The present disclosure is directed to a system for reparameterizing of a neural network to optimize structural designs. The system can obtain data descriptive of a design space for a physical design problem. The design space is parameterized by a first set of parameters. The system can reparameterize the design space with a machine-learned model that comprises a second set of parameters. For a plurality of iterations, the system can provide an input to the machine-learned model to produce a proposed solution. The system can apply one or more design constraints to the solution to create a constrained solution. The system can generate a physical outcome associated with the constrained solution using a physical model. The system can evaluate the physical outcome using an objective function and update at least one of the second set of parameters. After the plurality of iterations, the system can output a solution.

There are numerous instances of physical designs which can be designed within a design space. Example physical structures which can be designed within a design space include a bridge, an airplane wing, an engine component, an optical device, a circuit topology or design, and many others. Generally, a design space can be established for any physical structure.
More specifically, the design space for these physical designs is often parameterized by a set of parameters. This set of parameters defines the possible options, variables, configurations, values, etc. for potential solutions for the design.
In some computerized instances, after a potential design has been created within the design space, the potential design can be computationally evaluated such as, for example, through application of a physical model (also known as a physics model).
Thus, in one specific example, a design space for a load-bearing structure such as a bridge can take the form of a discretized grid, where each discrete location within the grid has one or more parameters which can be modified to control an amount, type, density, or other characteristic(s) or material located at such discrete location. Once a particular solution has been proposed, the potential solution can be evaluated using a physical model. For example, the physical model can determine an amount of displacement that the bridge would experience when subjected to a load.
However, identifying an optimal variant of a physical structure directly within the corresponding design space can be challenging. Specifically, the quality of solutions produced for a design problem depends heavily upon how the design space is parameterized. In addition, in a manual approach, it may take many instances of trial and error to identify the optimal solution. Furthermore, the set of parameters of the design space provides only a limited opportunity for application of more automated optimization techniques.

Neural reparameterization for optimization of physical designs


A computer system is provided for operating a graphical user interface (GUI) to enable a customer to select products. The system comprises a displaying mechanism displaying virtual shelves containing a plurality of first selectable elements in a form of product images arranged on the shelves to represent available products in a group of products selected by the customer, and a plurality of second selectable elements attached to respective first selectable elements. The second selectable elements are in a form of a price tags or price labels attached to the respective product images.

It is well known that the most expensive place to hold merchandise is on the shelf of a retail store because of all resources it consumes until that point, such as labor, transportation, and storage costs. In addition, consumer study conducted by Anderson Consulting (now Accenture) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) showed that of the products consumers want in a grocery store, 6% to 8% are out-of-stock. For promotional items, this number jumps to 25% out-of-stock products. The study concluded that the out-of-stock levels add up to about $100 billion in lost sales for retailers.
Therefore, there is a need for retail mechanisms that would enable retailers to meet customers' demands without having to hold merchandise on the shelves. For example, a retail system disclosed in my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/745,420 filed on Dec. 26, 2000, entitled "RETAIL SYSTEM WITH PURCHASE ORDERING" and incorporated herewith by reference, employs a purchase ordering mechanism in a retail system controlled by a control system and comprising at least one storage facility for storing goods available for sale in the retail system, and multiple purchase obtaining points. Each purchase obtaining point enables a customer to obtain an ordered purchase after a time period sufficient to deliver the ordered purchase from the storage facility to the purchase obtaining point. To order the purchase, the customer may use a computer terminal remote with respect to the purchase obtaining points, or a computer terminal installed at one of the purchase obtaining points. Alternatively, a purchase may be ordered via a telephone system.
A computer system may provide an electronic version of a catalog that lists available items. A customer may browse through the catalog using a browser and select various items to be purchased. The selection of the various items from the electronic catalog generally imitates a "basket" or "shopping cart". When the user selects an item from the electronic catalog, the server computer system metaphorically adds that item to the customer's basket or shopping cart.
However, known systems of browsing the catalog and selecting various products involve complex procedures making it difficult for a customer to order products electronically. Hence, there is a need for a user-friendly graphical user interface that would facilitate product ordering.

Graphical user interface for product ordering in retail system


To provide a lithium-nickel-cobalt-manganese composite oxide powder for a positive electrode of a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability. A positive electrode active material powder for a lithium secondary battery characterized by comprising a first granular powder having a compression breaking strength of at least 50 MPa and a second granular powder having a compression breaking strength of less than 40 MPa, formed by agglomeration of many fine particles of a lithium composite oxide represented by the formula LipNixCoyMnzMqO2-aFa (wherein M is a transition metal element other than Ni, Co and Mn, Al or an alkaline earth metal element, 0.9≦p≦1.1, 0.2≦x≦0.8, 0≦y≦0.4, 0≦z≦0.5, y+z>0, 0≦q≦0.05, 1.9≦2−a≦2.1, x+y+z+q=1 and 0≦a≦0.02) to have an average particle size D50 of from 3 to 15 μm, in a weight ratio of the first granular powder/the second granular powder being from 50/50 to 90/10.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material powder for a lithium secondary battery, which has a large volume capacity density and high safety and is excellent in the charge and discharge cyclic durability, a positive electrode for a lithium secondary battery containing such a powder, and a lithium secondary battery.
2. Discussion of Background
Recently, as the portability and cordless tendency of instruments have progressed, a demand for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery such as a lithium secondary battery which is small in size and light in weight and has a high energy density, has been increasingly high. As a positive electrode active material for the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, a composite oxide of lithium and a transition metal such as LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiNi0.8Co0.2O2, LiMn2O4 or LiMnO2, has been known.
Among them, a lithium secondary battery using a lithium-cobalt composite oxide (LiCoO2) as a positive electrode active material and using a lithium alloy or carbon such as graphite or carbon fiber as a negative electrode, can obtain a high voltage at a level of 4V, whereby it has been widely used as a battery having a high energy density.
However, in the case of the non-aqueous type secondary battery using LiCoO2 as a positive electrode active material, further improvement of the capacity density per unit volume of a positive electrode layer and the safety, has been desired. On the other hand, there has been a problem of deterioration of the cyclic properties such as gradual reduction of the battery discharge capacity due to repetitive charge and discharge cycle, a problem of the weight capacity density or substantial reduction of the discharge capacity at a low temperature.
In order to solve these problems, it has been proposed in patent document 1 that the average particle size of LiCoO2 as a positive electrode active material, be from 3 to 9 am, the volume occupied by a group of particles having a particle size of from 3 to 15 μm, be at least 75% of the total volume, and the intensity ratio of the diffraction peaks at 2θ=about 19° and 45° as measured by means of X-ray diffraction using CuKα as a radiation source, be of a specific value, so that it becomes an active material excellent in the coating properties, the self-discharge properties and the cyclic properties. Further, in the patent document 1, it has been proposed that the positive electrode active material is preferably one which does not substantially have such a particle size distribution that the particle size of LiCoO2 is 1 μm or smaller or 25 μm or larger. With such a positive electrode active material, the coating properties and the cyclic properties have been improved, but, the safety, the volume capacity density and the weight capacity density, have not yet been fully satisfactory.
Further, in order to improve the weight capacity density and the charge and discharge cyclic properties of the positive electrode, patent document 2 proposes a positive electrode active material wherein the average particle size of lithium composite oxide particles is from 0.1 to 50 μm, and at least two peaks are present in the particle size distribution. Further, it has been proposed to mix two types of positive electrode active materials having different average particle sizes to prepare a positive electrode active material wherein at least two peaks are present in the particle size distribution. In such a proposal, there may be a case where the weight capacity density and the charge and discharge cyclic properties of the positive electrode can be improved, but on the other hand, there is a complication that the positive electrode material powders having two types of particle size distributions have to be produced, and one satisfying all of the volume capacity density, the safety, the coating uniformity, the weight capacity density and the cyclic properties of the positive electrode, has not yet been obtained.
Further, patent document 3 proposes to replace 5 to 35% of Co atoms in LiCoO2 with W, Mn, Ta, Ti or Nb to improve the cyclic properties. Further, patent document 4 proposes to use hexagonal LiCoO2 as a positive electrode active material to improve the cyclic properties, wherein the c axis length of the lattice constant is at most 14.051 Å, and the crystal lattice size of (110) direction of the crystal lattice is from 45 to 100 nm.
Further, patent document 5 proposes a granular lithium composite oxide having a compression breaking strength per grain of from 0.1 to 1.0 gf, which has the formula LixNi1-y-zCoyMezO2 (wherein 0<x<1.1, 0<y≦0.6, and 0≦z≦0.6) and which is an agglomerated granular lithium composite oxide formed by agglomeration of a fine powder. However, such a composite oxide has a problem that the safety is poor, and the large current discharge properties are inferior. Besides, with such a small range of compression breaking strength, it is not possible to obtain a lithium composite oxide having adequately satisfactory properties with respect to e.g. the volume capacity density, the safety, the cyclic properties and the large current discharge properties.                Patent Document 1: JP-A-6-243897        Patent Document 2: JP-A-2000-82466        Patent Document 3: JP-A-3-201368        Patent Document 4: JP-A-10-312805        Patent Document 5: JP-A-2001-80920

Positive electrode active material powder for lithium secondary battery


A boat hull protective system for retarding grown of barnacles or other aquatic sea life that may be capable of growing on the bottom of a boat hull or other marine equipment that is submerged in water. Additionally, the boat hull protective system provides for stabilizing the boat and cushions the same from trauma from contiguous structures (e.g., docks and the like).

In warm water climates boat bottoms are plagued by barnacle and other sea life overgrowth. Boats and other marine equipment with hulls and/or other portions that stay continuously submerged in such waters commonly must be pulled out of the water frequently to have their bottoms scraped and repainted. Despite anti-filing paints, which somewhat retard bottom growth, such boats must be frequently pulled out of the water at great cost and/or divers must frequently scrape the bottoms. Alternatively, one may build an expensive boat lift which is fraught with many potential problems as they obstruct views; cables rust and lift equipment has limited lifespan; pilings need replacing; and they are not easy to operate. Jet docks are similarly difficult to navigate boat landings upon, and more recently they have come under regulatory scrutiny for their environmental impact on marsh ecosystems.
Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improved systems and methods for preventing sea life from growing on boat hulls and other submerged marine equipment and objects. It is to the provision of improved systems and methods for retarding grown of barnacles or other sea life on a boat hull or other submerged marine equipment and objects that the present invention is primarily directed.

Buoy-fitted self-adjusting system and method for protection of boat hulls


A method of loading an IOL having an optic and a leading haptic into a cartridge, comprising folding the leading haptic radially inward relative to the optic as the IOL moves into a lumen of the cartridge, by using a proximal end feature of the cartridge.

Intraocular lenses (also referred to herein as IOLs or simply as lenses) are artificial lenses used to replace natural crystalline lenses of eyes when the natural lenses are diseased or otherwise impaired. Under some circumstances a natural lens may remain in an eye together with an implanted IOL. IOLs may be placed in either the posterior chamber or the anterior chamber of an eye.
IOLs come in a variety of configurations and materials. Various instruments and methods for implanting such IOLs in an eye are known. Typically, an incision is made in a patient's cornea and an IOL is inserted into the eye through the incision. In one technique, a surgeon uses surgical forceps having opposing blades to grasp the IOL and insert it through the incision into the eye. While this technique is still practiced today, more and more surgeons are using IOL injectors which offer advantages such as affording a surgeon more control when inserting an IOL into an eye and permitting insertion of IOLs through smaller incisions. Smaller incision sizes (e.g., less than about 3 mm) are preferred over larger incisions (e.g., about 3.2 to 5+ mm) since smaller incisions have been associated with to reduced post-surgical healing time and reduced complications such as induced astigmatism.
Injectors come in many configurations, for example an injector may be configured such that the IOL is loaded directly into the body of the injector. Alternatively, an injector may comprises a cartridge into which an IOL is loaded and an injector body into which the cartridge, with the IOL inside, is loaded. The cartridge and/or injector body may be made of disposable or reusable materials.
Conventional IOL cartridges include a load chamber connected to a nozzle. In some configurations, the nozzle includes a small diameter distal tip that is insertable into the eye for delivery of the IOL into the eye. After mating the cartridge with the injector body, a plunger may be translated or screwed through the lumen of the cartridge to urge the IOL through the load chamber and the nozzle into an eye.
In order for an IOL to fit through an incision, it is typically folded and/or compressed prior to entering an eye where it will assume its original unfolded/uncompressed shape. Folding and compression can occur prior to, during or after the IOL is loaded into the cartridge (e.g., using forceps or movement through a tapered nozzle). Since IOLs are very small and delicate articles of manufacture, great care must be taken in their handling, both as they are loaded into an injector and as they are injected into patients' eyes.
It is important that an IOL be expelled from the tip of the IOL injector and into the eye in an undamaged condition and in a predictable orientation. Should an IOL be damaged or expelled from the injector in an incorrect orientation, a surgeon may need to remove or further manipulate the IOL in the eye, possibly resulting in trauma to the surrounding tissues of the eye. To achieve proper delivery of an IOL, consistent loading of the IOL into the injector device with a minimum opportunity for damaging the IOL is desirable.
In general, the IOL is provided to the surgeon in packaging, such as a vial, plastic blister package, or other container for maintaining the IOL in a sterile condition. The IOL is removed from the packaging and loaded into the load chamber of the cartridge prior to insertion into the patient's eye. Removal of the IOL from the packaging and transfer to the load chamber is usually accomplished with forceps or a similar device. The forceps may simply be used to place the IOL on or in the load chamber of the cartridge, or may also fold the IOL to a reduced size for insertion into the eye.
Certain problems may be encountered during delivery of the IOL from the cartridge and into an eye. For instance, during movement though the cartridge lumen, the orientation of the optic and haptic portions may be difficult to control especially if the IOL is folded or compressed inside the nozzle. In addition, problems may be encountered during engagement of the tip of the plunger with the IOL, resulting in damage of optic, haptics, or both.
In view of the above, there is a need for a cartridge that more effectively receives and manages passage of an IOL therethrough.

Hingeless cartridge for intraocular lens injector providing haptic control


A system comprises a first inverter and a second inverter connected in parallel, a coupled inductor connected to outputs of the first inverter and the second inverter, wherein the coupled inductor comprises a plurality of windings formed by a single winding wire and an output filter coupled to an output of the coupled inductor.

Magnetic devices include transformers, inductors and/or the like. A magnetic device typically includes a magnetic core formed of suitable magnetic materials such as ferrite, powder iron and/or the like. The magnetic device may further include a conductive winding or a plurality of conductive windings. The windings and the current flowing through the windings may generate a magnetic field, which is also known as magnetic flux. In a normal design, the magnetic core usually has a relatively high permeability in comparison with the surrounding medium (e.g., air). As a result, the magnetic flux is confined with the magnetic core, which forms a closed flux path. The magnetic flux provides a medium for storing, transferring or releasing electromagnetic energy.
Coupled inductors are widely used in the power electronics industry. A coupled inductor may comprise two windings magnetically coupled to each other. The two coupled windings may be wound on a same magnetic core (e.g., a toroid core). The first winding generates a first magnetic force, which drives a first magnetic field or flux. The flux generated by the first winding is confined with the magnetic core, which forms a closed flux path. Likewise, the second winding generates a second magnetic force, which drives a second magnetic field, which is confined with the magnetic core.
The magnetic material of the magnetic core of a coupled inductor may be of a magnetic permeability greater than that of a surrounding medium (e.g., air). However, the coupling between two windings of the coupled inductor is not perfect. There may be a leakage path between the winding and the surrounding medium having a lower magnetic permeability. The coupling between the winding the surrounding medium may generate leakage magnetic flux. In an equivalent circuit of a coupled inductor, the leakage magnetic flux is replaced by a leakage inductance.

Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.


A method for generating hydrogen in a production facility having a catalytic steam reformer, a boiler downstream of the catalytic steam reformer, optionally having a prereformer, and optionally having a shift reactor, wherein the reformer feed gas mixture is formed using a steam-containing recycle gas mixture which was formed from boiler effluent. The boiler generates steam which may be used to form the reformer feed gas mixture, used elsewhere in the production facility, and/or used for export steam.

The present invention is directed to a method for generating hydrogen in a catalytic steam reformer.
In a conventional catalytic steam reforming process, a reformer feedstock is introduced into a desulfurization unit to remove sulfur and form a sulfur-depleted reformer feedstock. Sulfur in the reformer feedstock is removed to prevent poisoning of reforming catalyst. Additionally, in a hydrodesulfurization unit, at least a portion of the unsaturated hydrocarbons in the reformer feedstock are converted to saturated hydrocarbons.
The sulfur-depleted reformer feedstock is combined with a steam-containing gas (e.g. process steam) to form a sulfur-depleted feedstock mixture (mixed feed). Optionally, the sulfur-depleted feedstock mixture may be heated and then prereformed in a prereformer where a portion of the hydrocarbon is reformed by steam to form hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
The sulfur-depleted feedstock mixture or the effluent from the prereformer is introduced into a catalytic steam reformer as a reformer feed gas mixture. The reformer feed gas mixture may be optionally heated prior to being introduced into the catalytic steam reformer. In the catalytic steam reformer, hydrocarbon is reformed by steam over a reforming catalyst to form a reformed gas mixture. The reformed gas mixture generally comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unconverted hydrocarbon and steam.
Catalytic steam reformers have numerous reactor tubes containing steam reforming catalyst, called reformer tubes, generally arranged parallel to each other in the reformer. The reformer is a type of furnace where a fuel is combusted external to the reformer tubes to provide heat for the reforming reactions. Fuel and oxidant, typically air, is introduced through burners generating heat energy that is transferred to the reformer tubes by radiation and convection.
The reformer feed gas mixture is introduced into the reformer tubes where reforming reactions take place to form a reformed gas mixture. The reformed gas mixture from the reformer tubes is collected in a common header manifold. The reformed gas mixture is removed as effluent from the reformer. The reformed gas mixture is generally referred to as synthesis gas or syngas. The reformed gas mixture may be further processed in a shift reactor and/or separated in a hydrogen pressure swing adsorption system to form a hydrogen-containing product stream. Alternatively, the reformed gas mixture as syngas may be used for synthesizing other chemicals, for example methanol.
A large portion of the heat contained in this reformed gas mixture is recovered in a heat exchanger, referred to as a waste heat boiler to produce steam. The steam generated in the waste heat boiler may be used to form the steam-containing gas used for the reforming reaction and/or may be exported to another nearby process.
In addition to providing hydrogen to refineries, hydrogen production facilities are often required to provide a minimum amount of export steam under contract. Export steam is steam produced by the hydrogen production facility that is exported to another process.
There are occasions when the hydrogen production rate is decreased below the design capacity (i.e. turndown). The hydrogen production rate may be decreased due to normal variation in hydrogen demand. The hydrogen production rate may be decreased due to lack of demand at a refinery. The hydrogen production rate may be decreased due to lack of hydrogen pipeline demand.
A problem that occurs during hydrogen production turndown is that the amount of steam produced by the hydrogen production facility is also decreased. Part of this steam production decrease is due to the reduction of effluent available from the reformer and the associated heat from the effluent for the waste heat boiler. The amount of steam produced is directly coupled to the amount of hydrogen produced. This may lead to a situation where the demand on export steam cannot be met due to low hydrogen production.
It would be desirable to efficiently produce steam in a hydrogen production facility at various hydrogen production rates, particularly during turndown conditions.


A control system comprises a switch and a control module that communicates with the switch and that samples a filament resistance of a fluorescent light when the switch is off and that selectively increases current supplied to the fluorescent light above a nominal current value during turn on based on the filament resistance.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a fluorescent lamp 10 includes a sealed glass tube 12 that contains a first material such as mercury and a first inert gas such as argon, which are both generally identified at 14. The tube 12 is pressurized. Phosphor powder 16 may be coated along an inner surface of the tube 12. The tube 12 includes electrodes 18A and 18B (collectively electrodes 18) that are located at opposite ends of the tube 12. Power is supplied to the electrodes 18 by a control system that may include an AC source 22, a switch 24, a ballast module 26 and a capacitor 28.
When the switch 24 is closed, the control system supplies power to the electrodes 18. Electrons migrate through the gas 14 from one end of the tube 12 to the opposite end. Energy from the flowing electrons changes some of the mercury from a liquid to a gas. As electrons and charged atoms move through the tube 12, some will collide with the gaseous mercury atoms. The collisions excite the atoms and cause electrons to move to a higher state. As the electrons return to a lower energy level they release photons or light. Electrons in mercury atoms release light photons in the ultraviolet wavelength range. The phosphor coating 16 absorbs the ultraviolet photons, which causes electrons in the phosphor coating 16 to jump to a higher level. When the electrons return to a lower energy level, they release photons having a wavelength corresponding to white light.
To send current through the tube 12, the fluorescent light 10 needs free electrons and ions and a difference in charge between the electrodes 18. Generally, there are few ions and free electrons in the gas 14 because atoms typically maintain a neutral charge. When the fluorescent light 10 is turned on, it needs to introduce new free electrons and ions.
The ballast module 26 outputs current through both electrodes 18 during starting. The current flow creates a charge difference between the two electrodes 18. When the fluorescent light 10 is turned on, both electrode filaments heat up very quickly. Electrons are emitted, which ionizes the gas 14 in the tube 12. Once the gas is ionized, the voltage difference between the electrodes 18 establishes an electrical arc. The flowing charged particles excite the mercury atoms, which triggers the illumination process. As more electrons and ions flow through a particular area, they bump into more atoms, which frees up electrons and creates more charged particles. Resistance decreases and current increases. The ballast module 26 regulates power both during and after startup.
Referring now to FIG. 2, some ballast modules 50 include a control module 54, one or more electrolytic capacitors 56 and other components 58. The electrolytic capacitors 56 may be used to filter or smooth voltage. Electrolytic capacitors 56 and/or other system components may be sensitive to high operating temperatures. If the operating temperature exceeds a threshold for a sufficient period, the electrolytic capacitor 56 and/or other system components may be damaged and the fluorescent light 10 may become inoperable.
When some fluorescent lights have been off for a prolonged period, it can take a while before the fluorescent light provides a normal or nominal amount light output (as compared to when the fluorescent light has been on for a while). In other words, the fluorescent light output is initially dim when turned on, which can be annoying. In addition, fluorescent lights typically fail or burn out without providing any indication to a user. If the user does not have a replacement fluorescent light, the user may be without a light source until one can be found.

Control system for fluorescent light fixture


The invention is achieved by feeding a reagent using centrifugal force, without providing a valve for controlling the flow rate of the reagent in the reagent flow path.

A purifying separation method for nucleic acid mixtures using chromatography is described in Japanese Application Patent Laid-Open Announcement No. Hei 08-501321 publication, as an extractor for extracting specific chemical substances such as nucleic acid from a specimen that includes a number of chemical substances. In this method, a nucleic acid mixture is adsorbed on an inorganic substrate such as silica gel, from an aqueous solution with high salt concentration, washed with a washing solution, and then nucleic acid is eluted with a liquid with low salt concentration. The silica gel is fixed inside a hollow cylindrical column and the solution of the nucleic acid mixture which is to be subjected to separation is introduced into the column, and the solution is passed through an inorganic substrate by vacuuming or by centrifugal separation.
In addition, WO 00/78455 publication describes a micro structure and method for examination using amplification. In this device, the purifying separation method for the nucleic acid mixture disclosed in Japanese Application Patent Laid-Open Announcement No. Hei 08-501321 was used, and the DNA mixture was passed through a glass filter as the organic base, and then passed through a washing solution and an eluent and the DNA alone was recovered. The glass filter is provided in rotatable structure, and reagents such as the washing solution and the eluent are respectively held in reagent reservoirs within the same structure. Each of the reagents is caused to flow by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the structure, and the reagent is passed through the glass filter by opening the valve provided in the micro flow path connecting each of the reagent reservoirs and the glass filters.

Extractor chemical analyzer and chemical analyzing method

Abstract: A chemical analyzer is used which comprises a structure that is supported so as to be rotatable, said structure comprising a capturing section for capturing specific chemical substances from a specimen, specimen containers and reagent containers including washing solution containers.

Abstract: The washing solution containers and the other reagent containers comprise a liquid outlet port which is provided at the side opposite to the rotation center side, and the capturing section is held in the structure, closer to the outer periphery side than the specimen container and washing solution and the other reagent containers, and a flow path is provided, with a bent flow path portion which returns to the rotation center side, and which at a particular stage prevents the flow of liquid from the washing solution containers to the capturing section, and at another stage, forms the liquid flow due to the centrifugal force from the rotation of the structure.


The invention concerns a flame monitoring system and a method of monitoring a flame with a flame sensor (1) which converts the radiation emanating from the flame into a flame signal (U1) and a flame signal amplifier (40) which converts the flame signal (U1) into an output signal (U5). A frequency-selective arrangement (6, 17, 18, 19) detects the presence of mains frequency-harmonic signals in the flame signal (U1) and activates the flame signal amplifier (40) when there are no mains frequency-harmonic signals in the flame signal (U1) and deactivates the flame signal amplifier (40) when there is a flame signal (U1) with periodic signals or no flames signal (U1) or a test signal (T). In that respect the frequency selective arrangement (6, 17, 18, 19) has a frequency detector (18) which detects the absence of mains frequency-harmonic flame signals (U1) and appropriately activates or deactivates the flame signal amplifier (40) by way of switching means (6, 17, 18, 19). The frequency detector (18) integrates the flame signal (U1) for example over defined periods or with respect to a reference value so that mains frequency-harmonic signals are detected by a defined value and the flame signal amplifier (40) is correspondingly controlled.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a flame monitoring system and a method of monitoring a flame.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For the purposes of monitoring oil, gas or coal dust flames, it is known to use flame monitoring systems and methods which utilise the fluctuations in intensity of the flame in the infra-red spectral range. The advantage of such systems is that they are suitable for all kinds of fuels and thus there is no need for fuel-specific monitoring modes in the case of multiple-fuel burners, for example involving the detection of UV-radiation in the case of gas and visible radiation in the case of heavy oil. Disadvantages with IR-monitoring however are that both the slow variations in intensity of a furnace wall involving afterglow phenomenaxe2x80x94so-called striation or schlieren frequenciesxe2x80x94and also the fast changes in light sources which are generally operated with mains ac voltage can simulate a flame. If artificial light happens to shine into the burner or combustion chamber during operation or also during the maintenance of burner systems, IR-monitoring would indicate the presence of a flame.
Filtration of striation or schlieren frequencies which are specified in various publications as being up to 3 Hz can be relatively easily implemented by means of high pass filters, in which case the flame frequencies produced by the combustion operation at above 10 Hz are not cut thereby. If however the harmonics of the mains frequency have to be suppressed by being filtered out, that makes matters more expensive and gives rise to more severe problems. This method necessarily also involves the loss of information from the flame, particularly if the mains frequency is subject to wide tolerances or if various rated frequency ranges have to be covered. The European equipment standard EN298 which is relevant for flame monitoring apparatuses also allows the option of shut-down of the flame sensor being effected by a suitable flame sensor fixing system if it is removed from the fixing. At any event the safeguard in relation to extraneous light is to be guaranteed even when consideration is given to primary and secondary faults, in accordance with EN298. With the last-mentioned method, it is thought that this is extremely difficult to achieve as proper operability, for example of a limit switch, can only be tested by actually removing the flame sensor from its fixing.
There is therefore a need to achieve immunity in relation to mains frequency-modulated extraneous light sources, by electronic means, either by circuits which are fail-safe in themselves or by cyclic testing, in the case of monitoring systems designed for continuous operation during operation of the burner.
EP 0 320 082 A1 describes a flame monitoring circuit in which just evaluation of the alternating light component of a flame is utilised as a measure for fail-safe flame detection. That structure however only affords a safeguard in relation to flame simulation as long as the safety-relevant ambient light referred to therein involves constant light. Light from generally ac voltage-operated extraneous light sources in contrast very definitely results in simulation of a flame and thus unsafe burner operation. In addition there is the danger that an internal component fault in the IC maintains actuation of the fuel valve in spite of the absence of a flame. For that reason alone use on burners in a continuous mode of operation is out of the question.
EP 0 334 027 A1 discloses a construction which is suitable in this respect, but the level of expenditure is disproportionately high as a result of the completely two-channel nature, and immunity in relation to mains-frequency alternating light signals is achieved with frequency-selective arrangements, the disadvantage of which, in terms of loss of flame signal information, has already been mentioned.
One way of obviating that deficiency is disclosed in EP 0 229 265 A1. In that case, mains frequency-harmonic signals are blocked with a high level of selectivity so that the information loss from the flame signal is kept very slight. The applicability to burners in a continuous mode of operation is doubtful however because an internal component fault, for example in the flip-flop, with flame simulation as a consequence, is not detected in operation, and immunity in relation to mains-frequency alternating light signals could at best be established in the burner stoppage condition.
The object of the present invention is to provide a flame monitoring system and a method of monitoring a flame, which has immunity in relation to mains frequency-harmonic input signals with a very low level of flame signal information loss and which is suitable for use in relation to burners in a continuous mode of operation.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a flame monitoring system comprising:
a flame sensor which converts the radiation emanating from a flame into a flame signal;
a flame signal amplifier which converts the flame signal into an output signal; and
a frequency-selective arrangement which detects the presence of mains frequency-harmonic signals in the flame signal;
wherein:
the frequency-selective arrangement activates the flame signal amplifier when there are no mains frequency-harmonic signals in the flame signal; and
the frequency-selective arrangement deactivates the flame signal amplifier when there is a flame signal with mains frequency-harmonic signals or no flame signal or a test signal.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of monitoring a flame, comprising:
converting radiation emanating from the flame into a flame signal which is converted into an output signal; and
detecting the presence of mains frequency-harmonic signals in the flame signal by using a frequency-selective arrangement;
wherein:
the flame signal is converted into an output signal when there are no mains frequency-harmonic signals in the flame signal; and
the flame signal is converted into a zero signal where there is a flame signal with mains frequency-harmonic signals or no flame signal or a test signal.
The present invention attains the stated object in that a flame sensor firstly converts the radiation issuing from a flame into a flame signal which in turn is transformed into an output signal by a flame signal booster or amplifier. A frequency-selective arrangement which is arranged in parallel with the flame signal amplifier also receives the flame signal itself and checks it for the presence of period signals. If the absence of mains frequency-harmonic signals is detected by the frequency-selective arrangement the, flame signal amplifier is activated while upon the detection of mains frequency-harmonic signals or in absence of a flame signal, the flame signal amplifier is deactivated. There is also the possibility of overwriting the flame signal with a test signal so that the input of the flame signal amplifier and also the input of the frequency selective arrangement can be acted upon by the test signal itself so that failures within the flame monitoring circuit, for example the failure of individual components, can be detected.
In that respect, the frequency-selective arrangement has a frequency detector which detects the presence of non-periodic flame signals and suitably activates or deactivates the flame signal amplifier by way of suitable switching means. That can be embodied in various ways.
On the one hand it is possible for the flame signal firstly to be boosted and converted into a rectangular signal, in which respect any reference signal can be used for that conversion operation. That rectangular signal then serves as a control signal of a bipolar current or voltage source which in turn feeds an integrator so that the output signal of the integrator fluctuates about a constant mean value with periodic input signals from the frequency detector. In other words, the bipolar current or voltage source charges and discharges the integrator depending on the fluctuation width of the input or the flame signal so that the averaged integration value is approximately zero in the case of periodic input signals.
The frequency-selective arrangement also has a coupler or a switch which firstly establishes whether the output signal of the frequency detector, that is to say the integrated input signal, remains within a defined switching threshold about a given mean value in order then to actuate a switch which suitably activates or deactivates the flame signal booster. If the frequency detector establishes that there is a purely periodic signal, the above-indicated switching threshold ensures that residual fluctuations in the integrated signal around the constant mean value or slight deviations around the zero value remain disregarded, which, depending on the respective limit frequency of the integrator, can also be caused by purely mains frequency-harmonic input signals.
Another option is that the frequency detector integrates the input signal, that is to say for example the flame signal, over previously fixedly defined periods, and the frequency-selective arrangement uses the integrated output signal for the actuation of a switch which in turn activates or deactivates the flame signal amplifier. By virtue of integration over those defined periods, it is possible to effect very tight, that is to say narrow-band filtering of discrete frequencies which are usually multiples of the mains frequencies so that here extraneous light components which follow the ac voltage of the mains frequency are sharply filtered out so that all other frequencies, that is to say in particular flame signals, can be detected in a virtually loss-free manner. In that respect it is appropriate for the frequency detector to be reset into its initial condition after each integration operation over one of the defined periods, otherwise drifting-away of the integrator output voltage could result in flame simulation, which in the test would be recognised as a component fault.
In that respect the flame signal is overwritable with a mains frequency-harmonic test signal so that the frequency detector then evaluates the test signal which permits checking of the circuit as such and detects the failure of individual components.
The frequency detector activates the switch in such a way that, in the case of the absence of a mains frequency-harmonic flame signal, the flame signal amplifier supplies a valid output signal while, upon the detection of mains frequency-harmonic input signals, at the frequency detector, the flame signal amplifier is deactivated so that a valid signal is not delivered at the output of the flame signal amplifier.
The mains frequency-harmonic test signal is advantageously applied at regular intervals of time in order always to have certainty about satisfactory functioning of the flame monitoring circuit.


Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for gene delivery, comprising: (i) a gene; (ii) a water-soluble chitosan; (iii) a thiamine pyrophosphate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; (iv) a protamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (v) a neutral or anionic phospholipid. The composition can introduce a gene into cells safely and effectively. Composed of non-toxic and injectable components, the composition is safe for the body and can be advantageously commercialized. Notably, it can deliver a gene at high efficiency in vivo as well as in vitro, and is stable in the blood.

Up To date, research for intracellular gene delivery has been conducted. Also, attempts to apply the research results to the development of practically available therapeutic agents have been conducted. Genes are genetic materials that contain nucleotides and polynucleotides, that is, nucleic acids. Genes has a strong negative charge because of the nucleotide unit. Genes are readily degraded by various enzymes that exist in vivo and in vitro, and have a short half life within cells or in vivo. Accordingly, all gene therapeutic agents based nucleic acid must be accompanied with development of therapeutic agents and delivery technology thereof.
Transfection is the process of introducing genetic agent into eukaryotic cells. It is the technology required in the research of basic sciences, including cytology, molecular biology, study of genetic functions and drug targets, etc. Also, it plays a core role for developing practical medicine in research of applied sciences including pharmacology, pharmaceutics, etc. Techniques for the delivery of genes into cells generally have been studied about the using of viral and non-viral carriers.
Currently, virus vector are used generally. The virus-mediated gene transfer has very high efficiency of gene transfer, but virus-mediated gene transfer may cause an immune response and thus is difficult to apply over a long period of time. In addition, it cannot completely exclude the possibility of pathogenic virus replication. In contrast, non-viral carriers have the advantage of delivering genetic materials without the risk of viral carriers (The AAPS Journal, 2010; 12: 492-503). In order to overcoming the risk of viral carriers, cationic lipids or polymers which are associable with anionic genes are used for non-viral delivery method.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,361,640 discloses claimed a non-covalent complex of gene/lipid/polycation, which is formed by adding a gene to a solution consisting of at least one the cationic lipid and the polycation. However, the cationic lipid species used in the complex exhibits cytotoxicity (Pharmaceutical Research 1994; 11: 1127-1131).
In addition, cationic lipids are not suitable for mass production because material need synthesis and a high degree of purification and is difficult to control their quality. In addition, it is difficult to commercialization because it is unstable during storage and distribution.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0038941 discloses the method for the preparing of oligonucleotide-lipid nanoparticle consisting of an oligonucleotide, a lipid and a complex agent, (1) mixing a lipid, a complexing agent and a cationic polymer in a water miscible organic solvent, (2) dissolving an oligonucleotide in an aqueous buffer, (3) injecting the mixture of step (1) into the mixture of step (2), or mixing the mixture of step (1) and the mixture of step (2) under pressure, to form a final mixture; and (4) removing the organic solvent from the final mixture to form the oligonucleotide-lipid nanoparticle. This preparing method is difficult to apply to industrial practice because it does not ensure the quality, it requires special instruments and mass production is difficult.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0068277 discloses the method for the preparing of complex composition of a polycationic complexing agent comprising protamine, spermine, spermidine, or chitosan and a phospholipid, but complex is designed for delivery of proteins to the pulmonary system by inhalation.
In preparing of gene delivery complex, chitosan is a cationic material which can be produced on a mass scale, abundantly found in nature, and is of high biocompatibility. Chitosan has attracted considerable interest as a non-viral carrier candidate for use in gene delivery. Notably, when administered to the body, chitosan is broken down by a lysozyme to amine sugar. It is a natural polymer which is as highly safe to the body as an LD50 of 16 g/kg in rats (Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2007; 18: 117-131).
Although it is considered as a potent candidate for a non-viral carrier which can form a complex with a gene through ionic bonds and transfer the gene into cells, chitosan is problematic in that its positive charge density is lowered at the physiological pH (pH 7˜7.4), which leads to poor binding affinity with genes. After all, chitosan does not maintain a complex form with genes in the physiological pH condition so that the genes dissociate from chitosan, with significantly poor delivery to cells.
Theerasak Rojanarata et al. prepared chitosan-thiamine pyrophosphate by using excess thiamine pyrophosphate as acid agent for dissolving chitosan, which is insoluble at the physiological pH and suggested the chitosan-thiamine pyrophosphate as a gene carrier (Pharmaceutical Research 2008; 25: 2807-2814).
The nanocomplex of chitosan and thiamine pyrophosphate, disclosed by Theerasak Rojanarata et al., was evaluated to deliver genes at high rates in vitro, but not in vivo. As opposed to in vitro, various serum proteins and cellular exudates exist in vivo. Therefore, when administered to the body, chitosan nanoparticles aggregate with serum proteins and cellular exudates in vivo and finally precipitate with the concomitant loss of gene delivery performance. For this reason, conventional chitosan complexes are reportedly known to exhibit poor gene delivery performance in vivo and to fail in commercialization as gene carriers (Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery, 2011; 8: 343-357).


A helicopter rotor brake assembly for arresting rotational movement of a main rotor drive shaft, wherein the helicopter rotor brake assembly is mechanically interconnected with the main rotor drive shaft through a main transmission. The helicopter rotor brake assembly includes a brake disc rotatably mounted about an axis, wherein the brake disc is mechanically interconnected with the main transmission, and wherein the brake disc defines a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis. A bracket is provided for disposal in combination with the brake disc, and comprises a beam member defining a first end and a second end, a first arcuate member connected to the first end of the beam member and disposed substantially co-planar with the plane defined by the brake disc, and a second arcuate member connected to the second end of the beam member and disposed substantially co-planar with the plane defined by the brake disc. A first caliper subassembly is provided for connection to the first arcuate member, and a second caliper subassembly is provided for connection to the second arcuate member, wherein the first caliper subassembly and the second caliper subassembly are operable, in combination, to apply braking forces to the brake disc, and thereby ensuring an arrestation of rotational movement of the main rotor drive shaft.

Referring to FIG. 1, a main transmission 10 for a Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation BLACK HAWK.RTM. (BLACK HAWK.RTM. is a registered trademark of the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation) helicopter (not shown) is depicted in mechanical connectivity with a main rotor drive shaft 12 and a tail take-off flange 14 which is, in turn, connected to a tail rotor drive shaft (not shown). The main transmission 10 contains dual inputs 16 for connecting a pair of turbine engines (not shown) to the main transmission 10, wherein the turbine engines provide torque to the main rotor drive shaft 12 and the tail take-off flange 14 through gearing arrangements (not shown) within the main transmission 10. In addition, a rotor brake assembly 18 is disposed in combination with the main transmission 10, wherein the rotor brake assembly 18 is operable, upon actuation, to arrest rotation of both the main rotor drive shaft 12 and the tail take-off flange 14. However, the configuration of the prior art rotor brake assembly 18 is such that the rotor brake assembly 18 is only capable of arresting rotation of the main rotor drive shaft 12 and the tail take-off flange 14 subsequent to both of the turbine engines being shut-down.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the prior art rotor brake assembly 18 comprises a split design having a first caliper 20 connected to a second caliper 22 with a plurality of bolts 24. Each caliper 20, 22 includes recesses 26 therein for housing a plurality of hydraulically-actuated pucks 28. The calipers 20, 22 are internally configured for facilitating the flow of hydraulic fluid (not shown) to each of the plurality of hydraulically-actuated pucks 28, wherein the hydraulic fluid is supplied to the calipers 20, 22 through a hydraulic fluid input conduit 34 connected to the first caliper 20. A plurality of aligned apertures 36 are provided in the calipers 20, 22 for facilitating the flow of hydraulic fluid therebetween.
A brake disc 38 is disposed in combination with the calipers 20, 22 such that an arcuate region 40 of the brake disc 38 is interposed between the plurality of hydraulically-actuated pucks 28. The brake disc 38 is mechanically connected to the main transmission 10 such that the brake disc 38 can be urged into rotational movement about an axis 42 in response to torque provided by the main transmission 10. Upon introduction of hydraulic fluid into the calipers 20, 22, the plurality of hydraulically-actuated pucks 28 are actuated such that they are urged into abutting engagement with the arcuate region 40 of the brake disc 38, thereby generating frictional forces therebetween and arresting the rotational movement of the brake disc 38. In operation, the mechanical connectivity between the main transmission 10 and the brake disc 38 is such that arresting the rotation of the brake disc 38 results in an arrestation of the rotational movement of the main rotor drive shaft 12.
As noted above, the prior art rotor brake assembly 18 is only capable of arresting rotation of the main rotor drive shaft 12 subsequent to the turbine engines being shutdown. This is due to the fact that if one or both of the turbine engines are at ground idle, the prior art rotor brake assembly 18 would not be able to react the loads or effectively dissipate the heat generated by an attempt to arrest the rotation of the brake disc 38.
However, there are certain situations wherein it would be advantageous if at least one of the turbine engines was kept at ground idle while the rotational movement of the main rotor drive shaft 12 is arrested. One such situation is when a helicopter lands, e.g. to unload and/or take-on passengers, and then takes off within a relatively short period of time. In that situation, it would be advantageous to keep at least one turbine engine at ground idle such upon release of the rotor brake assembly 18, the main rotor drive shaft 12 would resume rotation, and the other turbine engine could be assisted during its power-up, thereby reducing the time required for getting the main rotor drive shaft 12, and thereby the main rotor blades (not shown) up to the desired rotational speed.


A circuit for and a method of driving the liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal projector make it possible to manufacture a projector having a plurality of light sources inexpensively. The circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal projector having a plurality of lamps as light sources has a CPU circuit for managing the overall system and data of the liquid crystal projector, a video signal processing circuit for converting a video signal input from an external source into a digital signal, and a panel correcting circuit for correcting the digital video signal generated by the video signal processing circuit depending on characteristics of a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal projector so as to match the liquid crystal panel. The CPU circuit outputs corrective data to the panel correcting circuit depending on how the lamps are energized, and the panel correcting circuit corrects the video signal using the corrective data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal projector, and more particularly to a circuit for and a method of driving the liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal projector which has a plurality of lamps as light sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an LCD driver circuit of a conventional liquid crystal projector.
As shown in FIG. 1, the LCD driver circuit of the conventional liquid crystal projector comprises CPU circuit 404 for managing the overall system and data of the liquid crystal projector, video signal processing circuit 405 for converting a video signal input from an external source into a digital signal with an A/D converter, panel correcting circuit 406 for correcting the digital video signal generated by video signal processing circuit 405 depending on the voltage vs. transmittance characteristics of a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal projector so as to match the liquid crystal panel, and liquid crystal panel timing circuit 407 for generating timing pulses for driving the liquid crystal panel.
If the video signal processed by video signal processing circuit 405 is directly applied to the liquid crystal panel, then, as shown in FIG. 2(a) of the accompanying drawings, a video image displayed on the liquid crystal panel will have poor gradations with uniform black and white levels due to the VT characteristics of the liquid crystal panel. When the video signal is corrected depending on the VT characteristics of the liquid crystal panel by liquid crystal panel timing circuit 407, a video image with good gradations is displayed on the liquid crystal panel, as shown in FIG. 2(b) of the accompanying drawings.
Heretofore, a lookup table (hereinafter referred to as "LUT") process has been used as a means for performing the VT characteristics correction on video signals. According to the LUT process, an input video signal is corrected to produce an output video signal based on data conversion using an LUT.
Single-lamp liquid crystal projectors having a single lamp as a light source may have only one pattern of VT characteristic correction data as data inherent in the single-lamp liquid crystal projectors.
Proposals for using a plurality of lamps as light sources in addition to increasing the light output of a single light source, as a means for providing a higher-luminance liquid crystal projector, are disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2001-166378 (patent document 1) and Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 6-265887 (patent document 2), for example.
One of the basic conditions for obtaining good video images on the final focusing screen of a liquid crystal projector is to apply light perpendicular and uniformly to the liquid crystal panel. Liquid crystal projectors having a plurality of light sources for achieving higher luminance have some peculiar problems in employing the plural light sources.
The invention disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 6-265887 is addressed to the problem that a single-lamp liquid crystal projector will fail to display any images if the single light source is de-energized for some reasons. This publication reveals an illuminating device comprising a plurality of light sources, a light valve for modulating output light from the illuminating device with image information to produce a light image depending on the image information, and a uniform illuminating optical element disposed between the illuminating device and the light valve.
The invention disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2001-166378 is addressed to the problem that according to the arrangement disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 6-265887, images from the respective light sources are separated into left and right images, and optical path differences are developed between R, G, B light beams, resulting in color irregularities. This publication shows two light sources and an optical system for combining light beams emitted from the respective light sources using a reflecting prism.
The technologies disclosed in Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2001-166378 (patent document 1) and Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 6-265887 (patent document 2) serve to produce images of good quality with a projector having two lamps as light sources. Each of these technologies is based on optical system improvements for applying more uniform light to a liquid crystal panel. In a liquid crystal projector having a plurality of lamps, attempts to align the optical axes of the lamps would require complex arrangements and would be tedious and time-consuming, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost. These problems aggravate themselves if the number of lamps used as lamps increase.

Circuit for and method of driving liquid crystal panel of liquid crystal projector


A tip for a vacuum pipette having improved electrostatic discharge properties is disclosed. The tip and the coupling sections of a known tip are separated both physically and electrically from one another. A large resistance then electrically couples the two sections together and a plastic insulator surrounds the resistance to physically couple the sections together. This construction forces all static discharges to flow through the resistor, thereby changing the static discharge from one large discharge to a series of small discharges, each small discharge being insufficient to damage the wafers. The tip is also coated with a thin ceramic coating, which acts as a barrier against ionic contamination from the material used to make the tip. This coating is also smoother and more abrasion resistant than the basic material, causing less contamination when used. Finally, the coating can have a controlled conductivity that improves the static discharge behavior of the tip.

This invention is in the field of integrated circuit manufacture. More particularly, it is in the field of vacuum tools used to manipulate individual semiconductor wafers during manufacture.
During the manufacture of integrated circuits, it is often necessary to pick up and manipulate the individual semiconductor wafers upon which the circuits are fabricated. Various vacuum tools and wands are used for this purpose. The tip of one such vacuum tool is described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,315, entitled "TIP FOR A VACUUM PIPETTE", the specification of which is incorporated herein for all purposes.
Although the tips described in the referenced patent perform well, there is at least one problem which is encountered during the fabrication of integrated circuits which these tips do not solve. Often during the manufacturing process the wafers become charged with static electricity. Charged wafers attract particles in the workplace having the opposite charge. These particles, if they actually contact the wafer, can damage the circuits being formed on the wafer, causing various malfunctions. Although grounding the vacuum tools is a known technique to avoid this problem, the abrupt static discharge that can occur when a normally grounded vacuum tool comes in contact with a charged wafer can be large enough to cause damage to the circuits. Thus, a need exists for a tip for vacuum tools that permits the discharge of static electricity without damaging the circuits being formed on the wafer.

Tip for a vacuum pipette with improved electrostatic discharge properties


Reliable multicast communication is provided by sending data from a transmitting device to receiving devices as “bursts” of data transfer units. Each receiving device provides status describing which data transfer units within each previously transmitted burst require retransmission. The transmitting device generates correction data based on this status information by determining a number of subsets of the data transfer units in the burst. Each data transfer unit subset must meet the following condition: if a data transfer unit is included in a given subset, for each receiving device in the group of receiving devices, that data transfer unit must be the only data transfer unit lost by that receiving device and included in that subset. The correction data for a given subset is obtained by applying an exclusive-OR (XOR) operation to all the data transfer units in the subset, and the output is sent to at least one of the receiving devices. Each correction data transfer unit includes the correction data itself, as well as a bit mask describing which data transfer units of the previously transmitted burst are within the subset associated with the correction data. Upon receiving a correction data transfer unit, a receiving device operates to restore a lost or damaged data transfer unit from the previously transmitted burst by applying an XOR operation to correction data in the correction data transfer unit and the correctly received data transfer units in the associated subset.

The present invention relates generally to communication protocols, and more specifically to a system for restoring lost or damaged data blocks within a multicast data transmission.
When a transmitting device sends data over various specific routes to multiple receiving devices, different data may be lost across the different routes, potentially resulting in the need to retransmit significant portions of the originally transmitted data. Such is the case for multicast transmissions, in which a single transmitter sends data to potentially thousands of receivers using one or more multicast destination addresses. In order to provide reliable communications, however, a system must be employed to efficiently enable receiving devices to obtain a correct copy of all transmitted information, even in the face of data loss within an underlying communication channel.
Existing systems have used various specific schemes to provide reliable delivery of data through multicast channels. One commonly used approach is known as Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ). In an ARQ based system, all data lost by at least one receiver is retransmitted to all receivers. Accordingly, ARQ based systems may require a large number of packets to be retransmitted even for relatively small loss rates in the individual communication channels.
Other existing multicast systems have attempted to provide error correction in a way that may reduce the total amount of retransmitted data. These existing approaches have operated based on the data lost by the receiving device having the worst case data loss, i.e. the receiver experiencing the highest loss rate. Such techniques include those based on Reed-Solomon codes, which are block-based error correcting codes. While generally effective, Reed-Solomon code correction systems require significant amounts of CPU power. In an application in which large amounts of data must be reliably transferred over a potentially lossy channel, such CPU overhead may easily become prohibitively expensive. Such existing systems also include what is generally referred to as the "Tornado codes" approach, which involves applying exclusive-OR (XOR) operations across randomly selected data subsets to generate error correction data. The Tornado codes approach is relatively fast in terms of computations, and may be used with relatively large sets of data. However, some Tornado codes based solutions are proprietary, and may not be available for use in all instances.
It would therefore be desirable to have a system for providing reliable data transmission in a multicast communication environment which does not base its data correction on loss estimates or previous measurements of data loss. The system should further require fewer computational resources than is needed by Reed-Solomon systems, and limit the amount of data that must be transmitted in the face of data loss.

Method and apparatus for restoration of lost blocks in a multicast data transmission


Various embodiments disclose a method for fabricating a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, the method includes forming a masking layer over at least a first portion of a source contact layer formed on a substrate. At least a second portion of the source contact layer is recessed below the first portion of the source contact layer. The mask layer is removed and a first spacer layer, a replacement gate on the first spacer layer, a second spacer layer on the replacement gate, and an insulating layer on the second spacer layer are formed. First and second trenches are then formed. A first channel layer is epitaxially grown within the first trench. A second channel layer is epitaxially grown within the second trench. A length of the second channel layer is greater than a length of the first channel layer.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of semiconductors, and more particularly relates to vertical field-effect-transistors.
Vertical transistors are a promising option for technology scaling for 5 nm and beyond. Multiple gate length devices are important so power/performance tradeoff can be tuned in circuit design. However, achieving multiple gate lengths for a vertical field-effect-transistor is challenging due to the topography it creates.

Multiple gate length vertical field-effect-transistors

International Business Machines Corporation


A cooling pack includes a plurality of thermally conductive shells made of a rigid plastic. Each shell contains a coolant and is securable directly to the protective housing of an electric fan. The shells are sized and shaped to allow the passage of fan air while the fan is operating. Heat is removed from the fan air flowing past the shells, thereby improving the cooling capability of the fan.

The invention relates to apparatus for cooling air. Such apparatus includes air conditioners, evaporative coolers and electric fans. Air conditioners and evaporative coolers are generally expensive to purchase and operate. They are also bulky and, therefore, not very portable. Electric fans, while portable and less expensive, do not have the capability to cool air as well as air conditioners and evaporative coolers.
Cooling capability of an electric fan can be improved by placing a block of ice in front of the fan. The ice removes heat from the fan air. However, the ice causes problems, especially when it melts. Cooling capability of a fan appears to be improved by apparatus disclosed in Hammett U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,556. A plastic container of "freezable" liquid is suspended several inches in front of a fan by a rigid frame. The container has a "multitude" of channels for allowing fan air to pass through the container. Heat is removed from the fan air passing through the channels. However, Hammett's apparatus appears to have problems. The rigid frame and container add to the overall bulk of the fan and, therefore, reduce the stability of the fan. When the container is filled with water, it tends to tip the fan over. The frame and container also add to the size of the fan and, therefore reduce the portability of the fan. Additionally, the container does not provide a continuous cooling effect. After the liquid has absorbed heat for a while, the container must be detached from the fan and the liquid must be re-frozen. Once the container is detached, the cooling capability of Hammett's apparatus drops to that of an ordinary fan.

Air cooling apparatus including fan and cooling pack


A clamping device (1) for a machine tool (2) for machining at least one dental workpiece (3), wherein the clamping device (1) has at least one workpiece carrier (4) for accommodating the dental workpiece (3) during machining, wherein at least one tool holder (5) for holding at least one, preferably a plurality of cutting tools (6) for machining the dental workpiece (3) is arranged, preferably fixedly, on the workpiece carrier (4), and the workpiece carrier (4) and the tool holder (5) are fastened or fastenable together as one component on a carrier of the clamping device (1) in an exchangeable manner by a fastening device (7) that is non-destructively releasable, preferably without a tool.

The present invention relates to a clamping device for a machine tool for machining at least one dental workpiece, wherein the clamping device has at least one workpiece carrier for accommodating the dental workpiece during machining.
Various embodiments of clamping devices of the type in question are known in the prior art. For example, WO 2009/100863 A2 shows a clamping device, in which two rings are arranged pivotably relative to each other, wherein a plate-like workpiece carrier can be fastened in the inner ring and the dental workpiece which is to be machined is held in a circumferentially closed manner in a passage opening in the workpiece carrier.
The various dental workpieces to be machined in the current prior art consist of different materials. This is a first reason why a machine tool for machining such dental workpieces requires not only one tool, but generally a plurality of tools. A second reason for the necessity of using different tools also resides in the different dimensions and accuracy with which work can be carried out with the particular tool. In order to be able to operate the machine tool with different tools for machining the central workpiece, WO 2009/100863 proposes, in FIG. 4, equipping the machine tool with a plurality of tool carrier heads which each carry and drive a tool. However, this is highly complicated.


A device (10) for placing thereon a steering wheel console (12) and a pedal console (14) of a race simulator game. The device comprises a base frame (24) configured to be set up on the floor and a pivot frame (26) which is connected with the base frame (24) in a manner pivotable about a horizontal axis. Further, the device is provided with a steering wheel console support (18), pedal console support (20) and a connection provision for connecting a chair (22), which are all directly connected with the pivot frame (26). Further, a race simulator is described, which includes a chair, a steering wheel console and a pedal console and possibly a display which are all mounted on the pivot frame of the device.

From NL2012740C a device of this kind is known, where a chair and the supports for placement of a steering wheel console and a pedal console are adjustably connected with a frame. WO 2010/059034 describes a similar device. US 2005/0159219 describes a device where the pedal console is pivotally connected with the frame.

Device for placing thereon a steering wheel console and pedal console of a race simulator game, and a race simulator


A jet-propulsion personal watercraft includes an engine configured to generate a driving power for generating a propulsion force to propel the watercraft, an engine speed changing system configured to be able to change an engine speed of the engine, a determiner configured to determine whether or not to execute control for effectively steering the watercraft at start of deceleration, and an engine controller configured to control the engine speed changing system based on information received from the determiner. The engine controller is configured to, when the determiner determines that the control for effectively steering the watercraft should not be executed, control the engine speed changing system so that a decrease rate of the engine speed immediately after the determination is smaller than a decrease rate of the engine speed in a case where the determiner determines that the control for effectively steering the watercraft should not be executed.

In recent years, jet-propulsion personal watercraft (PWC) have been widely used in leisure, sport, rescue activities, and the like. The watercraft is typically equipped with an engine in an engine room in an inner space defined by a hull and a deck forming a body. The engine drives a water jet pump, which pressurizes and accelerates water sucked from a water intake generally provided on a hull bottom surface and ejects it rearward from an outlet port. As the resulting reaction, the watercraft is propelled forward.
For example, when making such a watercraft approach a position parallel to a shoreline, a driver must steer a steering handle while manipulating a throttle lever to control a propulsion force for turning the body. A conventional jet-propulsion personal watercraft is equipped with an actuator to restrict a closed position of a throttle valve subjected to a force applied from a return spring in a direction to close the throttle valve. In this watercraft, even when the throttle lever is operated to cause the throttle valve to be moved to a fully closed position during driving, the actuator restricts a closing operation of the throttle valve immediately before an engine speed reaches an idling engine speed so that the engine speed is maintained slightly higher than the idling engine speed for a certain time period. This makes it possible to delay time when the engine speed reaches the idling engine speed. As a result, the watercraft can be steered effectively for a longer time period.
However, in the above described conventional jet-propulsion personal watercraft, when the driver operates the throttle lever to close the throttle valve, the throttle valve is quickly closed under the force applied from the return spring up to a position at which the actuator restricts the closing operation of the throttle valve and then the actuator abruptly restricts the closing operation of the throttle valve. Although the driver has operated the throttle lever to close the throttle valve, the driver feels a slight acceleration operation after a lapse of some time after start of the deceleration.


A semiconductor memory cell, in particular, in a DRAM memory cell array, includes a selection transistor and a storage capacitor. The storage capacitor has a first and a second capacitor electrodes. The first capacitor electrode is connected to a read-out line via the selection transistor. A control terminal of the selection transistor is connected to a control line. A layer of a superionic conductor is arranged between the first and second capacitor electrodes of the storage capacitor. The high conductivity of the superionic conductor for ions in association with a negligible electron conductivity allows extremely high capacitances to be produced in a small space.

Memory cells of this type are used, for example, in dynamic random access memories (DRAMs). A DRAM chip contains a matrix of memory cells, which are arranged in the form of rows and columns and are addressed by word lines as control lines and bit lines as read-out lines. The read-out of data from the memory cells, or the writing of data to the memory cells, is realized by the activation of suitable word lines and bit lines.
Each of the memory cells contains a capacitor for the purpose of charge storage, the charge state in the capacitor representing a data bit. The memory cell usually further contains a transistor connected to a capacitor. The transistor has two diffusion regions separated from one another by a channel, which is controlled by a gate as a control terminal. Depending on the direction of the current flow, one diffusion region is designated as the drain and the other, as the source. The drain region is connected to the bit line, the source region is connected to the capacitor, and the gate is connected to the word line. By the application of suitable voltages to the gate, the transistor is controlled in such a way that a current flow between the drain region and the source region through the channel is switched on and off.
The charge stored in the capacitor decreases with time on account of leakage currents. Before the charge has decreased to an indeterminate level below a threshold value, the storage capacitor must be refreshed. For this reason, these memory cells are referred to as dynamic RAM (DRAM). Such a memory is discussed, for example, in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,420.
The central problem in the case of the known DRAM variants is that of producing a sufficiently large capacitance of the capacitor. This problem area will be aggravated in future by the advancing miniaturization of semiconductor components. The continuous increase in the integration density means that the area available per memory cell, and thus, the capacitance of the capacitor decrease ever further. An excessively small capacitance of the capacitor can adversely affect the functionality and usability of the memory device since an excessively small quantity of charge is stored on it.
By way of example, the sense amplifiers connected to the bit line require a sufficiently high signal level for a reliable read-out of the information held in the memory cell. The ratio of the storage capacitance to the bit line capacitance is crucial in determining the signal level. If the storage capacitance is too low, this ratio may be too small for the generation of an adequate signal.
A smaller storage capacitance likewise requires a higher refresh frequency since the quantity of charge stored in the capacitor is limited by its capacitance and additionally decreases due to leakage occurrence. If the quantity of charge in the storage capacitor falls below a minimum quantity of charge, then it is no longer possible to read out the information stored in it by the connected sense amplifiers; the information is lost and read errors occur.
According to a rule of thumb, the storage capacitance should be at least about 35 ff in order to obtain a sufficiently large read signal and sufficient insensitivity to alpha radiation. Using a dielectric, 10 nm thick, made of SiO2, with a dielectric constant (DC) of ∈r=4, requires a capacitor area of about 10 μm2. However, even with a 4M DRAM, there is already less area than 10 μm2 are available for the entire memory cell, thereby ruling out a purely planar arrangement of the capacitor.
It has therefore become necessary, in order to obtain sufficient storage capacitance for the capacitor layout, to utilize the third dimension, for example, by configuring the capacitor as a trench capacitor or stacked capacitor. With further miniaturization, the smaller area available can then be compensated for by means of an increase in the capacitance through the use of deeper trenches or higher stacks.
Another approach consists in using materials having a larger dielectric constant. By way of example, Si3N4 with a DC of 7 is used, in particular, in the form of ONO (oxide-nitride-oxide) and NO (nitride-oxide) sandwiches. In this case, a thermal oxide having a thickness of 2–3 nm is grown on the silicon, for example, in order to ensure a low interfacial state density. A silicon nitride layer having a thickness of 7–8 nm is then deposited and subsequently oxidized in order to obtain a second oxide layer having a thickness of 2–3 nm. This second oxide layer serves for preventing the tunneling of charge carriers by means of a high energy barrier.
Even the use of materials having an even higher DC, such as, for example, tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) or barium strontium titanate (BST), is possible although not unproblematic in terms of process engineering. With this possibility, the storage capacitance that can be achieved is upwardly limited by the dielectric constant and the thickness of the dielectric at which the latter still effects insulation.


A customizable gate array device including a customizable gate array portion and a customizable memory portion.

Random Access Memories (RAMs) are a very important components of complex electronic circuits. Two main types of RAM are in use today: static RAMs, in which data that is written is retained for a long period of time and dynamic RAMs, which are denser, but which do not retain data for long periods of time and, therefore, need to be periodically refreshed.
Data is written to and read from a RAM cell via ports. Single port RAMs have only one port, therefore, only one read or write operation can occur in a single port RAM cell at any given time. In many cases it is desirable to be able to read and write simultaneously (or with different clock speeds), so dual port RAMs are used. A typical use for dual port RAMs is for buffering between a fast CPU and a slow device. The CPU reads and writes to the RAM at one (fast or synchronous) speed and the device reads and writes to the RAM at another (slow or asynchronous) speed. There also exist N-port RAM designs where some ports are for reading or writing only and some are both for reading and for writing.
Gate arrays are integrated circuits that are designed to be customized. Typically, the lower (usually 8) layers of a gate array are standardized and define an array of transistors (or gates). The upper (usually 6) layers of a gate array are interconnection layers which define the interconnections between the transistors (gates). Since only the interconnection layers need to be customized to customize the gate array, gate arrays are typically used when a circuit is fabricated in numbers too low to justify the expense of designing a new integrated circuit. Since most electronic systems today contain a substantial amount of RAM, a system designer who uses gate arrays usually includes several RAM integrated circuits in his design. In cases where a special kind of RAM is desired or if separate RAM integrated circuits cannot be used, there are several solutions.
A first and least efficient solution is to use the gates of the gate array itself to create on-chip RAM. This solution is wasteful since the gates in the gate array are typically large, while memory cells are typically small.
A second solution is to provide un-configurable memory on the gate-array. The main drawback of this solution is that it is hard to know in advance the exact type and size of memory that will be needed for the customized device.
A third solution is to provide two small transistors with each gate so that by using the appropriate customization each gate can be converted to a memory cell. Since the added transistors are small, they do not add very much to the size of each cell.
ROMs are particularly useful when it is sought to repeatedly access fixed data. ROMs are normally more dense than RAMs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,464 describes a semiconductor memory cell forming a ROM cell from a RAM cell. Circuitry is provided to ensure that data written into the RAM cell before an electrical power supply is cut off is retained, providing a ROM type functionality.


A filter apparatus for use in a forced air ventilation system, the filter apparatus having a first fan folded sheet of a washable first type of filter material, a second fan folded sheet of a second type of filter material, and fanfolds of the first and second fan folded sheets are substantially equally shaped and folded together such that the fanfolds of the first and second fan folded sheets are interdigitated to form a filter material assembly. The first type of filter material is preferably an electrostatically self-charging washable material such as woven polypropylene and the second type of filter material is preferably disposable and contains activated charcoal. The filter material assembly may be removably disposed in a rectangular filter frame for mounting the filter material assembly in the forced air system. The filter frame has at least one crank shaft rotatably deposed between two opposed side walls which are between an open front end and an open back end of the frame. The crank shaft has cranks that are engageable with and substantially conforming to the fanfolds of the filter material assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to air filters in forced air ventilation systems of heating and air conditioning systems and, more particularly, to a self-charging electrostatic fan-fold filter apparatus used in a return duct of such a forced air ventilation system.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional forced air ventilation systems in heating and air conditioning systems provide an air filtering apparatus at one location proximate the air handler or blower within what is referred to as the return ducting portion of the system. Some designs have incorporated wall or return register mounted filters at the inlet ends of return ducting leading to the blower. Typically, replaceable, flat, panel-type filters have been employed in central air conditioning and heating systems for use in the home, office, and other commercial buildings. These panel-type filters are supported in rectangular frames in the air flow passageway of the system and may be employed in banks of one or more filters, as desired. Some systems provide an air filtering apparatus end of the return duct portion of the system if there is only one return or inlet to the return duct. The area of the filter material is limited by the cross-sectional area of the duct that the filter is disposed in. Usually, a large sheet of filter material is used that is either disposable or washable, the latter requiring a hosing down and, being generally difficult to wash, because of its size. Electrostatic filters made of woven material such as polypropylene for use in a furnace proximate an air handler have surface areas limited by the duct cross-sectional area. Corrugated filters, which increase available filter surface area, generally have a support material embedded with electrostatic dust attracting fibers and are relatively stiff and not washable. Examples of some of these types of electronic, electrostatic, and mechanical air filter apparatus may be seen in the Bryant pamphlet on Models 901KAX, 908C & 902B Air Cleaners referenced herein as well as U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,113 entitled "AIR FILTER ASSEMBLY AND SUB-ASSEMBLIES" by William L. Kinney.
Single filter assemblies have been proposed which provides filter media in a pleated or fan-fold arrangement forming a plurality of downstream extending pockets therein which increases the effective filter area for a single filter panel. However, problems have been encountered with the newer pleated, pocketed type filter assemblies inasmuch as the nature of the arrangement of the filter media therein in the pleated, pocketed configuration renders the assembly burdensome and cumbersome when replacement of the filter media is required. Typical pleated, pocketed filter assemblies found in the prior art included a complicated arrangement of housings, wire reinforcing grids and filter media which render very difficult the operation of withdrawing the assembly from the air flow passageway and replacing the filter media therein. To overcome these drawbacks the filter assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,113 entitled "AIR FILTER ASSEMBLY AND SUB-ASSEMBLIES" by William L. Kinney was developed a removable, preferably closed-cell foam, cartridge adapted to be positioned within a housing in sealing engagement therewith and allowing the passage of air therethrough as it passes through the passageway. It included a replaceable, preferably reinforced resin-bonded, non-woven filter media adapted to be positioned within the cartridge in a pleated arrangement forming a plurality of downstream pockets in the air flow stream and covering the entire opening in the cartridge in sealing engagement therewith. The air filter media has two superimposed continuous layers of resin-bonded, non-woven material, a plurality of rigid, generally rectangular, separate, frame members positioned between the superimposed layers of non-woven material in a spaced, side-by-side relationship for aiding in the support of the filter media in the pleated, pocketed configuration, and means securing the superimposed layers of non-woven material together around the outside periphery of each of the frame members for holding the layers together and for holding the frame members in the aforesaid positions so that the filter media may bend in the spaces between the frame members for forming the pleated, pocketed arrangement. This type of assembly is complicated and expensive to construct and expensive to use and the filter material is neither reusable or washable.

Fan-fold filter for a forced air ventilation system


A rotary machine includes a rotor, a stationary machine casing extending around the rotor, and a bling assembly extending between the casing and the rotor. The machine also includes at least one rotor tip seal assembly and at least one shaft seal assembly. The seal assemblies have a groove configured to receive at least one seal ring band. A method of assembling a rotary machine is also provided. The method includes fabricating the bling assembly by providing two identical members comprising a mating surface and having a semi-circular profile. The method also includes coupling the two members together at their mating surfaces such that a circular ring is formed and such that the mating surfaces define a horizontal joint. The method further includes machining concentric, circular and annular radially inner and outer and airfoil portions within predetermined radial portions of the bling assembly. The method also includes forming at least one abradable layer over a plurality of seal ring bands and inserting the plurality of seal ring bands into the rotor tip and shaft seal ring grooves.

This invention relates generally to rotary machines and more particularly, to bling assemblies for use in a rotary machine.
At least some known steam turbines have a defined steam path which includes, in serial-flow relationship, a steam inlet, a turbine, and a steam outlet. Many of these steam turbines include stationary nozzle segments that channel a flow of steam towards rotating buckets, or turbine blades, that are coupled to a rotatable member. At least some known stationary nozzle segments include a plurality of airfoils that facilitate channeling the steam flow. Each nozzle segment, in conjunction with an associated row of buckets, is usually referred to as a turbine stage and most known steam turbines include a plurality of stages.
Some known steam turbines have a semi-circular radially outermost portion, sometimes referred to as a shroud, that is coupled to a semi-circular airfoil portion. Such airfoil portions are generally assembled by coupling a plurality of airfoils to a semi-circular band that is inserted into a dovetail groove defined within the shroud. Because the different steam turbine components may have been formed with differing manufacturing processes, specifications, and/or tolerances, the components may be assembled with cumulative dimensional deviations, known as stack-up tolerances, that may exceed overall tolerances. Because stack-up tolerances may increase manufacturing costs and/or reduce steam turbine efficiency, generally the tolerances of individual components may need to be decreased to facilitate mitigating any stack-up tolerances which may be created during assembly.
Moreover, some known steam turbines include airfoils that have been inserted within the assemblies with a pre-twist. The pre-twist induces predetermined stresses into the associated airfoils that facilitate absorbing and dampening dynamic stresses that may be induced during operation, while reducing long-term airfoil wear and misalignment. However, minute variances in the associated tooling and manufacturing environments may increase the difficulty in maintaining stringent process control tolerances in forming the aforementioned pre-twist and may outweigh any benefits that may be provided with the pre-twist.

Rotary machines and methods of assembling