An internal power supply potential generating circuit of a DRAM sets, at the time of a burn-in test, a first internal power supply potential for a wordline to an external power supply potential, maintains an internal power supply potential for a sense amplifier at an external reference potential, and maintains a second internal power supply potential for a peripheral circuit at a potential higher than the external reference potential only by a predetermined voltage. An early defect in a circuit portion to which the first internal power supply potential is applied and that in a circuit portion to which the second internal power supply potential is applied can be therefore accelerated separately from each other. Thus, a test efficiency is increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and, more particularly, a semiconductor device having a test mode driven by an external power supply potential.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally, in a dynamic random access memory (hereinbelow, abbreviated as DRAM), packing density is being increased and power supply voltage is being decreased. For this purpose, the DRAM is provided with an internal power supply potential generating circuit for generating an internal power supply potential by dropping the external power supply potential. In the DRAM, to reject an early defective piece in which a defect occurs relatively early after shipment, a burn-in test is carried out before shipment. In the burn-in test, an internal power supply potential higher than that in a normal mode is applied, and data is written/read to/from each of memory cells under high-temperature environment. It accelerates the occurrence of a defective, so that an early defective piece can be prevented from being shipped.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of such an internal power supply potential generating circuit 80 of a DRAM. In FIG. 10, the internal power supply potential generating circuit 80 includes a VPP generating circuit 81, a VDDS generating circuit 82, and a VDDP generating circuit 83.
The VPP generating circuit 81 includes, as shown in FIG. 11, a ring oscillator 84, a charge pump circuit 85, and a detector 86. The detector 86 receives both a potential VPP of a power supply node N85 and an internal power supply potential VDDS from the VDDS generating circuit 82. When VPP less than VDDS+2Vthn (where Vthn denotes a threshold voltage of an N-channel MOS transistor), the detector 86 sets a signal xcfx86E to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level. When VPPxe2x89xa7VDDS+2Vthn, the detector 86 sets the signal xcfx86E to the xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level. When the signal xcfx86E is at the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level, the ring oscillator 84 generates a clock signal CLK and supplies it to the charge pump circuit 85. When the signal xcfx86E is at the xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level, the ring oscillator 84 is made inactive. The charge pump circuit 85 supplies a predetermined amount of positive charges to the power supply node N85 in response to the rising edge of the clock signal CLK.
When VPP less than VDDS+2Vthn, the positive charges are supplied from the charge pump circuit 85 to the power supply node N85. When VPPxe2x89xa7VDDS+2Vthn, the supply of power from the charge pump circuit 85 to the power supply node N85 is stopped. The potential VPP at the power supply node N85 is therefore maintained at VDDS+2Vthn. The internal power supply potential VPP is used as a wordline selection level.
The VDDS generating circuit 82 includes, as shown in FIG. 12, an operational amplifier 90, a constant current source 91, a variable resistive element 92, and P-channel MOS transistors 93 and 94. The constant current source 91 and the variable resistive element 92 are connected in series between a line of the external power supply potential VCC and a line of a ground potential VSS. The P-channel MOS transistor 93 has the source for receiving an external reference potential VRSxe2x80x2, the drain connected to a node N91 between the constant current source 91 and the variable resistive element 92, and the gate for receiving a test signal ITE.
The P-channel MOS transistor 94 is connected between the line of the external power supply potential VCC and a power supply node N94. The operational amplifier 90 has an inversion input terminal connected to the node N91, a non-inversion input terminal connected to the power supply node N94, and the output terminal connected to the gate of the P-channel MOS transistor 94. The operational amplifier 90 and the P-channel MOS transistor 94 construct a voltage follower for maintaining the potential VDDS at the power supply node N94 at the same level as the potential at the node N91. The internal power supply potential VDDS is applied to a sense amplifier.
At the time of tuning, the test signal /TE is set to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level as an inactivate level, and the P-channel MOS transistor 93 is made non-conductive. The resistance value of the variable resistive element 92 is tuned so that the internal power supply potential VDDS becomes equal to a predetermined value VRS.
At the time of a burn-in test, the test signal /TE is set to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level as an activate level, the P-channel MOS transistor 93 is made conductive, and the internal power supply potential VDDS becomes equal to the external reference potential VRSxe2x80x2 ( greater than VRS). The internal power supply potential VPPS becomes equal to VRSxe2x80x2+2Vthn. In normal operation, the test signal /TE is set to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level as an inactivate level, the P-channel MOS transistor 93 is made non-conductive, and the internal power supply potential VDDS becomes VRS. The internal power supply potential VPP becomes equal to VRS+2Vthn.
The VDDP generating circuit 83 includes, as shown in FIG. 13, an operational amplifier 95, a constant current source 96, a variable resistive element 97, P-channel MOS transistors 98 and 99, an N-channel MOS transistor 100, and an inverter 101. The constant current source 96 and the variable resistive element 97 are connected in series between the line of the external power supply potential VCC and the line of the ground potential VSS. The P-channel MOS transistor 99 is connected between the line of the external power supply potential VCC and a power supply node N98. The operational amplifier 95 has an inversion input terminal connected to a node N96 between the constant current source 96 and the variable resistive element 97, a non-inversion input terminal connected to the power supply node N98, and an output terminal connected to the gate of the P-channel MOS transistor 99. The operational amplifier 95 and the P-channel MOS transistor 99 construct a voltage follower which maintains the potential VDDP of the power supply node N98 to the level same as the potential of the node N96. The internal power supply potential VDDP is supplied to peripheral circuits.
The P-channel MOS transistor 98 is connected in parallel with the constant current source 96. The N-channel MOS transistor 100 is connected between the gate of the P-channel MOS transistor 99 and the line of the ground potential VSS. The test signal ITE is directly supplied to the gate of the P-channel MOS transistor 98 and also to the gate of the N-channel MOS transistor 100 via the inverter 101.
At the time of tuning, the test signal /TE is set to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level as an inactivate level, and the MOS transistors 98 and 100 are made non-conductive. The resistance value of the variable resistive element 97 is tuned so that the internal power supply potential VDDP becomes equal to a predetermined value VRP ( greater than VRS).
At the time of a burn-in test, the test signal /TE is set to the xe2x80x9cLxe2x80x9d level as an activate level, the MOS transistors 98 and 100 are made conductive, and the internal power supply potential VDDP becomes equal to the external power supply potential VCC. In normal operation, the test signal /TE is set to the xe2x80x9cHxe2x80x9d level as an inactivate level, the MOS transistors 98 and 100 are made non-conductive, and the internal power supply potential VDDP becomes VRP.
In short, in normal operation, VPP=VRS+2Vthn, VDDS=VRS, and VDDP=VRP. At the time of the burn-in test, VPP=VRSxe2x80x2+2Vthn, VDDS=VRSxe2x80x2, and VDDP=VCC. VRS and VRP are tuned.
In the conventional internal power supply potential generating circuit 80, however, VPP is equal to VDDS+2Vthn. Consequently, VPP and VDDS cannot be set independently of each other. Occurrence of an early defective in a circuit portion to which VPP is applied and that in a circuit portion to which VDDS is applied cannot be separately accelerated, so that test efficiency is low.
The resistance values of the two variable resistive elements 92 and 97 have to be tuned. The tuning is, however, troublesome.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a semiconductor device having high test efficiency.
Another object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor device capable of easily adjusting an internal reference potential.
A semiconductor device according to the invention includes: a first reference potential generating circuit of which output potential is adjustable, for outputting a first internal reference potential which is lower than the external power supply potential; a first power supply circuit for maintaining a first power supply node at the first internal reference potential in a normal operation mode, and maintaining the first power supply node at an external reference potential in a test mode; a second power supply circuit for maintaining a second power supply node at a boosted potential higher than the first internal reference potential by a predetermined first voltage in the normal operation mode, and supplying the external power supply potential to the second power supply node in the test mode; a level shifting circuit for outputting a potential obtained by level-shifting the potential of the first power supply node by a predetermined second voltage to the external power supply potential side; a third power supply circuit for maintaining a third power supply node at an output potential of the level shifting circuit; and an internal circuit for receiving a drive power from the first to third power supply circuits via the first to third power supply nodes and performing a predetermined operation. Consequently, in the test mode, the first power supply node is maintained at the first external reference potential and the second power supply node is maintained at the external power supply potential, so that occurrence of a defect in the circuit portion to which the potential of the first power supply node is applied and that in the circuit portion to which the potential of the second power supply node is applied can be accelerated separately from each other. Thus, the test efficiency is increased. Since it is sufficient to adjust only the first internal reference potential, as compared with the conventional technique in which two internal reference potentials have to be adjusted, the internal reference potential can be easily adjusted.
Preferably, the first reference potential generating circuit includes: a first constant current source connected between a line of the external power supply potential and a first output node, for supplying a predetermined first current to the first output node; and a first variable resistive element of which resistance value is adjustable, which is connected between the first output node and a line of a ground potential. In this case, by adjusting the resistance value of the first variable resistive element, the first internal reference potential can be adjusted.
Preferably, the second power supply circuit includes: a charge pump circuit which is activated when a potential of the second power supply node is lower than the boosted potential in the normal operation mode and supplies a current to the first power supply node; and a switching element which is connected between a line of the external power supply potential and the second power supply node and is made conductive in the test mode. In this case, the second power supply circuit can be easily constructed.
Preferably, the level shifting circuit includes: a second constant current source which is connected between the line of the external power supply potential and a second output node and supplies a predetermined second current to the second output node; and a transistor connected between the second output node and the line of the ground potential, of which input electrode receives the potential of the first power supply node. In this case, the predetermined second voltage is used as a threshold voltage of the transistor.
Preferably, there is provided a second reference potential generating circuit of which output potential is adjustable, for outputting a second internal reference potential which lies between the external power supply potential and the first internal reference potential, and the third power supply circuit maintains the third power supply node at the second internal reference potential in the normal operation mode, and maintains the third power supply node at an output potential of the level shifting circuit in the test mode. In this case, the potential of the third power supply node in the normal operation mode can be finely adjusted, so that the internal circuit is allowed to operate with high precision.
Preferably, the semiconductor device further includes: a second reference potential generating circuit of which output potential is adjustable, for outputting a second internal reference potential which lies between the external power supply potential and the first internal reference potential; and a selecting circuit for selecting either an output potential of the level shifting circuit or the second internal reference potential, and the third power supply circuit maintains the third power supply node at a potential selected by the selecting circuit. In this case, when the output potential of the level shifting circuit is selected, the internal reference potential can be easily adjusted but the precision of the operation of the internal circuit deteriorates. On the other hand, when the second reference potential is selected, the adjustment of the internal reference potential becomes troublesome, but the internal circuit is allowed to operate with high precision.
Preferably, the second reference potential generating circuit includes: a third constant current source connected between a line of the external power supply potential and a third output node, for supplying a predetermined third current to the third output node; and a second variable resistive element connected between the third output node and the line of the ground potential, of which resistance value is adjustable. In this case, by adjusting the resistance value of the second variable resistive element, the second internal reference potential can be adjusted.
Preferably, the semiconductor device is a semiconductor memory device, and a sense amplifier receives a drive power from the first power supply circuit via the first power supply node, the wordline selected by the row selecting circuit receives a drive power from the second power supply circuit via the second power supply node, and the row selecting circuit, the column selecting circuit, and the write/read circuit receive a drive power from the third power supply circuit via the third power supply node. The present invention is particularly effective on this case.
A semiconductor device according to another aspect of the invention includes: a first power supply circuit for generating a first internal power supply potential lower than the external power supply potential; a level shifting circuit for outputting a potential obtained by level-shifting the first internal power supply potential by a predetermined voltage to the external power supply potential side; a second power supply circuit for maintaining a second internal power supply potential at the same level as a predetermined reference potential in a normal operation mode, and maintaining the second internal power supply potential at the same level as an output potential of the level shifting circuit in a test mode; and an internal circuit which is driven by first and second internal power supply potentials generated by the first and second power supply circuits and performs a predetermined operation. In the test mode, the second internal power supply potential is maintained at a potential obtained by level-shifting the first internal power supply potential only by a predetermined voltage, so that the level of the second,internal power supply potential can be easily set, and the test efficiency is increased. In the normal operation mode, since the second internal power supply potential is maintained at the predetermined reference potential, the internal circuit is allowed to operate with high precision.
Preferably, the predetermined reference potential is a potential between the external power supply potential and the first internal power supply potential. In this case, the reference potential can easily be generated.
Preferably, the semiconductor device according to the present invention further includes a reference potential generating circuit of which output potential is adjustable, for outputting the predetermined reference potential. The reference potential generating circuit includes: a first constant current source connected between a line of the external power supply potential and a first output node, for supplying a predetermined first current to the first output node; and a variable resistive element connected between the first output node and a line of a ground potential, of which resistance value is adjustable. In this case, by adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistive element, the potential can be adjusted to the reference potential.
Preferably, the level shifting circuit includes: a second constant current source connected between a line of the external power supply potential and a second output node, for supplying a predetermined second current to the second output node; and a first transistor connected between the second output node and the line of the ground potential, of which input electrode receives the first internal power supply potential. In this case, the predetermined voltage is a threshold voltage of the first transistor.
Preferably, the second power supply circuit includes: a switching circuit for supplying the reference potential to a third output node in the normal operation mode and supplying an output potential of the level shifting circuit to the third output node in the test mode; a second transistor connected between the line of the external power supply potential and a fourth output node; and a control circuit for controlling an input voltage of the second transistor so that the potentials of the third and fourth output nodes coincide with each other, and the potential of the fourth output node becomes equal to the second internal power supply potential. In this case, the second power supply circuit can be easily constructed.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


In a phase changeable memory device and a method of formation thereof, the phase changeable memory device comprises: a lower electrode pattern on an interlayer insulating layer; an insulating pattern located on the lower electrode pattern; a phase changeable pattern penetrating the insulating pattern and the lower electrode pattern to contact the lower electrode pattern and the interlayer insulating layer; and an upper electrode on the phase changeable pattern.

The present invention relates to a non-volatile memory device and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a phase changeable memory device and a method of formation thereof.
Non-volatile memory devices share a common characteristic in that they retain stored data even though the power supply is interrupted. Contemporary non-volatile memory devices commonly employ flash memory cells having a stacked gate structure. The stacked gate structure includes a tunnel oxide layer, a floating gate, a gate interlayer dielectric layer and a control gate electrode, which are sequentially stacked. In order to improve reliability of the flash memory cells and programming efficiency, the characteristics of the tunnel oxide layer should be improved and the coupling ratio of the cell should be increased.
To improve upon the characteristics of conventional flash memory devices, new flash memory device architectures, such as phase changeable memory devices, have been suggested. The phase changeable memory devices can perform the functions of programming and reading by changing the phase of a material layer, such as a GST (Ge2Sb2Te5) layer, between a crystalline phase and a non-crystalline phase according to the temperature of the material layer.
The conventional phase changeable memory devices have a structure in which a lower electrode contact directly contacts a phase changeable layer. When a current generated by a transistor flows through a lower electrode contact having a very small area relative to the phase changeable layer, heat is generated at the interface between the phase changeable layer and the lower electrode contact, in turn causing a phase change to occur in the phase changeable layer, since the lower electrode contact functions as a heater. A phase of the phase changeable layer is changed at the interface due to the heat. If the phase is changed, the resistance of the phase changeable layer is likewise changed. It is possible to program the phase changeable memory device by changing the phase of the phase changeable memory device. However, in a conventional structure where the lower electrode contact directly contacts the phase changeable layer, a large amount of current is required at the time of programming. Since thermal conductivity of the phase changeable layer is high, any heat that is present at the interface between the lower electrode contact and the phase changeable layer is output through the phase changeable layer, thereby causing a loss of heat. To achieve a phase change, the temperature at the interface must reach a specific temperature. However, a great deal of current is required for supplementing the lost heat.
For reducing the amount of current required at the time of programming, a conventional phase changeable memory device has a structure whereby an insulating layer is formed on a lower electrode pattern contacting the lower electrode contact and is patterned to form a contact hole in the insulating layer. The contact hole is then filled with a phase changeable layer to contact a portion of the surface of an exposed upper portion of a lower electrode through the contact hole. In the structure, an insulating layer having a low thermal conductivity is located at a lower portion of, and at both sides of an interface where the phase changeable layer contacts the lower electrode pattern, thereby preventing or mitigating heat loss. However, in the above structure of forming a memory device, the etching gas can react with a lower electrode layer to form an undesirable oxide layer and a fluoric layer at the interface, thereby causing a resistor distribution failure. In order to remove the unwanted oxide layer and the fluoric layer, a cleaning process is performed using a radio frequency (RF) plasma. At this time, the insulating layer at inner sidewalls of the contact hole to be filled with a phase changeable layer is etched to increase the width of the contact hole and therefore, the beneficial effects of a reduction in heat or current are decreased.

Phase changeable memory device and method of formation thereof


For programming an antifuse memory, the power consumption of the memory is assessed during programming mode. The power consumption is compared with a threshold. When the threshold is exceeded, indicative of successful programming of the antifuse memory cell, the programming mode is terminated.

Antifuse memories are memories where each cell comprises an element for storing the conductive or non-conductive state of the cell and a selection MOS transistor. The storage element is, in the applications targeted by the present disclosure, a capacitor-type element, that is, a layer of an insulating material (in practice, a silicon oxide) between two electrodes. The (non-programmed) quiescent state of the cell is a state where the oxide is present. The programmed state of the cell is a state where the oxide has been fused, that is, the storage element then has a resistive behavior instead of a capacitive behavior.
The programming of a memory of this type comprises applying, across the element, a voltage which, given the nature and the thickness of the insulator, exceeds its breakdown voltage to cause the flowing of a current through the insulating layer. This voltage is maintained for a sufficiently long time to "break down" the oxide of the storage element, that is, it enters an irreversible conductive state (resistive behavior).
A difficulty lies in the time required for this programming. Indeed, the time required to break down the cell oxide differs from one cell to the other according to technological dispersions. In a cell array structure, which is the most common structure of antifuse memories, this leads to sizing the programming system so that it applies the programming voltage for a time period corresponding to the worst case.
Namekawa, United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0158923, incorporated by reference, discloses a non-volatile semiconductor memory device, and more specifically a method of detecting the breakdown of an antifuse memory based on the voltage of the charge pump. In paragraphs [0039] and [0064], Namekawa refers to a measurement of the programming voltage, and triggers the end of the programming cycle when the voltage reaches a threshold. In Namekawa, the programming voltage varies during the programming sequence, and is interrupted for each bit. Namekawa further teaches, in paragraphs [0082] and [0083], pulse counting to generate a constant delay after the breakdown.


A multicolor direct thermal imaging method wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member comprising at least first and second different image-forming compositions and a thermal printer for use in practicing the method. Heat is applied to at least the second image-forming composition while the first image-forming composition is at a first baseline temperature (T1) to form an image in at least the second image-forming composition, and heat is applied to at least the first image-forming composition while it is at a second baseline temperature (T2) to form an image in at least the first image-forming composition, wherein T1 is different from T2.

Direct thermal imaging is a technique in which a substrate bearing at least one image-forming layer, which is typically initially colorless, is heated by contact with a thermal printing head to form an image. In direct thermal imaging there is no need for ink, toner, or thermal transfer ribbon. Rather, the chemistry required to form an image is present in the imaging member itself. Direct thermal imaging is commonly used to make black and white images, and is often employed for the printing of, for example, labels and store receipts. There have been described in the prior art numerous attempts to achieve multicolor direct thermal printing. A discussion of various direct thermal color imaging methods is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,801,233 B2.
It is known in the art to preheat a thermally activated printing head in a thermal imaging application. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,357 describes a recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium where the apparatus includes a plurality of recording elements and a control unit for selectively providing energy having a level lower than an actual recording level. It is also known to preheat a thermal transfer ink layer in a thermal transfer imaging method. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,408 discloses a thermal transfer recording method wherein the thermal transfer ink layer is preheated prior to having energy applied thereto in order to initiate transfer of the ink to a receiving material.
As the state of the thermal imaging art advances, efforts continue to be made to provide thermal imaging materials and thermal imaging methods that can meet new performance requirements.

Multicolor thermal imaging method and thermal printer


An agricultural sprayer unit to be moved by a moving vehicle relative to crops to be sprayed with a chemical agent delivered from said agricultural spray unit includes: a frame connectable to said moving vehicle for connecting said agricultural sprayer unit to said moving vehicle for moving along with said moving vehicle, a tank supported by said frame for storing said chemical agent, a boom linked to and extending from said frame defining a specific orientation relative to said crops, a nozzle supported by and positioned along said boom and communicating with said tank for receiving said chemical agent from said tank for generating an atomized jet of said chemical agent to be expelled from said nozzle and sprayed onto said crops, and air-flow generating apparatus supported by said frame and extending along said boom for generating an air flow directed from said air-flow generating apparatus to said crops, said air flow generating apparatus being divided into a number of subsections positioned along said boom, each subsection including a set of individual air outlets for generating a specific air distribution pattern by said individual air outlets relative to said atomized jet of said chemical agent, and said specific air distribution patterns generated by said subsections together defining said air flow directed to crops.

The present invention relates to an agricultural sprayer device particularly useful for the deposition of a chemical agent which is to be distributed on crops.
1. Field of the Invention
When spraying crops with chemical agents such as insecticides, fungicides, and the like, a problem resides in that the plants must be sprinkled on all surfaces as uniformly as possible, and for this reason, the chemical agent is usually atomized. This, however leads to the disadvantage that the wind may interfere whereby the mist is carried away by the wind and deposited in the wrong places. Additionally, many crops grow into an interwoven tangle so that penetration by sprays is virtually impossible. As such, the underside of the crops remain susceptible to desease and the like with only the tops thereof being protected. As a consequence, economic factors as well as considerations regarding the damage to environment due to the excessive use of potentially hazardous spraying agents have promoted the development of more efficient methods and implements for reducing the required dose rates by ensuring a correct deposition of the spraying agent.
Forced air streams have long been known as an invaluable method of constraining, transporting and depositing sprays for crop protection. Machinery developed for air-assisted spraying ranges from small hand-held devices to large, heavy duty equipment on wheels used to spray bush, vine and tree crops, and broadacre ground crops. Early examples of such machinery are disclosed in British patent no. 685,211 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,332 none of which gained much popularity due to their heavy-weight boom structure which reduced the maximum possible boom width. The same applies to the sprayer disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,274,589 and 3,472,454 which are both cumbersome in use.
In the past decade a number of air-assisted sprayers have been developed, examples of which are described in European patent no. 272,740 (Van den Munckhof), U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,018 (Degania sprayers), Australian patent application no. 14,546/83 (Degania sprayers) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,080 (Hartvig Jensen & Co.). These sprayers comprise a spray boom carrying and air blower an an elongated, flexible sheet provided with an air discharge, either as a slit-like outlet or a series of perforations. Nozzles for spraying a spraying agent are situated alongside the air-flow generating means. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 4,982,898 discloses an agricultural sprayer having a rigid outer tube with a flexible, internal air duct. Reference is made to the above patents, and the above US patents are hereby incorporated in the present specification by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is an object of the present invention to provide an agricultural spraying system which allows for a greater flexibility and which may be employed in an increased number of applications.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a spraying system having means for providing a controlled air outflow.
An advantage of the agricultural sprayer system according to the present invention is that the air distribution pattern of the air-flow generating means may be varied in a particularly simple manner, allowing the spraying system to be used for spraying different types of crops and spraying crops under varying nature and weather conditions.
It is a feature of the present invention that an agricultural spraying system is provided rendering it possible, using simple means, to produce an air flow pattern which may be altered while, using the same simple means, allowing a variation of the air flow relative to the crops being sprayed and relative to the ground on which the crops are grown.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the above object, the above advantage and the above feature, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments of the agricultural spraying system according to the present invention, are obtained by means of an agricultural sprayer unit to be moved by means of a moving vehicle relative to crops to be sprayed with a chemical agent delivered from the agricultural sprayer unit and comprising:
frame means connectable to the moving vehicle for connecting the agricultural sprayer unit to the moving vehicle for moving along with the moving vehicle, PA1 tank means supported by the frame means for storing the chemical agent, PA1 boom means linked to and extending from the frame means defining a specific orientation relative to the crops, PA1 nozzle means supported by and positioned along the boom means and communicating with the tank means for receiving the chemical agent from the tank means for generating an automized jet of the chemical agent to be expelled from the nozzle means and sprayed onto the crops, and PA1 air-flow generating means supported by the frame and extending along the boom means for generating an air flow directed from the air-flow generating means to the crops, the air-flow generating means being divided into a number of subsections positioned along the boom means, each subsection including a set of individual air outlets for generating a specific distribution pattern by means of the individual air outlets relative to the atomized jet of the chemical agent, and the specific air distribution patterns generated by the subsections together defining the air flow directed to the crops. PA1 frame means connectable to the moving vehicle for connecting the agricultural sprayer unit to the moving vehicle for moving along with the moving vehicle, PA1 tank means supported by the frame means for storing the chemical agent, PA1 boom means linked to and extending from the frame means defining a specific orientation relative to the crops, and PA1 nozzle means supported by and positioned along the boom means and communicating with the tank means for receiving the chemical agent from the tank means for generating an automized jet of the chemical agent to be expelled from the nozzle means and sprayed onto the crops, PA1 the air-flow generating assembly being supported by the frame and extending along the boom means for generating an air flow directed from the air-flow generating means to the crops, the air-flow generating assembly being divided into a number of subsections positioned along the boom means, each subsection including a set of individual air outlets for generating a specific air distribution pattern by means of the individual air outlets relative to the atomized jet of the chemical agent, and the specific air distribution patterns generated by the subsections together defining the air flow directed to the crops. PA1 frame means connectable to said moving vehicle for connecting said agricultural sprayer unit to said moving vehicle for moving along with said moving vehicle, PA1 tank means supported by said frame means for storing said chemical agent, PA1 boom means linked to and extending from said frame means defining a specific orientation relative to said crops, PA1 nozzle means supported by and positioned along said boom means and communicating with said tank means for receiving said chemical agent from said tank means for generating an automized jet of said chemical agent to be expelled from said nozzle means and sprayed onto said crops, and PA1 air-flow generating means supported by said frame and comprising an air-blower and an air duct extending along said boom means for generating an air flow directed from said air-flow generating means to said crops, said air duct being inflatable and comprising an elongated, flexible and air-impervious sheet having longitudinally extending edges, said edges being secured in spaced-apart relationship and extending along said boom means, said inflatable duct comprising elongated connecting elements extending along said edges of said air-impervious sheet, and said longitudinally extending edges being fastened to and interconnected by said elongated connecting elements. PA1 frame means connectable to said moving vehicle for connecting said agricultural sprayer unit to said moving vehicle for moving along with said moving vehicle, PA1 tank means supported by said frame means for storing said chemical agent, PA1 boom means linked to and extending from said frame means defining a specific orientation relative to said crops, PA1 nozzle means supported by and positioned along said boom means and communicating with said tank means for receiving said chemical agent from said tank means for generating an automized jet of said chemical agent to be expelled from said nozzle means and sprayed onto said crops, and, PA1 air-flow generating means supported by said frame and comprising an air-blower and an air duct extending along said boom means for generating an air flow directed from said air-flow generating means to said crops, said air duct being inflatable and comprising an elongated, flexible and air-impervious sheet having longitudinally extending edges, said edges being secured in spaced-apart relationship and extending along said boom means, said inflatable duct comprising elongated connecting elements extending along said edges of said air-impervious sheet, said longitudinally extending edges being fastened to and interconnected by said elongated connecting elements, and said elongated connecting elements comprising separate, releasable air outlet elements.
The air-flow generating means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention fulfils the main purpose of generating a specific air distribution pattern by being divided into a number of subsections including respective sets of outlets rendering it possible to convert the sprayer from a specific application into another for providing a uniform air flow taking into consideration the orientation of the boom means relative to the crops, the crops themselves, the nature and also the weather conditions or alternatively providing an air flow of a specific air distribution pattern promoting the deposits of the chemical agent on the crops in question determined by the position, configuration and orientation of the air outlets of the individual subsections of the air-flow generating means. By forming the air-flow generating means with a number of subsections positioned along the boom, the air outflow may be varied by replacing a specific subsection by another thereby providing a desired overall distribution pattern.
In the present context, the expression defining a specific orientation relative to the crops is to be construed a generic term which refers to the various factors which may influence the actual position of the boom means relative to the crops, as in most instances, the boom means is intentionally positioned so as to position the nozzle means supported by and positioned along the boom means in positions relative to the crops ensuring that the atomized jet of the chemical agent generated and expelled from the nozzle means and sprayed onto the crops causes the chemical agent to be deposited uniformly on the crops. Provided the crops are growing on the ground, the boom means is in most instances positioned extending substantially parallelly with the surface of the ground.
In case the surface of the ground is sloping or the crops growing on the ground are not of uniform heigth, an orientation of the boom means relative to the crops differing from the above described conventional position of the boom means in substantially parallel relationship with the surface of the ground may be provided. Also other factors such as the weather conditions, the configuration of the atomized jet of the chemical agent generated by and expelled by the nozzle means may urge the user or farmer to position the boom means in a position differing from the above described usual parallel relationship relative to the surface of the ground.
In order to compensate for all factors influencing the deposition of the chemical agents on the crops in accordance with the actual requirements usually involving a substantially uniform distribution of the chemical agent onto the crops, the air-flow generating means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention is divided into a number of subsections each generating a specific air distribution pattern together generating the air flow causing the intentional deposition of the chemical agents on the crops. A different application of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention involves the spraying of chemical agents onto crops growing on vertical supports such as grape wine or constituting trees themselves carrying fruits or leaves which are to be sprayed by a chemical agent.
Provided the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention is used for spraying a chemical agent onto trees, the boom means is positioned in an orientation differing from the above described parallel relationship relative to the surface of the ground. In most instances, the boom means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention is positioned in a substantially perpendicular relationship relative to the surface of the ground provided the agricultural sprayer unit is used for spraying a chemical agent onto trees, however, an orientation differing from the perpendicular relationship relative to the surface of the ground may in some instances be employed provided e.g. crowns of trees are to be sprayed by a chemical agent.
For spraying crops positioned in rows or e.g. spraying crowns of trees, the chemical agent expelled by the nozzle means of the agricultural sprayer unit and carried by the air flow generated by the air outlets of the air-flow generating means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention has to be adapted to the actual application which in some instances involves the generation of an air flow by the air-flow generating means concentrated in certain areas along the boom means corresponding to the regions to be impinged by the atomized jet of the chemical agent whereas other subsections of the air-flow generating means generate no air flow. Consequently, in accordance with a specific embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the air-flow generating means further comprises a specific subsection including no air outlets and generating no air distribution pattern.
The frame means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention may be implemented in accordance with any specific requirements such as a specific utilization of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention in accordance with a specific moving vehicle as the frame means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention may be adapted to be connected to and moved by the moving vehicle. In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the frame of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention comprises elements for establishing connection to a three-point suspension of the moving vehicle which preferably constitutes an agricultural tractor.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention constitutes a part of a self propelling unit as the frame means of the agricultural sprayer unit is provided with road wheels. Further alternatively, the frame means may be mounted on a movable trailer which comprises means for establishing connecting to a hitch of a moving vehicle which may be constituted by an agricultural tractor. For alternative applications e.g. within the field of horticulture, the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention may comprise rail wheel which are rolling on rails as the agricultural sprayer unit is moved across the crops by means of a cable, rope or wire drive.
In accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the frame means comprises a lift platform which preferably serves the purpose of supporting the boom means allowing the boom means to be shifted from one position to another for altering the orientation of the boom means relative to the crops or alternatively for shifting the boom means from an operational position to a position of rest. Thus, the boom means are preferably rotatably linked to the frame means.
Furthermore, provided the boom means constitutes an elongated boom extending e.g. 10-15 m, or possibly less, from one side of the frame means or both sides of the frame means, the boom means is preferably divided into a plurality of boom sections allowing the boom means to be folded together for reducing the overall dimensions of the agricultural sprayer unit as the agricultural sprayer unit is in a position of rest or moved from one location such as a piece of land to the farm without occupying too much space. For allowing the individual boom sections of the boom means to be folded together, the boom sections are preferably interconnected by means of hinges. Alternatively, the individual boom sections of the boom means may be interconnected by means of locking means such as cooperating catching and locking means allowing the boom section to be easily assembled and disassembled prior to use and after use, respectively.
As stated above, the boom means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention may be orientated in any appropriate orientation relative to the crops which in most instances involves the positioning of the boom means in a substantially parallel relationship relative to the surface of the ground on which the agricultural sprayer unit is moved by means of the moving device.
The tank means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention communicates in accordance with the teachings of the present invention with the nozzle means for delivering the chemical agent stored within the tank means to the nozzle means generating the atomized jet of the chemical agent to be sprayed onto the crops. The tank means may constitute a separate container of the agricultural unit or alternatively an attachable or exchangeable container which is received by container fixation means of the frame means of the agricultural sprayer unit for fixating the container relative to the frame means. The transfer of the chemical agent from the tank means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention may be accomplished through the influence of the gravitational field or alternatively be promoted through the utilization of a pump which constitutes a component of the tank means and which preferably communicates with a tubing for delivering the chemical agent to the nozzle means. The pump may be powered by any appropriate energy source such as an electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic motor, or alternatively and preferably be connectable to a power take-off of the moving vehicle which is preferably constituted by an agricultural tractor.
The nozzle means generating the atomized jet may be adapted to generate a specific distribution of the atomized chemical agent which distribution is further influenced by the air flow generated by the air outlets of the subsections of the air-flow generating means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention accomplishing in accordance with the teachings of the present invention a specific intentional deposition of the chemical agent on the crops. It is to be understood that the actual pattern of the atomized jet of the chemical agent generated by the nozzle means together with the orientation of the boom means of the agricultural sprayer unit, and also the above described factors such as the nature and weather conditions along with the actual configuration, orientation and distribution of the individual air outlets of the subsections of the air-flow generating means contribute to the overall deposition of the chemical agent on the crops. In most instances, the nozzle means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention generate the atomized jet as a flat fan constituting a predetermined pattern which together with the above factors and also the orientation of the boom and the distribution, orientation and configuration of the air outlets of the subsections of the air-flow generating means produce an intentional deposition of the chemical agent on the crops.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the nozzle means comprise individual nozzles positioned along the boom means at a spacing of 0.25 m-1,25 m, preferably approx. 0.5 m. Alternatively, the nozzle means may be constituted by alternative means for generating the atomized jet of the chemical agent of different configuration or physical shape fulfilling the purpose of providing a predetermined pattern of the atomized jet of the chemical agent.
In order to allow the pattern of the atomised jet generated by the nozzle means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention to be altered in accordance with specific requirements, the individual nozzles are preferably rotatably supported for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the boom means.
In the above described presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention comprising a lift platform constituting a part of the frame means of the agricultural sprayer unit, the air-flow generating means characteristic of the present invention are preferably also supported by the lift platform allowing the air-flow generating means to be lifted by the lift platform together with the boom means.
The air-flow generating means may in accordance with the basic realization of dividing the air-flow generating means into subsections in accordance with the teachings of the present invention be constituted by any appropriate means such as individual air blowers, e.g. air blowers arranged along the boom means and constituting respective components of the subsections of the air-flow generating means. According to the presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the air-flow generating means comprise an air blower and an air duct extending along the boom means, i.e. comprise components to a great extent similar to the components of the air assisted sprayer described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,080 (Hartvig Jensen & Co.).
As described above, the boom means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention preferably comprises a plurality of boom sections, and similarly, the air duct of the presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention comprising an air blower and an air duct is preferably also divided into sections corresponding to the boom sections. In a particular advantageous embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention in which the boom means are divided into a plurality of boom sections and in which the air duct is also divided into sections corresponding to the boom sections, each subsection of the air-flow generating means preferably defines a length corresponding to the length of a respective boom section.
In a particular embodiment of the agricutural sprayer unit according to the present invention in which the air-flow generating means is adapted to generate a substantially uniform air flow to the crops, the individual air distribution patterns of the individual subsections of the air-flow generating means are also identical. Consequently, the individual air outlets of the subsections of the air-flow generating means may have identical configuration providing a uniform air flow directed to the crops from the air-flow generating means.
In the above described presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention comprising an air blower and an air duct, the air duct is preferably inflatable and comprises an elongated, flexible and air-impervious sheet having longitudinally extending edges. The edges may advantageously be secured in spaced-apart relationship and extend along the boom means as the inflatable duct may comprise elongated connecting elements extending along the edges of the air-impervious sheet, which longitudinally extending edges are fastened to and interconnected by the elongated connecting elements which define the subsection. In the above described advantageous embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the individual subsections of the air-flow generating means are constituted by the connecting element which further serve the purpose of securing the edges of the air duct in space-apart relationship and consequently of supporting and fixating the air duct in its intentional configuation.
Alternatively, in the above described presently preferred embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention comprising an air blower and an air duct, the air duct is preferably inflatable and comprises an elongated, flexible and air-impervious sheet having longitudinally extending edges. The edges may advantageously be secured in spaced-apart relationship and extend along the boom means as the inflatable duct may comprise elongated connecting elements extending along the edges of the air-impervious sheet, which longitudinally extending edges are fastened to and interconnected by the elongated connecting elements which comprises separate air outlet elements defining the subsections and being releasably connected to said elongated connecting elements. In the above described advantageous embodiment of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention, the individual subsections of the air-flow generating means are constituted by the air outlet element which are releasably connected to the elongated connecting elements which serve the purpose of securing the edges of the air duct in space-apart relationship and consequently of supporting and fixating the air duct in its intentional configuation.
The air-flow generating means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention may apart from being supported by and extending along the boom means be fixated to the boom means in any appropriate manner. Provided the subsections of the air-flow generating means are defined by the connecting elements of the above described presently preferred embodiment, the elongated connecting elements may preferably constitute elements also serving the purpose of fixating and connecting the air-flow generating means to the boom means as the elongated connected elements are connected to the boom means. The elongated connecting elements may be connected to the boom means in any appropriate manner as the elongated connecting elements may e.g. be fixated relative to the boom means by means of e.g. bolts or through welded joints or alternatively, the elongated connecting elements may be rotatably joined to the booms allowing the air-flow generating means to be shifted through rotation relative to the boom means for altering the direction of the air distribution patterns generated by the individual air outlets of the subsections of the air-flow generating means in relation to the orientation of the boom means.
The elongated connecting elements may advantageously secure the longitudinally extending edges of the air impervious sheet in the above described space-apart relationship. The maintenance of the longitudinally extending edges of the air-impervious sheet of the air duct in the spaced-apart relationship may advantageously be established by means of separate fastening means constituting components of the elongated connecting elements or alternatively constituting elements of the impervious sheet and arranged along the longitudinally extending edges. Provided the elongated connecting elements as well as the air-impervious sheet are provided with fastening means, the fastening means of the sheet and the fastening means of the elongated connecting elements are preferably complementary fastening elements serving the purpose of cooperating for fixating the air-impervious sheet relative to the elongated connecting elements.
The longitudinally extending edges of the air-impervous sheet may be permanently fixated to the connecting elements constituting integral components or alternatively be releasably fastened to the connecting elements.
For providing a continuous air-flow generating means, the elongated connecting elements defining the individual subsections of the air-flow generating means of the agricultural sprayer unit according to the present invention are preferably arranged end-to-end.
The above object, the above advantage and the above feature together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments of the agricultural spraying system according to the present invention are obtained by means of an air-flow generating assembly according to the present invention constituting an element of an agricultural sprayer unit to be moved by means of an air-flow generating assembly of an agricultural sprayer unit to be moved by means of a moving vehicle relative to crops to be sprayed with a chemical agent delivered from the agricultural sprayer unit, the agricultural sprayer unit comprising:
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the above object, the above advantage and the above feature, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments of the agricultural spraying system according to the present invention, are obtained by means of an agricultural sprayer unit to be moved by means of a moving vehicle relative to crops to be sprayed with a chemical agent delivered from said agricultural sprayer unit comprises:
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the above object, the above advantage and the above feature, together with numerous other objects, advantages and features which will be evident from the below detailed description of preferred embodiments of the agricultural spraying system according to the present invention, are obtained by means of an agricultural sprayer unit to be moved by means of a moving vehicle relative to crops to be sprayed with a chemical agent delivered from said agricultural sprayer unit, comprises:
The air-flow generating assembly according to the present invention may adtageously comprise any of the features of the above described alternative embodiments of the agricultural sprayer according to the present invention.

Agricultural sprayer unit and an air-flow generating assembly of an agricultural sprayer unit


Techniques and devices are disclosed for detecting particle composition. In one aspect, a method performed by a detector to detect particles includes receiving particles at an aerosol inlet of the detector. The method includes carrying the received particles within a stream of gas and charging the particles within the stream of gas using a charger to have a charge. The method includes transporting the charged particles to a location of a collection electrode. The method includes biasing the collection electrode to a voltage using a high-voltage supply to attract either negatively or positively charged particles, and analyzing the particles.

This patent document relates to devices and techniques for particle composition analysis.
Various methods for particle analysis involve impaction and collection of airborne particles on a filter, and subsequent analysis. The analysis can be achieved in various ways, including chemical digestion and subsequent analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometery, measurements with a scanning electron microscope, or measurements with a transmission electron microscope.
Real-time particle composition analysis can be achieved by using an aerosol mass spectrometer which analyzes bulk particles, and an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer which analyzes single particles. In either case, particles are drawn through an orifice or aerosol lens into a particle beam, in which they are partially or completely vaporized using any one of several methods. Ions from the vaporization process are detected to infer the composition of particles from the ion fingerprint. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy can also be used to measure aerosols, either singly or in bulk. In these instruments, analysis can be real-time or nearly real-time. Many implementations of such instruments tend to be expensive and physically large, and complex.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health attracted particles to a charged pin, and performed laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to create a plasma to vaporize the attracted particles, exciting atomic emission that provides information about the composition of the particles. This approach can provide simplicity of concentrating the particles and good analysis results. The approach does rely upon a laser, which may present optical hazards, requires maintenance by skilled technicians, and other complications, and also may lack electrical and efficient aerodynamic focusing.


A biological feature detection apparatus and an electronic device are provided. The apparatus includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is configured to emit light to a detection surface of a biological tissue, the light emitted by the light emitting unit is processed by the biological tissue and then transmitted to the light receiving unit, and the light receiving unit is configured to receive the light and perform a photoelectric conversion to generate an original electrical signal for biological feature detection; the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are attached to the detection surface of the biological tissue. As such, the signal-to-noise ratio of the original electrical signal is improved and accuracy of biological feature detection is enhanced.

Rapid development of smart devices, for example, emergence of smart earphones, facilitates practice of applications having a healthcare function, for example, detection of heart rate, blood oxygen and the like biological features. Specifically, these smart devices are used in scenarios of monitoring the heart rate and blood oxygen during exercise or movement to judge whether the biological feature of a user is normal, or monitoring the heart rate and blood oxygen during sleeping to judge whether the biological feature of a user is normal.
With regard to the practice of the above applications having the healthcare function, the current commonly used manner is: measuring the biological feature based on the optical theory, for example, the light reflection theory and the light transmission theory. Using the light reflection theory as an example, the light emitted by a light emitter is incident to the biological tissue and then reflected by the biological tissue, and a light receiver receives the reflected light and performs biological feature detection based on the reflected light. During this process, the incident light is reflected under effects (absorption and diffusion) of the blood in the tissue and then the reflected light is formed. Since the blood in the tissue may be periodically changed, the biological feature may be obtained by sensing and analyzing the reflected light. Analogously, with respect to the light transmission theory, the biological feature may be obtained by sensing and analyzing the transmitted light.

Biological feature detection apparatus and electronic terminal


A laser scanning device (10), comprising: a system on chip structure (110) configured to receive and process a graphic data transmitted by an external computer (20) to generate a galvanometer movement instruction and a laser control instruction; and galvanometer (120) configured to receive the galvanometer movement instruction and move according to the galvanometer movement instruction; wherein the laser control instruction is transmitted to an external laser (30), so that the laser (30) and the galvanometer (120) move synchronously. The above laser scanning device (10) and scanning system can integrate a laser control function and a galvanometer control function into the same chip by a system on chip design, which does not only reduce cost of the system, but also improve reliability of the system. Because all information are transmitted in the same one chip, there is no signal transmission cable employed between a conventional movement control card and a galvanometer driver, which results in a better real time, and avoids various problems due to transmission from the conventional control card to the galvanometer.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional laser scanning control system. The laser scanning control system includes a computer 201, a movement control card 202, a laser and a scanning head 206. The scanning head 206 includes a galvanometer driver 204 and a galvanometer 205. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional laser scanning control system uses the solution that the movement control card 202 and the galvanometer driver 204 are separated. In other words, the movement control card 202 control light emitting of the laser and generate a galvanometer instruction; the galvanometer driver 204 drives the galvanometer 205 to move according to a given track. This solution can result in problems such as crosstalk, instruction transmission error and the like in the practical application due to the transmission cable between the movement control card 202 and the galvanometer driver 204.
Further, due to data unidirectional transmission, the system status, particularly the status of the galvanometer 205, cannot be obtained by the movement control card 202, and then the laser is controlled by a manner of open loop, which hardly achieves a better control effect. Particularly, in some occasions of a high performance requirement, the conventional solution generally achieves a certain scanning effect at the cost of efficiency, which cannot maximize the system effect.

Laser scanning device and laser scanning system

HAN'S LASER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY GROUP CO., LTD.


The invention provides compositions and methods for non-invasive imaging of enzyme (e.g., protease) activity in cells, tissues and organs and entire bodies in vitro, in vivo and in situ. The invention provides a chimeric polypeptide having a bioluminescent or chemiluminescent polypeptide, or a heterologous kinase, and at least one silencing moiety, and a protease cleavage motif positioned between the first and second domains. The imaging can be by computer assisted tomography (CAT), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), or bioluminescence imaging (BLI).

The revolution in molecular biology along with the nearly completed mapping of the human genome provides an unprecedented opportunity to transform our understanding and treatment of human diseases. Paralleling these discoveries, the imaging sciences have made remarkable advances and have reached a stage in which anatomic and functional imaging can be achieved in vivo at submillimeter resolution in both animals and humans. These developments have created a historic opportunity to non-invasively probe cellular and molecular events associated with the ever-expanding myriad of newly identified pathology-related genes and proteins in vivo in both animals and humans. The revolution in molecular biology has expanded our understanding of the genetics and biochemistry of transformed cells. These tremendous advances have been made largely through studies of cultured cells or ex vivo studies on tumor specimens. However, it is clear that extrapolations between in vitro and in vivo situations do not always hold true. Their exists a significant opportunity to bridge this great divide between in vitro and in vivo studies in research, e.g., cancer therapies, through the development of novel molecular imaging approaches.
For example, research would be aided by in vitro and in vivo imaging of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a physiologic process important in the normal development and homeostasis of multicellular organisms. The molecular components comprising the cell death machinery have been identified. Apoptosis can be physiologically activated by the activation of death receptors (Fas, TNFR, DR4, DR5 etc) or when a cell undergoes stress. Growth factor withdrawal, environmental conditions that damage mitochondrial function or homeostasis, DNA damaging events, hypoxia, heat, cold and chemical injury, result in activation of apoptosis.
Lack of balance between apoptosis and proliferation has been implicated in a wide variety of pathologic conditions including stroke, dementia, bone marrow diseases and cancer. In stroke, death of white and gray matter by apoptosis plays a central role in hypoxic-ischemic injury in adults. Because the actual loss of cells in these patients is gradual there may be a therapeutic window wherein pharmacological inhibition of apoptosis may prevent the long term debilitating effects of a stroke. In dementia, neuronal and glial cell apoptosis occurs in AIDS, encephalitis, and in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and ALS. The gradual loss of white and gray matter in these disorders is primarily due to apoptosis. In bone marrow diseases, beta-thalasemia, sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia are diseases in which excessive apoptosis within the bone marrow is the central cause of the pathology. The ability to image apoptosis within the marrow would not only facilitate diagnosis of these disorders but would also provide a direct measure of therapeutic efficacy of experimental drugs. Cancer is as much a disease of cell death as one of cell proliferation (see, e.g., Korsmeyer (1990) Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immunol. 166:203). For example, constitutive activation of the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 leads to B-cell lymphoma (see, e.g., Holgren (1995) Nature Med. 1:149). It is believed that mutations that attenuate apoptotic responses facilitate neoplastic transformation. The mutations may be allowing the accumulation of other growth-promoting mutations that would otherwise commit a cell to suicide in the absence of external growth cues. Tumor progression may also exert a selective pressure for cells resistant to apoptosis. Evolution toward a "survivor" phenotype may be a product of the hypoxia, nutrient starvation, and falling pH that may be produced as tumor cells outgrow their blood supply. The selective pressure may be especially strong just prior to the "angiogenic switch" when dormant tumor growth is thought to be the result of balanced cellular proliferation and apoptosis (see, e.g., Holgren (1995) supra). The resulting defects in the apoptotic response of tumor cells arising from early events in carcinogenesis or as a result of selective pressures are also thought to contribute to the resistance of tumor cells to cytotoxic therapies.
Currently available techniques for studying apoptosis in vivo, such as in solid tumors, make it difficult to study these problems. Scoring apoptotic indices by morphological criteria is time consuming and requires skilled observers. Specific staining of apoptotic cells, such as the TUNEL method for marking the 3′ termini of cleaved DNA, is also time consuming and may have a significant false-positive rate.

Compositions and methods for detecting proteolytic activity

The Regents of the University of Michigan


Highly reliable hydrodynamic bearing device and spindle motor are provided as a result of improving cleanliness by using an iron metal having austenite structure, which is a non-magnetic body, and solving the problem of lowering of abrasion resistance due to low hardness. A shaft is formed using an iron metal having austenite structure, and a surface treated layer dispersed with solid lubricant is formed on at least a part of the surface of a shaft facing a sleeve by spraying fine particles of solid lubricant. Cleanliness is improved since the shaft is formed using an iron metal having austenite structure, which is a non-magnetic body. Further, since the surface treated layer dispersed with solid lubricant is arranged on the bearing surface, the abrasion resistance is enhanced and excellent bearing reliability is obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydrodynamic bearing device that uses a dynamic pressure bearing, a spindle motor including the hydrodynamic bearing device, and a method for manufacturing the hydrodynamic bearing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In place of a ball bearing device conventionally used, a hydrodynamic bearing device that excels in rotation precision and that excels in sound silence in comparison with ball bearing is being widely used as a bearing device used in a spindle motor of a hard disc, a polygon mirror, an optical disc device or the like.
In the hard disc or the like that uses such hydrodynamic bearing device, improvement in recording density or enhancement in long-term reliability is advancing, and accompanied therewith, cleanliness demanded for the components is becoming extremely strict. However, since the martensitic stainless which is the bearing member currently being used commonly is a magnetic material, dust is likely to attach thereto, and further improvement in cleanliness is becoming difficult. Thus, improving cleanliness by using an iron metal having an austenite structure such as austenite stainless or austenite high strength steel which is a non-magnetic body is being reviewed.
However, although the conventional martensitic stainless obtains a hardness of about HRc (Rockwell hardness) 56 by hardening, the iron metal having austenite structure has a hardness of about HRc 10 to 25 as it cannot be hardened, and thus when used in such state, the abrasion of the bearing surface advances. When the bearing surface is abraded, rotation abnormality or, in the worst case, a lock of the bearing occurs, thereby greatly lowering the reliability of the hydrodynamic bearing device, and thus the austenite stainless cannot be used as it is.
In order to address the above problems, in the hydrodynamic bearing device disclosed in JP-A 2002-188638, a nitriding process is performed on a shaft made of austenite stainless steel to improve the surface hardness. For instance, after making the SUS 303, which is an austenite stainless steel, to a required shape through cutting, a dynamic pressure groove is formed through plastic forming. Subsequently, finish machining is performed by polishing, and surface effect process is performed by nitriding process of (1) salt bath nitriding, (2) ion nitriding, (3) gas nitrocarburizing and the like to fabricate the shaft.
In a slide bearing device disclosed in JP-A 2002-357223, an excellent abrasion resistance property is obtained by forming a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating on the bearing surface.
Further, in JP-A 2002-161371, the lubricating property is enhanced by spraying injection fine particle in which the fine particles of a metal constituting the parent phase and the fine particles of a solid lubricant are mixed, and forming a coated layer in which the solid lubricant is dispersed in the parent phase. For example, the fine particles are sprayed on the shaft with collar made of heat-resistant stainless steel (SUS 304) used in HDD (Hard Disc Drive) spindle motor to form the lubricating coated layer.
However, in the hydrodynamic bearing device of the conventional configuration disclosed in JP-A 2002-188638, surface roughness involved in nitriding process occurs, and when used directly after the nitriding process, problems such as mixture (contamination) due to cleaning failure, or advancement of abrasion of the bearing surface arise. Further, since the nitriding process requires a vacuum device, the manufacturing cost increases.
In the slide bearing device of the conventional configuration disclosed in JP-A 2002-357223, as the stripping strength of the DLC is low, the DLC is stripped when a momentary high stress is applied thereby causing the bearing surfaces to contact each other by way of the DLC and locking the bearing. Further, since the nitriding process requires a vacuum device, similar to above, the manufacturing cost increases.
In the lubricating coated layer of the conventional configuration disclosed in JP-A 2002-161371, as the metal constituting the parent phase is a soft metal, the abrasion of the surface easily advances. Further, since the fine particles of soft metal constituting the parent phase and the fine particles of the solid lubricating material are mixed and sprayed, in the last half of spraying in which the surface is formed, the solid lubricating material is sprayed on the soft metal layer, and thus the surface roughness roughens. As described in the patent document, in the hydrodynamic bearing in which the operating fluid is gas, micro-dimples are sometimes effective, but in the hydrodynamic bearing in which the operating fluid is liquid, mixture (contamination) problem arises due to cleaning failure or problem of advancement of abrasion of the bearing surface.

Hydrodynamic bearing device, spindle motor, and method for manufacturing hydrodynamic bearing device


A memory device has a number of data terminals for transferring data signals and a number of strobe terminals for transferring strobe signals representing timing information of the data. The strobe terminals have a fixed signal level in an inactive mode of the memory device. The memory further includes a controller for reducing any signal instability of the strobe signals when the memory device switches from the inactive mode to a data transfer mode.

Semiconductors devices such as memory devices reside in many computer and electronic products. Memory devices store data.
Some memory devices have data terminals for transferring data and strobe terminals for transferring strobe signals. The data is transferred based on timing derived from the strobe signals.
The data usually includes many data bits. A strobe signal typically has specified timing reference at which each of the data bits may be accurately transferred.
In some cases, the memory device may be in an inactive mode such that the signal level at the strobe terminals remains at a fixed signal level for a time period. When the memory device switches from the inactive mode to a data transfer mode, the strobe signals at the strobe terminals may switch from the fixed signal level to another signal level and may start to toggle.
In some cases, switching the strobe signals from one signal level in one mode to another signal level in another mode may introduce instability to the strobe signals at the time of switching. As a result, the timing relationship between the strobe signals and the data signals may be inaccurate and invalid data may occur.

Pre-emphasis for strobe signals in memory device


A multi-use seafood utensil for opening shellfish and crustacean seafood having outer shells for the removal of meat, the utensil comprising: a head portion having a prying blade for prying a seafood shell open and a bifurcated ripping blade for cutting a seafood shell open for the removal of meat; a prying tip formed on the prying blade for insertion between shell halves of a shell of a shellfish; a slot formed in the head portion dividing the ripping blade from a part of the head portion so that the ripping blade can be inserted underneath a seafood shell to cut the shell open; a cutting edge of the ripping blade forming an edge of the slot; a handle portion carried by the head portion for being manually grasped by a user.

The present invention relates to shellfish opening utensils generally, and more particularly without limitation to a novel shellfish shell cracking, slicing, and bi-valve shellfish opening knife.
Crustaceans such as shrimp, crab, and lobster are frequently cooked for eating by boiling the shellfish in the shell and then serving the cooked product while still in the shell. To enjoy the meat, the user has to remove or tear away the shell to access the meat inside. No manner of boiling or any other method of cooking the shell fish changes the characteristics of the shell to an extent that it can be easily removed from the meat. Bi-valve shellfish such as oysters, claims, and mussels, have shells with two halves that must be pried open in order to remove the meat.
The current methods of extracting the meat from shellfish, shrimp, and other crustaceans requires the use of multiple, simple tools. A basic nut cracker-type shell opening device is a simple device typically consisting of two handles joined together in different methods from single to multiple hinges. The hold and grip the shell being cracked while the user exerts pressure on the handles. Other utensils are small hammers, a blade extending from a handle, the major faces of the blade and the handle being co-axle, can opener like devices to slice open shells, and small forks for the removal of the meat once the shell has been opened.
The above methods and utensils have found world-wide acceptance for opening shellfish shells, mainly because there are very few alternative utensils. Additionally, there is the problem of cost to restaurants due to having to purchase multiple tools to accomplish the needs of their patrons. As well, the restaurants have to bear the cost of losing the tools to theft. A disadvantage to this approach is the number of utensils and different methods of use required to facilitate the removal of meat from shellfish. Additionally, many times a fork is used to open the shell of crabs, lobsters and the like, with the soft tines of the fork become distorted and damaged.
The invention, set forth in the forgoing specification and claims, combines several functions into one utensil in a unique way simplifying and expanding the enjoyment of eating various types of seafood.


A liquid crystal display device with a built-in back light device for illuminating a liquid crystal element. The back light device includes a light transmitting plate disposed behind the liquid crystal element, a light source disposed in the vicinity of one end of the light transmitting plate, a reflector for reflecting light from the light source towards the light transmitting plate, the reflector being integrated to the light source, and a slide mechanism for allowing the reflector to be slidably detached from the light transmitting plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device used in a word processor, personal computer and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a prior liquid crystal display device (hereinafter, referred to as LCD device). There are shown a light source 2, a lead wire 3 for supplying electric power to the light source 2, a liquid crystal element 4, a circuit board 5, a supporting frame 6, a light transmitting substance 7, and a reflection sheet 8.
As shown in FIG. 5, a structure for reflecting a light from the light source 2 is composed of the reflection sheet 8 having high reflectivity and the frame 6 supporting the reflection sheet 8.
In the prior LCD device having such construction, it requires a complicated working process to assemble a back light device within the LCD device, and the reflection sheet 8 and the frame 6 must be detached to exchange the light source 2, which requires a laborious work. Further, since the frame 6 is made of plates of steel or aluminum mainly, it is difficult to provide a mechanism for holding the lead wire 3, therefore, the lead wire 3 becomes an obstacle to a work for exchanging the light source 2.


A coupling device for an adapter connection point, including a first fitting and a second fitting, wherein at least one of the first and the second fittings includes at least one channel, and wherein when a user begins to disengage the coupling device any trapped pressure will be relieved through the at least one channel prior to total disengagement of the coupling device.

Firefighters have long been exposed to severe injuries from explosively propelled fire hose fittings. Fire trucks and stationary fire protection systems have many hose and adapter connection points that use fire hose thread for engagement. Trapped pressure is a constant hazard in this system, particularly when a firefighter tries to unscrew a connection. The trapped pressure can store a great deal of energy that, when released, can propel the fitting. This scenario has resulted in serious injury in the past. This situation is exacerbated when the trapped pressure includes a compressible gas like air.
The fire hose connection points use a face seal gasket to provide for a water-tight joint. When the threads are unscrewed with pressure in the system, the joint will leak slowly, but still retain pressure for an extended period of time due to the fact that the trapped fluid must travel through a narrow leak-path defined by the space between the male and female threads. If there is only compressed air in the system, there is no visual indication of the pressure. If water is present, the small discharge of water during this process is often even less at higher pressures than at lower pressures due to the fact that the pressure provides a tighter seal between the two surfaces of the male and female threads. This can lead the firefighter into believing that it is safe to uncouple the connection. The firefighter may not hear the louder "hissing" when the system is leaking at high pressure due to the noisy environment at the fire scene and the equipment worn by firefighters. The noise, therefore, which is usually the only indication of high pressure and a potentially dangerous situation, is an inadequate warning signal for firefighters.

Fire hose connection with a pressure relieving safety feature


A locking nail for placement in the marrow space of tubular bones for the care of bone fractures, with an elongate, essentially cylindrical shank with a number of essentially radial openings for accommodating locking screws. At least one radial, elongate opening extends in the longitudinal direction of the shank and at least two sliding blocks are unrotatably guided within the shank and are secured against a movement away from one another so that at least one opening at an angle to the longitudinal direction is formed from at least one intermediate space between the sliding blocks. This opening is aligned to the elongate opening for accommodating a locking screw. In another embodiment, only one such sliding block is used (and can be selected from any of a suitable set, for example a set in which the blocks of the set all have substantially the same length but have transverse bores positioned at a variety of different positions and at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nail).

The invention relates to locking nails.
Marrow nails and special locking nails are known aids for osteosynthesis. They are introduced into the marrow space of a damaged bone in order mechanically to bridge the bone lesion. With locking nails, locking screws (which are mounted transversely through the bone and through the locking nail) serve to secure the connection between the bone and locking nail against displacement in the direction of the bone axis and against rotation about the bone axis.
Until now, with usual locking nails, locking screws are placed in discrete openings and are arranged essentially radially in the locking nail. On the proximal thigh, for example, the screws are arranged also at an angle inclined to the shank axis. But in each case with respect to the length of the shank as well as with respect to the angle to the shank, they are not adjustably arranged.
An object of this invention is a locking nail in which the position or the angle of the opening in the locking screw can be changed and the locking screw can be adjustably located within the opening.
A further object is to be able to adjust the openings on locking nails for the locking screws according to position and angle, in order to adapt them to the individual situation in different patients, without having to prepare an assortment of complicated and expensively manufactured locking nails with differing arrangements of the openings for the locking screws.
These and other objects are achieved by the locking nail of the present invention.


In an inkjet printer where any two ink ejection parts provided upstream and downstream in a conveyance direction of a base member are referred to as first and second ink ejection parts, the first ink ejection part ejects a first ink, a droplet of which when deposited on the base member has a surface tension decreasing with time. The second ink ejection part ejects a second ink, a droplet of which when deposited on the base member has a surface tension that is substantially equal to a surface tension of the droplet of the first ink deposited on a position adjacent to the droplet of the second ink. The printer can therefore make substantially equal the surface tensions of droplets of the first and second inks, deposited on adjacent positions, thus reducing bleeding in a boundary between areas of the inks or variation in the position of the boundary.

Inkjet printers have conventionally been used to print an image by ejecting fine droplets of ink from a plurality of ejection ports of a head unit toward printing paper while moving the printing paper relative to the head unit. In recent years, inkjet printers have also been employed to print label stickers. Since label stickers are printed on base members that are not easily impregnated with ink, such as sheets of resin including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or coated paper, the printing of label stickers uses, for example, ultraviolet (UV) curing ink and cures (fixes) the ink deposited on the base member by irradiation with ultraviolet rays.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-79952 (Document 1) discloses an ink set in which, in a surface lifetime region of less than 100 ms after ink landing, the dynamic surface tension of each color ink is higher than or equal to that of a black ink; in a surface lifetime region of 100 to 3000 ms after ink landing, there is a point at which the dynamic surface tension of the black ink is equal to that of each color ink; and in a surface lifetime region at and subsequent to that point, the dynamic surface tension of the black ink is higher than that of each color ink. The ink set disclosed in Document 1 can reduce bleeding on not only plain paper but also paper with poor ink absorbency.
Incidentally, in the case of ejecting a plurality of color inks onto a base member, a first ink ejection part that ejects a first ink of one color and a second ink ejection part that ejects a second ink of another color are arranged in the direction in which the base member is conveyed relative to a head unit. Thus, droplets of the first ink are deposited (lands) on the base member, and then droplets of the second ink are deposited on positions adjacent to the droplets of the first ink after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the landing of the droplets of the first ink. The method of Document 1, however, fails to take such a time difference into consideration and thus cannot reduce bleeding at a boundary between areas of the first and second inks on the base member or variation in the position of the boundary.

Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image-formed matter


A catalyst comprising nickel on a TiO2 support is obtainable by coprecipitation of                nickel and        at least one further metal selected from among Si, Zr, Hf, alkaline earth metals, Y, La and Ce, and        optionally at least one dopant metal selected from groups 5 to 11 of the Periodic Table of the Elements,        from a solution in which the corresponding metal salts are present onto a particulate TiO2 support, subsequent drying, calcination and reduction and optionally passivation to give the nickel-containing catalyst.

The present invention relates to a hydrogenation catalyst which comprises nickel on a TiO2 support. The catalyst is used particularly for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds to form the corresponding aromatic amino compounds.
The use of nickel-containing catalysts as hydrogenation catalysts has been known for a long time. In Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry, Vol. 70, No. 8, 1997, pages 1236 to 1253, the preparation of such nickel-containing catalysts is described in detail. The catalysts described comprise nickel predominantly on silicon dioxide or aluminum oxide as support.
They can be prepared by precipitation onto the support or by coprecipitation. Use is also made of SiO2/TiO2 supports, and it is indicated that TiO2 as modifier can lead to mechanically stable catalysts.
DD-A-152 065 relates to a process for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics using stirring-stable suspension catalysts. The catalyst is prepared by precipitation of a nickel salt solution in the presence of silica gel having a particular particle size distribution.
DD-A-284 371 relates to a process for the reduction of nitroaromatics in the presence of an Ni/SiO2 catalyst. The catalyst is supported on a support having a size of more than 1 mm and is passivated after activation. Prior to the reaction, the catalyst is milled in the reactor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,332 relates to a hydrogenation catalyst which is used, in particular, for the conversion of benzene into cyclohexane. The catalyst is prepared by coprecipitation of nickel and silicate ions in the presence of a porous silicon dioxide support.
WO 95/14647 relates to a process for the oligomerization of olefins to form highly linear oligomers. The process is carried out using an oxidic catalyst comprising nickel oxide, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide and also an alkali metal oxide. The catalyst is prepared by coprecipitation of a nickel salt solution onto finely divided titanium dioxide powder by means of a sodium water glass solution. Nickel is present in oxidic form, and the catalyst is used in the form of pressed pellets as a fixed bed. Use as hydrogenation catalyst is not described.
DE-A-199 09 176 and DE-A-199 09 168 relate to hydrogenation catalysts comprising nickel and frequently zirconium on a zirconium-containing support.
In the hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds to form aromatic amino compounds, the catalyst is exposed to a strongly alkaline medium. A catalyst dispersed in the reaction medium is subjected to high mechanical stresses when the reaction mixture is circulated or stirred. It should have a particle size distribution such that it can be both readily dispersed and readily separated off under operating conditions.

Abstract: It is used, in particular, for the hydrogenation of nitroaromatic compounds.