoxin A4, which belongs to newly discovered class of small pro-resolution mediators (SPMs), has been identified as an agonist for FPR2 (Ye R D., et al., Pharmacol. Rev., 2009, 61, 119-61).
Endogenous FPR2 pro-resolution ligands, such as lipoxin A4 and Annexin A1 trigger a wide array of cytoplasmatic cascades such as Gi coupling, Ca2+ mobilization and □-arrestin recruitment via FPR2. Activation of FPR2 by lipoxin A4 modifies the effects of peptidic agonists, such as serum amyloid A (SAA), and has alternative effects on phosphorylation pathways depending on the cell type. Lipoxins regulate components of both innate and adaptive immune systems including neutrophils, macrophages, T-, and B-cells. In neutrophils, lipoxins modulate their movement, cytotoxicity and life span. In macrophages, lipoxins prevent their apoptosis and enhance efferocytosis. In most inflammatory cells, lipoxins also down-regulate expression of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-1□ and IL-8 as well as up-regulate expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (Chandrasekharan J A, Sharma-Walia N., J. Inflamm. Res., 2015, 8, 181-92). The primary effects of lipoxin on neutrophils and macrophages are termination of inflammation and initiation of resolution of inflammation. The latter is primarily responsible for enhancing anti-fibrotic wound healing and returning of the injured tissue to homeostasis (Romano M., et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 2015, 5, 49-63).
Chronic inflammation is part of the pathway of pathogenesis of many human diseases and stimulation of resolution pathways with FPR2 agonists may have both protective and reparative effects. Ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common feature of several diseases associated with high morbidity and mortality, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Non-productive wound healing associated with cardiomyocyte death and pathological remodeling resulting from ischemia-reperfusion injury leads to scar formation, fibrosis, and progressive lost of heart function. FPR2 modulation is proposed to enhance myocardial wound healing post injury and diminish adverse myocardial remodeling (Kain V., et al., J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol., 2015, 84, 24-35). In addition, FPR2 pro-resolution agonists, in the central nervous system, may be useful therapeutics for the treatment of a variety of clinical I/R conditions, including stroke in brain (Gavins F N., Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 2010, 31, 266-76) and I/R induced spinal cord injury (Liu Z Q., et al., Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med., 2015, 8, 12826-33).
In addition to beneficial effects of targeting the FPR2 with novel pro-resolution agonists for treatment of I/R induced injury therapeutic, utility of these ligands can also be applied to other diseases. In the cardiovascular system both the FPR2 receptor and its pro-resolution agonists were found to be responsible for atherogenic-plaque stabilization and healing (Petri M H., et al., Cardiovasc. Res., 2015, 105, 65-74; and Fredman G., et al., Sci. Trans. Med., 2015, 7(275); 275ra20). FPR2 agonists also have been shown to be beneficial in preclinical models of chronic inflammatory human diseases, including: infectious diseases, psoriasis, dermatitis, occular inflammation, sepsis, pain, metabolic/diabetes diseases, cancer, COPD, asthma and allergic diseases, cystic fibrosis, acute lung injury and fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other joint diseases, Alzheimer's disease, kidney fibrosis, and organ transplantation (Romano M., et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 2015, 5, 49-63, Perrett, M., et al., Trends in Pharm. Sci., 2015, 36, 737-755).

Piperidinone formyl peptide 2 receptor agonists


A hybrid rocket system and motor includes an oxidant tank communicating with a combustion chamber containing a solid fuel grain. The passage from the oxidant tank to the combustion chamber is obstructed by a fill tube which fills the oxidant tank with oxidant and pressurizes it. Once the tank is full, the fill tube is displaced from the tank-chamber passage to deliver oxidant to the grain and initiate the combustion process. The motor may be an integral part of the rocket, or it may be a modular, expendable or exchangeable cartridge-type device inserted into a reusable body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to self-propelled projectiles, and, more specifically, to hybrid (e.g., solid-liquid) propulsion systems for rockets and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Rocket motors generally fall into two classes: solid propellant motors in which a solid fuel element undergoes combustion to produce thrust that propels the rocket, and liquid propellant motors that accomplish the same function with a liquid fuel material. A hybrid rocket motor may be characterized as a cross between a solid propellant motor and a liquid propellant motor. Generally, hybrid motors use a fluid oxidizer to burn a solid fuel element; however, they may use a combustible liquid fuel and a solid oxidizer. The hybrid rocket propellant can be ignited by an igniter, such as an electrically-generated spark, by pyrotechnic means, or by initial injection of an ignition fluid which exothermically reacts with the liquid oxidizer.
Some of the more well-known advantages of a hybrid rocket motor over a purely solid fuel motor are the complete separation of fuel from the principal oxidizer, thus eliminating the potential for inadvertent ignition or catastrophic failure; the ability to optimize the combination of propellant ingredients regardless of whether they are solid or liquid; and the ability to easily start, stop, and restart the motor, thereby making the motor easily throttleable since the solid fuel component need not contain any oxidizer. Because of these features, the motor is easily mass produced under less hazardous conditions and at a smaller cost.
A conventional hybrid rocket motor includes a hollow housing or combustion chamber in which an elongated solid fuel component, or "grain" is secured. The liquid or gaseous oxidizer is provided in a tank or container mounted forward of the fuel grain and flows along the fuel grain. Ignition causes combustion of the fuel-oxidizer mixture at the exposed surface of the fuel grain, resulting in the generation of thrust as the high pressure combustion products are discharged through the rocket nozzle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,645 to Schuler et al. discloses a hybrid rocket motor in which liquid oxidizer in a tank is passed through a heat exchanger to convert it to gaseous form and then used to oxidize a solid fuel grain. The gaseous oxidizer also is fed back to the tank to pressurize the remaining liquid oxidizer, and the solid grain burn is supplemented with additional liquid oxidizer. While this system provides acceptable results, it requires an unduly complicated, failure-prone delivery mechanism to ensure proper operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,730 to Knuth et al. discloses a hybrid rocket system which also converts the liquid oxidizer to gaseous form before presenting the oxidizer to the solid grain. In this system, the grain-oxidizer combustion products are passed to a secondary combustion chamber where, like the Schuler et al. system, the combustion process is supplemented with additional liquid oxidizer. Somewhat alike in concept, these two systems suffer from similar disadvantages as noted above.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,623 to Briley discloses a hybrid rocket motor in which a hollow tube extends from the liquid oxidizer tank into the interior of the combustion chamber holding the solid grain. At its nozzle end, the tube has a plurality of perforations. The perforations permit liquid oxidizer to be injected into the combustion chamber and react with the fuel grain in a relatively constant and uniform pattern. This design, however, does not address the larger issues of motor design.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,627 to Bradford et al. discloses a hybrid system in which the solid fuel grain has a tank of non-flammable pressurized gas disposed therein. The pressurized gas is fed to the liquid oxidizer tank and is used to force the oxidizer into the combustion chamber. The Bradford et al. system is a rather specialized design which, due to its relative complexity, has limited flexibility in practical applications.
Thus, while the prior art designs implement a variety of workable systems, they all entail fairly complicated delivery systems. This results in limited flexibility, increased fabrication costs, and higher failure rates.

Hybrid rocket system and integrated motor for use therein


A method of cleaning contaminants, including particulate contaminants, from a valve in a fluid system includes moving a valve flow control element of the valve from a first position to a second position in response to a change in a condition in the fluid system other than a change in superheat.

This invention relates in general to microvalves for controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid circuit. In particular, this invention relates to an improved method of cleaning and preventing undesirable clogging by contaminants, including contaminant particles, in such a microvalve. This invention also relates to an improved method of cleaning and preventing undesirable clogging by contaminants, including contaminant particles, in a spool valve.
Generally speaking, a micro-electro-mechanical system is a system that not only includes both electrical and mechanical components, but is additionally physically small, typically including features having sizes that are generally in the range of about ten micrometers or smaller. The term "micro-machining" is commonly understood to relate to the production of three-dimensional structures and moving parts of such micro-electro-mechanical system devices. In the past, micro-electro-mechanical systems used modified integrated circuit (e.g., computer chip) fabrication techniques (such as chemical etching) and materials (such as silicon semiconductor material), which were micro-machined to provide these very small electrical and mechanical components. More recently, however, other micro-machining techniques and materials have become available.
As used herein, the term "micro-machined device" means a device including features having sizes that are generally in the range of about ten micrometers or smaller and, thus, is at least partially formed by micro-machining. As also used herein, the term "microvalve" means a valve including features having sizes that are generally in the range of about ten micrometers or smaller and, thus, is also at least partially formed by micro-machining. Lastly, as used herein, the term "microvalve device" means a micro-machined device that includes a microvalve, but further includes additional components. It should be noted that if components other than a microvalve are included in the microvalve device, these other components may be either micro-machined components or standard-sized (i.e., larger) components. Similarly, a micro-machined device may include both micro-machined components and standard-sized components.
A variety of microvalve structures are known in the art for controlling the flow of fluid through a fluid circuit. One well known microvalve structure includes a displaceable member that is supported within a closed internal cavity provided in a valve body for pivoting or other movement between a closed position and an opened position. When disposed in the closed position, the displaceable member substantially blocks a first fluid port that is otherwise in fluid communication with a second fluid port, thereby preventing fluid from flowing between the first and second fluid ports. When disposed in the opened condition, the displaceable member does not substantially block the first fluid port from fluid communication with the second fluid port, thereby permitting fluid to flow between the first and second fluid ports.
In this conventional microvalve structure, it has been found that in some instances, the fluid ports may become clogged with contaminants, rendering the microvalve at least partially non-functional. Further, it has been found that in some instances, spool valves may become clogged with contaminants, rendering the spool valve at least partially non-functional. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved method of cleaning, unclogging, and of preventing undesirable clogging of the fluid ports in a microvalve, and similarly of cleaning, unclogging, and of preventing undesirable clogging of a spool valve.

Method of preventing clogging in a microvalve


A wire twisting and capping apparatus includes a main body portion which includes a longitudinal axis. A drive element is connected to a first end of the main body portion along the longitudinal axis. Conductor-reception channels are located at a second end of the main body portion. The conductor-reception channels are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis. A translatable sleeve assembly is supported by the main body portion. The translatable sleeve assembly includes a locking assembly located at a first end of the translatable sleeve assembly. Also, the translatable sleeve assembly includes a main sleeve portion attached to the locking assembly, and the main sleeve portion includes insulator end cap receivers located at a second end of the translatable sleeve assembly for engaging an insulator end cap when the translatable sleeve assembly is translated away from the drive element. The wire twisting and capping apparatus is used for twisting bare ends of a plurality of conductors into an intertwined unitary conductor end structure and for installing an insulator end cap onto the intertwined unitary conductor end structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority based upon my prior copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/045,666, filed May 6, 1997.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for twisting ends of wire strands together and, more particularly, to a strand twisting device especially adapted for applying an insulator end cap to the twisted strands.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the art of electrical wiring, it is often necessary insulate the bare ends of conductors. Conductors are often comprised of a plurality of wire strands, and an insulator end cap is installed on the bare ends of wire strands. To protect the wire strands from damage and to assure that the insulator end cap is securely attached to the bare wire ends, the wire ends are often twisted together before the insulator end cap is applied.
Throughout the years, a number of innovations have been developed relating to the treatment of the ends of wire conductors that have a plurality of wire strands. In addition, a number of innovations have been developed relating to the installation of an insulator end cap onto twisted wire ends, and the following U.S. Pat. Nos. are representative of some of those innovations: 4,512,219, 4,823,650, 4,865,086, 5,379,809, and 5,560,402. More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,219 discloses a tool for installing a wire harness at the ends of a plurality of bare wire ends to bind the bare wire ends together. However, this device does not provide for the installation of an insulator end cap to the bound together wire ends. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided by which an insulator end cap is installed to the twisted ends of bare wires.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,650 discloses a power driven wire nut wrench that installs an insulator end cap on bare wire ends. It is noted that, with this device, wire strands are not arranged so that the wire strands are twisted in a desired manner. In this respect, it would be desirable if a device were provided by which a plurality of bare wire ends are twisted in a desired manner.
Each of U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,086 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,809 discloses a device for twisting wire conductors together. With each device, however, the wire conductors are not individually aligned prior to their being twisted together. To provide for optimum twisting, however, it would be desirable if a device were provided that individually aligns wire strands prior to their being twisted together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,402 may be of interest for its disclosure of a reversible direction wire twisting pliers.
Still other features would be desirable in a wire twisting and capping apparatus. For example, it would be desirable if a device were provided that is easily converted from a wire twisting device to an insulator end cap installing device. Also, it would be desirable if a wire twisting and capping apparatus were easily connectable to a power drill.
Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates it to be well known to use devices for twisting bare ends of wires, the prior art described above does not teach or suggest a wire twisting and capping apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) provides for the installation of an insulator end cap to the twisted ends of bare wires; (2) permits a plurality of bare wire ends to be twisted in a desired manner; (3) individually aligns wire strands prior to their being twisted together; (4) is easily converted from a wire twisting device to an insulator end cap installing device; and (5) is easily connectable to a power drill. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique wire twisting and capping apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.


The automatic switching of acoustic systems and especially of hearing aids into different processing programs is to be improved. To this end there is provision for the signal processing device of the acoustic system to feature a high-frequency detector for analysis of an input signal, with the output signal of said device being able to be used for processing one or more input signals by the signal processing unit. Specifically the presence of an active mobile telephone which emits electromagnetic radiation in the high-frequency range can be established in this way. This enables the system to be switched into telephone made with a high degree of certainty to suit a particular situation.

Hearing aids can usually be switched manually into a corresponding hearing program depending on the situation involved. The switchover between the programs is typically actuated by pressing a button. Manual switching is inconvenient and is very often involves a delay so that the beginning of a communication cannot be detected for example.
For this reason hearing aids have been developed which are able to switch automatically into a corresponding hearing program. A hearing aid of this type is known from publication U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,116 B2. In this invention the acoustic signal picked up is investigated for interference or noise components. Depending on the analysis of the noise signals transmission parameters are modified or complete hearing programs are switched over.
The analysis of the signals in accordance with noise components however involves considerable effort and the result is often not clear.

Acoustic system with automatic switchover


A plurality of semiconductor layers including an active layer 6 and a light extract layer 4, and a reflective metal film 11 are formed in a semiconductor light emitting device. The light extract layer 4 is formed of a plurality of layers 23, 24 having different composition ratios. An irregularity 22 is formed on the layers 23, 24 including an outermost layer to provide a main surface S as a rough-surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting device provided with a rough surface such that a film thickness of a light extract layer is not reduced.
2. Related Art
As to a light emitting diode (LED) which is a semiconductor light emitting device, it is possible to fabricate a high luminance LED emitting various color lights such as blue, green, orange, yellow, and red, since it is possible to grow a GaN based high quality crystal or an AlGaInP based high quality crystal by using MOVPE (Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy) method in recent years. In accordance with the provision of a high luminance LED, applications of the LED are widened, e.g. a back light of a liquid crystal display, a brake lump for a vehicle, so that demand for the LED increases year by year.
Since the growth of a high quality crystal by using the MOVPE method has been achieved, a light emitting efficiency inside the light emitting device is nearing to a theoretical limit value. However, the light extract efficiency from the light emitting device to the outside is still low, and enhancement of the light extract efficiency is expected.
For example, a high luminance red LED is made from AlGaInP based materials, and has a double hetero structure comprising a conductive GaAs substrate, an n-type AlGaInP layer comprising an AlGaInP based material with a composition which is lattice-matched with the conductive GaAs substrate, a p-type AlGaInP layer, and an active layer which is a part of a light emitting part comprising AlGaInP or GaInP, in which the active layer is sandwiched by the n-type AlGaInP layer and the p-type AlGaInP layer. The AlGaInP based material here is a general term of various kinds of materials mainly comprising AlGaInP, in that composition ratios or additives are different from each other. In the semiconductor light emitting device using the AlGaInP based material, materials such as GaInP, and GaP may be used together.
Since a bandgap of the GaAs substrate is narrower than that of the active layer in such a semiconductor light emitting device, most of the light emitted from the active layer is absorbed by the GaAs substrate, so that the light extract efficiency is deteriorated.
As means for solving this problem, there is a technique for improving the light extract efficiency by forming a layer with a multilayer reflective film structure comprising semiconductors having different refractive indices between the active layer and the GaAs substrate, to reflect the light emitted to the GaAs substrate, thereby reducing absorption of the light in the GaAs substrate. However, according to this technique, only the light having a limited incident angle with respect to the multilayer reflective film structure layer is reflected. In other words, only a part of the light emitted to the GaAs substrate is reflected, so that it is difficult to improve the light extract efficiency enough.
Thus, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-217450 discloses another technique for realizing a high luminance by forming a semiconductor light emitting device in which a double hetero structure part comprising AlGaInP based material is grown on a GaAs substrate for growth, sticking the double hetero structure part on a supporting substrate comprising Si, GaAs or the like via a metal layer with a high reflectance, and removing the GaAs substrate used for the growth. According to this technique, since the metal is used as a reflective layer, the reflection with high reflectance can be realized without selecting an incident angle with respect to the reflective layer. For this reason, it is possible to provide a higher luminance than the aforementioned technique in which the multilayer reflective film structure is formed. In other words, it is possible to achieve the higher luminance by extracting the light generated in the active layer more effectively.
FIG. 11 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a structure of a conventional semiconductor light emitting device.
As shown in FIG. 11, a conventional semiconductor light emitting device 101 comprises, in an order from up to bottom, a first electrode 102 for partially covering a light extract layer, a first electrode side contact layer 103 provided only just beneath the first electrode 102 and covering a part of the light extract layer covered by the first electrode 102, the first electrode side contact layer 103 having a bandgap energy smaller than that of the active layer and being opaque with respect to the light emitted from the active layer, a light extract layer 104 constituting a main surface at a first cladding layer side and radiating the light advancing from the active layer to the first cladding layer side, a first cladding layer 105 that is one of two cladding layers sandwiching the active layer, an active layer 106 sandwiched by the first and second cladding layers and generating the light, a second cladding layer 107 that is another one of the two cladding layers, an interposed layer 108 interposed between the second cladding layer 107 and a reflective metal film side contact layer, a reflective metal film side contact layer 109, an oxide layer 110, a reflective metal film 111 provided between the second cladding layer 107 and a second electrode and reflecting the light advanced from the active layer 106 to a second electrode side, a metal adhesion layer 112, a supporting substrate 113 on which the double hetero structure part is stuck, and a second electrode 114 for covering an opposite surface with respect to the main surface.
The light extract layer 104 is also called as a window layer.
The oxide layer 110 comprises ohmic contact portions 115 dispersed appropriately in a plane contacting to the reflective metal film 111, in which parts other than the ohmic contact portions 115 are referred as non-ohmic contact portions 116.
The reflective metal film side contact layer 109 comprises three layers 111, 118 and 119 each of which comprises a material doped with different dopants. In these three layers, an interposed layer side contact layer 117 contacting to the interposed layer 108 comprises a material doped with Mg, an oxide layer side contact layer 119 contacting to the oxide layer 110 comprises a material doped with Zn, and an intermediate contact layer 118 provided between the interposed layer side contact layer 117 and the oxide layer side contact layer 119 comprises a material which is not positively doped.
The layers from the first electrode side contact layer 103 to the reflective metal film side contact layer 109 are referred as a double hetero structure part 120. In addition, the first cladding layer 105, the active layer 106, and the second cladding layer 107 may be totally referred as a light emitting layer 121.
In the semiconductor light emitting device 101 in FIG. 11, the light is not extracted from the main surface (opposite surface) where the supporting substrate 112 is provided, and the light is only extracted from another main surface formed on the light extract layer 104, by providing the reflective metal film 111.
The reflective metal film 111 disposed between the double hetero structure part 120 and the supporting substrate 112 has naturally a high reflectance with respect to the light emitted from the active layer 106, and is required to have an ohmic-contact to the double hetero structure part 120 mainly comprising AlGaInP based material. However, it is difficult to provide a direct ohmic-contact to the AlGaInP based material by using a metal such as Ag, Al, and Au that has a high reflectance at a wavelength of the light emitted from the active layer 106. Therefore, it is necessary to partially provide the ohmic contact portions 115 between the reflective metal film 111 and the double hetero structure part 120. Partial disposition means that the reflective metal film 111 is not totally covered but the ohmic contact portions 115 are disposed appropriately in the plane of the reflective metal film 111.
The ohmic contact portion 115 is disposed between the reflective metal film 111 and the double hetero structure part 120 to take the ohmic contact, in which the reflectance is low as compared with that of the reflective metal film 111. In addition, it is necessary to conduct heat-treatment after providing a material of the ohmic contact portion 115 to contact to the double hetero structure part 120, so as to take the ohmic contact. Alloying reaction occurs between the double hetero structure part 120 and the material of the ohmic contact portion 115 in the occasion of the beat treatment, so that a light absorption rate is increased in the double hetero structure part 120 contacting to the ohmic contact portion 115. For this reason, the light absorption is increased in the ohmic contact portion 115 compared with the non-ohmic contact portion 116, when the light emitted from the active layer 106 passes through the oxide layer 110. As a result, the light extract efficiency of the whole light emitting device is deteriorated.
Even though the reflective metal film 111 has a high reflectance with respect to the light emitted from the active layer 106, if much light cannot be extracted from a surface of the light extract layer 104 which is a main surface, the light extract efficiency will be deteriorated, so that the improvement in the light output will be small. Therefore, as a technique to extract the light effectively, it has been known to make the main surface rough (rough-surface treatment) as disclosed by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No-2004-356279. The rough-surface treatment is to form an irregularity (unevenness) on the surface.
When the light goes out from a substance, there is a constraint of a critical angle. If an angle of the light is perpendicular to a surface, the light can be extracted. However, when there is an inclination, the light cannot be extracted. The critical angle is determined based on a wavelength of the light and a refractive index of the substance. For example, among the light radiated from the light emitting layer 121, the light perpendicular to the light extract layer 104 goes out from the semiconductor light emitting device 101, however, the light having a predetermined angle with respect to the light extract layer 104 cannot go out from the semiconductor light emitting device 101, due to the angle with respect to the main surface. However, when the main surface is formed as a rough surface, the angle of the light having the predetermined angle with respect to the light extract layer 104 is changed with respect to the main surface, so that such a light goes out from the semiconductor light emitting device 101. Therefore, the light extract efficiency can be improved by making the main surface as a rough surface.
As a technique for improving the effect of the rough-surface treatment, there is a technique of forming an irregular pattern by photolithography which is a well-known technique. However, since minute pattern formation is required in this technique, expensive equipment is necessary, and a manufacturing cost of the semiconductor light emitting device is increased as consequence. In addition, the manufacturing cost is increased since the photolithography process is conducted. On the other hand, as a technique for reducing the manufacturing cost, there is a technique for conducting the rough-surface treatment without forming any pattern. However, there is a following disadvantage in this technique.
When the rough-surface treatment is conducted on a surface of the light extract layer which is the main surface, by etching without forming any pattern, the etching totally advances in accordance with the formation of the irregularity, so that a film thickness of the light extract layer is reduced totally. When the film thickness of the light extract layer is reduced totally, a current spreading is deteriorated, a forward voltage is increased, and a light output is decreased simultaneously. As a result, the light emitting efficiency is deteriorated.
The light output is decreased as follows. A calorific value in the semiconductor light emitting device is increased due to the increase in the forward voltage, so that the light emitting efficiency is deteriorated because of the influence of the heat thus generated. In brief, when the film thickness of the light extract layer is reduced, a series resistance is increased as well as the current spreading is deteriorated, so that the forward voltage is increased, thereby reducing the light output.


An image forming apparatus installed with at least one first application includes a setting receiving unit, a storage unit, an installation unit, and an addition unit. The setting receiving unit displays at least one first setting screen for setting the first application and receives an input of setting value corresponding to the first application. The storage unit stores first information used, by the setting receiving unit, to display the first setting screen for setting the first application. The installation unit installs a second application on the image forming apparatus. The addition unit adds, to the storage unit, second information used for displaying at least one second setting screen for setting the second application. The setting receiving unit displays the second setting screen based on the second information added to the storage unit and to receive an input of setting value of the second application.

In recent years, various functions such as a scanning function and a copying function are installed on the image forming apparatus. In such an image forming apparatus, a system program has been generated to configure a screen for inputting one or more setting values required to execute each of the functions such as the scanning function and the copying function installed on the image forming apparatus in advance. Conventionally, when an additional program, such as an application program, is developed and installed on such an image forming apparatus to add a new function, and a new setting value is required to be input to execute the newly added function, the system program is required to be changed in a manner that the setting value for executing the newly added function can be input. There is a known plug-in program that is dynamically operable in conjunction with a system program and in which information for inputting a setting value required to execute an additional function is described. With this plug-in program, the system program is not required to be changed, even when, for example, an additional program, such as an application program, requiring a new setting value is newly installed.

Image forming apparatus, method of controlling display, and recording medium


A method for appropriately managing the quality and distribution of a probe carrier. Probe carriers manufactured by a probe carrier manufacturing apparatus having ejecting portions for ejecting probe solutions, each containing a probe, which can be specifically coupled with a target substance, for applying the probe solution on a carrier, and a plurality of probe tanks storing mutually different probe solutions for supplying ejecting portions. Each probe tank is labeled with the bar-code. The labeled bar-code is read by the bar-code reader. On the basis of the read bar-code, the probe solution stored in the probe tank is identified. On the other hand, the probe tank is mounted on the ejecting portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a probe carrier managing method, a probe carrier manufacturing apparatus and a probe carrier managing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A probe, which can specifically couple with a target substance of a specific base sequence, such as a short single-stranded DNA strip and the like tagged by radioactive isotopes or other fluorescent materials, has been used for gene examination or analysis of a base sequence of gene DNA. As means for providing a plurality of kinds of probes simultaneously, probe carriers, such as a DNA chip prepared by arraying a plurality of probes to be coupled with target substances as objects for detection on a carrier of glass and the like or other carrier, are attracting attention.
In the recent years, studies have progressed in the area of applying technology relating to an ink-jet printer to the manufacturing of the probe carrier to enable to fix tens of thousands of probes on a single probe carrier. While the ink-jet printer places ink at accurate positions on a printing medium by ejecting droplets having a trace amount of ink, a high-density probe carrier can be manufactured by injecting a solution containing the probe in place of the ink in one operation.
When manufacturing the probe carrier, probes have to be fixed on the chip in a desired arrangement. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult or even impossible to constantly maintain an accurate arrangement of tens of thousands of probes.
On the other hand, when the probe carrier, such as a DNA chip and the like, is commercialized and placed on the market, it is possible for the probe carrier to fail after manufacturing, but before use, during distribution. A failure may be caused by:
(1) taking the wrong probe in the manufacturing stage, alternation of the probe or mixing of a plurality of probes;
(2) alternation of the probe in the distribution stage; and
(3) misidentification of the result of the inspection during the inspection stage. Other causes may also be possible. However, while the failure of the probe carrier is normally found during the inspection stage, the cause of the failure cannot be specified unless appropriate management is exercised.

Probe carrier management method, probe carrier manufacturing apparatus and probe carrier managing apparatus


Methods and structures for configuring an integrated circuit including repeated cells that are divided into banks having a respective power assist and a respective operational assist are provided. A method includes configuring the banks without power assist and operational assist. The method further includes selecting the power assist for a bank based on a determination that a weak cell remains in the bank after configuring the bank with the respective operational assist.

Moore's law predicts that the number of transistors that can be placed on an integrated circuit (IC) is doubled approximately every two years. However, as the number of transistors increases and their size decreases, the variation in their characteristics and the probability for defects increases proportionally. For example, in nanometer-scale manufacturing processes, slight variations in the structure of a transistor can produce substantial differences in its operation with respect to other instances of the same transistor in the IC. Thus, ICs having large numbers of repeated structures, such as cells in static random access memories (SRAMS), may have defects due to manufacturing variations. These defects may impact the performance and manufacturing yield of ICs.
Repeated structures used in integrated circuits ("ICs") may be logic elements (hereinafter referred to as "cells"), such as memory elements and gate arrays, for example. Current IC design methods assume that all cells in a repeated structure IC have the same probability of failure. For example, static random access memory (SRAM) devices, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and phase change memory (PCM) devices may include billions of memory cells. While each instance of a cell generally has the same design, manufacturing variations may cause some of the cells to be weaker than others. That is, a weaker cell may have operational characteristics significantly below a nominal reliability parameter. For example, a weaker memory cell may have an error rate for one or more it operational characteristics (i.e., readability, writability, and stability) that is significantly above an expected (e.g., average) error rate.
The probability that a particular cell differs from the manufacturing average cell can be measured by a sigma value (x). For example, in a million cell SRAM, one would expect to find approximately 1350 cells that exhibit 3-sigma (or worse) stability properties, but only 32 cells that would exhibit 4-sigma or worse stability properties. In current technology, most SRAMs are designed to tolerate approximately 3 failing cells out of 10 million (i.e. 5-sigma), where the failing mechanism can be due to hard failures (manufacturing defects), or due to soft failures (readability, stability or writability malfunctions) all of which are voltage, temperature and process dependent. Usually increasing the voltage improves the readability, stability and writability of these weak cells, but doing so, greatly increases the overall power consumption and makes it harder (and more expensive) to maintain the temperature within design limits.
To guard against failures in weak cells, current IC designs are configured to operate using assist measures, such as higher operating voltage and/or slower speed. For example, the current design practice for SRAMs is to treat all cells as if they are 5.2-sigma weak for readability, writability, and stability. As a result, 99.9999% of the cells in an SRAM can be overdesigned, which consumes more power and performs at a slower speed. Further, 88% of memory banks will not see an SRAM cell that is worse than 4.5-sigma even in the worst case.
Because a vast majority of the SRAM cells are robust and can be expected to reliably operate without the assist measures (e.g., power assist, readability assist, writability assist, and/or stability assist), the performance (e.g., power consumption and/or speed) of the IC is unnecessarily limited by providing such measures to robust cells. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described hereinabove.

Majority dominant power scheme for repeated structures and structures thereof


The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a surface at least partly covered with contaminant or undesired material by applying atomic hydrogen. The invention also proposes an irradiation unit adapted to perform the cleaning method. In the present method the atomic hydrogen is generated by dissociation of molecular hydrogen directed to a surface containing catalytic material, which causes the dissociation of at least a part of the molecular hydrogen to atomic hydrogen. The surface with the catalytic material is arranged close to the surface to be cleaned and is dimensioned such that its total surface area is at least twice the surface area of the to be cleaned surface region. The method allows for the cleaning of the surface region in a constructive simple and efficient manner.

Conventionally, atomic hydrogen is produced via dissociation of molecular hydrogen by means of plasma discharge, microwave discharge, dielectric inhibited discharge or by thermal activation using a hot tungsten wire. The generation of atomic hydrogen, however, must be performed in close proximity to the optical surface to be cleaned, since atomic hydrogen recombines and reacts with other substances with high probability and therefore cannot be transported over larger distances without significant loss. This often means that the above mentioned discharge or thermal activation techniques require the corresponding devices to be arranged close to the optical surfaces to be cleaned. In particular in EUV irradiation units the appropriate arrangement of a radiation or plasma source or of hot filaments for generation of atomic hydrogen leads to additional complexity of construction. Furthermore, the impact of a localized plasma can cause an accelerated chemical and/or physical degradation of the optical components, for example of the mechanical stability of the optical components.
EP 1 643 310 A1 describes a method for removal of deposited material on an optical element by exposing the optical element to atomic hydrogen. For the generation of the atomic hydrogen by dissociation of molecular hydrogen several measures are proposed, including the use of a hot filament, the use of plasma radiation or the use of a catalyst configured to convert molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen. As an example, a Ru protection layer on the surface of a gracing incidence mirror or of a multilayer mirror, wherein Ru is included in a top layer, is proposed as the catalyst to dissociate molecular hydrogen into atomic hydrogen. The document, however, is silent and does not include any information about the parameters and efficiency of dissociation and cleaning when using such a catalyst.

Method of cleaning a surface region covered with contaminant or undesirable material


A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure having a plugged portion, wherein a mask is applied to the honeycomb structure, a plugging material is supplied on the mask or on the same plane as a surface of the mask, and a pressurizing apparatus disposed at an acute angle with respect to the surface of the mask and having a pressurizing face for pressurizing the plugging material is moved to fill the plugging material into the cells of the honeycomb structure. The pressurizing apparatus is moved on the mask with a part of the region of the pressurizing face being brought into surface contact with the mask via the plugging material to pressurize the plugging material toward the cell side and to push out an extra plugging material in the direction of movement to further pressurize and fill the material into the cells with forming the region of the surface contact.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a honeycomb structure having plugging portions formed in at least a part of the opening end portions of the cells of the honeycomb structure, and it also relates to a manufacturing apparatus of the structure.
A requirement for removing particulate matter and toxic substances contained in exhaust gas discharged from internal combustion engines, boilers and the like has grown in light of influence on environment. In particular, regulations on removal of particulate matter (hereinafter sometimes referred to as particulate matter (PM)) discharged from diesel engines tend to be strengthen in Europe and the United States as well as Japan, and a honeycomb structure is used in a trapping filter for removing the PM.
Examples of the filter used for such a purpose include a honeycomb filter utilizing a plugged honeycomb structure including a honeycomb structure in which a plurality of cells constituting fluid passages are partitioned and formed by porous partition walls by the partition walls and plugging portions which alternately plug one opening end and the other opening end of each of the cells. According to such a honeycomb filter, an exhaust gas G1 is allowed to flow into cells from the exhaust gas inflow side end face of the filter, whereby particulates contained in the exhaust gas are trapped by the partition walls when the exhaust gas G1 passes through the partition walls. In consequence, a purified gas G2 from which the particulates have been removed can be discharged from the purified gas outflow side end face of the filter.
Moreover, as a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned plugged honeycomb structure, for example, there is proposed a method which includes the steps of attaching an adhesive sheet or the like to one end face of a honeycomb structure (a non-fired dried ceramic body); making holes in only the portions corresponding to the cells to be plugged (plugged cells) in the adhesive sheet or the like by laser processing or the like using image processing to form a mask; immersing, in slurry (ceramic slurry), the end face of the honeycomb structure to which the mask is attached to fill the slurry into the cells to be plugged, thereby forming plugging portions; subjecting the other end face of the honeycomb structure to the same steps; and drying and firing the honeycomb structure to obtain the plugged honeycomb structure (e.g., see Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-300922
However, according to the method of making the holes in the adhesive sheet and immersing, in slurry, the honeycomb structure provided with this adhesive sheet as the mask as described above, operation time is required for leveling the slurry in which the structure is to be immersed, and this is a factor for cost increase. Moreover, the leveling is very delicate, and an outer peripheral portion becomes thick or thin owing to slight displacement, so that it is difficult to obtain a uniform plugging depth. A leveling accuracy matches a depth accuracy, so that considerable amounts of labor and time are required for the leveling step. In particular, when a large-sized honeycomb structure is subjected to plugging in the same manner, it is more difficult. Moreover, a film attached to the structure needs to be folded in a large amount so that a side face portion of the immersed honeycomb structure is not made dirty, but it is not easy to appropriately fold the film. In addition, peeling off requires great care.

Method for manufacturing honeycomb structure and manufacturing apparatus thereof


A refueling pipe structure of a fuel tank includes a tank body, and an a refueling pipe which is connected to the tank body to extend upwardly therefrom. The refueling pipe is provided at its upper end with a refueling port into which a refueling nozzle can be inserted. The structure includes a flow direction limiting device mounted within the refueling pipe in the vicinity of the refueling port for guiding a fuel flow from a tip end of the refueling nozzle toward an inner surface of the refueling pipe, while limiting the fuel flow in a gyrate direction along the inner surface of the refueling pipe. Thus, the generation of evaporated fuel within the refueling pipe during refueling can be inhibited, and fuel can be smoothly introduced into the tank body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a refueling pipe structure for smoothly guiding fuel, supplied from a refueling nozzle, into a fuel tank. The refueling pipe structure includes a tank body, and a refueling pipe which is connected to the tank body to extend upwardly therefrom. The refueling pipe structure is provided at an upper end of the refueling pipe with a refueling port into which a refueling nozzle can be inserted.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are conventionally known refueling pipe structures. One structure has a plurality of flow control members mounted on an inner surface of the refueling pipe to extend substantially along an axis of the refueling pipe (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 156964/85). Another structure has a refueling guide, which is formed spirally, mounted on the inner surface of the refueling pipe (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10921/82). The flow control members and the refueling guide are mounted in order to prevent fuel, supplied from the refueling nozzle, from colliding against an inner surface of the refueling pipe and from scattering. The scattered fuel strikes an automatic oil-supply stoppage detection portion of the refueling nozzle and as a result, the refueling by the refueling nozzle is automatically stopped.
In the known refueling pipe structures, however, fuel supplied from the refueling nozzle cannot avoid colliding against the flow control members and the refueling guide. The amount of fuel evaporated within the refueling pipe is relatively increased due to such collision. If evaporated fuel is generated, leakage of the evaporated fuel from the fuel tank increases during refueling. Thus, in a system designed to adsorb evaporated fuel generated during refueling by a canister, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the canister.


A process for the carbonylation of allylic alcohols such as nerolidol, farnesol, or their monocyclic analogues with carbon monoxide at a pressure of at least 30 bar in the presence of a polar solvent and a palladium halide catalyst, optionally an alkali metal halide salt, and optionally an alcoholic solvent. The carbonylated product may then be reduced to the corresponding alcohol, which is cyclized in the presence of Lewis or Bronsted acids to afford an ambergris fragrance compound.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a new process for the carbonylation of substituted allylic alcohols, and to an efficient synthesis of an ambergris fragrance compound, comprising: carbonylation of the allylic alcohols nerolidol, farnesol, or their monocyclic analogues described herein; 2) reduction of the resulting carboxylic acid or ester thereof to the corresponding alcohols; and 3) cyclization of the obtained alcohols to the ambergris fragrance compound.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Allylic carbonylation is a useful synthetic route for the preparation of .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated acids and esters. The carbonylation of readily available allylic compounds, such as allylic halides and alcohols, typically requires carbon monoxide pressures in excess of 100 bar. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,585,594 discloses the carbonylation of tertiary allylic alcohols with the aid of a palladium halide catalyst and a phosphine promoter at a temperature of 50-150.degree. C. and under a pressure of 200-700 bar. The carbonylation of allyl alcohol and/or its derivatives in the presence of a carboxylic acid solvent has been previously reported by Fenton in U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,745 and by Kurkov in U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,608. The two processes described therein are reported to give dissimilar products, methacrylic acid derivatives in the former case, and 3-butenoic acid in the latter case. These processes have not been extended to more substituted, higher molecular weight allylic substrates. The use of halide promoters in catalyst systems developed for the carbonylation of allylic compounds has been disclosed in a number of patents, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,671, U.S. Pat. No. 4,025,547, U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,865 and GB 1,080,867. These patents cite improvements in the carbonylation process for the production of vinyl acetic acid and its esters derived from the addition of organic and Group IVA metal halide compounds to the reaction system. Alkali metal halides may be present but are not specifically included in lists of effective promoters.
Recent advances in the carbonylation of allylic compounds under conditions of low temperature and pressure have been reported by J. Tsuji, et al. in J. Org. Chem. 49, 1341 (1984) and S. I. Mirahashi, et al. in Tetrahedron Lett. 29, 4945 (1988). Tsuji describes the carbonylation of allylic carbonates at 50.degree. C under a pressure of 1-20 bar of carbon monoxide. Murahashi describes the carbonylation of allylic phosphates and acetates at the same temperature under a pressure of 29-59 bar of carbon monoxide. The carbonylation of allylic acetates under these conditions is enhanced by the addition of quaternary and alkali metal halides, but lithium chloride is stated as being ineffective. The disadvantage of these mild carbonylation processes for the preparation of .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated acids and esters via allylic alcohol derivatives is that they require one or more additional synthesis steps to convert the allylic alcohol to a more reactive derivative, and are of limited applicability for sterically hindered (e.g. tertiary) alcohols, which are difficult to quantitatively derivatize. In cases where the desired product is the .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated carboxylic acid, carbonylation of these alcohol derivatives has the further disadvantage of necessitating a hydrolysis step, since the carbonylation product is an anhydride or ester. The carbonylation of allylic alcohols under low pressure, phase transfer conditions has been reported by H. Alper et al. in J. Mol. Catal. 54, L33 (1989) and EP Appl. 89 303688. This methodology, incorporating Ni(CN).sub.2 complex catalysts, has not been demonstrated to be applicable to the carbonylation of higher molecular weight allylic alcohols such as nerolidol, farnesol, monocyclonerolidol or monocyclofarnesol. Using this method, the yield of .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated acid decreases from 53% to 36% upon changing the allylic alcohol substrate from the C.sub.5 alcohol 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (compound A1; CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH-CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 -OH; R.sup.1 .dbd.CH.sub.3, R.sup.2 =CH.sub.3) to the C.sub.6 alcohol 3-methyl 1-penten-3-ol (compound A2; HO--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CR.sup.1 R.sup.2 ; R.sup.1 .dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, R.sup.2 .dbd.CH.sub.3).
The enzyme-catalyzed cyclization of trans, trans-homofarnesol (I) to 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho-[2,1-b]-furan (B) has been reported by S. Neumann and H. Simon in Biol. Chem. Hoppe-Sevler 367, 723 (1986), but is impractical as a means of producing this material on a commercial scale. Russian patent 1,498,767 reports the reduction of (E,E)-homofarnesic acid (H; R=H) to (E,E)-homofarnesol (I) using lithium aluminum hydride, followed by cyclization of 33 mg of this alcohol with fluorosulfonic acid in 2-nitropropane at -80.degree. to -90.degree. C. to give (.+-.)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2,1-b]furan (B). These conditions are not practical for commercial use, since they make use of extremely low temperatures, the suspected carcinogen 2-nitropropane, and a very large excess (10-15 fold) of fluorosulfonic acid, which is an extremely expensive and hazardous material. Furthermore, no evidence was given that this approach can be used on a realistic scale for the production of a commercial product.
Mixtures of 3a, 6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho-[2,1-b]furan diastereomers (B) have been prepared from homofarnesic acid (G; R=H) and from its monocyclic analogue (H; R=H) by Staiger and Macri in U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,240 (1985) and by Kawanobe, et al., in Agric. Biol. Chem. 50, 1475 (1986), respectively. In these approaches, carboxylic acid G or H (R=H), respectively, is cyclized in the presence of acid to afford a mixture of diastereomers of tricyclic lactone K having the following structure. ##STR1## This lactone mixture is then reduced to a mixture of the corresponding diols, which is then cyclodehydrated to give a mixture of diastereomers of ambergris fragrance compound B having the structure shown herein in the following disclosure. This cyclodehydration reaction is difficult to control, and often gives large amounts of undesired side products. To avoid this, a number of approaches have been devised which give improved yields but involve the use of expensive and/or hazardous reagents. In contrast, the synthetic approach of this invention for the preparation of said compound B avoids this troublesome diol cyclodehydration step. While Russian patent 1,498,767 reports the cyclization of (E,E)-homofarnesol (I) under commercially impractical conditions, the combination of carbonylation, reduction and cyclization steps of this invention is believed to be new, and gives good yields of ambergris fragrance compound B under commercially practical conditions.

Carbonylation of allylic alcohols and synthesis of an ambergris fragance compound


A rotating brush roller of a floor care device is a cylindrical rotational element including a hollow body as a central piece and end pieces to be supported via bearings in a brush housing of the floor care device. A spiral, outwardly open, receiving shaft or groove is provided in the outer circumferential surface of the hollow body for receiving and retaining therein a continuous spiral brush strip. The central piece is a self-supporting hollow body of plastic, into opposite ends of which the end pieces engage with a form-fitting connection. The receiving shaft for receiving the brush strip continues at least partially in the end pieces.

Brush rollers of this type are known in various different embodiments, whereby these are either fixedly bristled and only exchangeable as a whole, or are embodied of several parts and comprise a spiral-shaped receiving shaft for a brush strip. In an embodiment with a spiral-shaped receiving shaft, the brush rollers are typically divided at the center and for the brush strip have a stabilizing steel pipe side with inserted shaft ends for allocation with axially externally arranged bearings.
Because relatively large forces act on the brush roller, for machine or tool-related technical reasons there are difficulties in economically producing brush rollers of this type as a continuous brush roller with the required bending stiffness and form stability.
An arrangement according to the above general field of the invention with a brush roller is already known from the DE 917 498 B. In that regard, the roller is provided at each end with a bearing arrangement, by which it is carried in a mutually rotating manner via flanges on a continuous central axle or spindle. This construction is relatively complex and also not manageable by a layman for exchanging the brush strip.


An incandescent lamp with shock resisting supports having filament, first support rod, envelope, spacer, spacer, cap seal, and block is disclosed. The incandescent lamp with shock resisting supports yielding an incandescent lamp with a heavy filament structure supported by two support rods protected by a shock conditioning spacer and spring.

Large wattage filament lamps use heavy filaments to produce large amounts of light. A large amount of heat is also produced, so it is necessary to enclose the filament in a large volume envelope. The filament is then mechanically supported, and electrically connected in the large volume by long metal rods. The heavy filament structure on the end of the long support rods produces a relatively large moment that can bend or twist the supports, or misalign the filament. This twisting and bending can also break down the seal structure of the lamp, where the metal rods, acting as electrical conduits pass through the envelope to the exterior. It is therefore common practice to include spring arms or similar braces that extend from the filament supports to the inside wall of the envelope. These braces limit the amount of sway the filament can go through, and therefore limit the amount of twisting or bending that can be applied to the seal structure. There is then a general need for an incandescent lamp with shock resisting supports.
High wattage studio lamps require substantial support of the filament throughout the lamp's life. Unlike stadium lights, or other large wattage fixed position lamps, studio lamps are treated roughly. They are frequently moved from one set to another, and similarly repositioned on a set. Unfortunately, the standard metal supports cannot maintain the needed support since in time the temperature eliminates the spring tension. The high operation temperature anneals the metal springs over their life, and they loose their ability to cushion the filament structure. This is particularly true of smaller, more highly tensed springs. Spring systems then tend to be effective only during the early life of the lamp. Large spring structures are additionally more costly due to the design and assembly complexity, and the larger material cost. The interaction between the metal supports and the envelope can also abrade the envelope, and making a possible failure point on the glass envelope. There is then a need for an improved support structure for studio lamps.
To extend the life of a filament lamp, or alternatively to increase its luminous output, halogens are commonly included in the envelope. The halogen chemical cycle is well known in lamp making. To not interfere with the halogen cycle, the braces and other support materials are therefore made of molybdenum or tungsten, both of with are expensive materials. As lamps get larger, the molybdenum or tungsten bracing structures become increasingly expensive. There is then a need for an incandescent lamp with shock resisting supports that do not interfere with the enclosed chemistry, and there is a need for such supports that use a minimal amount of expensive materials.
Examples of the prior art are shown in the following U.S. patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,543,962 issued to Carl L. Peterson on Dec. 1, 1970 for a High Wattage Quartz Halogen Lamp shows a studio lamp with the filament structure braced against envelope wall by the end arms of coiled springs.
U.S. Pat. 3,717,784 issued to W. G. Matheson on Feb. 20, 1973 for a Tungsten Halogen Lamp With Tungsten Mesh Deflector shows a studio lamp with glass legs sealed by molybdenum cups.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,060 issued to Bernard Pike on May 10, 1077 for a Ruggedized High Power Tungsten Halogen Lamp shows a studio lamp with glass legs sealed by molybdenum cups. The upper support rods ends are captured in cavities, and the side sections are braced against the glass envelope by spring arm ends.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,653 issued to Jeffrey P. Buschmann on Jan. 19, 1988 for an Electric Lamp Support Member Providing Both Compressive and Axial Support shows a studio lamp with glass legs sealed by molybdenum cups. The upper support rods ends are braced against the glass envelope by looping spring arms.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,760 issued to David A. Cox and Jeffrey P. Buschmann on Jul. 19, 1988 for a Convectively Cooled Ceramic Lamp Base shows a studio lamp with glass legs sealed by molybdenum cups. The upper rod ends are braced against the glass envelope by spring arms, and the glass legs are captured in a ceramic base.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,656 issued to Arnold Westlund Jr. and Jeffrey P. Buschmann on Jan. 15, 1991 for a Lamp with Re-Enforced Tubular Base Pins shows a studio lamp with glass legs sealed by molybdenum cups. The upper rod ends are braced against the glass envelope by spring arms, and the glass legs are captured in a ceramic base.

Incandescent lamp with shock resisting supports in the hollow legs of the envelope


Disclosed are systems and methods for increasing the difficulty of data sniffing. In one embodiment, a system and a method pertain to presenting information to a user via an output device, the information corresponding to characters available for identification as part of sensitive information to be entered by the user, receiving from the user via an input device identification of information other than the explicit sensitive information, the received information being indicative of the sensitive information, such that the sensitive information cannot be captured directly from the user identification through data sniffing, and interpreting the identified information to determine the sensitive information.

"Sniffing" is a term that is used in the computer arts to describe the process of monitoring data that has been entered into a computer or a computer system (e.g., network). Although the term can be used to describe legitimate monitoring of data for the purposes of management of a computer or computer system, more often the term is applied to processes used by unauthorized persons, e.g., hackers, to steal information.
One common form of such sniffing is keyboard sniffing. Keyboard sniffing involves recording information that is entered into a computer using a keyboard. Through keyboard sniffing, information such as usernames, passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs), social security numbers, credit card numbers, and the like may be captured and used for illicit or improper purposes. Currently, keyboard sniffing may be classified as either external sniffing or internal sniffing. In external keyboard sniffing, hardware is used to capture entered data. For instance, a recording device is either placed inside the user's keyboard or positioned so as to intercept data that is sent from the keyboard to the computer (e.g., between the keyboard cord and the computer receptacle). In internal sniffing, software is used to capture the entered information. For example, the driver software used to recognize selections entered by the user on his or her keyboard is modified or replaced so that each keystroke is identified and stored (e.g. on the computer's hard disk). Such a modification or replacement can be effected by unleashing a virus on the user's computer.
In either keyboard sniffing scenario, the data captured through the sniffing process is collected by the unauthorized person and the desired information extracted therefrom. Although it may be difficult to identify the pieces of information that are sought (e.g., username and password) from the captured data, it is by no means impossible given that most users enter relatively little information via the keyboard. Moreover, various software applications can be created to identify the desired information.
One problem with keyboard sniffing is that it is difficult to prevent. The reason for this is that the information is obtained as it is entered by the user with the input device (i.e., keyboard), not during data transmission (e.g., to another computer). Therefore, not even the most sophisticated encryption technologies are effective at preventing keyboard sniffing. Furthermore, keyboard sniffing is difficult to detect. Where external keyboard sniffing is used, the user may never realize that a sniffing device was connected to his or her keyboard. Due to recent advances in memory technologies, a large amount of data can be stored within a very small sniffing device. Accordingly, the unauthorized person may be able to connect the sniffing device to the keyboard, collect information over the course of a few days or weeks, and then retrieve the device to identify the desired information.
Where internal keyboard sniffing is used, the amount of data that is stored within the user's computer is relatively small in the typical situation, given that most users do not enter that much information via the keyboard. Therefore, as long as the modified or replaced keyboard driver performs the function of the original, the user may never become aware that the sniffing is occurring.

Systems and methods for increasing the difficulty of data sniffing

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A belt for use with an absorbent garment generally for persons suffering from incontinence. The belt has two laterally spaced edges defining an area for releasable attachment of hook element strips of hook and loop type fastening elements. The belt also has only one defined portion, extending externally along a minor proportion of the length of the belt and across the major proportion of the width (z) of the belt, the defined portion being a non-attachment zone to which the hook elements cannot attach.

Absorbent garments of the above mentioned type are well known in the art.
Two general types of belts for absorbent garments can primarily be identified. A first type is a belt attached integrally with the absorbent garment portion and a second type is a separate belt, to which an absorbent garment portion is attached by some means of releasable attachment, such as hook and loop (also called touch and close) type fastening means, for instance such as sold under the name VELCRO. The belt of the second type can be a disposable belt for limited use requiring no particular cleaning, or a more permanent type which may be washed several times before its effectiveness or appearance warrants a change to a new belt.
Published application WO-A-91/08725 discloses an example of both these general types in conjunction with an absorbent garment or "chassis" as it is sometimes referred to. Another example of a reusable belt is known for example from GB-A-2 242 612, whereby the belt is passed through slits in the absorbent lining and presents a hook and loop type mechanical fastener having both a hook part and a loop part of said fastener at either end of the belt.
One of the problems recognised with such garments is achieving maximum comfort for the user by correct fitting of the garment. Incorrect fitting will result in sore, cut and/or painful areas for the user. This is particularly the case if the users are unable to assist themselves or otherwise unable to communicate the fact to the assistant personnel.
A solution to this problem is proposed in the aforementioned WO-A-91/08725, whereby a separate belt worn by the user is provided with visual markings or targeting indicia whereby the centreline of the belt becomes more apparent and/or provides a location site for attachment for the hook element strips provided on the chassis portion.
Where the problem of incontinence is involved, it will be appreciated that persons suffering from this problem are often old and have physical handicaps of various types. As a consequence, they often require the assistance of personnel for fitting the garments. Due to the fact that many users of such belts are also bed-ridden and often heavy, the assistant personnel regularly have difficulties in fitting and attaching the garment to the wearer in a comfortable manner since dexterity (for positioning) and strength (for maneuvring the wearer) of the assistant are required simultaneously.
Moreover, the desired attachment points for the garment (i.e. of the chassis to a separate belt) such as the indicia disclosed in the aforementioned WO-A-91/08725 are often not visible or easily visible, such as in the case of a bed-ridden user where attachment of the chassis will occur underneath or behind the user.
Thus there is a need for a solution which allows easy and correct fitting of the garment, particularly in the case of bed-ridden persons.
Further objects of the invention will become apparent to the reader in the course of reading the following description of certain preferred embodiments.

Attachment belt for absorbent material garments


An ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine can be produced at low cost and small size by preventing the generation of a spark at a spark plug due to a turn-on voltage with a simple ignition coil construction having no energy loss. The apparatus include an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a spark plug to which a high voltage from the secondary coil is impressed, and a coil driver for driving the ignition coil. The coil driver has a switching element for controlling the primary current, an IC for driving the switching element, and a turn-on voltage prevention circuit inserted between a secondary coil low-voltage side terminal and ground. The turn-on voltage prevention circuit is composed of a parallel circuit comprising a diode in the form of a bare chip and a thick film resistor, and is mounted on the same substrate together with the IC.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ignition apparatus including a spark plug, an ignition coil and a coil driver of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter also referred to as an "engine"), and more particularly, it relates to a new advanced technology for a coil driver for driving the ignition coil.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine that is provided with an ignition coil having a primary coil and a secondary coil and a switching element (e.g., IGBT) for turning on and off (energize and deenergize) a primary current of the ignition coil, a predetermined high voltage (ignition voltage) generated at the secondary coil side when the primary current to the primary coil is switched from an energized state (on) into an interrupted state (off) is impressed to a spark plug, whereby a spark occurs at the spark plug, thereby driving the engine.
However, on the contrary, when the primary current is switched from the interrupted state (off) into the energized state (on), a turn-on voltage (opposite in polarity to the ignition voltage) generated at the secondary coil side is impressed to the spark plug to generate a spark therefrom at a timing other than the predetermined timing, whereby abnormality vibration or the like is caused to the engine. Accordingly, there is a possibility that normal operation of the engine is disturbed or inhibited.
Accordingly, there has also been proposed an ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which the value of the turn-on voltage generated upon energization of the primary current is made lower than the voltage value of a normal ignition voltage that causes a spark plug to generate a spark upon interruption of the primary current (see, for example, a first patent document: Japanese patent application laid-open No. H10-176647).
In the conventional motor control apparatus described in the above-mentioned first patent document, it is constructed such that the turn-on voltage generated when the energization of the primary coil is switched from the off state to the on state is not impressed to the spark plug by inserting a high voltage diode having a withstand voltage (e.g., about 5 [kV]) higher than the turn-on voltage in a low-voltage side terminal (or a high-voltage side terminal) of the secondary coil with the turn-on voltage acting as a reverse voltage.
In this case, the high voltage diode is in general an expensive and large-sized discrete part, and is constructed as a circuit separated from the coil driver having the switching element. A high voltage generated upon interruption of the primary current is in a forward direction with respect to the high voltage diode, so a voltage impressed to the spark plug is not made lower and an energy loss never occurs.
In the conventional ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine, the high voltage diode in the form of the expensive and large-sized discrete part is used so as to prevent the turn-on voltage from being impressed to the spark plug. As a result, there is a problem that an increase in the number of man-hours and an increase in cost are invited when the high voltage diode is built into the ignition coil.
In addition, there is also a problem that the degree of freedom in mounting the high voltage diode is limited because of the high voltage diode being in the form of the discrete part.
Further, when the high voltage diode for prevention of the turn-on voltage is to be mounted on a substrate of the coil driver, there will exist a low voltage system (e.g., an IC including a current limiting circuit and a waveform shaping circuit) having a low withstand voltage against a high voltage on the substrate of the coil driver in a mixed relation with the high voltage diode, so in order to separate the high voltage diode and the low voltage system in the coil driver from each other, it is necessary to arrange these parts in a divided manner by the use of a plurality of substrates or to form a guard or the like for protection of the low voltage system. Accordingly, there is a further problem that the number of production steps or processes and the number of component parts increase, thus inviting an increase in cost.

Ignition apparatus for an internet combustion engine