A visual-programming tool processes nodes of a graph corresponding to operations or functions in program code associated with a plurality of programs, (e.g., games), stored as graph of nodes with logical connections signifying inputs, outputs, and/or units of connected nodes. The visual-programming tool resolves valid types and/or units associated with respective connected nodes and can propagate valid types and/or units throughout the graph.

Visual programming is a method of programming allowing programmers to program using graphical elements rather than text. Visual programming may be useful for users with or without a programming background. Visual programming can include graphical elements, called "nodes," which the programmer can connect together to create a control flow or process. In some cases, a node performs a function and has inputs and outputs (also called "ports"). A simple example is an "Add" node, which can be a node that accepts as input two or more values, performs the function of adding them together, and provides as output the sum of the two or more values. Traditionally in visual programming, when a programmer assigns a type to a node, the node's inputs and an outputs are of classic programming types like int, float, string, bool, etc.
Often programmers will copy and paste existing nodes when creating a new program, and that often introduces errors in conventional visual-programming environments. For example, when creating a new add, the user will copy and paste an existing add.float, an existing add.int, etc., and the programmer will need to create a new add for every applicable type version that was not part of the copied node. This approach requires extensive manual set up and also requires that the programmers know the details of the underlying programming of the node. In conventional visual programming, if a later programmer wants to change an input or output type from a float to an int, for example, the programmer has to modify the existing add.float or delete it and add the add.int version of the node, and has to reconnect (and possibly modify) all of the nodes connecting to the add node to reflect the change in type.
In some instances, programmers may desire a "typeless node" that does not have type defined inputs or output, i.e., a port of the node could accept any type. Typeless nodes can provide a flexibility advantage to the programmer, but the inputs and outputs of typeless nodes must eventually resolve for the program to build. Traditionally, the ports of a typeless node inherited their type from the node being connected to it. For example, if an output port of a first node connected to the input port of a typeless node output a string, the input port for the typeless node would resolve to a string. But, this can present a problem when one typeless node is connected to another typeless node, as there is no type to be inherited and the nodes cannot resolve. Over the course of designing a program, a collection of these issues can create an N2 problem, which can slow program development rather than accelerate it as desired.

Mechanism for information propagation and resolution in graph-based programming languages


Methods of transmitting information relating to a quality of service are shown, which information is to be transmitted in at least one direction between a first device 30 and a second device 20. A first method comprises at least at one of the devices 20, 30 assembling a protocol message containing information other than the information relating to a quality of service and attaching the quality of service related information to the protocol message. A second method comprises forming the information relating to a quality of service inside at least one of a header field and an attribute of a protocol message. The disclosure relates equally to corresponding software codes, devices 20, 30, network elements and systems.

One of a variety of services for which information relating to a quality of this service might have to be transmitted is a streaming class service.
For a streaming class service, a streaming server sends media data via a network to a streaming client such that the media data can be processed at the client side as a steady and continuous stream. An example for a streaming application is an Internet video product. The streaming server can also reside within the network.
Operators of the network or service providers have an interest in being able to evaluate the Quality of Service (QoS) perceived by the user of a streaming client. Currently, a streaming session as defined using the protocols standardized in 3GPP TS 26.234 offers the possibility to know a limited amount of information about the perceived end user quality. Real-Time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) Receiver Reports are transmitted by the client to the server for reporting information on the network behavior, for instance information about packet losses, delay jitter, cumulative highest sequence number received and other information about Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets. In addition, RTCP Sender Reports are transmitted by the server to the client, which contain information about the sender.
However, these reports do not enable a streaming server, or the operator through a streaming server, to obtain any additional information about the perceived QoS from the streaming client, e.g., about the number of corrupted video frames, the duration of rebufferings, the duration of audio gaps, etc. Such information can be conveyed from a streaming client to a streaming server only by extending the current information carried by Real-time Transport Control Protocol (RTCP) reports, RTCP eXtended Reports or RTCP XR packets. Such an extension comprises a set of QoS metrics including information about session set-up and teardown, speech and audio gaps, corrupted video frames, rebuffering and initial buffering, packets lost in a succession and possible other information about session and media transmission.
The IETF RFC 2328 (RTSP specification, April 1998), the IETF RFC 3550 (RTP specification, July 2003) and the draft RTP Control Protocol Extended Reports (RTCP XR, May 2003), for example, enable a streaming client to report information on the received RTP packets, including packet loss fraction, delay jitter, highest sequence number received and sequence of packet losses.
The two documents Draft Rel-6 "PSS Quality Metrics Permanent Document", 3GPP TSG-S4 Meeting #27, Jul. 7-11 2003, Tdoc S4-030562 and in "Stream Quality Metrics—Client metrics", 3GPP TSG-S4 Meeting #26, May 5-9 2003, Tdoc S4-030353 describe additional general issues of QoS metrics in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). The first document describes what information should be sent using 25 different parameters for speech, audio, video, player and network metrics, and what kind of protocol should be used. In addition, the second document defines high-level requirements and technical considerations. The documents define a method where the client calculates the information and sends it to the server when requested. For transport purposes, it is proposed to use a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) GET_PARAMETER message sent from the server to the client, and an RTSP SET_PARAMETER message sent from the client to the server.
These messages are defined in more detail in the document "Streaming quality Metrics—Transport", 3GPP TSG-S4 Meeting #28, 1-5 Sep. 2003, Tdoc S4-030629. It is proposed that an RTSP SET_PARAMETER message is transmitted from the server to the client for triggering the QoS metrics. The client can respond with an RTSP 200 OK message if it accepts to send QoS metrics. The server can then send a description of the QoS metrics session with a further SET_PARAMETER message including a metrics session description METRICS-SETUP, which contains a Range, Period and Sender parameter. Also this message has to be accepted by the client with an RTSP 200 OK message. Alternatively, the server can ask the client to provide a description of the QoS metrics session with a GET_PARAMETER message. Once the QoS metrics session is described and agreed upon, either a client can send the QoS metrics with a SET_PARAMETER message, or the server can retrieve the QoS metrics with a GET_PARAMETER message.
It is a disadvantage of this approach that the three pairs of required messages cause a delay, which may slow down the session setup. The proposed approach may even mix up the setup, since the client may already be sending the first message to acquire the data from the server before receiving the second SET_PARAMETER message.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Transmission of information relating to a quality of service


Disclosed herein is a variable-frequency flyback. The flyback converter comprises a flyback transformer having secondary windings for drive and detection for providing first and second induced voltages induced from an input voltage in first and second turn ratios with a primary winding, respectively, a voltage detector for detecting the second induced voltage, a switching controller for determining, on the basis of a level of the voltage detected by the voltage detector, whether a current load state is the mini load state and outputting a first switching signal according to a result of the determination, a first switch for switching the supply of the second induced voltage in response to the second induced voltage and the first switching signal, and a synchronous rectifier for performing a switching operation depending on a state of the first switch, the synchronous rectifier having its source and drain connected to any one of a voltage output line or ground line connected to the drive secondary winding and its gate connected to the first switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flyback converter for a power supply device, such as a switching mode power supply (SMPS), and more particularly to a variable-frequency flyback converter with a synchronous rectification function which is capable of detecting a secondary voltage of a transformer to determine whether the current load state is a mini load state with a predetermined load or less and preventing backward current from being generated in the mini load state, so as to reduce power consumption in the minim load state, including a no-load state.
2. Description of the Related Art
As well known to those skilled in the art, power supplies are modular power supply devices that convert an external supply voltage into voltages appropriate to various electric appliances such as a computer, a color television (TV), a video cassette recorder (VCR), an exchange and a wireless communication terminal, and act to cut off high frequencies above a commercial frequency using semiconductor switching characteristics to remove damage resulting therefrom.
Such power supplies can be roughly classified into linear power supplies and SMPSs. The SMPSs are more advantageous for miniaturization and higher in efficiency than the linear power supplies so that they can be more appropriate to lightness/smallness of associated electronic products. In this regard, the SMPSs have taken their place as main power supply devices of electronic products since the beginning of the 1990's.
The SMPSs can be variously classified according to the types of circuits and the types of input and output voltage sources. The newest technical one of the circuit types is a resonant type. The most often used ones of the voltage sources are an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter that converts an AC supply voltage of 110V or 220V into a DC voltage of 5 to 48V, and a DC/DC converter that reconverts that DC voltage into a DC voltage of 3.3 to 48V.
These SMPSs are advantageous for lightness and smallness, but have the problem of having to attenuate switching noise and electromagnetic waves occurring in a switching transistor, etc.
Meanwhile, as one of flyback converters for the SMPSs, a variable-frequency flyback converter is used in which a switching frequency for zero-crossing switching varies with a load state. This variable-frequency flyback converter is adapted to detect zero-crossings of secondary current of a flyback transformer and control switching timing of a main switch connected to a primary winding of the transformer in accordance with a result of the detection. The switching frequency of this flyback converter varies with the load state.
That is, if the load is large, the secondary current is large, too. As a result, the zero-crossing time is lengthened, thereby causing the switching frequency to be lowered. On the contrary, if the load is small, the secondary current is small, too. As a result, the zero-crossing time is shortened, so the switching frequency is raised.
However, in a mini load state where the load is minimal, the switching frequency is raised, causing an increase in switching noise. For this reason, in the mini load state, the upper-limit value of the switching frequency is set to a predetermined value, for example, 150 kHz, in order to suppress the increase of the switching noise to a certain degree.
Here, a distinction may be made between the normal load and the mini load on the premise that a load in a standby mode is defined as the mini load. In this case, a load of 3 W or less, including no load, can be defined as the mini load.
Notably, in the mini load state, a discontinuous conducting mode (DCM) period in which no primary current and secondary current flow exists because the upper-limit switching frequency value is set. In the DCM period, a valley is generated due to a resonance by parasitic capacitors of the primary winding and main switch after a voltage across the main switch is transferred to a secondary winding of the flyback transformer. This valley includes a high voltage causing backward current, so there is a need for a scheme to prevent the backward current.
Such a conventional flyback converter for an SMPS is shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional flyback converter.
In FIG. 1, if the gate of a thyristor M1 is turned on, an input voltage is stored in a primary winding of a transformer T. Thereafter, if the gate of the thyristor M1 is turned off, a positive voltage is applied to a negative electrode of an auxiliary secondary winding N1 of the transformer T. This positive voltage is in turn applied to a MOS (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) transistor SR through a diode D1 and resistor R1 to turn it on. As a result, a positive voltage is applied to a negative electrode of a main secondary winding NS of the transformer T to provide an output voltage Vout.
At this time, a current transformer TA detects backward current and, when the backward current is detected, a positive voltage is applied to a negative electrode of a secondary winding of the current transformer TA. This positive voltage is in turn applied to a controllable unit S1 through a resistor R2 to turn it on. As a result, the MOS transistor SR is turned off to block the backward current.
However, the above-mentioned conventional flyback converter can somewhat reduce power consumption because the MOS transistor SR is turned off when the gate of the thyristor M1 is turned on, but has a disadvantage in that the MOS transistor SR still has considerable power consumption in a no-load state.

Variable-frequency flyback converter with synchronous rectification function


A self-aligned gated field emission device and an associated method of fabrication are described. The device includes a substrate and a porous layer disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein the porous layer defines a plurality of substantially cylindrical channels, each of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels aligned substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The device also includes a plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of substantially cylindrical channels defined by the porous layer and adjacent to the surface of the substrate, wherein a portion of each of the plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures protrudes above the surface of the porous layer. The device further includes a gate dielectric layer disposed on the surface of the porous layer, wherein the gate dielectric layer is disposed between the plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures. The device still further includes a conductive layer selectively disposed on the surface of the gate dielectric layer, wherein the conductive layer is selectively disposed between the plurality of substantially rod-shaped structures.

Electron emission devices, such as thermionic emitters, cold cathode field emitters and the like, are currently used as electron sources in x-ray tube applications, flat panel field emission display applications, microwave amplifier applications, electron-beam lithography applications and the like. Typically, thermionic emitters, which operate at relatively high temperatures and allow for relatively slow electronic addressing and switching, are used in x-ray imaging applications. It is desirable to develop a cold cathode field emitter that may be used as an electron source in x-ray imaging applications, such as computed tomography (CT) applications, to improve scan speeds, as well as in other applications. Moreover, applications such as low pressure gas discharge lighting and fluorescent lighting, which are limited by the life of the thermionic emitters that are typically used, will benefit from cold cathode field emitters.
Conventional cold cathode field emitters include a plurality of substantially conical or pyramid-shaped emitter tips arranged in a grid surrounded by a plurality of grid openings, or gates. The plurality of substantially conical or pyramid-shaped emitter tips are typically made of a metal or a metal carbide, such as Mo, W, Ta, Ir, Pt, Mo2C, HfC, ZrC, NbC or the like, or a semiconductor material, such as Si, SiC, GaN, diamond-like C or the like, and have a radius of curvature on the order of about 20 nm. A common conductor, or cathode electrode, is used and a gate dielectric layer is selectively disposed between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode, forming a plurality of micro-cavities around the plurality of substantially conical or pyramid-shaped emitter tips. Exemplary cathode electrode materials include doped amorphous Si, crystalline Si and thin-film metals, such as Mo, Al, Cr and the like. Exemplary gate dielectric layer materials include SiO2, Si3N4 and Al2O3. Exemplary gate electrode materials include Al, Mo, Pt and doped Si. When a voltage is applied to the gate electrode, electrons tunnel from the plurality of substantially conical or pyramid-shaped emitter tips.
The key performance factors associated with cold cathode field emitters include the emitter tip sharpness, the alignment and spacing of the emitter tips and the gates, the emitter tip to gate distance and the emitter tip density. For example, the emitter tip to gate distance partially determines the turn-on voltage of the cold cathode field emitter, i.e. the voltage difference required between the emitter tip and the gate for the cold cathode field emitter to start emitting electrons. Typically, the smaller the emitter tip to gate distance, the lower the turn-on voltage of the cold cathode field emitter and the lower the power consumption/dissipation. Likewise, the emitter tip density affects the footprint of the cold cathode field emitter.
Conventional cold cathode field emitters may be fabricated using a number of methods. For example, the Spindt method, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, may be used (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,665,241, 3,755,704 and 3,812,559). Generally, the Spindt method includes masking one or more dielectric layers and performing a plurality of lengthy, labor-intensive etching, oxidation and deposition steps. Residual gas particles in the vacuum surrounding the plurality of substantially conical or pyramid-shaped emitter tips collide with emitted electrons and are ionized. The resulting ions bombard the emitter tips and damage their sharp points, decreasing the emission current of the cold cathode field emitter over time and limiting its operating life. Likewise, the Spindt method does not address the problem of emitter tip to gate distance. The emitter tip to gate distance is determined by the thickness of the dielectric layer disposed between the two. A smaller emitter tip to gate distance may be achieved by depositing a thinner dielectric layer. This, however, has the negative consequence of increasing the capacitance between the cathode electrode and the gate electrode, increasing the response time of the cold cathode field emitter. One or both of these shortcomings are shared by the other methods for fabricating conventional cold cathode field emitters as well, including the more recent chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) methods (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,266,530, 5,229,331 and 5,372,973) and the more recent ion milling methods (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,391,670 and 6,394,871), all of which produce a plurality of substantially conical or pyramid-shaped emitter tips. Generally, optical lithography and other methods are limited to field openings on the order of about 0.5 microns or larger and emitter tip to gate distances on the order of about 1 micron or larger.
Thus, what is still needed is a simple and efficient method for fabricating a cold cathode field emitter that includes a plurality of emitter tips that are continuously sharp and that are self-aligned with their respective gates. What is also still needed is a method for fabricating a cold cathode field emitter that has a relatively small emitter tip to gate distance, providing a relatively high emitter tip density. This cold cathode field emitter should be suitable for use in x-ray imaging applications, lighting applications, flat panel field emission display applications, microwave amplifier applications, electron-beam lithography applications and the like.

Self-aligned gated rod field emission device and associated method of fabrication


A receiver receives a multiplex broadcasting wave of a terrestrial wave and a satellite wave and executes AGC. As for the terrestrial wave, only a frequency band of the terrestrial wave is extracted by a filter for the terrestrial wave, and the AGC on the terrestrial wave side is executed through an AGC loop for the terrestrial wave. As for the satellite wave, the frequency band including the terrestrial wave and the satellite wave is extracted by the filter for the satellite wave, and the AGC is executed based on the signal. As a result, the AGC on the satellite wave side is affected by a receiving condition variation of the terrestrial wave. By a frequency-analysis of the terrestrial wave signal, the receiving condition of the terrestrial wave is analyzed. According to the analyzed result, an AGC adjusting quantity on the satellite wave side is determined and the AGC on the satellite wave side is adjusted by the adjusting quantity. Thereby, the effects on the satellite wave side by the receiving condition of the terrestrial wave signal may be reduced or eliminated, and appropriate AGC can be executed to the satellite wave.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to receiving technique of digital multiplex broadcasting.
2. Description of Related Art
As to satellite broadcasting for a movable body, a terrestrial wave is transmitted by means of a terrestrial wave repeater for a satellite wave interpolation, in addition to a satellite wave transmitted from a satellite. In this case, a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) signal is utilized for the satellite wave. On the other hand, since the terrestrial wave requires a multiplex system, the multiplex systems such as an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Modulation) and a CDM (Code Division Multiplexing) are utilized for the terrestrial wave. As a result, both the satellite wave and the terrestrial wave of which systems are different are mixed, and a receiver receives a multiplex signal of a satellite wave and a terrestrial wave.
Generally, a receiver includes an AGC (Auto Gain Control) circuit which controls gain of a received signal, and such a receiver that receives the multiplex wave is formed to separately execute an AGC for each of broadcasting systems. Namely, the receiver separately executes the AGC to the broadcasting wave by a terrestrial wave digital broadcasting (hereafter it is called "terrestrial wave") and the broadcasting wave by a satellite broadcasting (hereafter it is called "satellite wave") through separate AGC circuits. Specifically, the receiver separately detects a signal level of each system from the multiplex signal, generates the AGC signal and separately executes the AGC. Accordingly, the receiver demodulates the received signal of each system, mixes both signals and supplies them to a decoder.
FIG. 1A shows frequency bands of the satellite wave and the terrestrial wave. Generally, the satellite wave is located neighboring to the terrestrial wave on a frequency axis in many cases. An example in FIG. 1A is the case of a certain system, in which the satellite waves are located neighboring on both sides of the terrestrial wave on the frequency axis. As for the terrestrial wave, the receiver extracts only terrestrial wave signals through a filter for the terrestrial wave which has a pass frequency band PB1 corresponding to a terrestrial wave frequency band. On the other hand, as to the satellite wave, if filters which each frequency band of the satellite wave passes through are separately prepared, a cost of the whole receiver will increase because the filters for plural frequency bands are needed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1A, it is common that the filter for the satellite wave having a pass frequency band PB2 which the frequency band including both the terrestrial wave and the satellite wave can pass through are utilized in order to cut down the cost of a front-end of the receiver.
Since the satellite wave is transmitted from an artificial satellite, its electric field strength is small and the satellite wave is received at a roughly constant level. On the contrary, the electric field strength of the terrestrial wave is considerably varied in accordance with a range from a transmitting antenna to a receiving point. FIGS. 1A to 1C show varying examples of a received signal spectrum according to the range from the terrestrial wave antenna. As shown in FIG. 1A, a terrestrial wave component level of the multiplex wave which is received at a near range from the terrestrial wave antenna is large. However, as shown in FIG. 1B, the terrestrial wave component level of the multiplex wave which is received at a middle range from the terrestrial wave antenna is not so large. As shown in FIG. 1C, the terrestrial wave component level of the multiplex wave which is received at a far range from the terrestrial wave antenna is very small. Like those, though the signal level of the satellite wave is comparatively stable, the signal level of the terrestrial wave varies considerably dependently on the range from the transmitting antenna. Further, as to the terrestrial wave, effects of a fading and a multipath are also added to the signal level by surroundings. Accordingly, the signal level of the terrestrial wave is quite variable in comparison with that of the satellite wave.
As described above, in the case that a filter passing all frequency bands is utilized as the filter for the satellite wave as shown in FIG. 1A, an AGC circuit for the satellite wave executes the AGC based on the received signal in the frequency band including the terrestrial wave. Thereby, a problem described below can happen.
In the case of this example, since the satellite waves are located on both sides of the terrestrial wave, the terrestrial wave level is larger than the satellite wave level at the near range from the terrestrial wave antenna as shown in FIG. 1A. Therefore, in accordance with a large level of the terrestrial wave signal, the AGC circuit for the satellite wave executes the AGC in order not to generate a distortion of the level by a saturation of the terrestrial wave signal. Thus, the attenuation is also carried out to the satellite wave signals. As a result, the satellite wave which essentially needs to be received is also attenuated, and receiving the satellite wave may be difficult.
Also, as explained above, the terrestrial wave is easily affected by the fading and the multipath by the surroundings. Once the terrestrial wave level becomes unstable by the effects of the fading and the multipath, the AGC circuit for the satellite wave performs gain adjustment according to the variation. As a result, it sometimes happens that the level of the satellite wave cannot be controlled accurately.


An improved system for checking for segmentation violations counts the total number of bytes accessed from the control segment following a control transfer operation. If the count indicates that a part of an instruction is fetched from outside the control segment a limit exception occurs.

Segmentation of memory is utilized in some processors to organize the virtual address space into a logical structure that resembles the user's view of memory. Segment sizes can conform to the size of logical procedures and modules utilized in block structured languages such as Pascal and C. Accordingly, segments differ from pages because they are not of fixed length.
A logical address comprises a portion specifying a segment number and an effective address portion specifying an offset into the segment. The segment number is utilized to access a segment descriptor in a segment table. The segment descriptor includes the real base address of the segment and a limit value defining the size of the segment.
In microprocessors such as the Intel 80386 the program instructions are stored in a control segment of memory and a fetch of an instruction from outside the control segment, i.e., a segmentation violation, could cause a serious program malfunction. Accordingly, the addresses of fetched instructions must be checked to determine whether the addresses are included in the control space.
In the 80386 the translation from a logical address to a physical address is done by a Segmentation Unit. While it translates, the Segmentation Unit checks for segmentation violations.
One method of checking for segmentation violations is to use a comparator for processing in parallel the number of bits necessary to determine whether the offset specified by the effective address is greater than the limit number in the descriptor. If the limit number is 2.sup.n then the comparator must compare two n-bit numbers to check for segmentation violations.
A substantial saving in the amount of logic required in the segmentation unit results if a smaller comparator can be utilized for limit checking.

System for detecting boundary cross-over of instruction memory space using reduced number of address bits


A washing machine includes; a cabinet forming an external appearance and having an open upper portion; a reservoir hanging within the cabinet and allowing washing water to be put therein; a washing tub rotatably disposed within the reservoir and accommodating the laundry; and a spray nozzle spraying washing water into the washing tub such that one boundary of sprayed washing machine reaches a side wall of the washing tub and the other boundary of the sprayed washing water reaches the bottom of the washing tub, wherein the spray nozzle includes: a tube part forming a passage along which washing water is introduced; and a spray part connected with the tube part to spray washing water and disposed such that a spray face against which washing water discharged from the tube part splashes is bent at a certain angle with respect to a discharge direction of the tube part. The laundry can be effectively wet by increasing a spray range of washing water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a washing machine and, more particularly, to a washing machine capable of simultaneously spraying washing water to a side wall and bottom of a washing tub to effectively rinse the laundry.
2. Description of the Related Art
A washing machine generally refers to various devices for processing the laundry by applying a physical and chemical action to the laundry, such as a laundry machine for detaching a contaminant from the clothes, bedclothes, and the like, (referred to as the 'laundry', hereinafter) by using a chemical decomposition operation between water and a detergent and a physical operation such as friction between water and the laundry, a dryer for spin-drying the wet laundry; and a refresher for spraying (or spraying) heated stem to the laundry to prevent an allergy due to the laundry, and simply washing the laundry.
The washing machine is divided into an agitator type washing machine, a drum type washing machine, and a pulsator type washing machine depending on their structure and washing method. The washing machine washes the laundry by sequentially performing a washing course, a rinsing course, and a spin-drying course. In this case, only a certain course, among the courses, may be performed according to a user selection, and the laundry may be washed according to a proper washing method based on the type of the laundry.
However, the related art washing machine performs washing such that washing water is supplied toward the bottom of a washing tub and, as the supplied washing water fills the washing tub, the laundry is wet. Thus, in order to wet all the laundry, water must be supplied as high the laundry, causing a problem in that an excessive amount of washing water is consumed. In particular, recently, in the washing machine, the washing tub rotates at a high speed to perform spin-drying in the course of the washing process, and wash is supplied to rinse the laundry after spin-drying. At this time, the laundry cling to the side wall of the washing tube due to the high speed rotation of the washing tub, and in order to rinse the clinging laundry, washing water must be supplied as high as the position whether the laundry cling, resulting in consumption of an excessive amount of washing water. In particular, because the process is intermittently repeated during the washing process, further increasing the amount of consumed washing water.


An anion generating device includes an outer housing formed with air inlet and outlets as well as a heat exchanging space, a fan unit disposed in the heat exchanging space, an anion generator operable so as to generate anions near a discharge electrode unit thereof disposed between the air outlet of the outer housing and an air outlet of the fan unit, and a power control unit disposed in a receiving space in the outer housing for supplying electrical power to each of the fan unit and the anion generator by means of electrical energy converted from solar power by a solar power collecting plate mounted on a heat conductive top wall of the outer housing. The anions are impelled by air expelled by the fan unit to move outwardly of the outer housing via the air outlet of the outer housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an anion generating device, more particularly to an anion generating device utilizing solar power.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional anion generating device typically utilizes an alternating current power or a battery set as a power source. The situation where the alternating current power is accidentally cut or the stored electrical power of the battery set is used up, leads to inconvenience during use.

Anion generating device utilizing solar power


A method and apparatus for the detection of trace constituents in inert gases. Three modes of operation of the said invention are most preferred. In the first embodiment, a dielectric barrier discharge cell receives an inert gas, excites the gas, and the gas is then allowed to mix with additional gas in which the constituent to be measured is entrained. Energy is then passed from the excited states of the inert gas to the analytes of interest creating charged analytes of interest which are then measured through the use of commercial electrometers. In a second embodiment, the dielectric barrier discharge device receives the analyte entrained within the inert gas and the gas and, in some cases, the analytes are excited. The excited species then pass on and any resulting ionized species are then detected through the use of an electrometer. In the third embodiment, the analyte is entrained within the inert gas in the presence of a second gaseous constituent, reacts with the gaseous constituent, and then passes on to a thermionic emitting source. The altered constituent is then selectively ionized by the thermionic source and this ion is measured by an electrometer.

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to methods of analyzing trace constituents present in inert gases and, more particularly, the measurement of trace analytes through the use of a dielectric barrier discharge. Still more particularly, it relates to the analysis of trace constituents which have become excited by their collision with an excited inert gas, the inert gas having been elevated to an excited state by its passage through a dielectric barrier discharge. The dielectric barrier discharge is formed from the application of high voltage alternating current to two electrodes placed in opposition separated by a dielectric material.
2. Background Art
The need to measure trace analytes is nearly the raison d'etre for analytical chemistry. Whether the analytes are impurities which may affect an etching process in a semiconductor plant or they are trace levels of health-affecting pesticides in drinking water, the need to measure these analytes at low levels is very important. In view of these needs, new methods of determining trace level analytes are of growing importance.
Many different techniques have been identified for the measurement of trace analytes in inert gases. Capelle et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,951, Taylor et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,612, Ault, U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,863, and Dodge, III et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,187, all disclose methods of spectroscopically measuring trace analytes in an inert gas through the use of various excitation sources. Dodge, III et al., details a process where a dielectric barrier discharge at low pressure is utilized to form metastable states of nitrogen which are then used to spectroscopically determine various metallic analytes such as zinc and mercury by their respective emission lines. Monagle et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/516,838, discloses a process wherein a dielectric barrier discharge plasma is used to oxidize halogenated hydrocarbons into their respective acid species which are subsequently measured. Scott et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,862 and Simpson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,695, both disclose mechanisms for generating ionization within argon. Scott utilizes a thermal effect while Simpson discloses a means of ionizing argon using an ultraviolet source and a photoemissive element. These ionization processes are described as a means of creating metastable state species in argon in order to selectively ionize other constituents of interest. Stearns et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,394,091 and 5,317,271, disclose a method of analyzing trace species in a gas stream using the ionization of the species through a charge transfer mechanism after it has come in contact with helium that has been put into an excited state. This excited state is obtained by a controlled, direct current (DC), pulsed spark discharge across two metal electrodes. The discharge is generated for a discrete time period as controlled by the circuitry identified in the patents identified. The balance of the time is spent with the discharge off, a state in which no additional excitation or ionization is taking place directly in the electrode path.
The methods identified above as well as the commercially available methods of doing the same have several drawbacks. To measure emission lines requires the support of a photomultiplier tube. Photomultiplier tubes yield the lowest noise at lower temperatures but chromatographic applications typically require the use of high temperatures to prevent analyte condensation. The methods identified by Simpson and Scott et al. will only yield limited quantities of ionized species which limits the linear range of detection. The use of exposed electrodes, as described by Wentworth et al. exposes the electrodes to contamination which will limit the useful operating life-time of the discharge system. Flame ionization based mechanisms, while they have been in use for many years, require several supporting gases and can, by their very nature, provide an ignition safety concern.
Accordingly, the need exists for a method of detecting trace constituents sensitively, with a large linear dynamic range, and with a simple and convenient apparatus. An additional capability to selectively identify materials is further desired.

Trace constituent detection in inert gases


A method and apparatus is provided for synchronizing clock signals. The method includes receiving a first reference clock signal, generating a second clock signal, modifying the second clock signal to synchronize a first feedback input clock signal with the first reference clock signal, and modifying the second clock signal to synchronize a second feedback input clock signal with a second reference clock signal. The apparatus includes a phase aligning device having a first reference clock input adapted to receive a first reference clock signal, a first feedback input, and an output. A fixed delay device is coupled between the output of the phase aligning device and the first feedback input of the phase aligning device. A slave loop is coupled to the output of the phase aligning device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computer system clocks, and, more particularly, to synchronizing clock signals using a slave variable delay loop.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modem high performance computer systems comprise a plurality of electrical devices such as processors and memory controllers that are typically controlled by derivatives of a common reference clock signal. The reference clock signals must be synchronized at locations within the system, if the system is to function optimally. However, even though the individual reference clock signals may have a common source, they often do not arrive at their intended destination in proper synchronism due to flight time mismatches. For example, the electrical devices receiving the clock signal may be located at various distances from the common reference clock, causing the reference clock signals to reach the electrical devices at different times.
Synchronization involves aligning the clock edges (i.e. "de-skewing" or matching phases) of an on-chip receiver clock signal with a reference clock signal. Conventionally, a phase-lock loop (PLL) or a delay-lock loop (DLL) are utilized to align the edges of a receiver (or a driver) clock signal with a reference clock signal. Both PLLs and DLLs are well known in the art and, thus, their structure and operation will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art.
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art method that utilizes PLLs 5,10 to align a first and second feedback input clock signals (also known as the channel 1 and 2 clock signals, respectively) 12,14 with the respective reference clock signals 15,20. As shown, a common source clock 25 generates the reference clock signals 26,28 that are coupled to the respective left and the right memory channels 30,35, which, for example, may be channels of a bank of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips. The left memory channel 30 is coupled to a first input/output (I/O) channel 40 of a device (i.e. a memory controller, for instance) 45, while the right memory channel 35 is coupled to a second I/O channel 50 of the device 45.
Because of the flight time mismatches, it is possible for the reference clock signal 26 and the reference clock signal 28 to be out of phase with respect of each other when they arrive at the device 45. For clarity, a left reference clock signal 15 is denoted to represent the reference clock signal 26 after it propagates through the left memory channel 30 and arrives at the first channel 40 of the device 45. Likewise, a right reference clock signal 20 represents the reference clock signal 28 at the second channel 50 of the device 45. The left and right reference clock signals 15,20 are input into the first I/O channel 40 and second I/O channel 50, respectively, and are further coupled to the input terminals of the respective PLLs 5,10.
The PLLs 5,10 typically include a phase detector (not shown) and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (not shown) that generates a receiver clock signal 52,54. The phase detector of the PLLs 5,10 compares the phase of the channel 1 and channel 2 clock signals 12,14 with the phase of the respective reference clock signals 15,20. The output of the phase detector is then used to control the VCO, which generates a clock signal 52,54 so that the channel 1 and channel 2 clock signals 12,14 are substantially aligned with the respective reference clock signals 15,20. Once this phase alignment has occurred, the phase relationship between the reference clock signals 15,20 and the respective channel 1 and channel 2 clock signals 12,14 is referred to as being "locked." It is possible to have a plurality of clock buffers 60, 65 in a feedback loop of the PLLs 5,10.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that DLLs (not shown) can be utilized in lieu of the PLLs 5,10 in FIG. 1. A DLL differs from a PLL 5,10 in that a voltage controlled delay (VCD) (not shown) is used instead of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) (not shown). Like the PLL 5,10, the DLL is capable of receiving two input signals and then "locking" the phases of the two signals.
While both PLL 5,10 and DLL (not shown) are capable of synchronizing the phases of the channel 1 and channel 2 clock signals 12,14 with the respective phases of the reference clock signals 15,20, they still suffer from several shortcomings. A PLL 5,10 and DLL not only require substantial amounts of power for operation but also require a large estate (i.e. die size) on the device 45. The limited amount of power and space available on a device 45 becomes especially critical in situations where the device 45 has multiple input/output channels 40,50, where each I/O channel 40,50 requires a PLL 5,10 or DLL to synchronize the incoming reference clock signal 15,20 with a receiver clock signal. Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for synchronizing clock signals that demand less power and can be housed on a smaller die.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Circuit interface synchronization using slave variable delay loop


An improvement in a chemical delivery system for a plunger lift for enhancing oil and gas recovery in a well having a well head and which employs a plunger includes a chamber communicably connected to a top of the well head and operably disposed thereon and including a ball check valve device which controls communication between a first section which receives chemicals therein for delivery into the well and a second section which communicates chemicals from the first section to a plunger in the well, and means for retaining the ball valve in one of an open position and a closed position as a function of the well being shut in.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to apparatus for increasing oil and gas recovery. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention relates to improvements in chemical delivery system for a plunger lift used in wells.
2. Related Art
In the recovery of oil from oil-bearing reservoirs, it is often possible to recover only a portion of the oil contained in the underground formation by the so-called primary recovery methods which utilize the natural forces present in the reservoir. Thus, a variety of enhanced recovery techniques, so-called secondary or tertiary recovery have been employed in order to increase the recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs.
The inventor or the instant invention provided an improvement in the field by providing apparatus for increasing oil and gas recovery in a well by enhancing oil and gas flow therein. In that invention, the apparatus includes a delivery mechanism which has chamber and valve mechanism for automatically delivering a flow enhancing substance to a head of the well and further included a plunger which includes a storage compartment with a valve for automatically receiving the flow enhancing substance from the delivery mechanism at the well head and releasing the flow enhancing substance upon reaching a lower portion of the well.
The prior invention was an improvement over chemical activated oil and gas flow enhancing liquids and sticks, such as soaps, which are commonly known to reduce scale, paraffin and the viscosity of the fluids in the well and thus increase production of oil and gas recovery. The prior invention was thought to be more economical or practical due to a reduction in manual intervention, additional equipment and costs associated therewith.
While the inventor provided improvement over the art, there remains a need to improve upon the delivery system. The current invention provides an improvement over the same.

Chemical delivery system for plunger lift


Techniques and tools are described for providing actionable communication reminders. For example, an item representing an original communication is displayed and a command to set up a reminder to respond to the original communication is accepted. The reminder is set up and, at a later time, is displayed. An input mechanism that can be actuated to respond to the communication may be provided at the later time. As another example, a suggested time to display the reminder and suggested contact information for responding to the original communication are displayed while setting up a reminder.

Mobile communication devices, such as personal desktop assistants, contemporary mobile telephones, hand-held computers, tablet personal computers, laptop personal computers, wearable computers and the like are becoming popular user tools. In general they have become small enough to be extremely convenient, while consuming less battery power, and at the same time have become capable of running more powerful applications. Such communication devices are often used to keep a user updated with current information by notifying the user of incoming messages. Such messages include audio messages such as telephone calls or voicemail, and textual messages such as e-mail, SMS messages, and instant messages.
Often a user of a mobile communication device receives a message (such as an e-mail or a missed telephone call), which needs attention. However, the user cannot always respond at the time the message is received. While the user could remind herself to respond by creating a task on the mobile device, sending herself an e-mail as a reminder, creating a calendar appointment, or writing a note on paper, these options are typically inefficient for the user. This is particularly true on mobile devices where text entry is difficult, such as many mobile telephones.


An apparatus and method for the reduction of gate leakage in deep sub-micron metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors, especially useful for those used in a cross coupled static random access memory (SRAM) cell, is disclosed. In accordance with the invention, the active element of the SRAM cell is used to reduce the voltage on the gate of its transistor without impacting the switching speed of the circuit. Because the load on the output of the inverter is fixed, a reduction in the gate current is optimized to minimize the impact on the switching waveform of the memory cell. An active element formed by two materials with different Fermi potentials is used as a rectifying junction or diode. The rectifying junction also has a large parallel leakage path, which allows a finite current flow when a signal of opposite polarity is applied across this device.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to gate leakage of MOS devices. More specifically, the invention relates to the reduction of gate leakage in MOS memory cells.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In the semiconductor manufacturing world the leading manufacturing processes are based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices. The CMOS technology is in constant advancement, particularly by scaling down line widths, i.e., the minimal feature size for a given manufacturing technology, typically referred to as a process node. The decrease in feature size allows for improved performance of a CMOS device, evidenced by increased speed, reduced area, and increased functionality contained in a single chip. As line widths shrink it is generally observed that chip sizes are actually increasing. This happens because more functionality is packed onto these chips. Power dissipation is therefore one of the most pertinent problems of CMOS technology.
As the minimum feature size of a technology node is reduced so is the thickness of the gate oxide thickness as well as the power supply. The reduction of the power supply voltage is done to reduce the electrical field that develops across the oxide. For example, a typical 0.35 micron line width requires a power supply of 3.3V and gate oxide thickness of 70 Å; while in a 0.25 micron line width requires a 2.5V power supply and a 40 Å gate oxide thickness. Further reduction of the line width, for example to 90 nano-meters, requires the reduction of the power supply voltage to less than 1.0V and a further reduction of the gate oxide thickness. At these thicknesses of the gate oxide, significant tunneling current across the oxide is recorded. With the next generation of technology scaling to 65 nano-meters, a gate oxide thickness of less than 20 Å is used and the power supply voltage is further reduced to 0.7V. At this process node there is already recorded an extremely high level of gate current, causing concern that it has the potential of limiting the functionality of the CMOS technology.
It is known in the art that many solutions for reducing the gate current leakage are being sought, including the use of high dielectric constant insulators. However, no single solution has matured to provide production worthiness. A person skilled-in-the-art would further note that the problem caused by high leakage current through the gate oxide is found to be more severe in memory cells as compared to standard CMOS logic. In view of the limitations of the prior art, it would be advantageous to provide a solution to limit the gate current of CMOS transistors. It would be further advantageous if such a solution would be useful for the transistors used in memory cells, such as SRAM cells.

Apparatus and method for reducing gate leakage in deep sub-micron MOS transistors using semi-rectifying contacts


Provided are SNP panels and methods that employ SNP panels for predicting prostate cancer-specific mortality in a human patient. Exemplary SNP panels presented herein comprise one or more of the SNPs designated rs1137100, rs228697, rs2839685, rs1799814, rs627839, rs5993891, rs635261, rs11710277, rs11205, rs2494750, rs4608577, rs4645959, rs1799964, rs25487, rs2308327, rs915927, rs2070874, rs1029153, rs12467911, rs10778534, rs523349, and rs4583514 and are exemplified by SNP panels comprising variant alleles in one or more of the SNPs designated rs1137100, rs2070874, rs10778534, rs627839, and rs5993891.

Technical Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates, generally, to the fields of genetic epidemiology, cancer biology and oncology. More specifically, provided herein are SNPs and SNP panels for predicting prostate cancer-specific mortality (PCSM) and methods for predicting prostate cancer-specific mortality that employ the presently disclosed SNPs and SNP panels.


The invention relates to a combustion recess in the head of a piston for a diesel engine, the piston being provided with a cooling duct optionally existing in the form of a cooled ring carrier. This combustion recess has, in the radially outer edge area, an undercut which is formed such that the radially outer delimitation of the combustion recess is situated sufficiently near the cooling duct so that the cooling duct has a cooling effect upon the combustion recess.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a combustion bowl in the crown of a piston for a diesel engine having a ring-shaped cooling channel disposed in the radially outer edge region of the piston on the piston crown side, whereby the combustion bowl as well as its bowl neck are disposed outside of the center relative to the longitudinal piston axis.
In a diesel engine with direct injection, combustion of the fuel/air mixture generally takes place in a combustion bowl that is formed into the crown of the piston of the diesel engine. It is known, in this connection, to provide the radially outer edge region of the combustion bowl with an undercut. A torque curve that is constant in a broad rpm range of the diesel engine in question was already mentioned as an advantage of this in the German patent document No. 721889. According to the German laying-open document 1055873, the cause of this lies in the swirling caused by the undercut, and an accompanying improvement in the evaporation of the fuel injected into the combustion bowl.
2. The Prior Art
A piston for a diesel engine is known from the European patent document EP 105 933, having a combustion bowl disposed outside of the center, into the radially outer edge region of which fuel is injected by way of several injection openings or fuel nozzle. To improve the swirling and therefore the evaporation of the fuel, the piston has a plurality of recesses uniformly distributed over the edge region.
The cited state of the art has the disadvantage that because of the combustion of the fuel/air mixture, the radially outer edge of the combustion bowl, in particular, is exposed to very great temperature stress, which can result in damage of the combustion bowl.
In the German utility model DE 80 26 159, it is suggested to provide a cooling channel between the edge of a combustion bowl disposed in the center, and the piston crown edge, in order to solve this problem. If the piston known from the prior art last mentioned is supposed to be used in a two-valve engine, in which the fuel nozzles is disposed next to the inlet and outlet valve lying symmetrical to the piston axis, i.e. outside of the center relative to the longitudinal piston axis, it is advantageous if the combustion bowl is also disposed outside of the center relative to the longitudinal piston axis, so that the fuel can be injected into the combustion bowl by the fuel nozzle, without problems.
In this connection, there is the problem that there is no room for a cooling channel between the top land of the piston and the edge region of the combustion bowl disposed outside of the center that lies closest to the top land, so that at least in this region, the cooling channel must be disposed farther away from the piston crown, in the boss region of the piston. This has the disadvantage that in this region, the edge of the combustion bowl, the bowl neck, and also the compression ring groove, which is subject to very great thermal stress, are cooled poorly and run the risk of being damaged. Another disadvantage in this connection is that the cooling channel, which furthermore lies very close to the piston crown, assumes a slanted position relative to the longitudinal piston axis, and this results in production technology problems.
Finally, the problem occurs, in this connection, that the distance between the part of the cooling channel disposed in the edge region of the piston crown and the edge region of the combustion bowl that is disposed outside of the center, which lies at a distance from the former, becomes so great that cooling of this edge region of the combustion bowl is also impaired.

Combustion bowl in the crown of a piston for a diesel engine


A method is for providing decision-supporting data. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving photon-counting computed tomography data relating to an examination region; determining a location of a thrombus in the examination region, based on the photon-counting computed tomography data received; generating the decision-supporting data, relating to at least one of the thrombus and a vascular wall in a region of the thrombus, based on the photon-counting computed tomography data received and the location of the thrombus determined; and providing the decision-supporting data generated.

An essential criterion for a therapeutic decision in a case of ischemic stroke is the time that has passed since the stroke occurred. In a time-window of a plurality of hours after the onset of the stroke and damage to the brain tissue that does not exceed a certain level, a drug for example (e.g. rt-PA) can be administered intravenously to dissolve the vascular occlusion (also referred to below as a clot). In addition, in particular for large vessels, there is also the option to carry out a mechanical thrombectomy, in other words a mechanical re-opening.
Criteria for a therapy are in particular the closure of a large cerebral artery and also the detection of what is known as tissue at risk, i.e. under threat of dying off. At the same time, the volume of the infarct core, i.e. of the irreversibly damaged brain tissue, is not disproportionately large compared with the tissue at risk. The risk can be determined from the representation of the penumbra (reduced blood supply in the tissues without cell death being induced), of the infarct core and of the regularly perfused brain tissue.
Only when a sufficiently large amount of tissue is present that does in fact have a reduced blood supply but has a normal blood supply once the blood flow is restored and at the same time the infarct core is sufficiently small, treatment is indicated either in the form of drug-based lysis therapy or a mechanical thrombectomy.
In every kind of treatment, bleeding into the infarct core presents a significant risk to the patient. This comes about due to the fact that, in areas with reduced perfusion or which are no longer supplied with blood, the vascular wall becomes friable and is no longer able to withstand the high blood pressure that arises to restore perfusion after treatment. The risk of this increases with the time since the onset of the stroke. Furthermore, in the context of a mechanical thrombectomy, the injury to the vascular wall presents a further risk to the patient, as a result of which the blood seeps into the infarct core.

Method and data processing system for providing decision-supporting data


A module for use in a pipeline and a novel cleaning stud useable with the module. The module includes a body defining at least two cavities having certain dimensions, or defining a plurality of passages each for receiving a portion of one of the novel cleaning studs and defining at least one cavity within the body for providing a seating surface for engaging a lower catch on the stud.

Piping systems including fired heaters in process plants accumulate deposits which are difficult, time consuming, and expensive to remove. Hydrocarbon-based process fluids are heated in fired heaters to temperatures at which carbon tends to bake onto the pipe walls in extremely hard deposits. These deposits choke down the pipe diameter, requiring extra pumping effort. They also create an undesirable insulation effect in heat transfer equipment and fired heaters. The extra energy required to overcome these resistances to heat transfer and flow increases process costs and can lead to equipment damage and piping rupture. The cleaning process is generally complicated by numerous bends, valves, manifolds, diameter changes, and other variations in the pipe layout.
Fired heaters are often constructed with plugged headers at regular intervals. These plugged headers join parallel sections of straight pipe to create a serpentine flow path as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,042 by Sims et al. which discloses a specially-dimensioned cleaning module, also referred to as a pig, for traversing plugged headers. Within the plugged headers, the cross sectional shape of the pipe typically changes from round to rectangular or oval and back to round.
Any technique for cleaning these piping systems and fired heater systems must have the ability to remove the deposit from varying geometries, maintain its integrity as it travels and conforms to the changes, yet leave the pipe walls undamaged. Any cleaning efficiencies that can be gained in terms of speed, cost, or effectiveness are advantageous.
The practice of using pigs in pipelines to separate or displace products is well established. Likewise there are a wide variety of devices to clean straight runs of pipe. It is only recently that pigs have been developed to clean hard deposits from piping systems containing multiple direction changes, diameter changes, and other variations in pipe geometry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,302 by Sivacoe, for example, shows a cylindrical, low-density polymer-based pig with molded-in receptacles having cleaning studs which are screwed into the receptacles. The molding of a Sivacoe pig requires a complicated and time-consuming positioning of numerous receptacles within the mold prior to forming the pig. After the pig body is formed, further time is expended when the pig is assembled by threading each stud into one of the receptacles. The receptacles create voids which weaken the structure of the pig so that the pig has a tendency to separate along lines from receptacle to receptacle. The size and therefore holding power of the receptacles is limited by the voids or discontinuities that they create in the pig body. As the receptacles are made larger and therefore closer together, the tendency for separation increases. When the pig is subjected to the loads of cleaning, these receptacles are sometimes pulled entirely out of the pig body.
Other methods of attaching cleaning studs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,073 by Sagawa in which a barb is pressed into a foam bodied pig, or U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,771 by Knapp in which a foam body is cast directly around the stud. In both of these cases, the holding power of the cleaning studs is limited by the low resistance of the foam body.
Sivacoe discloses one type of hollow end in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,265,302 and 5,358,573 which are flared and extend into the pig by only a moderate distance. The primary structure of the Sivacoe pig is a solid cylindrical body. Another pig having a more pronounced hollow end is the Uraflex III pig available from Ura-Flex Manufacturing, Granbury, Tex. The hollow ends are not designed to support or engage a cleaning stud according to the present invention. Instead, the intent of the Sivacoe and Ura-Flex hollow ends is to provide a sealing action for the pig when it is hydraulically driven.
A pig designed to clean fired heaters or complicated piping systems must have sufficient flexibility to negotiate short radius bends, manifolds and headers. It must also have sufficient stiffness to apply a cleaning force against the pipe walls. Existing cleaning pigs are typically cast in a single spherical or cylindrical form. The flexibility of these pigs is typically adjusted by varying the density of the material of construction such as a polyurethane foam. Conventional understanding dictates that a solid cylindrical or spherical pig formed from a solid (non-foam) elastomer such as polyurethane would be too stiff and would not be economic due to the amount of material used. Knapp in U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,771, column 3, lines 27-30 states that "Foam densities in the range of 10-20 pounds per cubic foot are ordinarily acceptable. Higher densities . . . increase cost to an unacceptable level."

Cleaning module and novel cleaning studs


Underwater power generation for an underwater vessel is provided when the vessel transits through an underwater thermocline. At least a portion of the shell of the vessel is made from a thermally conductive material. Thermo-to-electric energy converters are electrically coupled together with each converter having a first surface thermally coupled to the shell's inner surface. A phase change material is thermally coupled to each opposing second surface of the converters. The phase change material has a phase change temperature that is between the upper and lower temperature extremes of the underwater thermocline's temperature range. The converters generate electrical power as the underwater vessel transits through the underwater thermocline.

Power for some military and civilian underwater vehicles is currently supplied by onboard batteries which have a fixed amount of energy available. Therefore, the duration of an underwater mission powered by batteries is limited by the storage capability of the batteries and the rate of power consumption during the mission.

Underwater power generation using underwater thermocline

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


The invention produces an output signal that maintains a substantially constant period corresponding to a clock signal. An input signal includes a period that is an integer multiple of the period of the clock signal. The timing or phase of the input signal may shift in comparison to the clock signal resulting in jitter. The invention detects and cancels the jitter by varying a delay between the input signal and the output signal. The delay corresponds to an integer multiple of the period of the clock signal such that a substantially constant period is maintained for the output signal. Alternatively, the intended period for the output signal may be adjusted to match a new period when a determination is made that a sufficient difference exists between the new period of the input signal and the intended period.

Often, clock signals having various periods are produced from a master clock signal. The master clock signal may be generated by a phase-locked loop circuit or other clock generation circuit. Additional timing signals may then be generated from the master clock signal.
In one example, clock signals having different periods provide a variety of signals for producing an image on a screen. These signals are often phase-aligned with one another to ensure the integrity of the image on the screen. Current examples of these signals include a pixel clock, a horizontal synch signal, a vertical synch signal, as well as others. In certain cases, the master clock signal and the pixel clock signal are the same signal.
In some applications, there may be noise or non-ideal components in a display generation circuit that cause fluctuations in the frequency of one or more of the signals. For example, a horizontal synch signal may be sampled according to the pixel clock to synchronize the horizontal synch signal with the pixel clock. If the horizontal synch signal is sampled at or near its transitions, fluctuations in the frequency may cause the sample to be taken before or after the transition of the horizontal synch signal. Additionally, the sampling clock may be imperfect, also affecting the sampling. Slight variations of the period of an input clock signal may also affect a resulting output clock signal. These imperfections, non-ideal properties, and variations may result in jitter of the display. The jitter may be as severe as to significantly reduce the clarity of the displayed image.

Apparatus and method for a jitter cancellation circuit


A roller ball assembly is provided. The assembly includes a primary roller ball supported by a support element that is composed of a superhard material. The assembly includes a cup defining a cavity within which the support element is positioned. A cap is coupled with the cup and positioned to retain the primary roller ball within the cavity. Also, a cup is disclosed for supporting roller balls. Additionally, disclosed are system and apparatus incorporating the assembly, as well as to methods of making and using the same.

Roller ball assemblies, also known as transfer ball bearings, are employed extensively in material handling and equipment applications. Such applications include but are not limited to: equal load distribution, aerospace & air cargo applications, die-handling, metal manufacturing & fabrication, caster substitution, medical technologies & devices, industrial robotics, downhole drilling tools, downhole wireline operations, downhole coiled tubing operations, downhole completions, military logistics, measuring equipment, guides for small linear motion (e.g., photo copier slides), and transfer of material in clean rooms.
Roller ball assemblies typically include a primary ball supported by a multiplicity of smaller ball bearings in a containing cup. Typical comparative sizes are 1″, or 1¼″, or 1½″ diameter for the primary roller ball and ⅛″ diameter for the support balls. Over time, the primary roller ball and especially the support balls are subject to point loading, surface spalling, corrosion, and fatigue loading, leading to failure of the roller ball assembly. Some precision applications employ primary balls as small as 4.8 mm and appropriately reduced diameter support balls.
FIG. 1 depicts a cross-sectional view of a typical roller ball assembly 100 of the prior art. In assembly 100, primary roller ball 101 is supported by a series of small steel balls 103 within shaped steel cup 102. Primary steel roller ball 101 is retained by cap 105. Assembly 100 also includes small weep holes 104 for clearing liquid or minor debris.
Some assemblies do not employ smaller ball bearings as support for the primary roller ball, but rather use a direct engagement with a cup surface. In order to overcome galling problems, these designs have, in some instances, used coatings or lubricants, which require seals, or alternative roller ball materials, such as silicon nitride, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, or ceramics. Even when coatings or alternative roller ball materials are used, the increased surface contact area of the roller ball with the cup surface increases the coefficient of friction and reduces the free rolling capability of the roller ball.
An additional significant challenge is contamination with debris, hampering the free rolling of the primary roller ball. In the support ball of existing assemblies, debris evacuation openings in the lower cup structure must be small enough to not catch or interfere with the free rolling of the secondary balls. This size limitation of the debris evacuation openings limits their effectiveness in clearing contaminants from the assembly.
Changing out failed or fouled roller ball assemblies is time consuming and disruptive to operations. This can be especially problematic in aerospace, downhole, and military logistics operations where limited access exists or failure impacts mission critical performance.
Information on roller ball bearing assemblies can be found in the "Hudson Bearings Air Cargo Roller Ball Transfers", an undated eight-page brochure, as well as in "Hudson Bearings Air Cargo Roller Ball Transfers Installation and Maintenance Protocols", an undated five-page brochure, both of which are available from the Hudson Bearings website (www.hudsonbearings.com). Of note from these brochures are the 850 lbs. maximum load capacity rating and 400° F. maximum temperature range for heavy duty transfer roller ball assemblies.
An additional reference on the downhole use of roller ball assemblies is U.S. Pat. No. 9,803,432, to Wood et al., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if set out in full.

Roller ball assembly with superhard elements


A method and apparatus for automatically sensing the temperature of a battery during the testing and charging. The method and apparatus can monitor the temperature of the battery, the charger or both. Additionally, a user can be notified when the temperature is at or exceeds a predetermined level. The temperature data is also used to aid in efficiently charging the battery.

Rechargeable batteries are an important source of clean portable power in a wide variety of electrical applications, including automobiles, boats and electric vehicles. Lead-acid batteries are one form of rechargeable battery that are commonly used to start engines, propel electric vehicles, and to act as a source of back-up power when an external supply of electricity is interrupted. While not particularly energy efficient, due to the weight of lead in comparison to other metals, the technology of lead-acid batteries is mature. As a result, the batteries are cheap, reliable, and readily produced and thus, continue to constitute a substantial portion of the rechargeable batteries being produced today.
The ability of lead-acid batteries to deliver large amounts of electrical power is well known, particularly when associated with the starting and powering of motor vehicles. Because the lead-acid batteries can be depleted of power overtime, such as when they are not in use over a period of time, or when a light in a car is left on for an extended period of time, they need to be recharged and tested. A number of battery testers and chargers have thus been developed to charge and test the lead-acid battery.
Most conventional battery charger/tester are equipped to provide multiple charging rates for charging different size batteries. The multiple charging rates are achieved by varying the charging voltage at the battery terminals, generally by changing the transformer primary/secondary winding ratio. An operator manually selects the rate at which the battery should be charged and also the duration of the charge cycle if the charger is equipped with a timer function.
Many defects found in lead-acid batteries and other types of batteries are the result of poor recharging control in conventional chargers. For example, an operator may undercharge or overcharge the battery at a very high rate resulting in the deterioration of the battery. Overcharging a battery wastes energy, reduces the life of the battery, and may permanently damage the battery. Additionally, conventional battery chargers can also include testers with the appropriate gauges in order to determine the current state of charge in a battery, how long and at what rate a particular battery should be charged, whether it is safe to charge the battery, and whether the battery is capable of accepting a charge.
Once the battery charger/tester is in operation, the operator must return to check the status of the battery to ensure that the battery is charging properly. Because conventional battery requires actual visual inspection of the gauges, the operator can waste valuable time and money to inspect all the batteries that are currently being charged instead of generating money by working on other projects.
During the charging period of the battery, temperature of the battery is an indicator as to how successfully the battery is accepting the charge. Different batteries accept the charge in a number of different ways. For example, some batteries heat up beyond a normal range. Anything beyond this normal range is an indication that the battery is not accepting the charge in an efficient manner. There is a need for a battery/charge tester to include a temperature sensing device, which monitors the device throughout the entire processing charging and testing process. There is a further need to provide the collected temperature data back to the charger to enable it to adjust the charge/test rate of the battery based upon this data.

Apparatus and method for determining the temperature of a charging power source


A non-sticky water-based coating material in the form of a film applied to the face of a circuit board that is loaded with electronic parts; which comes into contact with the outside environment. The coating material can be formed into the film at room temperature without using a coalescence, does not contain a solvent and forms a membrane having flexibility, low Young's modulus, favorable adhesive properties, moisture resistance and insulating properties. Specifically, the non-sticky water-based conformal coating material includes a resin wherein a flexible acrylic resin having glass transition temperature of at most 0° C. is the main chain and a vinyl polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least 20° C. is grafted to the flexible acrylic resin; the content of the vinyl polymer being 10 to 70% by weight based on the flexible acrylic resin.

The present invention relates to a conformal coating material (hereinafter referred to as coating material) that forms an insulating moisture-proof membrane, in which cracking and peeling from the substrate tend not to occur and which does not apply excessive stress to the lead pin of electronic parts.
Due to widespread use of computers, circuit boards loaded with electronic parts have come to be used in household electric products and automobiles. Also, solvent coating materials having moisture resistance and insulating properties have come to be applied, in order to protect circuit boards from sudden temperature change, humidity, water and dust.
In recent years, along with increase in social awareness regarding environmental problems, a coating material has been developed, in which ethyl acetate, methyl acetate and butyl acetate are used instead of aromatic hydrocarbon solvents such as toluene and xylene, which are high in toxicity (see JP-A-2002-146266). However, this coating material lets out a great deal of solvent when applied and therefore, has many problems such as danger of fire, foul odor generated by the evaporated solvent and health management of workers to poisoning. Furthermore, depending on the locational conditions of the working area, measures against the Foul Smell Control Law may become necessary.
Also, water-based coating materials that do not contain a solvent have been considered. However, because film-forming properties and durability of the coating film are not sufficient, at present, coating materials contain 5 to 10% of a solvent. In such water-based coating materials containing a solvent, when the Young's modulus is low, the membrane remains sticky and problems occur, such as adhesion of dirt and blocking when handling. Also, coating materials having less stickiness are not sufficient, as these have large Young's modulus and apply large load to the substrate. As a result, peeling of solder and deformation of the lead pin may occur, due to expansion and contraction of the membrane caused by increase and decrease in the environmental temperature.

Non-sticky water-based conformal coating material


Adherent animal cells are grown in suspension in a nutrient medium in which the molar ratio of total inorganic ions and total amino acids is reduced when compared with the corresponding ratio in known nutrient media, and is maintained at a level at which little or no cell aggregation occurs. Further, the nutrient medium contains 10:1 to about 1:1 molar ratio of total inorganic ions to total amino acids. In one further embodiment, the nutrient medium contains a total sodium ion concentration in the range of 75 to 120 mM (millimole), a total chloride ion concentration in the range of 50 to 90 mM and a total amino acid content of 20 to 50 mM. The adherent animal cells include mammalian cells such as cells belonging to a human, rat, mouse or hamster. Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO cells) are cultured using the process of the disclosed invention.

The use of animal cell culture for the mass production of cell products such as immunoglobulins, hormones, enzymes and other useful biologically active substances is becoming increasingly important from a commercial point of view, and currently there is considerable effort devoted to the development of cell culture techniques for the optimisation of the large scale production of these materials.
The general method of choice for the large scale culture of animal cells currently employs growth of the cells suspended in an agitated nutrient medium. The medium selected for cell growth may be expected to vary depending on the cell type, but in general will include a basal nutrient mixture of salts, sugars, amino acids and vitamins. The basal mixture can be supplemented with a biological fluid or extract, for example serum, in the absence of which most cells lose viability or fail to proliferate. Alternatively, supplement-free media may be used which generally contain a complex mixture of amino acids, salts, vitamins, trace elements, carbohydrates and other growth supporting components such as insulin, glutamine, transferrin and ethanolamine. When cultured in such media, animal cells remain viable for a finite period of time, until one or more essential nutrients in the medium become exhausted. At such time the medium may be supplemented with a feed containing one or more energy sources and one or more amino acids (see for example International Patent Specification No. W087/00195). In this way the culture may be prolonged to increase yield of cells or cell products.
Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are widely used in large scale culture. These cells have conventionally been grown as attached cultures, but they will also grow in suspension, a property which has allowed for relatively simple scale up in stirred tank and airlift bioreactors. Unfortunately, some CHO-derived lines which have been adapted to suspension growth can form large, tightly bound aggregates in culture. Cultivation of cells as aggregates has been described for CHO and other cell lines and indeed has been used to advantage in some cell recycle reactors which rely on cell sedimentation see, for example, Brown, P. C. et al (1991) in Production of Biologicals from Animal Cells in Culture, R. E. Spier, J. B. Griffiths & Megnier (eds.), Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford, U.K., pp416-420, Goetghrlrud, S.E. & Wei-Shou Hu ibid, pp423-427 and Litwin, J. ibid, pp429-433!. However for batch suspension cultures cell aggregation hinders accurate cell counting, monitoring and control of the cellular environment, and may even impair transport of nutrients to, and products from, the cells.
One approach which has been suggested for solving the problem of cell aggregation in culture utilises a medium in which the calcium ion concentration has been reduced, (see European Patent Specification No. 343635). However this is not particularly satisfactory since calcium ions are required for cellular functions other than cell adhesion, and cell growth and viability may therefore be adversely affected.

Cell culture process and medium for the growth of adherent animal cells


An oven having a tray forming a heating element enclosure beneath an oven liner. The heating element compartment has a rear access opening. A heating element is removably supported by the tray beneath a bottom wall of the oven liner. An access panel is provided for closing the rear access opening of the heating element enclosure. The access panel is secured to the oven liner and the rear edge of the tray is fastened to the access panel. An inner chassis is disposed about the oven liner. The inner chassis includes a rear chassis panel and a chassis bottom panel having a rear edge removably attached to the rear chassis panel. A cabinet enclosure surrounds the inner chassis and includes a removable back wall. Access to the access panel is accomplished by removing the back wall and disconnecting the chassis bottom panel from the rear chassis panel such that the chassis bottom panel may be flexed to expose the access panel. Removal of the access panel provides access to the heating element such that it may be serviced.

The present invention relates to an oven, and more particularly to a system for supporting a heating element in an oven.
Conventional ovens employ electric resistance heaters or heating elements in an oven compartment for the baking and cooking foods. Typically, a heating element is disposed within the bottom of an oven cavity. It is the general practice to utilize heating elements which can be removed from the oven to facilitate cleaning and replacement if the element fails. Generally, these heating elements are supported along the bottom of the oven cavity and are plugged into a terminal connection in the rear of the oven, permitting removal of the element by breaking the electrical connection.
A common problem in using an oven is maintaining a clean interior oven cavity. In the conventional type oven described above, the removal and reinstallation of the heater element while cleaning the oven cavity has several disadvantages. The manipulation of the heating element is generally an awkward and tiresome activity. Moreover, the removal and reinstallation of the heater element may lead to a misinstallation or cause damage to the heating element.
Accordingly, some oven designs utilize an oven configuration wherein the heating element is disposed in a separate compartment provided below the oven cavity. These types of oven configurations may be referred to as hidden element ovens. In these types of configurations, cleaning is accomplished relatively easily because there is no visible heating element along the bottom of the oven cavity. The bottom wall of the oven cavity can be simply cleaned without the difficulties and complications associated with removing a heating element.
Hidden element ovens further provide the advantage of uniform heating of the oven cavity which can enhance the cooking performance of the oven. Heat from the hidden heating element is transferred to the underside of the bottom wall of the oven cavity and is conducted throughout the entire oven cavity body and is radiated into the cavity from all of the interior oven cavity surfaces in a relatively even manner.
While hidden element ovens offer the above described advantages over conventional ovens, there are some disadvantages which have prevented their wide spread use. One significant disadvantage is the relative difficulty in replacing the heating element if it should fail. In a conventional oven, since the heating element is supported along the bottom of the oven cavity and is plugged into a terminal connection in the rear of the oven--the heating elements can be easily removed. In a hidden element oven, since the heating element is in a compartment below the oven cavity, the heating element can not be readily accessed for service. The prior art has, heretofore, provided few solutions to this problem.


The invention relates to a method for dispensing milk portions in drink preparation machines having a milk fill level monitoring unit for a milk container. According to the method, one delivery of a milk portion from the milk container, said delivery being controlled by a device control electronic system, is only carried out completely and with a sufficient quantity of milk when during the delivery of the milk portion, the milk fill level monitoring unit signals a drop in the fill level of the milk below a threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for dispensing milk portions in drink preparation machines having a milk fill level monitoring unit for a milk container, such as coffee machines with a milk container provided for preparing Capuccino. The invention further relates to a milk fill level monitoring unit for a milk container.
2. Description of Related Art
In coffee machines, producing the milk froth for the Capuccino and the heating of milk is carried out in many cases in a frothing device using the Venturi principle. A negative pressure is generated with a suitable steam jet, which sucks the milk from the supply container (milk container) via a hose system and guides it into the nozzle of the frothing device. In the nozzle, the milk is brought together with the steam and the milk-steam-air mixture leaves the frothing device and runs into the cup through a steady outlet jet. If air is added to the cold milk during the extraction, warm milk with a milk froth located thereover is produced in the cup. Without air being added, the milk can only be heated.
If too little or no milk is present in the milk container and the sequence of the milk product deliveries, in particular the Capuccino delivery in the coffee machine controller is fixedly programmed, the consumer only receives a coffee without milk or with too little milk and milk froth. For the user this is irksome since he must repeat the entire process once again to obtain a perfect Capuccino (milk product) and throw away the coffee that has possibly already been withdrawn. This means a waste of resources and also has financial implications, particularly if the consumer must pay a fixed amount for the Capuccino withdrawal, whether this be in the office area or in the restaurant area.
If the milk supply is interrupted, whether this be because no or too little milk is available, this does not form a homogeneous milk outlet jet from the nozzle during withdrawal. In addition to the first annoyance, there is the added factor that the front side of the coffee machine can be contaminated by milk, water and steam splashes.
In addition, since in most cases the milk container is not transparent, it is difficult for the consumer to monitor the fill level of the milk. The supplied milk should be stored in a cooled manner as far as possible. This is achieved in many cases with an insulating container (double-walled structure with an evacuated intermediate space) or with a small refrigerator using a Peltier element. In these devices, it is not possible to monitor the milk fill level without opening the container. In addition, this is also impractical in most cases and is frequently forgotten.
There are indeed drink preparation machines such as, for example, the "Thermoplan Tiger" from Thermoplan which have an integrated milk system with a cooled milk tank in the substructure. The device additionally has a capacitively operating milk fill level monitoring unit. Naturally however, the milk fill level in the milk tank is not readily apparent to the user of the drink preparation machine even in this case. It has additionally been found that in the event of the milk fill level monitoring unit being tripped, i.e. in the event of the capacitively operating sensor being tripped in this device, a milk dispensing process which is possibly just being executed, is not carried out completely but is prematurely interrupted.
Known from WO 97/47376 is a frothing apparatus for milk in which milk can be extracted from a milk container via a suction tube by means of a pump under the control of a microprocessor controller and can be fed to a mixing device in which the extracted milk can be mixed with steam and air and can be frothed in this manner. This frothing apparatus comprises a sensor for determining the fill level in the milk container, which sensor is disposed relative to the bottom of the milk container at the same level as a suction opening for extracting the milk, which suction opening is disposed at the lower end of the suction tube, wherein signals from the sensor can be received by the microprocessor controller.

Method for dispensing milk portions in drink preparation machines