A battery system and method of operation are shown. The battery system utilizes a microparticle fuel slurry containing microparticle spheres surrounded by active electrochemical material. In the operation of the battery system, the microparticle spheres are attracted to battery-cell electrode plates and held there by a magnetic field. The core of the microparticle spheres and battery-cell electrode plates may be permanently magnetic or ferromagnetic in nature. The magnetic field may originate from permanently magnetic materials or be induced using magnetic field windings or the like. The battery system may be recharged by replacing spent microparticle fuel slurry with unspent slurry. In some applications, such as when used to power an electro-motive vehicle, a reserve of unspent microparticle fuel slurry may be stored on-board the vehicle and used to periodically replace spent microparticle fuel slurry during operation. In such applications, when the on-board storage of unspent fuel slurry has been spent, the battery system may be refueled with a new supply of unspent fuel slurry without interrupting operation of the battery.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to battery/fuel cell technologies, and more specifically to rechargeable battery. In particular, this invention relates to the construction of battery electrodes and an energy storage medium that allows recharging the battery by replacement of the energy storage medium rather than by conventional recharging techniques, such as by reverse chemical reactions driven by the application of electrical energy or replacement of battery electrodes. The rechargeable batteries of the present invention are particularly suited for use with electro-motive vehicles and bulk energy storage systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the increasing awareness of environmental damage caused by the combustion of fossil fuels, the search for a replacement for such fuels has intensified. Due to the large volume of greenhouse and other undesirable gases produced by the internal combustion engines used to power motor vehicles, it has become especially critical to find a suitable non-polluting replacement power source for these transportation vehicles. One promising replacement for the fossil fuel powered vehicle so prevalent today is the electro-motive vehicle. However, before the electro-motive vehicle will become a practical replacement for these vehicles, one major obstacle must be overcome. This major obstacle is the development of a means for storing and converting electrical energy which will allow an electro-motive vehicle to deliver the acceleration and range performance similar to that obtained now by internal combustion engines. To date, this obstacle has not been surmounted.
Electro-motive vehicles commonly use batteries to store and convert chemically stored energy to electrical energy required for operation. In these and other applications where large amounts of electrical power and energy are required, the present state of the art requires that the volume and weight of batteries be very large and that the batteries be subjected to a lengthy recharge period on a regular basis. In many cases, these characteristics are not desirable, and have hindered the widespread development of the electro-motive vehicle applications.
For example, in applications such as those involving electric vehicles, the total amount of electrical power required is large to provide the desired acceleration and the energy requirements are large to provide the desired range. The resulting volume and weight of the batteries is excessive and must be minimized to make electric vehicles practical as well as cost effective. In addition, the recharge time must be minimized to make electric vehicle use practical. Conventional batteries are poor candidates for electric vehicles because they also require a long time period to recharge that is unacceptable to customers that are familiar with internal combustion engine powered vehicles. This characteristic is primarily due to the fact that all available electrode material must be replenished through electrochemical reactions during the recharge cycle to increase the energy storage density and thus the time between recharging.
Batteries typically store energy chemically in compounds deposited on the battery electrodes or plates. Electrical current is generated through chemical reactions at the plate or electrode surfaces, which convert the plate compound to another compound and produce an ion or electron. Ions are then transported through the electrolyte between the plates to complete the electrical circuit. Therefore, when the compounds deposited on the electrodes have all been chemically converted, the battery is discharged and the available energy is zero.
In a typical electrochemical battery system, the chemical reactions occurring at the electrode plates are classified as oxidation and reduction. The electrode plate where oxidation occurs is called the anode because electrons are produced in the electrode plate material during the oxidation reaction. Conversely, the electrode plate where reduction occurs is called the cathode because electrons are used during the reduction reaction. The combination of a given anode material with a given cathode material is known as an electrochemical couple. The selection of the electrochemical materials that make up an electrochemical couple is made by comparing the tendency of each material to undergo a reduction reaction when coupled to a standard hydrogen electrode, known as the "standard reduction potential". The material with the higher standard reduction potential is selected for the cathode and the material with the lower reduction potential is selected for the anode. The difference in the standard reduction potential between the two materials determines the voltage generated by the electrochemical couple.
For conventional batteries, the amount of energy storage in a battery depends upon the amount of chemical compounds that are in contact with the battery electrodes. The rate at which battery energy can be supplied or the power can be made available is dependent upon a number of parameters, including the electrode surface area available for chemical reactions to take place. Conventional batteries use porous electrode plates to increase the area of the electrode surface available for chemical reactions. High power density batteries or batteries that can provide a large energy in a short period of time require chemical access to a large volume or surface area of active chemical compounds on the battery plates. For example, in a common lead acid battery in the charged state, one of the active chemical plates consists of lead, which is present in a "spongy" form to increase the active surface area. The surface of the lead plate or electrode is converted to lead sulphate during discharge to a depth determined by the penetration of the chemical reaction into the surface. Thus, in a conventional lead acid battery, only a small fraction of the lead plate or electrode surface is exposed to the electrolyte in the electrical energy conversion process such that chemical reactions must diffuse through previously converted material.
Batteries for electric vehicles are designed primarily around two specifications, the required power necessary for acceleration and the required energy required for range of travel. For example, a 200 hp equivalent electric motor requires a peak electrical power source of approximately 150 kW. Secondly, the continuous power required to cruise an electric vehicle at 70 mph is approximately 25 kW. A three hour cruise would require a battery to deliver a total energy of 75 kW-hr and result in a range of 210 miles. A reasonable battery weight for a full sized vehicle is approximately 330 lbs or 150 kG which results in a desired power density of 1000 W/kG and an energy density of 500 W-hr/kG. Conventional batteries can deliver only about 1/10 th of the power density and the energy density desired above resulting in a battery weight of 3300 lbs. Thus existing batteries result in a system weight which is approximately 10 times that desired.
One way of reducing battery weight and increasing the run time between recharge cycles is to increase the energy density of the battery. The energy stored in a battery is dependent upon the chemical characteristics of the electrochemical couples selected for use in the battery. Because the battery volume must contain all of the electrochemical energy in the form of active material in contact with the battery electrodes or plates, a lot of effort has been expended in the past toward developing high-energy electrochemical couples to increase the battery electrochemical energy density.
Another way of reducing battery weight and increasing effective run time is by altering the physical design of the battery electrode plates. Recharging a battery restores the active compounds on the battery plates through reverse chemical reactions driven by the application of electrical energy. Recharging a battery takes a long period of time due to the nature of the chemical reaction and the desire to restore the active compounds through chemical reactions as far as possible into the surface of the battery plates. Restoring the active materials through chemical reactions is very slow since the reactions take place at the surface of the material and migration of the reformed material into the interior of the electrode is extremely time consuming, if possible at all.
The size and weight of the battery could be reduced if a small layer of active material could be continually replaced on the electrode surface as other active material is converted during discharge. In the past, several mechanical schemes have been innovated to physically move or replace the plates in a battery so as to improve the access of the electrolyte chemical to the plate or electrode material and to increase the amount of energy produced by the battery. The goal of this prior research has been to create a battery in which the active chemical material could be replaced periodically with a liquid material in a manner similar to refueling a conventional combustion engine using liquid fuel or in which the active chemical material could be replaced continually during operation as in a fuel cell. In this manner, the energy storage function of the battery could be separated from the energy conversion function and each optimized to provide an improved energy storage and conversion system.
Still other ways of improving the efficiency and output of battery cells have been attempted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,471 to Sturm et al. discloses a method for operating a catalytic battery system utilizing magnetic fields and ferromagnetic catalyst materials.
In this system, loose ferromagnetic catalyst materials are mixed with electrolyte and charged with an electro-active gas or organic compound by adsorption. Catalysis is a three body situation where the presence of the catalyst increases the probability of reaction between the other two bodies. By definition, a catalyst is not used up in a reaction, but is used to encourage a reaction. Acceptable compounds for absorption on the ferromagnetic carrier of the catalyst, described in this patent are H.sub.2, O.sub.2, methanol and ethanol. In the operation of the catalytic battery system, the electrolyte and gas/liquid charged ferromagnetic catalyst material is placed in a cell, and the catalyst material is attracted to an electrode by a magnetic field, where the electro-active compounds undergo electron exchange and are released from the region in which the catalyst, the electrode and the fuel coincide such as the surface of the catalyst material. Although the system offers increased access to the electro-active material contained within the battery, it fails to offer the high energy density required for applications such as powering electric vehicles, because the density of the electro-active material, either gas or liquid, is insufficient to provide the current density necessary. Because the battery system relies on catalytic adsorption of electro-active compounds onto the catalyst material, these compounds are likely limited to gases and liquids.
Therefore, the range of electrochemical couples that may be used in the Sturm patent appears to be very narrow and those couples available lack the high energy density required for a practical power source for an application such as an electro-motive. As an additional disadvantage, the adsorption/desorption cycle of the catalytic battery requires that the catalyst material can only be regenerated by physical contact with the electro-active material itself rather than by more conventional recharging means, such as application of reverse current. This means that it may be necessary to handle large amounts of potentially hazardous materials, such as H.sub.2 in the recharging procedure. Finally, in some cases, the limited stability of the adsorption process may render long term storage of the charged catalyst material impractical, for example, if the material must be stored under pressure in the case of gas absorption.
Despite past efforts, existing and presently planned battery systems do not provide sufficient energy storage density in a reasonably sized package so as to allow long trips in electric vehicles. In addition, existing and planned battery systems require long periods of time to recharge the energy storage medium and are limited in the number of times they may be recharged due to deterioration of battery components. Therefore, at this time electric vehicles utilizing electric energy storage systems are not economically or operationally feasible, nor do they compare in viability with other forms of transportation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a battery system that is rechargeable by replacing a specially designed liquid fuel slurry in the battery, thus making the recharging process similar to refueling a gasoline powered automobile.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a battery system in which the fuel slurry is continuously replaced or recharged by circulation through the battery, as in a liquid fuel cell.
A further object of the invention is to provide a battery system in which the effective area of the battery electrode-plate surface area is increased so as to increase the stored energy density and the rate at which electric energy can be removed.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a battery system structure that can utilize different types of liquid slurry fuel so that the same battery/fuel cell structure can be used with future battery fuel slurries that have been improved or changed.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a special type of battery slurry fuel that enables the multi-fuel, rechargeable battery and liquid fuel cell concept of this invention.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of contacting a liquid battery fuel slurry with the battery electrode plates that is compatible with continuous or bulk liquid recharging.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of using solid fuel coatings on ferromagnetic carriers to provide simultaneously, the large surface area and the active material density necessary at the electrode surface to produce the large current density required for electric vehicles and bulk energy storage systems.
Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments including the examples provided therewith.


The present invention is directed to methods, processes, and systems for roll coating portions of a workpiece as well as to workpieces that have themselves been roll coated in accord with the invention. Under these methods and processes of the invention, one of a roller and/or the workpiece may be moved longitudinally to apply coating to a target surface of a workpiece. In some embodiments, a plurality of rollers may be used and supported by arms. Still further, in accord with the embodiments of the present invention, a dispensing member may be provided to fluidly connect the roller with a reservoir. In still other embodiments, the workpiece may be an implantable medical device and the coating may include a therapeutic.

Coating workpieces is an often repeated procedure in contemporary manufacturing. Workpieces may be coated by methods that include tumble coating, spray coating, dip coating, and electrostatic spraying. During each of these procedures coating is applied to the workpiece prior to the workpiece being used for an intended purpose.
When the workpiece is formed partially or completely out of lattice struts or some other open framework, each of the faces of these struts or framework is exposed to the coating. By exposing each face of the workpiece to the coating being applied, each exposed face will be covered during the coating process.
When the workpiece being coated is an implantable medical device, such as a stent, all faces of the struts that comprise the stent are coated when using the coating systems identified above. For example, when dip coating is used, each face of the stent struts will be exposed to the coating. This coating remains when the stent is removed from the dip and dries on each face of the struts. Coating may also remain in the spaces between the struts. This phenomenon is sometimes called "webbing." Here, not only are the individual struts covered, but some or all of the spaces between the struts are spanned by the coating as well.

Partially roll coated workpiece and methods and systems for making the same


System and method for measuring static load by using a piezoelectric load sensor with a feedback technique to compensate for the signal loss due to charge leakage, and therefore ensures measurement accuracy. The system is integrated with other structure, objects and devices to measure static loads applied to a mechanical shaft, in an on-line, in-process, quasi real-time fashion. The system can be used to measure static load and thus oversee an entire machine system or a manufacturing process.

The present invention relates generally to force and strain sensors; more particularly to a system and method of measuring static load using the piezoelectric effect with a feedback technique to compensate for signal loss.
Static load measurement is widely used in industrial and commercial applications, from machine tools to transportation systems (e.g., trains, forklifts, trucks, cranes) to scales for postal, freight, or personal weighting purposes.
Various physical principles have been explored over the past few decades for static load measurement, resulting in sensors that either make use of simple structural deflection of certain mechanical elements (e.g., springs and balances) or are based on complex physical transduction mechanisms (e.g., magnetoelastic or optoelastic). In engineering practice, the most widely used, state-of-the-art sensors for static load measurement are the strain gauges.
A strain gauge functions as a resistive elastic sensor, the resistance of which varies as a function of applied strain. In other words, strain gauges relate to the deformation experienced by the strain gauge sensing elements (e.g. metallic wire or semiconductors) attached to a load-carrying structure to the mechanical loads applied to the structure, through changes in electrical resistance of the sensing elements. The advantage of a strain gauge-based sensing technique is that it can measure pure static load of low variation frequencies (down to the DC range) and provide a stable output in the form of an electronic voltage signal.
Strain gauge-based load measurement, however, has a number of drawbacks. For example, strain gauges need to be constantly powered, requiring a power source (e.g., by means of batteries or an external power supply). Typically, strain gauges are connected into a bridge circuit, for example a Wheatstone bridge circuit, in order to be functional. Such a requirement severely limits the flexibility of their applications in many manufacturing-related scenarios where space is restricted.
Another disadvantage of strain gauge-based load measurement is the difficulty in attaching the strain gauge sensors to an object or component to be measured. For proper functioning, the attachment of strain gauge sensors to the mechanical structure requires the use of special glues and meticulous, time-consuming manual processing to ensure proper bonding of the strain gauge sensors. Such glues have a limited fatigue life, and are sensitive to temperature variations. In addition, strain gauges themselves are sensitive to environmental influences (such as temperature, humidity, etc.), and therefore, require the use of sophisticated compensation electronics to maintain accurate measurement. Such a requirement increases the cost and space needed.
These drawbacks make it impractical and very difficult for strain gauges to be effectively integrated into a realistic machine environment for on-line, in-process static load measurement, especially under space constraints.
Alternatively, piezoelectric sensing devices (which provide mechanical load to electrical charge transduction) have been commercially available for many years. The wide bandwidth and fast response of piezoelectric materials make piezoelectric sensors especially suited for a measuring load that varies at high frequencies. However, because of the inherent problem of charge leakage resulting and the subsequent loss of information due to the non-infinite insulation resistance of the piezoelectric sensors, it has been traditionally considered impossible to use piezoelectric sensors for pure static load measurement.
It is accordingly an objective of the present invention to provide static load sensing based on the piezoelectric effect. It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a measurement technique that utilizes a piezoelectric sensor for static load measurement purposes. Such an invention can include a feedback technique that compensates for the signal loss due to charge leakage, and ensure measurement accuracy. It is yet another objective to provide a "zero-line" as the reference base for absolute load reading.
The apparatus of the present invention can be of durable construction, requiring little or no maintenance over its operating lifetime. In order to enhance market appeal, such an apparatus should also be of inexpensive construction to afford broadest possible application. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

System and method for load sensing using piezoelectric effect


A container body 1 for accommodating a multiple number of precision substrates in alignment, a door element for opening and closing the open front of container body 1 and a multiple number of positioning parts 40 arranged on the bottom of container body 1 are provided. Each positioning part 40 is formed as a concave portion with a pair of parallel ribs 2 formed on the bottom surface of container body 1 and inner surfaces 9 of curved portions 8 of a track 6 formed in a bottom plate 4. Inner surfaces 9 of track 6 are formed to be inclined linearly becoming gradually wider downwards from their top while the upper ends of inner surfaces 9 are extended to an opposing area 2a located between the lower ends of paired parallel ribs 2.

In recent years, development of semiconductor parts into increasingly fine structures and the development of interconnections into smaller pitches have proceeded. In view of this, a substrate storage container, having a high sealability that provides prevention against contamination of the precision substrates, such as semiconductor wafers, held therein, and having a capability of being handled automatically, is demanded. In order to deal with such industry needs, there have been substrate storage containers whose door element for opening and closing the container body is automatically attached to, and removed from, the container body (see patent documents 1 and 2).
A substrate storage container of this type includes: for example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, a container body 1 for accommodating a multiple number of unillustrated precision substrates; a multiple number of positioning parts 40A arranged at the bottom of this container body 1; a door element 20 for opening and closing the open front of container body 1; and a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking door element 20 fitted to the front of container body 1, and can be positioned and mounted on unillustrated processing equipment by means of the multiple positioning parts 40A.
Container body 1 has a robotic flange that is held by an automatic transporter called an OHT, attached on the top thereof, and is hoisted and conveyed with the robotic flange being held thereby. Multiple positioning parts 40A are arranged at the bottom of container body 1 in a predetermined pattern. Each positioning part 40A is composed of a pair of parallel ribs 2 formed on the bottom surface of container body 1 and a hollow track 6A formed in a bottom plate 4 covering the bottom surface of container body 1 and fitted around the paired parallel ribs 2 from below.
The locking mechanism, though not illustrated, is incorporated in the door element and locked or unlocked by an actuation key of a door element opening/closing device as a part of the processing equipment. The processing equipment has a multiple number of positioning pins 50 that will fit into positioning elements 40A, set (see FIG. 12) on the mounting surface on which a substrate storage container is mounted, and also has a sensor for detecting the presence of a substrate storage container.
Patent Document 1:
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open 2000-58633
Patent document 2:
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open 2003-174081.

Substrate storage container and positioning method of the same


An electronic endoscope apparatus has a light source, a luminance calculator, a controller, and a brightness adjuster. The light source illuminates an object. The luminance calculator calculates a luminance level indicating a brightness of an object image on the basis of image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image. The controller calculates and outputs a manipulated value in accordance with a luminance-difference between the luminance level and a reference luminance level indicating a standard brightness of the object image. The controller sets a non-sensitive band including a standard point corresponding to the reference luminance level. The brightness adjuster adjusts the brightness of the object image in accordance with the manipulated value. When the manipulated value is inside the non-sensitive band, the controller outputs a non-activating manipulated value so as not to activate the brightness adjuster.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope apparatus having a video-scope with an image sensor. Especially, it relates to adjusting a brightness of an object image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the electronic endoscope apparatus, an automatic brightness adjustment process is performed to maintain a proper brightness of an object image, which is displayed on a monitor. For example, an average luminance level of the object image, and a luminance-difference between the average luminance level and a reference luminance level indicating a proper brightness are calculated. Then, a diaphragm is opened or closed on the basis of the luminance-difference.
When using forceps, or supplying water for washing a lens and an observed portion, a minute luminance-change occurs. Also, while observing, the luminance level minutely changes due to the pulsatory motion. Since the brightness adjustment process responds to the fine luminance-change, the brightness on the monitor continuously changes in accordance with the motion of the diaphragm, which results in difficulty of viewing the observed portion.

Electronic endoscope apparatus including brightness adjuster


A keypad assembly utilizes touch-detecting apparatus such as force sensors or touchpad assemblies for registering key presses. In exemplary embodiments, the keypad assembly is suitable for use in electronic devices such as a mobile telephones, calculators, hand-held computers, or the like, having single piece molded housings wherein the keypad assembly is at least partially encapsulated within the housing.

The present invention relates generally to keypad assemblies used in electronic devices such as mobile telephones, cordless telephone handsets, hand held computers, or the like, and more particularly to keypad assemblies employing touch detecting apparatus capable of sensing forces applied to keys of the keypad assembly for registering key presses.
Hand held electronic devices such as mobile telephones, cordless telephone handsets, hand-held computers, calculators, and the like, often employ keypads for entry of information and commands. FIG. 1 illustrates a traditional keypad assembly used in such devices. The keypad assembly 100 includes a circuit board 102 having a plurality of conductors 104. A keypad 106 is disposed over the circuit board 102. The keypad 106 includes a plurality of keys 108 consisting of resilient key domes 110, each providing a contact 112, positioned over a corresponding conductor 104 of the circuit board 102. When a force (F) is applied to a key 108 of the keypad 106, its key dome 110 is collapsed, bringing the contact 112 of the key dome 110 into contact with the corresponding conductor 104 disposed on the circuit board 102. This contact changes the electrical conductance of the conductor 104, registering a key press.
Traditional keypad assemblies employ a fixed key layout that is used for all input functions. Consequently, any new or different key assignments must be mapped to the existing key structure. This remapping of key assignments can cause confusion for the user of the electronic device employing the keypad assembly, and is limited by the original layout of the keys of the keypad assembly. Additional flexibility may be obtained by utilizing part of the display of the electronic device to provide key assignment choices to selected keys. This technique is used by the electronic device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2. The electronic device 200, in this case a mobile telephone, includes a housing 202 having a keypad assembly 204 and display 206. The keypad assembly 204 includes one or more dynamic function keys, 208 and 210, which are positioned directly below the display 206. The display 206, in turn, includes areas or regions 212 and 214 positioned adjacent to the function keys 208 and 210, that are used for displaying functions of the electronic device 200. In this manner, the function keys 208 and 210 may be used for selecting among various functions displayed in the regions 212 and 214. However, in most applications, the number of keys available for use as function keys is constrained by the space allotted on the display, since use of the display for displaying functions limits the display area that may be used for other purposes. Consequently, functions typically must be presented in a menu format, which many users find confusing.
In many applications, it would be desirable to provide an electronic device such as a mobile telephone, cordless telephone handset, or the like, having a single piece molded housing or shell, wherein the keyboard assembly is encapsulated within the material providing the housing. For example, electronic devices having this structure may often be manufactured at a substantially lower cost than devices having a conventional multi-piece housing and require less tooling and design time to produce. However, encapsulation of a traditional keypad assembly has proven problematic. As shown in FIG. 3, when a traditional keypad assembly 300 is encapsulated in a molded housing, resin is injected into the mold under pressure. As a result, one or more key domes 302 of the keypad assembly 300 may become collapsed. Due to the pressures exerted within the mold during molding of the housing 304, the subsequent depression 306 formed within the key dome 302 when it collapses becomes filled with resin, which sets and hardens, permanently holding the key dome 302 in the collapsed position. As a result, the keypad assembly 300 registers a continuous key press making the keypad assembly 300, and the electronic device containing the keypad assembly 300, unusable. Moreover, because the keypad assembly 300 is permanently encapsulated within the housing material of the electronic device, the electronic device typically cannot be repaired and must be discarded, resulting in unacceptable manufacturing waste when encapsulation methods are used.
Consequently, it is desirable to provide a keypad assembly for an electronic device such as a mobile telephone, a cordless telephone handset, a calculator, a hand-held computer, or the like, which utilizes touch detecting apparatus such as force sensors or touchpad assemblies instead of traditional key domes. The keypad assembly should be capable of encapsulation within the housing of the electronic device.


A process for preparing frozen par-fried potato strips which remain crisp for an extended period of time after finish frying. Potatoes which have been cut into strips and blanched are contacted with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of about 5.5 to 8.5 which contains a hydrolyzed starch product, such as dextrin or maltodextrin. The pH of the aqueous solution is maintained within the desired range by the addition thereto of a basic alkali salt. A conventional chelating agent and reducing sugar may also be included in the aqueous solution. After contact with the aqueous solution, such as by immersion, spraying, and the like, the potato strips are par-fried and frozen, and are prepared for consumption by finish frying. Contacting the blanched potato strips with an aqueous solution containing a hydrolyzed starch product and having a pH in the range of 5.5-8.5 results in the production of par-fried potato strips which upon finish frying have a crisp surface and which retain their crispness for extended periods of time.

This invention relates to the production of partially fried, frozen potato strips which, when finish fried, provide french fries having enhanced commercial holding quality. More particularly, the invention relates to a process for producing frozen par-fried potato strips which remain crisp for longer periods of time after finish frying in comparison with conventionally prepared french fries.
French fried potato strips, commonly referred to as french fries, served in most fast food restaurants are purchased by the restaurant in bulk from commercial suppliers in the form of partially fried (par-fried) and frozen potato strips which are stored in frozen condition until shortly before serving. At that point the par-fried potato strips are prepared for consumption by finish frying in fat or oil.
Procedures for producing such par-fried potato strips are well known in the processed potato industry. Typically, raw potatoes are cut into strips of desired size and blanched in steam or hot water to inactivate enzymes and partially cook the potatoes. The blanched strips usually are then dehydrated to reduce their weight (as water) by up to 30% and par-fried for 30 to 90 seconds at about 300.degree.-400.degree. F. (149.degree.-204.degree. C.), and then frozen. In a preferred commercial procedure the blanched strips, prior to dehydration, are immersed in a dilute aqueous solution containing a food grade sequestering agent, such as sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) and a reducing sugar, such as dextrose or glucose. SAPP, present at a level of about 0.5% to 1.5%, minimizes product discoloration by chelating metal ions such as iron and copper present in the processing water. Dextrose or other reducing sugar in the aqueous solution facilitates uniform color development upon frying.
The use of frozen par-fried potato strips has been widely adopted in fast food restaurants because of the convenience and savings in labor costs they provide. However, par-fried potato strips presently available suffer from the disadvantage that when finish fried for consumption the french fries lose their desired crispness after a relatively short period of time and become undesirably limp and soggy. Thus, while the french fries are crisp immediately upon removal from the fryer, they become limp and soggy within minutes after preparation due to the migration of internal moisture within the fried strips into the outer surface of the fries. Such limpness of the french fries results in objectionable appearance, taste and texture and is a principal feature by which consumers identify a poor product.
Also, fast food restaurant operators maintain proper serving temperature by holding the french fries under a heat lamp after finish frying. However, this tends to accelerate moisture migration, so that the french fries tend to even more rapidly become limp, chewy and soggy.
Suppliers of frozen par-fried potato strips have proposed a number of solutions in order to improve the crispness of french fries after finish frying. For example, the surface treatment of potato strips with firming agents such as calcium lactate, gums, alginates, high amylose starches, and other hydrocolloids has been suggested. However, these and other proposed solutions neither fulfilled initial expectations nor have been widely accepted in the industry as a satisfactory solution to the problem.

Process for producing frozen par-fried potato strips


The present invention provides an optical material, an optical lens, and a production process for making the same. The production process includes                a step of obtaining a first liquid by dissolving a compound (b) in compound (a);        a step of obtaining a second liquid by adding a compound (e) mixed with a portion of a compound (d) to the first liquid and mixing;        a step of obtaining a reaction mixture by adding a compound (c) to the second liquid and reacting the resulting mixture under reduced pressure;        a step of obtaining a resin composition for an optical material by adding the remainder of the compound (d) to the reaction mixture and mixing; and        a step of obtaining an optical material by casting and polymerizing the resin composition.

Plastic lens are lightweight and rich in toughness, and are easily colored. Examples of performance particularly required of plastic lenses include low specific gravity, high transparency, low yellowing, optical performance in terms of high refractive index and high Abbe's number, high heat resistance and high strength. A high refractive index makes it possible to reduce thickness of the lens, while a high Abbe's number reduces chromatic aberration of the lens. Numerous organic compounds having sulfur atoms and/or selenium atoms have been reported in recent years for the purpose of imparting a high refractive index and Abbe's number. In particular, it is known that polyepisulfide compounds having sulfur atoms demonstrate a favorable balance between refractive index and Abbe's number. Consequently, optical materials have been reported in which sulfur is introduced to a polyepisulfide compound to maintain refractive index and thiourethane is introduced for improving shock resistance (Patent Document 1).
However, optical materials in which sulfur and thiourethane are introduced into a polyepisulfide compound have the problems of foaming and heat generation at the time of their production. Consequently, a process for producing optical materials has been reported that consists of reacting a prepolymer of an episulfide compound and sulfur atoms with a prepolymer of a compound having an isocyanate group and a compound having a mercapto group in order to suppress these problems (Patent Document 2).

Optical material production process, optical material and optical lens


A system and method for transceiving vehicle data is provided. The system and method provide for transceiving situation data to or from a vehicle. The system includes a situation data generator for generating the situation data and a transceiver for transmitting the situation data. The system also includes a database for storing the transmitted situation data and a display for displaying the transmitted situation data. Further, a system for storing situation and/or vehicle identification data for real time or later analysis is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to transceiving vehicle data in general and, in particular, to manually and automatically transceiving specific vehicle operational status.
2. Description of the Related Art
An emergency informing apparatus mounted on a vehicle for informing emergency condition data, position data, and identification data of the vehicle in response to a command signal is known. Such a prior art emergency informing apparatus informs police, etc. of at least emergency condition data, position data, and identification data of the vehicle in response to a switch.
However, though the prior art emergency informing apparatus includes a wireless telephone communication circuit, it cannot be used for general personal communication or for transmitting vehicle situation data and/or storing vehicle data for later analysis.

System and method for transceiving motor vehicle data

International Business Machines Corporation


An aluminum paste and a solar cell, the aluminum paste including aluminum powder; an organic vehicle; and antimony oxide, the antimony oxide being present in an amount of about 0.001 wt % to less than about 1.0 wt %, based on a total weight of the aluminum paste.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to an aluminum paste and a solar cell using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fossil fuels, e.g., oil and coal, are not renewable. Thus, solar cells utilizing sunlight as an alternative energy source have attracted attention. A solar cell may employ a semiconductor device that directly converts sunlight energy into electricity. The semiconductor device may be fabricated using silicon materials.


In a process known of per se for manufacturing plastic pipes, in which a liquid resin, a catalyst and sand and glass fibres are introduced into a centrifugal drum where the pipe is formed as the plastic sets, it was previously customary to start or stimulate the thermosetting process by blowing hot air into the centrifugal drum. The air escaping thereby from the inside of the drum contains solvent vapours which pollute the environment. The improved process consists in that the heat required to start the thermosetting process is no longer supplied from the inside by means of hot air, but by means of hot water which is sprayed onto the outside of the centrifugal drum and is fed through a hot water circuit and, after the exothermic thermosetting begins, heats up again in the latter to at least the original temperature, thereby drawing off heat released by the process. Further cooling is achieved by a cold water circuit, which can be switched on selectively to spray the centrifugal drum.

The manufacture of plastic pipes from thermosetting plastic which may contain a filler, namely a polyester or epoxy resin mixed with calcium carbonate, for example, sand and glass fibres in a rotating, horizontally-axised metallic centrifugal drum serving as a mould, is known of per se. In installations of this type, the starting materials are distributed evenly from an arm moving to and fro in the centrifugal drum, and the composition of the wall of the pipe is formed according to the purpose for which it is intended, and in accordance with the dimensions it should have. Although the thermosetting reaction is an exothermic process, to ensure that the process runs correctly and predictably it is not only practical, but necessary, to supply heat after the first introduction of starting materials at room temperature into the centrifugal drum, which is also at room temperature. This is currently done by blowing hot air into the centrifugal drum. The air which is thereby blown out of the centrifugal drum carries gaseous solvents from the liquid resin or the catalyst, so that in accordance with new environmental findings and regulations, purification installations are required for this exhaust air.

Process for manufacturing a plastic pipe


A data transmission apparatus causes a computer to receive first data and second data, each of which has a different transmission destination, evaluate relevance between the first data and the second data, and transmit the first data and the second data to the respective transmission destinations, and the transmitting of the data further includes transmitting the first data to the transmission destination of the second data in accordance with evaluation results obtained in the evaluating of the relation, so that a diversity of the data that can be collected by the transmission destination of the data is increased.

With the development of the Internet of Things (IoT), various devices can now be connected to a communication network to distribute data collected from the devices (hereinafter, referred to as "device data") to a communication network. Thereby, a large amount of device data is distributed to a communication network, and thus there is a problem with the occurrence of band pressure and load increase of communication networks.
In order to solve such problems, technology for eliminating information not required by a device data collector at an edge of a communication network and introducing only necessary information into the communication network managed by a carrier has been proposed (for example, Non Patent Literature 1).

Data transmission method, data transmission apparatus and program

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


A cylinder head for internal combustion engines, comprising a metallic valve seat ring that is formed by a thermally sprayed homogeneous layer made of a basic Co or Co/Mo alloy. The sum of the Co content and Mo content in the alloy exceeds 50 percent by weight while the Fe content lies below 5 percent by weight. Also disclosed is a method for thermally spraying said valve seat ring by means of an arc wire spraying process with the aid of at least two filler wires and/or composite wires, the essential Co portion in the deposited layer being delivered by the jacket of the filler wire and/or the matrix of the composite wire.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns cylinder heads for internal combustion engines with metallic valve seat rings, the valve seat rings comprised of an arc wire sprayed Co/Mo base alloy, as well as an arc wire spray process with one or more metallic filled wires.
Cylinder heads are stressed in local areas, in particular at their valve seats, to the limits of their thermal or mechanical capacity. This has the consequence, that a local breakdown can occur, which can be recognized for example by cracks and/or tribologic wear.
Particularly in cylinder heads in light or heavy metal engineering, valve seat rings of enduring material are form-fittingly introduced by pressing into highly stressed areas. For these valve seat rings, Co and Co/Mo base alloys are of particular interest. These alloys characterize themselves by partial exceptional high hardness and very high friction wear resistance. For this reason, one of the fields of application of these alloys is in armor plating technology. A great disadvantage in this approach is the necessity to manufacture and fit the valve seat rings individually. In particular, for the very hard Co/Mo base alloys, very extensive process steps are necessary in order to achieve the required manufacturing precision.
For reducing these process steps there is proposed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,661,371 a process in which a protection layer is applied onto a specially prepared contact surface between valve and valve seat. This occurs by thermal spraying of a powder mixture of ceramic and metal particles, wherein the formed layer exhibits a gradiated composition, whereby a quasi ceramic cover layer is formed. The formed layers however do not exhibit optimal material characteristic.
From DE 100 41 974 A1 a process for depositing protective layers is known, in which as the powder particles a powder mixture of at least three powder components is employed. A first powder component is comprised of a Fe, Co or Ni base alloy, a second powder component is preferably formed of Mo or refractory metal sulfide and a third powder component includes preferably Cu, Al or Ag. For the illustrated process, or, as the case may be, the therewith formed layer, it is essential that the individual powder components are not melted together with each other and no alloys of the various powder components are formed. Only thereby can the individual functional characteristics (hardness, lubricity and thermal conductivity) of the employed components be retained in the layer. The powders are deposited for example by a HVOF process or by gas compacting. In the area of the highest load or stress, the hardness of the layer is in part found to be insufficient.

Valve seat rings made of basic Co or Co/Mo alloys, and production thereof


In some aspects, a musical percussion support stand includes a stand tube, legs that are configured to be deployed perpendicular to the stand tube in supporting arrangement and a set of two or more height adjustable foot elements. The height adjustable foot elements include a body with at least one rest surface and a first recess. The first recess is configured to receive a leg, with a central axis of the first recess substantially parallel to a horizontal central axis of the body. The body has a first position and a second position relative to a central axis of the leg. In the first position, the rest surface may be disposed on a supporting surface for supporting the stand, with the leg relatively more spaced above the supporting surface than in the second position.

Different types of support stands are used to support and position various pieces of musical equipment during use. In the field of percussion equipment, particularly relating to setting up various components forming a drum set, a drummer may desire to position some of the components, such as cymbals, very close to one another. Certain conventional stands (e.g., so-called "flat" stands) are supported on three legs that, when deployed, can lay substantially flat along a ground or floor surface. Flat stands are recognized to permit less flexibility with regards to positioning, as the legs have a greater tendency to interfere with each other.

Musical percussion support stands and related devices and methods


A scale apparatus is provided for weighing material moving in a downstream direction on a conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame. The apparatus includes an upstream idler station, a downstream idler station, and a measuring idler station situated between the upstream idler station and the downstream idler station. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for measuring the weight of material moving on the conveyor belt. The measuring mechanism is coupled to the measuring idler station. The upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station are coupled together to form a scale unit. The scale unit is coupled to the conveyor frame so that the conveyor belt passes over the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station.

The present invention relates generally to a scale apparatus for weighing materials moving on a conveyor belt. More particularly, the invention relates to a scale apparatus that can be easily incorporated into existing conveyor systems.
It is often desirable to measure the mass flow rate of material moving on a conveyor belt. By combining the weight of the material and the speed of the conveyor belt, a continuous indication of the mass flow rate of the material moving on the conveyor belt can be generated. Various types of devices are known for measuring the weight of material moving on a conveyor belt.
It is known to provide load cells situated below a conveyor belt to generate an output signal proportional to the weight of a load moving across a conveyor belt. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,830; U.S. Pat. No. 3,439,761; U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,447; U.S. Pat. No. 3,924,729; U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,664; U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,930; U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,816; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,341. Conventional belt scales are often large, bulky devices which are expensive and often hard to install. Therefore, many conventional belt scale devices are too expensive for many businesses to purchase and install. Smaller businesses also have a need for reliable measurement of the weight or mass flow of material on a conveyor. For instance, concrete facilities and farming or grain handling facilities often need to know the amount of material moving on a conveyor. The present invention provides an accurate yet inexpensive scale apparatus that can be easily incorporated into existing belt conveyor systems.
If the material carried by the conveyor approaches the load cell from a position above or below the load cell, the materials may impose a side load or torque on the load cell in addition to the loads in the vertical direction. Such side torque can cause the load cell to experience excessive wear and cause inaccuracies in the output of the load cell. Therefore, it is advantageous to arrange the load cell so that the conveyor belt is substantially level as the conveyor belt passes over the load cell. The present invention includes a modular scale unit that provides an aligned and pre-leveled load cell. The scale unit is easily installed in an existing conveyor frame.
According to the present invention, a scale apparatus is provided for weighing material moving on a conveyor belt supported by an idler assembly. The apparatus includes a load cell support and a load cell. The load cell includes a base and a contact portion extending upwardly away from the base. The base of the load cell is configured to bend in response to a vertical force being applied to the contact portion to generate an output signal proportional to the force. The load cell is non-responsive to horizontal forces. The belt scale apparatus also includes means for coupling the load cell to the load cell support and means for coupling the load cell support to a conveyor frame to suspend the load cell below the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes an idler support for supporting the idler assembly and means for coupling the idler support to the contact portion of the load cell. The idler support applies a downwardly directed force to the contact portion of the load cell to bend the base of the load cell in response to material moving on the conveyor belt over the idler support to change the output signal generated by the load cell in proportion to the weight of the material. The magnitude of the force applied by the idler support changes as the weight of the material moving over the idler support changes.
In one embodiment of the invention, the load cell support is formed to include a central aperture therein for receiving the contact portion of the load cell therethrough. In another embodiment, the load cell support includes a top surface, and the means for coupling the load cell to the load cell support includes a first fastener for coupling a first end of the load cell to the top surface of the load cell support and a second fastener for coupling a second end of the load cell to the top surface of the load cell support. First and second shims are located between the load cell and the top surface of the load cell support adjacent the first and second ends of the load cell, respectively, to elevate the load cell above top surface of the load cell support to permit the base of the load cell to bend. The top surface of the load cell support is formed to include a recessed portion located below the load cell to permit further bending of the load cell.
According to another aspect of the invention, the idler support includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an aperture extending between the top and bottom surfaces. A fastener extends through the aperture in the idler support for coupling the load cell to the bottom surface of the idler support. The bottom surface of the idler support is formed to include a recessed portion positioned over the contact portion of the load cell.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the base of the load cell is formed to include a plurality of notched sections therein to increase the flexibility of the base. The load cell includes a plurality of strain gauges. One strain gauge is located below each of the plurality of notched sections for generating the output signal in response to bending or deflection of the base.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the belt scale apparatus further includes means for adjusting the level of the load cell support relative to the conveyor frame. The adjusting means preferably includes means for independently adjusting the level of a first end of the load cell support relative to a first side of the conveyor frame and a second end of the load cell support relative to a second side of the conveyor frame. In one embodiment, the means for coupling the load cell support to the conveyor frame includes a first coupler plate for coupling a first end of the load cell support to a first side of the conveyor frame and a second coupler plate for coupling a second end of the load cell support to a second side of the conveyor frame. The means for adjusting the level of the load cell support relative to the conveyor frame illustratively includes at least one shim configured to be selectively positioned between the first coupler plate and the first end of the load cell support, between the first coupler plate and the first side of the conveyor frame, between the second coupler plate and the second end of the load cell support, or between the second coupler plate and the second side of the conveyor frame. By selectively placing the shims, the position of the load cell idler station can be adjusted so that it is aligned with idler roller stations both upstream and downstream from the load cell idler station on the conveyor frame. The shims can be selectively placed either to raise or to lower the load cell support on either side of the attachment of the load cell support to the conveyor frame.
The belt scale apparatus of the present invention is easily installed into existing conveyor systems without substantial modification of the conveyor system. The present invention therefore advantageously provides an inexpensive yet accurate belt scale apparatus for weighing materials passing over the apparatus on a conveyor belt.
According a further aspect of the invention, a scale apparatus is provided for weighing material moving in a downstream direction on a conveyor belt supported by a conveyor frame. The apparatus includes an upstream idler station, a downstream idler station, and a measuring idler station situated between the upstream idler station and the downstream idler station. The apparatus also includes means for measuring the weight of material moving on the conveyor belt. The measuring means is coupled to the measuring idler station. The apparatus further includes means for coupling the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station together to form a scale unit, and means for coupling the scale unit to the conveyor frame so that the conveyor belt passes over the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station.
In the illustrated embodiment, the means for coupling the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station together to form the scale unit includes first and second alignment bars coupled to opposite end portions of the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station. The means for coupling the scale unit to the conveyor frame includes a first set of coupler plates for coupling a first side of the scale unit to a first side of the conveyor frame and a second set of coupler plates for coupling a second side of the scale unit to a second side of the conveyor frame.
Also in the illustrated embodiment, the measuring means includes a load cell coupled to the measuring idler station. The load cell includes a base and a contact portion extending upwardly away from the base. The base of the load cell is configured to bend in response to a force being applied to the contact portion to generate an output signal proportional to the force.
According to an additional aspect of the present invention, the measuring idler station includes a load cell support, means for coupling the load cell to the load cell support, an idler support for supporting an idler assembly thereon, and means for coupling the idler support to the contact portion of the load cell. The idler support applies a downwardly directed force to the contact portion of the load cell to bend the base of the load cell in response to material moving on the conveyor belt over the idler support to change the output signal generated by the load cell in proportion to the weight of the material.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station each include a top surface for supporting an idler assembly thereon. The means for coupling the upstream idler station, the measuring idler station, and the downstream idler station together to form the scale unit aligns said top surfaces to lie substantially in a single plane.
In a second embodiment of the scale apparatus, the scale unit includes a second measuring idler station situated adjacent first measuring idler station and second means for measuring the weight of material moving along the conveyor belt. The second measuring means is coupled to the second measuring idler station. The apparatus further includes means coupled to the first and second measuring means for averaging the weight of material measured by the first and second measuring means.
By leveling the scale unit into a planar array of idler stations, the present invention provides a modular scale apparatus that reduces the occurrence of side torque forces on the measuring station and provides a more reliable and accurate scale apparatus. Furthermore, because the scale unit is a single preleveled and aligned unit, the modular scale apparatus of the present invention facilitates installation of the apparatus into an existing conveyor system.
Additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

Modular idler station belt scale apparatus


A system for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle includes an optical system for imaging a portion of the windshield on to an image array sensor, such as a CMOS active pixel sensor. The voltage of each of the pixels which represents the illumination level is converted to a corresponding gray scale value by an analog digital converter. The gray scale values corresponding to the image are stored in memory. The spatial frequency composition of the gray scale values is analyzed to determine the amount of rain present in order to provide a control signal to control the operation of the windshield wipers of the vehicle as a function of the amount of moisture present. The system is also adapted to detect the level of fog both on the interior of the windshield as well as the exterior of the windshield. By providing a system for automatically detecting the presence of fog on the interior and exterior of the windshield, serious performance limitations of known automatic rain sensors are eliminated.

The present invention relates to a system for automatically detecting the presence of moisture on a surface such as the surface of a windshield of a vehicle, in order to automatically actuate the vehicle""s windshield wipers and/or defroster or defogging system.
In conventional windshield wiper systems, the windshield wipers are actuated based upon the elapsed time between wipes rather than the moisture level on the exterior of the windshield. During conditions of relatively consistent rainfall, for example, the time interval can be adjusted to correspond to the amount of time in which the rain accumulates to the point of the desired visibility level. Unfortunately, the rate of rainfall may vary dramatically over a given period of time. Additionally, traffic conditions may also cause varying amounts of rain to fall on the windshields due to traffic conditions, such as a passing truck or the like. As a result, during such conditions, the wiper time interval must frequently be adjusted, which can be cumbersome.
Various systems are known which automatically control the interval between wipes of the windshield wipers based upon moisture on the vehicle windshield. In some known systems, various coatings are applied to the vehicle windshield. Electrical measurement of those coatings is used to provide an indication of the moisture content on the windshield. Unfortunately, such methods require relatively expensive processes which makes such system commercially non-viable. Other systems for automatically sensing the moisture content on a vehicle windshield are also known. For example, optical systems are known which measure the difference of reflected light of a dry windshield versus a wet windshield. Unfortunately, the optical method is susceptible to interference from external light sources and thus provides inadequate performance. Other known systems must be adhered to the windshield which complicates the windshield replacement. As a result of such complications, moisture sensors are rarely found on vehicles.
Another system for automatically detecting the moisture content on a windshield is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application No. Hei greater than (1995)-286130, which describes the use of a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor to image a portion of the vehicle windshield in order to detect raindrops. The system described therein computes the sum of the differences between each pixel and the average of all pixels. Unfortunately, headlamps of oncoming vehicles will create a bright spot in the image which would be difficult to completely blur and likely be interpreted as rain. Moreover, in order for such a system to work effectively, images from the distant scene must be completely blurred. Otherwise, there will be dark and light regions in the distant scene. Although there is no optical system disclosed in the Japanese laid open patent application for accomplishing this objective, it would be very difficult to develop an optical system to completely blur an oncoming headlamp. Failure to blur oncoming headlamps could cause false triggering of the system disclosed in the above-identified Japanese laid open patent application.
Another problem with automatic rain detection systems is the inability of the system to detect the operation of the windshield wipers. In certain cold climate conditions, the windshield wipers are known to freeze to the windshield. In such a situation, since the moisture is not being removed by the wipers, an automatic rain sensing device would continuously command the wipers to actuate, even though the wipers are frozen to the windshield, potentially damaging the windshield wiper system.
Another known problem with known systems is the inability to detect fog on the interior and exterior of the windshields. As mentioned above, automatic moisture detection systems, such as disclosed in the above-identified Japanese laid open patent application, are based upon the ability to detect raindrops on the windshield. When a uniform fog or mist covers the vehicle windshield, systems, such as the system disclosed in the Japanese laid open patent application, are unable to sense such moisture on the exterior of the windshield. As a result, during such a condition, the windshield wipers will have to be manually actuated, thereby partially defeating the purpose of an automatic rain sensor and windshield wiper control system making the feature a lot less desirable.
In other situations, fog develops on the inside of the windshield independent of the moisture content on the exterior of the windshield. In such a condition, automatic rain sensing systems, such as disclosed in the Japanese laid open patent application, are unable to detect the moisture content on the exterior of the vehicle windshield until after the fog on the interior of the windshield is cleared. In such a condition, a defroster or defogger system would have to be manually actuated to remove the interior fog on the windshield. The automatic rain sensor would not be operable during such a condition until the fog on the interior of the windshield is sufficiently cleared.
The desirability of having automatic rain sensing is to have a system which automatically controls the windshield wipers during typical climatic conditions, such as rain, snow and fog. When the wiper system has to be operated manually during such typical conditions, such a feature becomes undesirable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system which solves the problems of the prior art.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically detecting the moisture content on the windshield of a vehicle.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle during common climatic conditions, such as rain, snow and fog.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically detecting the presence of fog on the exterior of a windshield.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically detecting the presence of fog on the interior of a windshield.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a system for automatically sensing the windshield wipers crossing a portion of the windshield.
Briefly, the present invention relates to a system for automatically detecting moisture on the windshield of a vehicle. The automatic moisture detecting system includes an optical system for imaging a portion of the windshield onto an image array sensor, such as a CMOS active pixel sensor. The voltage of each of the pixels, which represents the illumination level, is converted to a corresponding gray scale value by an analog to digital converter. The gray scale values corresponding to the image are stored in memory. The spatial frequency composition of the gray scale values are analyzed to determine the amount of rain present in order to provide a control signal to control the operation of the windshield wipers of the vehicle as a function of the amount of moisture present. The system is also adapted to detect fog both on the interior of the windshield as well as the exterior of the windshield. By providing a system for automatically detecting the presence of fog on the interior and exterior of the windshield, serious performance limitations of known automatic rain sensors during typical climatic conditions are eliminated.

Moisture sensor and windshield fog detector


A method of detecting a disturbing signal for demodulating digital data, wherein, on the modulated signal transposed into baseband, the disturbing signal is detected by periodically inserting known signals by means of a fixed guard time delay ((R+I)T.sub.s) applied to the received signal prior to demodulation, and wherein said method includes: a step of estimating the square of the modulus of the cross-correlation of the received referenced signal and of the expected signal at a determined instant when the reference signal is assumed to be present; a step of estimating the square of the correlation of the received signal at the same instant, of multiplying by a coefficient which represents the square of the threshold for the estimated correlation coefficient, and of multiplying by the number of reference symbols used in a reference burst; and a step of comparing with each other the two quantities obtained simultaneously during the preceding two steps. The invention also relates to apparatus for implementing the method. The invention is particularly applicable to digital radio beams.

In any transmission system based on digital modulation, transmission may be disturbed by disturbing signals as understood in a wide sense, i.e.:
either by other transmission systems; or
by deliberate jamming.
One prior art solution for detecting such disturbing signals as described in French patent No. 2 538 645 (application number 82 21 875, filed Dec. 28, 1982), consists in detecting the energy received outside the modulation band by a highpass filter having a cutoff frequency that is not less than the highest frequency of the modulation band. However, although such apparatus is effective for broadband disturbing signals, it functions poorly with narrow band disturbing signals. Under such circumstances, when a signal of adjacent frequency is detected, the received signal is taken to be disturbed even though it is not.

Method of detecting a disturbing signal for a digital data demodulator, and apparatus implementing such a method


An idle rotation speed Nidl of an engine is set to increase with an increase in actual vehicle speed V and with an increase in measured temperature Tb of a battery (step S160). The drive control of the invention controls the engine and two motors to idle the engine at the preset idle rotation speed Nidl and to ensure output of a required power corresponding to a torque demand Tr* to a drive shaft within a range between an input limit Win and an output limit Wout of the battery (steps S190 to S230). Such control enables the engine to have a high following capability and promptly change its output power level in response to a change in power demand P*, which is accompanied by an abrupt variation in torque demand Tr*. The technique of the invention thus desirably reduces the required level of charging or discharging of the battery, which is triggered by a response delay of the engine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power output apparatus, a hybrid vehicle, and control methods of the power output apparatus and the hybrid vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One proposed power output apparatus changes the idle rotation speed of an engine as an output source of driving force according to the residual charge level or current state of charge and the temperature of a battery (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Gazette No. 2003-206777). This prior art power output apparatus increases the idle rotation speed of the engine, when the residual charge level of the battery decreases to or below a preset reference value corresponding to the battery temperature. The increase of the idle rotation speed of the engine protects the battery from over discharge and accordingly prevents accelerated deterioration of the battery.

Power output apparatus and hybrid vehicle


A write pulse generating unit for generating write pulses having variable wavelengths is provided. A write pulse having a variable wavelength, generated from the write pulse generating unit, is supplied to a specified transistor memory. Thus, when write pulses, each having a shorter wavelength are supplied to a plurality of transistor memories, variations in read voltage among the transistor memories can be reduced. The write pulse generating unit facilitates identifying transistor memories having degraded retention characteristics upon execution of an accelerated test during baking or burn-in, thereby improving the quality of the memories.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a read voltage control device for a semiconductor memory device such as a reloadable flash EEPROM or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a conventional read voltage control device for a semiconductor memory device. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 indicates an address bus, reference numeral 2 indicates a data bus, reference numerals 3 and 4 respectively indicate an X decoder and a Y decoder electrically connected to the address bus 1, reference numerals 5 respectively indicate word lines electrically connected to the X decoder 3, reference numerals 6 respectively indicate bit lines electrically connected to the Y decoder 4, and reference numeral 7 indicates a transistor memory (cell) electrically connected to the bit line 6 and the word line 5. A memory cell array comprises a plurality of transistors 7 electrically connected to the lines 5 and 6.
Reference numeral 8 indicates a write pulse generator for generating a write pulse therefrom, which comprises a ring oscillator 9 and a frequency divider 10. Reference numeral 11 indicates a tristate buffer electrically connected to the data bus 2, for blocking the writing of data to a write data latch 12 in response to a write enable signal. Reference numeral 12 indicates the write data latch electrically connected to the tristate buffer 11. Reference numeral 13 indicates a write buffer which comprises transistors 15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 2 and supplies a voltage pulse corresponding to the width of a pulse generated from the write pulse generator 8 from a power supply 14 to the corresponding transistor memory 7 via the Y decoder 4 and the corresponding bit line 6 in response to data outputted from the write data latch 12.
Reference numeral 17 indicates a sense amplifier for reading written data when a read voltage for the corresponding transistor memory 7 rises to a threshold V.sub.TH exceeding a predetermined value. Reference numeral 18 indicates a read data latch electrically connected to the sense amplifier 17. Reference numeral 19 indicates a tristate buffer for blocking the supply of data latched into the read data latch 18 to the data bus 2 in response to a read enable signal. Reference numeral 20 indicates a tester for supplying a new address signal to the X decoder 3 and the Y decoder 4 and supplying a new data signal to the tristate buffer 11 when the tester determines that the data stored in the corresponding transistor memory 7 can be read by the tristate buffer 19 through the data bus 2.
The operation of the read voltage control device will next be explained.
FIG. 14 shows a configuration of a reloadable flash EEPROM. A test to write data into a manufactured flash EEPROM is performed by electrically connecting the tester 20 to the address bus 1 and the data bus 2.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional read voltage control device for a semiconductor memory device. The tester 20 first defines the address as a leading address (Step ST1) and initializes a loop counter X (Step ST2). Next, the tester 20 proceeds to the setting of a program mode (Step ST3) and sets program data and an address (Step ST4).
An address signal outputted from the tester 20 through the address bus I according to the address set in this way, is decoded by the X decoder 3 and the Y decoder 4 so that a given transistor memory 7 of the memory cell array is specified. A data signal outputted from the tester 20 through the data bus 2 in response to the program data set as described above is outputted to the write buffer 13 through the tristate buffer 11 and the write data latch 12. Further, the write buffer 13 supplies a voltage pulse corresponding to the width of the pulse generated from the write pulse generator 8 from the power supply 14 to the above-specified transistor memory 7 through the Y decoder 4 and the corresponding bit line 6. The supply of the voltage to the transistor memory 7 at one time is performed for 10 .mu.s (Step ST5).
Further, the tester 20 increments the loop counter X by 1 (Step ST6) and proceeds to the setting of a program verify mode (Step ST7). The program verify mode is used to read written data when the read voltage for the transistor memory 7 specified by the sense amplifier 17 has risen to the threshold V.sub.TH exceeding the predetermined value and allowing the tester 20 to recognize the satisfactory writing of the specified transistor memory 7 through the read data latch 18, tristate buffer 19 and data bus 2. This program verify mode is executed upon verification (Step ST12). Upon the writing of the data to the transistor memory 7, the supply of the voltage pulse to the transistor memory 7 at one time causes no attainment of the read voltage to the threshold V.sub.TH allowing the reading of the written data and hence the voltage pulse is always supplied plural times. Accordingly, the number of times that the voltage pulse is supplied, is set to 25 times as an upper limit (Step ST9). If the number of times that the voltage pulse is supplied, reaches 25 times and the read voltage fails to reach the threshold V.sub.TH where written data can be read (Step ST10), then the tester 20 sets a read mode and determines the product as a failed component (FAIL) (Step ST11).
If it is determined in Step ST10 that the read voltage has reached the threshold V.sub.TH where written data can be read, then the writing of the data to the transistor memory 7 is determined as satisfactory. If the final address is not reached (Step ST13), then the tester 20 proceeds to the next address (Step ST14). If the answer is found to be NO in Step ST9, then the operations of Steps ST3 to ST12 are repeated until the read voltage reaches the threshold V.sub.TH where written data can be read (Step ST12). Namely, the voltage pulse is supplied to the transistor memory 7 plural times. If the processing on the final address is completed by the repetition of these operations, then the tester 20 sets the read mode and determines the product as a good article (PASS) (Step ST15).
Since the conventional read voltage control device for a semiconductor memory device is constructed as described above, only one type is used as the type of the width of the pulse generated from the write pulse generator 8. Thus, the voltage pulse supplied from the write buffer 13 to the transistor memory 7 has a constant pulse width at all times.
Therefore, the read voltage from the transistor memory 7 rises stepwise as shown in FIG. 16 each time the voltage pulse is supplied from the write buffer 13 to the transistor memory 7. Further, the supply of the voltage pulse from write buffer 13 to the transistor memory 7 is stopped when the read voltage has reached the threshold V.sub.TH at which the sense amplifier 17 can read the written data. However, since the width of the voltage pulse supplied from the write buffer 13 cannot be selected, the width V of the stepwise voltage increases, thus causing a problem that variations in read voltages from the plurality of transistor memories 7 occur.
Further, since the width of the voltage pulse supplied from the write buffer 13 cannot be selected, the number of times that the voltage pulse is supplied to each transistor memory 7 whose read voltage is hard to reach the threshold V.sub.TH exceeding the predetermined value even if the voltage pulse is supplied thereto, increases, thereby causing a problem that time is required to execute a series of tests.
Moreover, there may be cases in which the voltage pulse is simultaneously supplied to the plurality of transistor memories 7. In this case, the difference in the rise of the read voltage occurs between the plurality of transistor memories 7a and 7b due to variations in manufacture as shown in FIG. 17 by way of example. Thus, the voltage pulse is continuously supplied to the transistor memory 7a until the read voltage reaches the threshold V.sub.TH allowing the reading of the data written into the transistor memory 7b. Accordingly, a problem arises in that the difference V in the read voltage is developed between the transistor memories 7a and 7b and an increase in the difference V in the read voltage results in malfunction and makes it hard to execute the subsequent tests.

Read voltage control device for semiconductor memory device


A circuit including a first switch receiving an input reference voltage, a second switch receiving an input testing voltage, the first switch and the second switch are electrically connected in parallel. The circuit further includes a first capacitor electrically connected in series with the first switch and the second switch. The circuit further includes a feedback stage comprising a feedback inverter electrically connected in parallel with a feedback switch, where the feedback stage is electrically connected in series with the first capacitor. The circuit further includes a first inverter electrically connected in series to the feedback stage, and a third switch electrically connected in series with the first inverter. The circuit further includes a second inverter electrically connected in parallel to a third inverter, the second inverter and the third inverter are electrically connected in series to the third switch, and the third inverter outputs a first output signal.

As technology nodes decrease, the density of features on a substrate increases. One way of increasing the density of features on the substrate is to form a three-dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC). However, 3DICs suffer from a problem of providing sufficient power integrity to each element of the 3DIC. Power integrity is a measure of stability of a power signal. The reduced area of the chip decreases the number of contact pads available to transmit power to components of the 3DIC. The fewer number of contact pads increases the resistance in the 3DIC. The increased resistance leads to greater concerns regarding power integrity. In some instances, a power spike or drop resulting from poor power integrity will cause the components of the 3DIC to function improperly.
Forming 3DICs also includes exerting force on the components of the 3DIC to form bonds between the components. In some instances, the forces exerted on the 3DIC components damages the components leading to improper functioning.
Some methods of testing 3DICs determine whether a 3DIC is functioning properly, but do not provide information regarding a reason for the failure, i.e., problems during manufacturing or poor power integrity. Some methods use an external scope to measure power integrity; however, these methods cannot measure power integrity during operation of the 3DIC. Some methods form a circuit to monitor power integrity during operation of the 3DIC, however, these circuits are complex and are designed specifically for each circuit, thus increasing production time and cost. These circuits also occupy significant area on the 3DIC, reducing the area available for other components.

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


An energy storage system has a first pressurized tank for carrying water and hydrogen gas and a second pressurized tank for carrying water and oxygen gas. A first output line connects to the pressurized tank for carrying hydrogen gas from the tank. A second output line connects to the second pressurized tank for carrying oxygen gas from the second tank. The energy storage system has a differential-pressure relief valve connected to the output lines to maintain the gases within a defined pressure differential. A water line connects to both pressurized tanks for maintaining relative water levels in the tanks. An electrolyzer is maintained under pressure and receives water from at least one of the pressurized tanks and creates hydrogen gas and oxygen gas for storage in the pressurized tanks. An accumulator connects to the output lines and having a movable diaphragm that separates the gases and moves to adjust volume to equalize pressure. A regeneration system having the energy storage system and a fuel cell for generating electrical energy is connected to the output lines. A catalyst hood overlies the electrolyzer. In a preferred embodiment of the regeneration system, both the electrolyzer and the fuel cell have a proton exchange membrane. A solar array is connected to the electrolyzer in the regeneration system.

There are billions of people on the earth who live without access to reliable electricity. Even a modest amount of electrical power can tremendously improve the quality of life for people in under-served regions. Basic applications in these rural areas could include items such as lighting, medical, and health related items such as refrigeration for medicines and food.
While the use of petroleum-based resources to generate electrical power is a possibility, petroleum-based resources have environmental issues, concerns as non-renewable resources, and the logistics of getting the petroleum-based resources from the source to the area of need. Renewable energy technologies including solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal, tidal, wind and others offer the hope of renewable resources local to the area needing power. In addition, these renewable energy technologies are inherently scalable and lend themselves to the potential of eliminating the need for a power grid. However, these renewable energy technologies generally need a storage mechanism to store energy in that they are not capable typically of varying output based on need. In addition, many of these technologies are cyclical in nature such as photovoltaic where the output from the energy source drops essentially to zero at night.
One method of storing the energy is a regenerative electrolyzer/fuel cell system. However, existing regenerative electrolyzer/fuel cell systems have several short-comings including the large size of storage tanks to hold sufficient gas for the fuel cell.

Electrolyzer pressure equalization system


Methods, systems, and devices provide improved power control for signals used for device-to-device services. In one aspect, a user equipment (“UE”) terminal controls the transmission power of signals used for device-to-device (“D2D”) services based on power control parameters provided by a base station. The UE terminal includes a first power control module for controlling a first transmission power to be applied to signals used for communication with a base station. The UE terminal also includes a second power control module for controlling a second transmission power to be applied to signals used for D2D services. The first and second transmission powers can be determined based on at least one power control parameter received from the base station. The UE terminal also includes a signal transceiver module for transmitting signals used for uplink/downlink communications using the first transmission power and transmitting signals used for D2D services using the second transmission power.

When two user equipment terminals (e.g., mobile communication devices) of a cellular network or other telecommunication system communicate with each other, their data path typically goes through the operator network. The data path through the network may include base stations and/or gateways. If the devices are in close proximity with each other, their data path may be routed locally through a local base station.
It is also possible for two user equipment terminals in close proximity to each other to establish a direct link without the need to go through a base station. Telecommunications systems may use or enable device-to-device ("D2D") communication, in which two or more user equipment terminals directly communicate with one another. In D2D communication, voice and data traffic (referred to herein as "communication signals") from one user equipment terminal to one or more other user equipment terminals may not be communicated through a base station or other network control device of a telecommunication system.
Services that take advantage of D2D communication are referred to as proximity-based services ("ProSe) or D2D services. Such services typically include two phases: a discovery phase and a communication phase. The discovery phase involves the transmission and/or reception of discovery signals that allow user equipment terminals to detect when they are within proximity of each other. Proximity is determined when given proximity criteria are fulfilled. The communication phase involves the transmission and/or reception of communication signals directly between or among user equipment terminals. D2D services can also include other signaling phases involving signals such as sounding reference signals used to estimate the quality of communication channels, control signals used for establishing a communication channel, etc. The growing demand for increased speed, throughput, and efficiency in wireless communication networks requires continuing improvements in wireless communication processes, systems, and devices, including those related to D2D services and other D2D applications.
Prior solutions for control signaling between user equipment terminals of a telecommunication network involve a base station or other network control device of a telecommunication network generating or otherwise managing the control signaling. Depending on the level of control of the underlying telecommunication network (such as, but not limited to, an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network ("E-UTRAN")) control signaling related to the D2D discovery and/or communication may be managed or generated by a base station or other network control device. Such prior solutions do not provide for user equipment terminals managing transmission power for signals used for D2D discovery and/or communication. Such prior solutions also do not provide for management of transmission power levels in multiple, overlapping networks in which D2D communication links can be instantiated.

Transmission power control for signals used by user equipment terminals for device-to-device services


A ventilated insulation bat having longitudinal channels formed in the top of the bat. The channels are resiliently compressible and flattenable when the bat is rolled, but the channels resume their depth when the bat is unrolled. The channels are manufactured by means for forming such as by molding or melting the channels into the bat or by affixing a flattenable perforated corrugated device to the bat. The transverse distance across the flattenable perforated corrugated device extends less than the width of the bat. The flattenable device when flattened is smaller than the bat to prevent the device from extending beyond the width of the bat when the bat is compressed and rolled into a roll for storage or transportation.

The field of the invention pertains to roof insulation and ventilation. In particular, the invention pertains to an integral roof ventilation baffle and insulation apparatus. Fiberglass bats are used to insulate the undersides of roofs. However, ventilation must be provided for or the effective insulation value of the bats is reduced by trapped moisture. Heretofore, baffling devices have been installed at the construction site necessitating additional construction time and extra tools to be used. An example of a baffling device installed at the construction site prior to positioning the insulation bat is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,714.
A variety of other devices for providing means to provide a roof ventilation baffle are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,598; U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,661; U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,180 and German Patent Document DE3623281, however, these baffles are all separate elements from the roof insulation. Thus, no known apparatus exists to facilitate the easy provision of ventilation channels to insulation materials prior to installation.

Integral roof ventilation baffle and insulation