Circularly permuted proteins are described wherein the natural termini of the polypeptide are joined and the resulting circular protein is opened at another point to create new C- and N- termini. The resulting protein exhibits some altered characteristic such as reduced substrate binding, for example. Fusion proteins can be made from the circularly permuted protein by attaching the second polypeptide to these newly created termini. These fusion proteins will have altered properties from a fusion protein made by attaching the second polypeptide to the natural termini. For example, the second peptide or protein can be attached at a position where it is more accessible to its substrate or intended target. In the preferred embodiment, the base circularly permuted biotin binding protein. In one embodiment, a flexible polypeptide loop important for the binding of biotin was opened by creation of the circularly permuted protein. The original termini (residues 13 and 139 of SEQ ID NO:1) were joined by a linker. The biotin association constant was reduced approximately six orders of magnitude below that of wild type streptavidin to 107 Mxe2x88x921. Fusion proteins of the circularly permuted streptavidin can be made with secondary peptides/proteins such as IgG binding protein A or single-chain antibodies.

The present invention is in the field of modified streptavidin, and more particularly in the area of streptavidin fusion proteins wherein the base polypeptide is streptavidin having a circularly permuted loop.
Fusion proteins are polypeptide chains consisting of two or more polypeptides fused together into a single polypeptide chain. Streptavidin fusion proteins have been reported, for example, that combine the biotin binding capabilities of streptavidin with that of a second protein, such as IgG-binding protein A (Sano and Cantor, Bio/Technology 9:1377-1381 (1992), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,985 to Sano et al.), metallothionein (Sano, et al., P. N. A. S. USA 89:1534-1538 (1992)), single chain antibodies (Dubel et al., J. Immul. Methods. 178:201-209 (1995)) and the human low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,293 to Cantor et al.). These proteins include wild-type streptavidin attached to the second protein. Tight binding of biotin to the streptavidin is substantially maintained.
The high affinity of streptavidin for biotin, with a Ka of approximately 2.5xc3x971013 Mxe2x88x921, has been advantageously utilized in many existing diagnostic and separation technologies, and in targeted drug/imaging agent delivery systems. However, the extremely high affinity of streptavidin for biotin can be detrimental in applications where reversible immobilization of streptavidin or biotinylated targets is ultimately desirable. An important example is affinity separations, where a biotinylated target molecule is captured with streptavidin and where subsequent release and recycling of the biotinylated target or capture agent (e.g. antibody) is desired. Similarly, in drug delivery applications where the streptavidin-biotin system forms the targeting and/or delivery component, the exceptionally slow biotin dissociation kinetics limits potential applications utilizing diffusion of the biotinylated imaging agent or drug to the therapeutic target, and may also result in slow in vivo clearance of biotinylated imaging agents.
In common with many other high-affinity protein-ligand systems, streptavidin utilizes three key molecular recognition mechanisms in its interaction with biotin: an extensive hydrogen bonding network, several direct aromatic side-chain contacts, and a flexible loop near the biotin binding site. Flexible loops are protein structural elements often found near the binding sites or active sites of receptors and enzymes. With many flexible loops, ligand binding is accompanied by a open-to-closed (or disorder-to-order) conformation change in going from the unbound to the ligand-bound state (Noble M E M et al. (1993) Proteins 16:311-326; Wierenga R K, et al. (1991) Proteins 10:33-49; Morton A, et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34:8576-8588; Tanaka T, et al. (1992) Biochemistry 31:2259-2265; and Falzone C J, et al. (1994) Biochemistry 33:439-442). The loops presumably play an important role in gating ligand association and dissociation, but their energetic contributions to molecular recognition remain unclear. The free energy of binding is the result of balancing the entropic costs/benefits of ordering of loops and release of bound water with the enthalpic benefits of burying non-polar surface area and establishing bonding contacts. It is expected that protein-ligand interactions will lead to energetic signatures similar to those associated with protein folding. Murphy K P, et al. (1993) Proteins 15:113-120; Spolar R S, et al. (1994) Science 263:777-784.
A prominent feature accompanying biotin association is the conformational change of a flexible binding loop (Hendrickson W A, et al. (1989) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:2190-2194; Weber P C, et al. (1989) Science 243:85-88). A crystallographic study of the flexible loop in core streptavidin has been reported (Freitag S, et al. (1997) Protein Sci 6:1157-1166). The loop (residues 45-52 of SEQ ID NO:1) is in a closed conformation in the presence of biotin and in an open conformation in apo-streptavidin. Residues 49 through 52 (SEQ ID NO:1) are found in a 310 helix and the open conformation is stabilized by a hydrogen bonding interaction between residues 45 and 52 (SEQ ID NO:1). In a tetragonal crystal form, these residues are disordered in the open conformation (Weber P C, et al. (1989) Science 243:85-88). Ser45 (SEQ ID NO:1) terminates the xcex2-strain leading into the loop and the side-chain oxygen of this residue is hydrogen-bonded to one of the ureido-oxygen of biotin, and the backbone amide nitrogen of Asn49 (SEQ ID NO:1) is hydrogen-bonded to the biotin carboxylate. The rearrangement and/or deletion of this loop can lead to many changes, particularly changes in binding of substrate. For many enzymes, it may be useful to alter binding characteristics, such as, for example, increasing or decreasing binding affinity.
Circular permutation is a technique wherein the normal termini of a polypeptide are linked and new termini are created by breaking the backbone elsewhere. In many polypeptides, the normal termini are in close proximity and can be joined by a short amino acid sequence. The break in the polypeptide backbone can be at any point, preferably at a point where the natural function and folding of the polypeptide are not destroyed. Circular permutation creates new C- and N-termini, allowing creation of fusion proteins wherein the fused peptide or protein is attached at a different place on the host protein. For example, if the natural termini are at the interior of the base protein, it may be disruptive to attach a peptide or protein at the natural termini, By changing the attachment location to a place near the exterior of the host protein, stability of the host protein may be maintained. In some situations, disruption of a loop near the binding site may advantageously disrupt substrate binding.
It would be advantageous to provide streptavidin mutants having a lower binding affinity for biotin than wild type streptavidin. It would be advantageous to provide streptavidin fusion proteins having a lower binding affinity for biotin than fusion proteins including wild type streptavidin.
It would be advantageous to provide streptavidin fusion proteins wherein the second peptide or protein is attached at a more useful position.
Circularly permuted proteins are described wherein the natural termini of the polypeptide are joined and the resulting circular protein is opened at another point to create new C- and N- termini. The resulting protein exhibits some altered characteristic such as reduced substrate binding, for example. Fusion proteins can be made from the circularly permuted protein by attaching the second polypeptide to these newly created termini. These fusion proteins will have altered properties from a fusion protein made by attaching the second polypeptide to the natural termini. For example, the second peptide or protein can be attached at a position where it is more accessible to its substrate or intended target. In the preferred embodiment, the base polypeptide is streptavidin. Circular permutation of streptavidin results in a circularly permuted biotin binding protein. In one embodiment, a flexible polypeptide loop important for the binding of biotin was opened by creation of the circularly permuted protein. The original termini (residues 13 and 139 of SEQ ID NO:1) were joined by a linker. The biotin association constant was reduced approximately six orders of magnitude below that of wild type streptavidin to 107 Mxe2x88x921. Fusion proteins of the circularly permuted streptavidin can be made with secondary peptides/proteins such as IgG binding protein A or single-chain antibodies.

Circularly permuted biotin binding proteins


Gas turbine engine components having an airfoil extending outwardly of a platform are mounted in adjacent relationship, and such that cooling air flows outwardly of a gap between mating faces of the platforms. The location of localized hot spots is identified on the platform, and the mating faces are designed to provide cooling air through the gap to address these hot spots. A suction side edge of the platform has a curved portion extending inwardly into the platform, and the pressure side has a curved portion bulging outwardly away from the airfoil. When these two portions on adjacent components mate, a gap is provided between two platforms that provides leakage cooling air to the hot spot.

This application relates to an improved airfoil, wherein mate faces between adjacent airfoils are contoured to optimize cooling air flow between the mate faces.
Various components in a gas turbine engine have an airfoil shape extending outwardly from a platform. One example is a turbine blade, which typically includes a platform, with an airfoil extending above the platform. The airfoil is curved, extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge, and between a pressure wall and a suction wall.
The turbine blade can become quite hot during operation of the gas turbine engine. Thus, cooling circuits are formed within the turbine blade to circulate cooling fluid, typically air. A number of cooling channels extend through the cross-section of the airfoil, and from the platform outwardly toward a tip. Air passes through these channels, and cools the turbine blade.
Many distinct types of cooling circuits are provided within the airfoil, and associated structures such as a platform, the root, etc. As known, a number of turbine blades are mounted to be circumferentially spaced. Leakage air is allowed to flow between a leading face of the platform, a trailing face of the platform, and on mate faces between adjacent platforms. This air cools the platforms, and allows the airfoils to better survive in the harsh environment of the gas turbine engine.
The platform has side edges that define mate faces. The cooling air flow between the mate faces has been directed by the gap between the mate faces. The gap is parallel to the mate faces, and the mate faces have traditionally been parallel to a groove within the root such that the blade can be more easily mounted to a rotor.
Applicant has determined that, for various reasons, providing cooling air flow from a gap between generally straight edges of a platform, does not optimize this cooling air flow. Instead, applicant has recognized that there are hot spots on the platform due to several features that are not best addressed by the prior cooling air flow.
In at least one prior art airfoil, the platform side edges are defined by a pair of straight sections. This was to allow the use of a platform having an edge extending on an angle that might otherwise intersect with the airfoil. This has not been utilized to address local hot spots.

Platform mate face contours for turbine airfoils


A sensor-in-package device, a process for fabricating a hermetically-sealed sensor-in-package device, and a process for fabricating a hermetically-sealed sensor-in-package device with a pre-assembled hat that employ example techniques in accordance with the present disclosure are described herein. In an implementation, the sensor-in-package device includes a substrate; at least one thermopile, at least one photodetector, at least one light-emitting diode, an ultraviolet light sensor, and a pre-assembled hat disposed on the first side of the substrate, where the pre-assembled hat includes a body; a first lid; and a second lid; where the body, the substrate, and the first lid define a thermopile cavity that houses the at least one thermopile, and where the body, the substrate, and the second lid define an optical cavity that houses at least one of the at least one photodetector, the at least one light-emitting diode, or the ultraviolet light sensor.

Ceramic materials and substrates are widely used for packaging materials because of their high mechanical strength and desirable electrical properties. Often, interconnect circuit boards and other electronic devices, such as sensors, include a ceramic package or a ceramic substrate. These ceramic packages and substrates can be suitable for use in sensors due to a high modulus of elasticity and low coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic materials. Hermetic ceramic packaging can be used for applications requiring high performance and high reliability. This type of packaging can often withstand higher temperatures than plastic packaging.

Hermetic solution for thermal and optical sensor-in-package


The present invention provides a polarizing member constituted by, at least, a cholesteric liquid-crystal layer (1), a quarter-wave plate (2), and an optical rotatory layer (3). By the polarizing member according to the present invention, the plane of polarization of light linearly polarized by a combination of the cholesteric liquid-crystal layer and the quarter-wave plate are rotated by the optical rotatory layer so that the linearly polarized light is supplied to an absorption type polarizer (4) with good coincidence between the plane of polarization of the linearly polarized light and the axis of polarization of the absorption type polarizer. Thus, there can be obtained a liquid-crystal display device which has luminance improved by prevention of absorption loss and is excellent in display quality. That is, in a liquid-crystal display device improved in luminance by use of a cholesteric liquid-crystal layer, coloring can be suppressed evenly in all obliquely viewing azimuths while good viewing characteristic can be achieved in a frontal direction.

Heretofore known is a liquid-crystal display device in which light made to exit from a backlight is linearly polarized by a combination of a cholesteric liquid-crystal layer and a quarter-wave plate so that the linearly polarized light is supplied to an absorption type polarizer with little absorption loss or the like to attain improvement of luminance to make it possible to achieve reduction in thickness of the liquid-crystal display device and increase in size thereof advantageously. In such a device, generally, the axial relation between the plane of polarization of light linearly polarized by the cholesteric liquid-crystal layer or the like and the axis of polarization of the absorption type polarizer is adjusted so that good viewing characteristic can be obtained in a frontal (perpendicular) direction which forms a main viewing point. The plane of polarization of the linearly polarized light and the axis of polarization of the absorption type polarizer are usually arranged at a crossing angle of about 45 degrees.
Hence, the optical axis was displaced in an obliquely viewing direction shifted from the frontal direction. There was a problem that display was colored on the basis of the displacement of the optical axis. Although there might be proposed a system in which the coloring problem is suppressed by controlling retardation in a direction of the thickness of the display device or by controlling the wavelength range by used of the cholesteric liquid-crystal layer, it was difficult to suppress coloring evenly in all obliquely viewing azimuths and there was a disadvantage that coloring was apt to remain particularly in the direction of the axis of the polarizer.
An object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing member which can suppress coloring evenly in all obliquely viewing azimuths while achieving good viewing characteristic in a frontal direction in a liquid-crystal display device improved in luminance by use of a cholesteric liquid-crystal layer.

Liquid crystal display device having a polarization member that includes a cholesteric liquid crystal layer and solid optical rotatory film


Methods are disclosed for performing proper word alignment that satisfy constraints of coverage and transitive closure. Initially, a translation matrix which defines word association measures between source and target words of a corpus of bilingual translations of source and target sentences is computed. Subsequently, in a first method, the association measures in the translation matrix are factorized and orthogonalized to produce cepts for the source and target words, which resulting matrix factors may then be, optionally, multiplied to produce an alignment matrix. In a second method, the association measures in the translation matrix are thresholded, and then closed by transitivity, to produce an alignment matrix, which may then be, optionally, factorized to produce cepts. The resulting cepts or alignment matrices may then be used by any number of natural language applications for identifying words that are properly aligned.

The following relates generally to methods, and apparatus therefor, for performing bilingual word alignment.
Aligning words from sentences, which are mutual (i.e., bilingual) translations, is an important problem to resolve as the aligned words are used for carrying out various linguistic or natural language applications. Examples of linguistic applications that make use of mutual translations include: the identification of phrases or templates in phrase-based machine translation; machine translation; and the projection of linguistic annotation across languages. Generally, known methods for performing word alignment are limited in performance (e.g., too computationally complex) or precision (e.g., no guarantee an alignment is "proper", as defined herein). Accordingly, there continues to exist a need for improved methods for carrying out word alignment from sentences.
Methods, and systems and articles of manufacture therefor, are described herein for producing "proper" alignments of words at the sentence level. In accordance with various embodiments described herein of such methods, given a source sentence f=f1 . . . fi . . . fl composed of source words f1, . . . fl, and a target sentence e=e1 . . . ej . . . eJ composed of target words e1, . . . eJ, the various embodiments identify source words fi and target words ej in the source and target sentences such that the words are "properly" aligned (i.e., are in mutual correspondence). As defined herein, words from a source sentence and target sentence are "properly" aligned when they satisfy the constraints of "coverage" and "transitive closure".
For the purpose of describing a proper alignment between words at the sentence level, a cept is characterized herein as a semantic invariant that links both sides of an alignment. An N-to-M alignment is therefore represented using cepts as an N-to-1-to-M alignment (i.e., N source words to one cept to M target words). As embodied in this notion of a cept, word alignment is proper if the alignment covers both sides (i.e., each word is aligned to at least one other word) and is closed by transitivity (i.e., all N source words in an N-to-M alignment are aligned to all M target words).
In accordance with the methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture described herein, words of natural language sentences are properly aligned. In performing the method, a corpus of aligned source sentences f=f1 . . . fi . . . fl and target sentences e=e1 . . . ej . . . eJ is received, where the source sentences are in a first natural language and the target sentences are in a second natural language. A translation matrix M is produced with association measures mij. Each association measure mij in the translation matrix provides a valuation of association strength between each source word fi and each target word ej. One or more of an alignment matrix A and cepts are produced that link aligned source and target words, where the alignment matrix and cepts define a proper N:M alignment between source and target words by satisfying coverage and transitive closure. Coverage is satisfied when each source word is aligned with at least one target word and each target word is aligned to at least one source word, and transitive closure is satisfied if when source word fi is aligned to target words ej and el, and source word fk is aligned to target word el, then source word fk is also aligned to target word ej.
Advantageously, these embodiments are computationally efficient methods for determining proper word alignment in sentences. In addition, further advantages may be realized as proper word alignment enables the production of improved translation models. For example, better chunks for phrase-based translation models may be extracted with properly aligned sentence translations. Further, proper word alignments advantageously insure that cept-based phrases cover entire source and target sentences.

Apparatus and methods for aligning words in bilingual sentences


A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch unicable includes a generally cylindrical outer housing having a longitudinal axis. A connector pin is fixedly, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from one end thereof. A rotating stud is rotatably, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from another end thereof. The connector pin and the rotating stud have ends in contact within the outer housing. A secondary electrical contact ring also is disposed within the outer housing. The secondary electrical contact ring includes at least one contact portion contacting the rotating stud. At least one biasing member is disposed between the rotating stud and the contact ring. The biasing member urges the rotating stud into engagement with the connector pin and urges the contact ring into engagement with the rotating stud.

In an electric welding process, it is known to use a power cable for conducting current and sometimes shielding gas to a welding torch. The power cable is often referred to as a unicable, which generally includes a core tube, copper cabling and shielded lead wires. Typically, such a cable is connected to each end of a MIG torch by way of either a crimped style fitting or a threaded compression fitting. One end of the cable is fastened to a wire feeder by way of a mating pin, and the other end is fastened to a gooseneck or conductor tube of the welding torch. These connections are fixed and unmoving.
The conventional fixed connection limits the torsional movement of the copper bundles within the unicables and creates stress, leading to eventual failure of the electrical connection of the welding torch. Current designs of cables in the industry are installed in fixed positions, and during manipulation of the torch by a user or robot, the cable twists as the torch is turned. In newer robotic designs, this becomes problematic as the cable can be subjected to severe mechanical wear such that the fixed cable connections fail.
There are also several models of robots in the market that allow for a coaxial mounting of the welding torch. This means that the torch cable runs through the center axis of the robot. In the case of a coaxial mounted welding torch, any rotation of the robot axis that is coaxial with the cable puts rotational torque on the cable, thereby creating mechanical wear.

Rotating power connector for electric welding torch unicables


A method for controlling delay tolerant access of a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device based on a backoff mechanism is provided. The method includes receiving, at a terminal, a paging message including an access barring information update indicator from a base station, and receiving a System Information Block (SIB) including updated access barring information, the SIB being received regardless of modification periods. The terminal receives the SIB including the updated access barring information immediately without waiting for the arrival of next modification period, resulting in improvement of access barring efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a delay tolerant access of a Machine-Type Communication (MTC) device in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a backoff method for reducing wireless network overload caused by simultaneous attempts of a plurality of MTC devices within a cell.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile communication systems have been developed to provide subscribers with voice communication services on the move. With the advancement of technology, the mobile communication systems have been evolved to support high speed data communication services as well as standard voice communication services. Recently, a next generation mobile communication system shifts its paradigm from Human to Human (H2H) to Machine to Machine (M2M). In order to meet this paradigm shift, the 3GPP has standardized the MTC.
The MTC has unique features as compared to normal wireless communication. The features are variously categorized according to a purpose of the MTC. For example, some MTC devices require only a few communication sessions per data regardless of time, and thus communication time has a delay-tolerant feature. Other MTC devices, installed at a fixed place to collect and transmit information without mobility, have a low mobility feature. A mobile carrier has to provide service in consideration of a coexistence between both the MTC device as well as a legacy User Equipment (UE).
A plurality of MTC devices may operate in one cell. Accordingly, when multiple MTC devices attempt to simultaneously access a network, the access may instantly cause an abrupt increase of a radio network load. Such an abrupt increase makes the radio network instable which results in an initial attachment failure of most MTC devices. Since most of the MTC devices are characterized by the delay-tolerant feature, it is not inevitable to establish a connection with a base station (evolved Node B or eNB) immediately. If the network load exceeds a preset threshold, the eNB restricts the MTC devices' initial access to the network first in order to control the overload. Recently, a method for extending an access barring mechanism has been introduced to control the network load. A normal access barring mechanism operates by transmitting related information in a System Information Block (SIB).
However, it takes a relatively long time for the eNB to acquire the SIB after its modification in structure. Accordingly, it is not efficient to adopt the normal access barring mechanism, without modification, to the wireless network in which traffic load increases abruptly.
Therefore, a need exists for a system and method for reducing a network load.

Access control method and apparatus of UE


A compressor housing defines a motor accommodating chamber. The pressure in the motor accommodating chamber is equal to the pressure in a suction chamber. A first reservoir chamber is located in a discharge chamber. A second reservoir chamber is defined about the discharge chamber. A communicating passage connects the first reservoir chamber with the second reservoir chamber. A restrictor is located in the communicating passage. An oil return passage connects the second reservoir chamber with the suction chamber. A connecting passage connects the motor accommodating chamber with the suction chamber. Therefore, leakage of electricity is prevented.

The present invention relates to an electric compressor used, for example, in a vehicle air conditioner.
A typical electric scroll compressor used in a vehicle air conditioner has a stationary scroll and a movable scroll. The stationary scroll is fixed to a housing, and has a base plate and a volute portion. The movable scroll has a base plate and a volute portion. The volute portions intermesh. When an electric motor accommodated in the housing is driven and the movable scroll orbits, each of compression chambers defined between the volute portions is moved toward the center of the volute portions, while the volume of the compression chamber is progressively decreased. Accordingly, refrigerant gas is compressed.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-295369 discloses an electric scroll compressor that lubricates an orbiting mechanism that permits a movable scroll to orbit relative to a stationary scroll. The scroll compressor of the publication also improves the sealing property of compression chambers against a compression reaction force in a thrust direction applied to the movable scroll. Specifically, the scroll compressor has a back pressure chamber at the back side of the base plate of the movable scroll. The back pressure chamber surrounds the orbiting mechanism. Lubricating oil the pressure of which corresponds to a discharge pressure is retained in a bottom portion of a discharge chamber. The lubricating oil is guided to the back pressure chamber so that the movable scroll is urged toward the stationary scroll. Accordingly, the sealing property of the compression chambers is improved. In the electric scroll compressor of the publication, lubricating oil that lubricates the orbiting mechanism and increases the back pressure falls by the self weight down to a motor accommodating chamber through an oil bleed passage having a constriction. The lubricating oil is then temporarily retained in a reservoir formed in the bottom of the motor accommodating chamber. Thereafter, the lubricating oil is sent to a suction side of the compression mechanism, which includes the volute portions of the stationary scroll and the movable scroll, through a conveying passage.
When used in a vehicle air conditioner, the above described electric scroll compressor has the following drawbacks. The reservoir for lubricating oil is formed in the bottom of the motor accommodating chamber. Therefore, when a significant amount of liquid refrigerant returns to the compressor from a refrigeration circuit, mixture of the lubricating oil and the liquid refrigerant stays in the lubricating oil reservoir. The coils of the motor and other components can be impregnated with the mixture. In a typical electric compressor, polyol ester (POE) is used as lubricating oil, so that the lubricating oil exerts a sufficient insulating performance even if mixed with liquid refrigerant. An electric compressor using such lubricant oil has no drawbacks when applied to an ordinary air conditioner. However, in vehicle air conditioners, polyalkylene glycol (PAG) is predominantly used as lubricating oil for belt driven compressors. When mixed with liquid refrigerant, PAG significantly degrades the insulating property of the mixture liquid. When performing maintenance of such a vehicle air conditioner, PAG can be mixed with liquid refrigerant. If wire connections and stator coils are impregnated with such mixture of the lowered insulating property, leakage of electricity can occur.
Such leakage of electricity can occur not only in electric scroll compressors, but also in electric swash plate type compressors and electric vane compressors.


The biometric information input apparatus comprises a fingerprint sensor which detects biometric information, and moisture absorbing units and which are arranged adjacent to the fingerprint sensor and absorb moisture. The moisture absorbing units and have a groove structure which generates a capillary phenomenon. The fingerprint sensor is of the sweep type which scans biometric information through relative displacement with the finger, and is formed in parallel with the direction of relative displacement between the groove structure and the finger. The groove structure has a width smaller than the pitch of the ridges of an average fingerprint.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biometric information input apparatus for conducting personal authentication or pointing by the use of biometric information such as a fingerprint or a palmprint. More particularly, the invention relates to a biometric information input apparatus of the sweep type for entering biometric information while causing a relative displacement of a living body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with the recent tendency toward higher functions, compact information devices such as cell phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), it is now possible for these devices to be connected to systems or to store a huge volume of personal information, and there is an increasing demand for a higher security performance in these devices.
In order to ensure a high security in these devices, personal authentication based on biometric information has a high reliability and can satisfy the above-mentioned increasing demand. Particularly, use of fingerprint as biometric information can provide a high serviceability.
When carrying out personal authentication by use of fingerprint as biometric information, fingerprints are sampled as image information from fingers of the person to be authenticated (a pattern composed of ridges which can be in contact with the sampling surface of the fingerprint sensor and valleys not coming into contact with the sampling surface). Positional information of bifurcations and ridge endings is extracted as feature information from, for example, a ridge image of the fingerprint image, and personal authentication which determines whether or not the person to be authenticated is the person in question is accomplished by matching the thus extracted feature information with registered feature information of the person to be authenticated registered in advance.
As a fingerprint sensor downsized for mounting on a compact information device such as a cell phone or a PDA, there is known a sweep-type (scanning type) fingerprint sensor (Re: J P 10-091769, JP 11-253428 and JP 2005-143890). The sweep-type fingerprint sensor has a rectangular detecting surface which is sufficiently smaller in length than the finger length and has a small area) (sensor area/pickup surface). A plurality of partial images of fingerprints are continuously sampled by means of the fingerprint sensor while moving the detecting surface (fingerprint sensor) relative to the fingers, and a whole view of fingerprint images is re-configured from the sampled plurality of partial images.
Information of minutiae (bifurcations of ridge, ridge endings, etc.) is extracted and generated from the thus re-configured fingerprint image, and the above-mentioned personal authentication is accomplished on the basis of this information.
Available related patent documents are as follows:
In such a conventional sweep-type fingerprint sensor, however, scanning may sometimes be carried out in a wetted state of finger, with, for example, fingers having drops of water caused by sweat, depending upon the environment or circumstances of use. Such a case leads to a problem in that sweat or water drops are picked up in the fingerprint image, and finger displacement causes generation of a string-shaped pattern, thus deteriorating authenticating performance as noise when conducting a personal authentication.
More specifically, when scanning a wetted finger by a sweep type fingerprint sensor, moisture held between the finger and the sensor is entangled by the moving finger or sweat adheres to the sensor while the finger moves, resulting in a longitudinal string-shaped image pattern in the fingerprint image. This longitudinal string-shaped image pattern is low in reproducibility, or has not relationship with the fingerprint pattern at all, forms noise in the case of personal authentication and degrades the authenticating performance.
This noise of image pattern caused by a wetted finger can be inhibited or removed through image processing, but implementation of such an image processing requires much time and labor for research and development, and further for industrialization, thus leading to the problem of an inevitable increase in cost.


The invention is a cleaning device comprising of a shaft. The shaft has a hollow section and a lower end with a rim. The rim defines an opening at the bottom end of the shaft. The opening is located about the longitudinal axis and is in communication with the hollow section. The shaft also has one or more apertures that extend through the side of the shaft and are in communication with said hollow section. The shaft also has one or more slits that maybe in communication with the one or more apertures. The slit(s) run parallel to the longitudinal axis and may terminate before reaching the rim. The cleaning device is designed in such a way to easily allow a user to employ any flexible fabric or other suitable material in the cleaning device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to tools that employ paper towels, cloths, flexible materials designed for cleaning and/or other suitable fabric in the art of cleaning.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In today's households, many people employ cleaning devices that aid in using fabrics for cleaning and dusting. These cleaning devices allow the user to apply the cleaning fabric to the soiled area without having to awkwardly bend over to scrub the floor or use a stool to reach the ceiling. For example if one were to employ a fabric to clean the floor without such a cleaning device, that person would have to either bend over or get down on their hands and knees to clean the soiled floor. However, recent cleaning devices now allow the user to apply the cleaning fabric to the floor and other areas out of the users' reach.
Many of these cleaning devices require that the user purchase specific disposable fabric sheets to employ the device. These sheets can be much more expensive than just ordinary paper towels. They also do not provide for use of non-disposable cloths or ordinary rags. These cleaning devices do not allow for those who are environmentally conscious to use the devices, they cause more cost to the consumer and they are responsible for harm to the environment in the form of increased waste.
Many of theses devices are also of relatively complicated design with many moving parts. Manufacturing of the individual parts and assembling those parts into the final product takes time and increases cost. More parts of a device, moving and non-moving, increase the chances of malfunction. An increase in complexity comes with a decrease in reliability.
The current invention alleviates the stated deficiencies of the prior art. The invention allows users to employ paper towels, fabrics, non-disposable cloths and any fabric suitable for cleaning for dusting and cleaning without having to bend over to reach the floor or stand on a stool to reach the ceiling. It is also of simple design and operation, saving both time and money during manufacturing and use.


Example embodiments are directed to core spray sparger T-box repairs, specifically, to universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps having remote-friendly operation and methods of using universal core spray sparger T-box weldless clamps. Example embodiment clamps may be secured without welding to a variety of upper and lower sparger T-box configurations. Example embodiment clamps may be configured to simultaneously engage a sparger T-box in multiple dimensions to allow a universal fit. Further, example embodiment clamps may be accessed, installed, or removed by interacting only with a front side of the example embodiment clamps, thus potentially reducing difficulty and cost in remote access repairs to example clamps.

1. Field
Example embodiments generally relate to Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) and assemblies and methods for reinforcing piping for coolant spray within such reactors.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, BWRs include a reactor core surrounded by a shroud and a shroud support structure. Piping typically penetrates this shroud to deliver emergency coolant water to the core in the event of an emergency involving a loss of coolant or where coolant is otherwise unavailable to the core.
As shown in FIG. 1, such piping includes core spray piping 10 and spargers used to deliver coolant water to the reactor core. The core spray cooling water is typically supplied to the reactor core region through a sparger T-box 15 that penetrates the shroud wall. The distal end of the T-box 15 is inside the shroud, while the proximal end extends outside the shroud.
The sparger T-box typically intersects two sparger pipes 10 to form a piping "T." The sparger pipes 10 are typically welded to the sparger T-box 15. The distal end of the T-box 15 may be capped by a flat cover plate 20 welded to the T-box 15. While only a lower sparger T-box 15 is shown in FIG. 1, upper sparger T-boxes are typically present as well and roughly match the configuration of the lower sparger T-box in the upper configuration. Lower T-boxes typically intersect sparger pipes 10 at a center vertical displacement such that the pipes 10 mate symmetrically with the upper and lower halves of the lower T-box 15. Upper sparger T-boxes may not intersect the sparger pipes 10 at a center vertical offset due to other structural placement and thus sparger pipes 10 may not symmetrically mate with the upper sparger T-box.
The cover plate weld 25 and sparger pipe welds 26 are susceptible to cracking due to the high temperature, high pressure, and variable chemistry water flowing around the T-box 15. Resulting damage to welds 25 and 26 may be accessible for repair and inspection within a BWR only during scheduled plant outages for refueling and repair. These outages typically occur at several month intervals, and thus components within the core, including welds 25 and 26, must remain intact for lengthy periods before being inspected and/or repaired.
Further, BWR core operating conditions include high levels of radioactivity due to fission occurring in the fuel rods. Radioactivity, particularly the neutron flux generated in an operating nuclear reactor core, degrades the material strength and elasticity of core components over time. Components within the core, including welds 25 and 26, are thus subject to premature brittling and cracking due to this radiation exposure. Accordingly, flow-induced vibration, lengthy operating cycles, and demanding water conditions coupled with radiation can cause the welds 25 and 26 to crack, particularly, by intergranular stress corrosion cracking. If cracks in welds 25 and 26 propagate circumferentially so as to completely disunion either the cover plate 20 or the sparger pipes 10 from the sparger T-box 15, uncontrolled cooling water leakage may result.
Further compounding the precarious nature of the sparger T-box welds 25 and 26 is their arrangement within the shroud among other components. Even during repair phases, workers may have only remote access to the sparger T-box 15 inside the shroud, and locating and repairing welds on the T-box may require increased expense, removal of other components, and worker hazards.
Related art sparger T-box repairs and clamps may use clamping mechanisms to relieve stress on welds 25 and 26 and provide redundant security in the case of weld failure. Sparger T-boxes 15 may have various physical configurations based on their particular plant installation and repair history. Related art repair mechanisms are generally configured for only a single sparger T-box in a particular BWR and are incompatible with other sparger T-boxes in other BWRs.

Core spray sparger T-box clamp assemblies and methods of using thereof


A data management method of a nonvolatile memory device which includes a data cell area and a reference cell area includes selecting shared data from write data input to the memory device; generating reference data based on the shared data; and storing the write data in the data cell area and a first reference area of the reference cell area; and storing the reference data in a second reference area of the reference cell area.

The inventive concepts described herein relate to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, relate to a nonvolatile memory device including a reference cell and a data management method thereof.
Semiconductor memory devices are divided into voltage memory devices and nonvolatile memory devices. While read and write speeds of the volatile memory device are fast, volatile memory devices lose contents stored therein at power-off. On the other hand, the nonvolatile memory devices retain data stored therein even at power-off. Thus, the nonvolatile memory devices are used to store contents which must be retained regardless of whether a power is supplied.
A demand for high-integration and mass random access memory devices is increasing. A semiconductor memory device used for handheld electronic devices may be a flash memory device. But, there has been researched a random accessible nonvolatile element with an improved performance. For example, there have been researched a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM) using a ferroelectric capacitor, a magnetic RAM (MRAM) using a tunneling magneto-resistive (TRM) film, a phase change memory device using a Chalcogenide alloys, a resistive RAM (RRAM) using a variable resistance material as a data storage medium, etc.
The above-described nonvolatile memories may include a reference cell for discriminating data stored in memory cells. More reference cells may be required for high data integrity. However, an increase in the number of reference cells may hinder implementation of high-integration, light and slim nonvolatile memories. Thus, is provided a technique for providing high data integrity without increasing the number of reference cells.

Nonvolatile memory device and data management method thereof


A flip-chip module is interconnected to a PCB or circuit card through a peripheral LGA interposer connector. The flip-chip is mounted on the same surface of the module substrate as the peripheral array of LGA interconnection pads and projects into a central opening of the interposer. An opening in the upper stiffener of the PCB or circuit card permits the peripheral array of LGA interconnection pads to make contact with corresponding LGA PCB or circuit card pads. A first heat sink is arranged to thermally contact the entire surface of the substrate opposing the surface upon which the flip-chip is mounted. An opening in the PCB or circuit card and lower stiffener allows a second heat sink to make thermal contact with the surface of the flip-chip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to electronic packaging of flip chip carriers using land grid array (LGA) interconnection techniques.
2. Background and Related Art
There exists in the prior art a variety of ways of connecting integrated circuit chips to circuit cards or printed circuit boards (PCBs). One prior art approach is to connect the integrated circuit chip directly to the laminate card or PCB. However, one of the difficulties with such connections arises from the large difference in thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) between the silicon chip and the laminate PCB, for example. This difference creates problems affecting reliability over a large number of thermal cycles. One approach to addressing the problems caused by differences in TCE between chip and PCB is to use some form of intermediate chip carrier. Such carriers offer several advantages including the fact that they may be either single chip carriers or multichip carriers. Typically, they are made of plastic, ceramic or flexible tape-like material. However, typical chip carriers made of ceramic, for example, also have limitations in regard to overall reliability, cost and ease of assembly. Intermediate structures known as interposers, are also employed in a variety of design configurations to connect chips or chip carriers to laminate cards or PCBs. Typically, these interposers are designed to offer some additional form of compliance or compressibility in connecting chips or chip carriers to cards or PCBs so as to avoid stress, fracturing and the like caused by differences in TCE between chip or chip carrier and card or PCB. One application of interposers is in LGA interconnections between chip carrier or substrate and card or PCB. In order to ensure reliable, low electrical resistivity connections between pads on the card or PCB and pads on the substrate, the substrate LGA pads are clamped against the card or PCB LGA pads, via an electrically conductive interposer.
Since LGA interconnects rely on good surface contact between mating pads for reliable electrical connection, a constant and uniform compressive force must be maintained between the mating pads throughout the life of the electronic device in order to maintain reliable electrical interconnection. Thus, a primary requirement for LGA connectors is rigidity of the mating arrays. This requirement has led to complex and costly packaging arrangement, designed to prevent deflections of the card or PCB and components when large arrays of interconnections are employed. Typically, such arrangements have employed rigid substrates, such as a ceramic with attendant disadvantages.
Various forms of LGA interconnection structures exist in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,194 to Tsukamoto teaches the use of peripheral stiffeners to help prevent a card or PCB deflections. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,753 to Mek teaches the use of peripheral contact interposer structures with a heat dissipation assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,473,510 to Dozier teaches structures that reduce size and complexity of apparatus used to attach LGA IC packages to PCB. However, such structures fail to provide a simple, low-cost, low-profile LGA package that provides effective heat dissipation means and, at the same time, effectively limits deflections in the PCB or circuit card and its component.
Since no solder reflow is required to make LGA interconnections, such interconnections offer an advantage when used with temperature sensitive modules, such as, some opto-electronic packages. However, such modules clearly require effective thermal dissipation during operation which has, heretofor, been difficult to achieve.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic package and method of making same.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved LGA interconnection arrangement and method therefor.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic packaging arrangement and method therefor that acts to effectively dissipate heat and, at the same time, prevents deflections in the PCB or circuit card and components thereon.
It is still yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved chip carrier cooling and interconnection method and structure for use in LGA interconnection between chip and card or PBC.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple, low cost LGA packaging arrangement which prevents deflections in PCB or circuit card and components and, at the same time, provides for two effective opposing heat dissipation paths.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved LGA packaging arrangement which reduces cost and complexity, improves performance and reliability and provides reduced package height.
In accordance with the present invention, a flip-chip package is interconnected to a PCB or card through a peripheral LGA interposer connector. The flip-chip is mounted below the chip carrier or substrate on the same surface as the LGA interconnection pads and projects into a central opening in the peripheral LGA interposer. An opening in the upper stiffener of the circuit card permits the LGA interposer interconnection pads to make contact with LGA circuit card pads. A primary, upper heat sink is arranged to be in thermal contact with the entire surface of the substrate. An opening provided in the PBC or circuit card and lower stiffeners allows additional heat dissipation. For example, the opening allows access for a second, lower heat sink to be thermally coupled to the chip so as to efficiently facilitate this additional heat dissipation. Alternatively, the lower stiffener may be eliminated altogether whereby the lower heat sink effectively acts as both the lower stiffener and additional heat dissipation means.

Peripheral land grid array package with improved thermal performance

International Business Machines Corporation


A fuel injection system for internal combustion engines, having a fuel injector that can be acted upon by a high-pressure fuel source includes a pressure booster, which contains a movable boosting element dividing a work chamber which can be made to communicate with the high-pressure source via a high-pressure line from a high-pressure chamber that acts on the fuel injector. The high-pressure from chamber is variable by filling and evacuating a differential pressure chamber of the pressure booster. A filter element is received in a line portion that branches off from the high-pressure line and is upstream of flow connections for filling the differential and high pressure chambers.

1. Field of the Invention
Both pressure-controlled and stroke-controlled injection systems are known and can be used to supply combustion chambers of self-igniting internal combustion engines. Besides unit fuel injectors and pump-line units, reservoir injection systems (common rails) are also used. Common rails advantageously make it possible to adapt the injection pressure to the load and rpm of the engine. To achieve high specific outputs and to reduce emissions, the highest possible injection pressure is generally required.
2. Description of the Prior Art
German Patent Disclosure DE 199 10 970 A1 relates to a fuel injection system having a pressure boosting unit which is disposed between a pressure reservoir and a nozzle chamber and whose pressure chamber communicates with the nozzle chamber via a pressure line. A bypass line connected to the pressure reservoir communicates directly with the pressure line can be used for a pressurized injection. The bypass line is disposed parallel to the pressure chamber, so that it is passable regardless of the motion and position of a displaceable pressure fluid in the pressure boosting unit. With this embodiment, the flexibility of the injection is enhanced. In this embodiment, the triggering of the pressure boosting unit is done via a pressure relief of the differential pressure chamber of the pressure boosting unit.
German Patent Disclosure DE 102 18 904.8 relates to a fuel injection system. It includes a fuel injector, which can be supplied from a high-pressure fuel source, and a pressure booster device. A closing piston of the injector protrudes into a closing pressure chamber, so that the closing piston can be acted upon by fuel pressure to attain a force that acts in the closing direction on the closing piston. A closing pressure chamber and a differential pressure chamber of the pressure booster device are formed by a common closing pressure differential pressure chamber, and all the portions of the closing pressure differential pressure chamber communicate permanently with one another to exchange fuel, so that despite an only slight pressure boost by the pressure booster device, a relatively low injection opening pressure is attainable.
In this embodiment, the pressure boosting unit is triggered by pressure relief of the differential pressure chamber of the pressure booster by means of a switching valve. This is more favorable in terms of the depressurization losses.
Fuel injectors of fuel injection systems which include high-pressure reservoirs have very small throttles and valve opening cross sections. In these fuel injectors, for satisfactory assurance of function, a filter element is necessary upstream of the fuel injector. With it, even the tiniest contamination particles that can get into the system, for instance during the installation of the system parts, are kept away from the vulnerable components. At present, rod-filters are typically used and are inserted into the high-pressure line connection neck.
A disadvantage of the use of rod filters in fuel injectors of fuel injection systems that include a high-pressure reservoir and a pressure boosting unit to increase the pressure level is the high volumetric flow of fuel that flows from the high-pressure reservoir to the fuel injector during the brief injection phase. As a result, severe throttling occurs when filter elements embodied as rod filters are used, resulting in a not inconsiderable pressure loss. This worsens the system efficiency and impairs the maximum injection pressure. To avoid this, rod filters used as filter elements must be made relatively large. Yet relatively large rod filters cannot be accommodated in the installation space available.

Filter arrangement for fuel injection systems


Disclosed is a head slider having excellent shock resistance, a head supporter, as well as a disk drive using the head slider. The head slider is characterized in a form of its opposite-to-disk surface, such that a fixed point is set at a position located outwardly of a rear end portion of the head slider and at a predetermined distance from a load application point, which load urges the slider toward a disk. When a shock force is externally applied to the head slider, the head slider is rotated about this fixed point such that at least one of pitch angle and roll angle is maintained positive. Because of this structure, a disk drive excellent in shock resistance can be provided.

Recently, there have been made great technological advances in disk recording and playback apparatus (hereinafter referred to as "disk drive") for recording and playing back data on a disk-shaped recording medium such as a hard disk and an optical disk (hereinafter referred to as "disk"), and its use is expanding not only in application of conventional computers but also in many other fields. There are increasing demands for such disk drives that are capable of higher density recoding, resistant to external disturbance such as shock force so as to prevent a disk and a head slider from damage and maintain stabilized recording and playing back performances, and small in size so as to be mounted on portable equipment. However, it sometimes occurred in conventional disk drives, when subjected to external shock force, that the head slider collided with or came into contact with a disk so as to cause wear or damage to the head slider or the disk, such that data recorded on the disk was destroyed, and even the disk drive itself was damaged.
Therefore, there have been demands for improved shock resistance of head sliders, suspensions, or actuator arms used in disk drives. Since, a head slider, in particular, is held above a disk at a small flying height, it tends to collide with the disk when subjected to shock force. Therefore, it is desired to provide a head slider structure which will, at least, not cause fatal damage to a head slider or disk even when a shock force is applied thereto. However, there are few examples of studies so far made of an optimum form or shape of a surface of the head slider opposite to the disk (hereinafter, referred to as "opposite-to-disk surface"), to improve shock resistance. There have conventionally been made studies to suppress variation in a flying height of a rear end portion of a head slider, where a transducer is provided, against variation in skew angle, atmospheric pressure, and so on.
For example, a structure of a head slider is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,020, which, even when there is variation in skew angle, in atmospheric pressure, in external force due to swinging of the head slider, or in load applied thereto, allows positive pressure and negative pressure applied to the head slider to be maintained in good balance based on such variation. It is stated therein that virtually no change is made, by virtue of the good balance thus obtained, in flying height in the vicinity of the transducer, so that stabilized information recording or playback is made possible. In JP8-227514, there is disclosed a structure in which a distance, to a surface of a disk, from a portion of a head slider at which a transducer is provided is virtually not changed even if an external force to increase a pitch angle is applied to the structure. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,223, there is disclosed a method to obtain an optimum form or shape of a surface of a head slider opposite to a disk by calculation with use of molecular gas lubrication equations. Further, in U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0010612, there is disclosed a structure in which collision of a head slider, due to rolling of the head slider, with a disk is prevented by increasing roll stiffness of the head slider. However, in this structure, spring stiffness, obtained by assuming a viscous fluid film formed between the head slider and the disk to be a spring, is not large enough to cope with shock force.
In all the above disclosures, it is designed to suppress variation in flying height of a rear end portion of a head slider under conditions of varied skew angle of the head slider, varied atmospheric pressure, varied load from a suspension, and so on. However, when these variations are compared with externally applied shock force, the shock force is much stronger. Therefore, it is difficult to say that any of the above disclosures is quite effective against shock force.
At times, when for example a head slider is subjected to a great external shock force, the head slider comes to have a negative pitch angle, i.e., a flying height of a front end portion of the head slider becomes, reversely, lower than a flying height of a rear end portion of the head slider. Under conditions of such a negative pitch angle, a viscous fluid such as air stops entering a space between the head slider and a disk surface. As a result, positive pressure disappears, and thereby the head slider is caused to collide with the disk and become damaged.
Especially, disk drives for use in portable equipment are required to be smaller in disk diameter and, in addition, to be smaller in disk rotating speed. Hence, velocity of viscous fluid flowing through a space between a head slider and a disk becomes smaller than in conventional disk drives. Hence, there arises also a problem with regard to how to realize a slider structure having sufficient shock resistance under conditions of such low fluid velocity.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A tool is described for inserting a compressible septum into a seat having a smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter of the uncompressed septum. The utilization of this insertion tool simplifies the insertion of the septum into the seat while avoiding contamination of the septum.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to the field of tools which insert a part into an opening that is smaller than the part being inserted into it. More specifically, it is directed to a tool which can insert a compressible septum into a seat which is smaller in inside diameter than the outside diameter of the septum being inserted in it while preventing contamination of the septum.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In many chemical and forensic laboratories an important analytical instrument is a chromatograph, for example, a gas liquid chromatograph (glc). These chromatographs are capable of separating mixtures of chemicals into their individual components, identifying the components of a mixture, and measuring the relative amounts of each component. In order to place a sample of a mixture into the chromatograph, a small amount of the sample is drawn into a microsyringe, the needle of which is then inserted through a rubber septum to inject the sample into the vaporization zone of the glc. Heretofore, the insertion of a septum into its seat while preparing the instrument to perform its analytical task has been quite difficult, usually requiring the individual installing the septum to hold the septum in a pair of tweezers while forcing it into the opening with a screw driver or some similar instrument. The difficulty of this operation stems from the fact that the diameter of the septum prior to being inserted in the seat is greater than the diameter of the seat. Because of the extreme sensitivity of a chromatograph, it is highly desirable to prevent any contact with human skin because this contact would contaminate the septum with oils and other impurities present on the skin and impair the accuracy of subsequent analyses. Currently such contact is almost inevitable because of the methods available for inserting septums into seats having a smaller diameter than the septum. There is no known tool to perform this operation in a way which avoids all possibility of contamination and which simplifies the insertion of the septum at the same time.


A shaft coupling guard is used to cover a shaft coupling that couples a main shaft of a prime mover and a main shaft of a driven apparatus as a rotatable apparatus driven by the prime mover. The shaft coupling guard includes a guard main body formed so as to extend in a direction along an axis and having a tubular shape for circumferentially covering the shaft coupling. The guard main body includes a guard main body upper portion, and a guard main body lower portion configured to be detachable from the guard main body upper portion. The shaft coupling guard further includes a leg portion formed integrally with the guard main body and configured to support the guard main body.

There are widely known rotatable apparatus systems including a prime mover and a driven apparatus as a rotatable apparatus to be driven by the prime mover. For example, there are known pump systems including a motor as one example of the prime mover, and a pump as one example of the rotatable apparatus (the driven apparatus). In the pump systems, a main shaft of the pump is coupled to a main shaft of the motor via a shaft coupling, and the pump rotates by being driven by the motor. The shaft coupling rotates at a high speed, and therefore, generally, a shaft coupling guard is mounted around the shaft coupling to prevent a human from touching a rotating portion and a foreign object from entering therein.
Conventionally, mostly, the shaft coupling guard has been provided as a simple member that covers the shaft coupling with an arch-like (tunnel-like) structure. This arch-shaped shaft coupling guard can realize covering of the shaft coupling by an easy mounting process. However, on the other hand, this shaft coupling guard has wide arch-shaped openings at the both sides in an axial direction.

Shaft coupling guard and rotatable apparatus system


Cement-SCM blends employ particle packing principles to increase particle packing density and reduce interstitial spacing between the cement and SCM particles. Particle packing reduces the amount of water required to obtain a cement paste having a desired flow, lowers the water-cementitious material ratio (w/cm), and increases early and long-term strengths. This may be accomplished by providing a hydraulic cement fraction having a narrow PSD and at least one SCM fraction having a mean particle size that differs from the mean particle size of the narrow PSD cement by a multiple of 3.0 or more to yield a cement-SCM blend having a particle packing density of at least 57.0%.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally in the field of hydraulic cement and concrete.
2. Relevant Technology
Supplementary Cementitious Materials ("SCMs"), such as fly ash, slag, natural pozzolans, and limestone, are often used to replace a portion of Portland cement in concrete. SCMs can yield improved concrete with higher durability, lower chloride permeability, reduced creep, increased resistance to chemical attack, lower cost, and reduced environmental impact. Pozzolans react with calcium hydroxide released during cement hydration. Limestone can provide a filler effect and nucleation sites.
Portland cement, sometimes referred to as "cement clinker" or "OPC" (acronym for "ordinary Portland cement"), is the most expensive component of concrete. The manufacture of cement clinker contributes an estimated 5-7% of all manmade CO2. There is a long-felt but unmet need to reduce cement clinker ("clinker") consumption. There have been numerous academic conferences and publications dedicated to the concept of substituting a portion of clinker with SCM. Despite an oversupply of low cost SCMs, the industry has failed to overcome technical hurdles to more effectively utilize SCMs. This failure, after years of research and discussion, to fully utilize readily available and less expensive SCMs to reduce clinker consumption, even though doing so would reduce cost and benefit the environment, means that conventional practices for utilizing SCMs are inadequate. Hundreds of millions of tons of waste SCMs such as fly ash and steel slag continue to be discarded into the environment worldwide each year at a cost to the producer and even greater cost to the environment.
SCMs are typically waste products not purposely produced for blending with OPC. Because OPC and SCMs are often produced for different reasons by different industries, OPC manufacturers have little or no influence on SCM production and SCM producers have little or no influence on OPC manufacture. The result is that cement manufacturers continue to produce and optimize OPC for use with itself without regard to how OPC behaves when substituted with SCMs.
Cement manufacturers deliberately produce OPC having a broad particle size distribution ("PSD") (e.g., between about 1-60 μm) in an attempt to strike a balance between the competing effects and demands of reactivity, rate of strength development, water demand, inter particle spacing, paste density, porosity, autogenous shrinkage, and grinding cost. PSD and chemistry are selected to optimize use of OPC by itself. SCM substitution is secondary and has little or no influence on how cement is manufactured. Slightly raising Blaine fineness when intergrinding clinker and SCM to offset retardation is the only commercial attempt to "optimize" cement for SCM substitution.
SCMs are usually less reactive than clinker and retard strength development by dilution. Although some OPC-SMC blends can approach the strength of OPC at later ages (>56 days), early (1-28 day) strength can be severely impacted when more than about 10-20% of OPC is replaced with SCM. Early strength loss and/or delayed set times limit SCM usage in concrete. The conventional solution is to "fix" the SCMs to make them more reactive, e.g., by grinding them more finely, either independently or by intergrinding with clinker. Neither solution has solved problems of SCM underutilization. Meanwhile, waste SCMs continue to accumulate worldwide in alarming quantities, and the disconnect between OPC production and effective SCM utilization persists.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to an optical waveguide device for monitoring a characteristics of light, e.g. a wavelength. The device incorporates a waveguide, such as an optical fiber, with an embedded tilted Bragg grating operating in a regime of wavelength detuning. The grating is designed to disperse light azimuthally in two or more different directions about the fiber axis, said directions changing with wavelength. A photodetector array is provided for detecting the azimuthal distribution of light. A processor coupled to the photodetector array determines wavelength information from the detected azimuthal distribution of the out-coupled light.

Tilted, or blazed Bragg gratings formed in optical waveguides, and in particular—in optical fibers are known for their ability to out-couple light propagating in the waveguide into a leaky mode exiting the waveguide in one or more locations along the waveguide length, thus providing an optical tap or taps. In many optical systems, such a grating-based optical tap is useful in capturing and monitoring a signal passing through the optical waveguide.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,032, issued to G. Meltz et al., discloses a particular optical fiber tap arrangement that utilizes a blazed, chirped refractive index grating selected to redirect light guided in the fiber such that it comes to a focus at a point outside of the fiber. The patent also discloses that the angle of the external path of the redirected light to the fiber axis that results in the constructive interference is peculiar to the respective central wavelength (λ).
The wavelength-dependent tap taught by Meltz et al required a relatively large blaze angle, preferably at least 22 degrees, to achieve the desired redirection of the light guided in the fiber core to light in space outside of the fiber. This relatively large blaze angle was found to result in polarization sensitivity, when the fraction of light that is redirected by the grating depends on the polarization of the incident guided light. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,832,156, 5,850,302 and 6,002,822 issued to Strasser et al disclose dispersive optical taps for wavelength monitoring, wherein the undesirable polarization sensitivity of the tapped fraction was reduced by using blazing angles that are smaller than 15 degrees for coupling the guided mode to one or more cladding modes. Appropriate coupling means, comprising e.g. a glass prism, are further provided for coupling the cladding modes to radiation modes and for dispersing the out-coupled light along the fiber axis in dependence on the wavelength; an array of photodetectors disposed outside of the waveguide along the fiber axis is provided for determining spectral content of the guided mode in dependence on the light signal location along the array.
One of the drawback of the dispersive tap taught by Meltz et al is that it requires special optical coupling or optical beam modifying elements, in addition to the blazed grating, to out-couple light from the optical fiber. A recent U.S. Pat. No. 6,885,792 issued to Eggleton et al, discloses a wavelength monitoring system comprising a series of discrete blazed gratings for first spatially separating individual wavelength bands within the optical fiber along its axis and for out-coupling these spatially-separated bands from the fiber guiding mode to radiation modes, and then detecting theses out-coupled bands in the near field using inexpensive detecting apparatus, without any, or at least most, optically modifying elements. However, this solution requires forming multiple gratings along the fiber length, which increases the tap size and grating writing complexity.
Several prior-art fiber-optic devices exploit the polarization sensitivity of the light out-coupled by a blazed, or tilted, Bragg grating having a large tilt angle. These devices employ tilted fiber Bragg gratings that out-couple light in different azimuthal directions about the fiber axis. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,957 to Edorgan discloses an in-line polarimeter comprising four consecutive blazed grating inscribed with four different orientations to the fiber axis (0.degree., 90.degree. and 45.degree., 135.degree.) and UV-induced waveplates, for determining four Stokes parameters. Since each grating in this device out-couples light in one azimuthal direction, a relatively complex gratings and photodiodes arrangement is required for the polarimeter to function. U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,024 to Westbrook discloses an in-line fiber device using blazed gratings that combines the wavelength sensitivity of the in-plane, or longitudinal out-coupling angle with azimuthal polarization sensitivity to provide a combined spectrometer/polarimeter fiber device. In all these devices, each of the Bragg gratings couples light predominantly in one azimuthal direction defined by the grating tilt orientation within the fiber, with the coupling efficiency dependent on the tilt orientation relative to a polarization plane of the incident light.
Recently, it was shown that a blazed Bragg fiber grating can be formed in an optical fiber so that it out-couples monochromatic light simultaneously in two different azimuthal directions, or two spatially separated intensity maxima, which were found to be sensitive to the light polarization (J. Peupelmann, E. Krause, A. Bandemer and C. Schäffer, "Fibre-polarimeter based on grating taps," Electron. Lett. 38, 1248-1250, 2002). This effect was attributed by the authors to the lens effect of the fibre surface leading to differently orientated grating regions in the fibre core during the grating inscription process, resulting in the coupling out of different states of polarization (SOPs) in different directions, which can be viewed as a simultaneous formation of two blazed gratings in the fiber during the grating inscription. U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,260 issued to Peupelmann et al discloses an in-line polarimeter that exploits polarization sensitivity of these intensity maxima to reduce the number of blazed gratings required for performing polarization state measurements. However, the inventors did not provide any teaching of wavelength sensitivity of the azimuthal separation of the maxima.
An object of the present invention is to provide an in-line fiber-optic spectrometer that uses azimuthal distribution of out-coupled light for spectral measurements.
It is another object of this invention to provide a compact waveguide Bragg grating device for measuring a characteristic of light propagating therein using wavelength dispersion of the light coupled out of the waveguide in a transverse to the waveguide direction.
It is another object of this invention to provide an in-line tilted Bragg grating based fiber-optic spectrometer having a photodetector array positioned normally to the fiber axis.

Optical device incorporating a tilted bragg grating

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, through the Communications Research Centre Canada


A circuit breaker includes a latching mechanism including a switching mechanism operatively connected to a tensioning element, and an unlatching mechanism by which, in response to a tripping signal, the tensioning element can be transferred from a tensioned state into an at least substantially relaxed state. The tensioning element is indirectly coupled to a tension lever which can be locked or tripped as a function of a position of a blocking pawl of the unlatching mechanism and which includes a blocking mechanism by which, in an OFF position of the latching mechanism in which the switch is open and the tensioning element is tensioned, tripping of the tension lever is prevented despite a tripping signal. The blocking mechanism of the tension lever includes a rocker arm which is fastened movably on the tension lever.

Latching mechanisms comprise on the one hand a switching mechanism for opening and closing a switch contact which is in operative contact with a tensioning element, and on the other hand an unlatching mechanism by which, in response to a tripping signal, the tensioning element can be transferred from a tensioned state into an at least substantially relaxed state in order in this way to open the switch contact.
Circuit breakers are special switches which are usually designed for high currents. These switches are not only able to switch operating currents and low overload currents, but in the event of errors can also switch on high overload currents and short-circuit currents, hold these fault currents for a predetermined time and switch them off again. Depending on embodiment variant, circuit breakers are implemented as single-pole or multi-pole.
Circuit breakers generally comprise so-called latching mechanisms which, when unwanted operating states occur, in particular in the case of short circuits, cause an electric circuit to be disconnected.
A latching mechanism is a mechanical apparatus which preferably enables an electric circuit to be disconnected. Toward that end the force of a tensioned spring which was tensioned by means of a tensioning mechanism at the time of switching on is usually released in order to open the switch contact. The typical tripping criterion is a current with a presettable current intensity by means of which the latching mechanism action is tripped with the aid of an electromagnet or of a self-heating bimetallic strip.
A circuit breaker latching mechanism comprises two essential areas. On the one hand, a switching mechanism is provided by way of which an electrical switch contact is opened and closed upon exposure to spring force. On the other hand, a latching mechanism of said kind comprises an unlatching mechanism which, when a tripping criterion is fulfilled, releases the energy stored in a spring of the switching mechanism, as a result of which the latching mechanism is tripped and the electrical switch contact is opened.
In this connection, solutions are known from the prior art which are intended to prevent the latching mechanism being tripped in the OFF position. Thus, for example, DE 693 06 822 T2 describes a circuit breaker latching mechanism comprising a so-called test button, the actuation of which ensures that the latching mechanism also does not trip in the OFF position. To this end, in the OFF position of the latching mechanism, the tensioning bolt mounted in the actuating lever slides onto a blocking contour on the tension lever, so that the latter is locked and in no event releases the latching mechanism or the switch. This makes it possible to press the test button and then actuate the tripping shaft without the latching mechanism being tripped. In this way the switching mechanism is kept in a pretensioned state even in the case of unintentional tripping.


An apparatus and method for operating a centralized Base Station (BS) in a mobile communication system are provided. An operation method of a remote radio unit in a separate type BS of a mobile communication system includes receiving channel state information transmitted by a terminal and transmitting the channel state information to a digital unit, performing scheduling using the channel state information, deciding data to be transmitted based on its own scheduling result and a scheduling result received from the digital unit, and providing the data to be transmitted to a modulator/demodulator (modem).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile communication system including a centralized base station.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a Base Station (BS) of a mobile communication system is composed of a radio processor and a digital processor. The digital processor processes digital data generated by the radio processor and processes digital data intended for the radio processor.
However, in a case where the number of users within the service coverage area of the BS is less than a maximum amount serviceable by the BS, the digital processor operates below its maximum available capability. This causes a problem of inefficiency.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for overcoming the aforementioned inefficiency.

Apparatus and method for operating centralized base station in mobile communication system


The invention provides an apparatus for laundering and treating garments or fabrics with an oxidizing agent. The apparatus includes a housing having a chamber containing a barrel mounted for rotation. A door is provided for placing the garments or fabrics into the chamber. Associated with the housing is a venturi mixer for introducing an oxidizing gas and a liquid into the chamber and a value for removing liquid from the chamber. Controls are is provided to selectively permit a washing, extracting and abrading cycle.

Denim blue jeans which have been faded, "stone-washed", ice washed, or sand blasted to produce a particular appearance are very popular. However, to produce the desired effect it has been necessary to utilize processes which cause substantial deterioration or degradation of the fabric. Bleaching solutions containing chlorine or actual pelleting of the garment with sand or stones to produce a fashion effect causes damage to the fabric which affects its wear life.
The woven goods that are made into denim are typically manufactured from warp yarns (yarns that are in the machine direction on the loom) that have been dyed with Indigo (CI vat blue 1). The crosswise or filling yarns are typically undyed. The yarns are woven in such a way so as to place a high proportion of the colored (blue dyed) yarns on the face of the fabric. This is typically done by weaving the yarns using one of the twill weaves. The result is a fabric which is characteristically known as "Blue Jeans" when fabricated into garments. It has been discovered that bleaching of the Indigo color by one of a number of techniques can lead to desirable styling effects. Several of the bleaching or decolorizing treatments involves potassium (or sodium) permanganate. This compound is the agent of choice when obtaining staying effects by the acid wash or stone wash technique.
Occasionally, garments which have been treated by these methods undergo yellowing during storage of the garments during warehousing and prior to shipment to the retailer or while in the retailers possession if he stores them for any length of time.
The precise causes for the yellowing phenomena is not known. Several possible causes have been identified to include finishing agents (added to the garment to provide a softer hand etc.), atmospheric pollutants or to degradation products associated with the permanganate reactions which are not properly removed during the treatments among other causes. However, not all garments will be yellowed in a particular lot or shipment. The yellowing phenomena may not manifest itself until after the garments have been stored or shipped to the customer. Most likely the yellowed garments do emanate from a particular laundry cycle or machine; however, after the treated garments are removed from the machine the garments from the affected treatment cycle may then become mixed with those from other machines such that their processing lot identity becomes lost. Usually the contaminated (yellow) garments are returned to the seller or are sold at a considerably reduced price.
Various systems have been developed to treat fabric or garments with ozone. The systems generally use steam mixed with ozone enriched air or oxygen and the fabric or garments are suspended in a treatment chamber. The steam has the function of wetting the fabric or garments and to elevate the temperature to increase the reaction rate.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,823,352 to Crespi et al discloses an apparatus for bleaching textile fibers with a gaseous current, such as ozonized air. In the apparatus, textile material is suspended in a chamber where it is acted on by a gaseous ozonized air mixture which passes through the chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,251 to Singh discloses a process relating to the ozone and peroxygen bleaching of cellulosic pulp. The process includes the steps of recycling extract effluent from the bleaching treatment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,367 to Thorsen discloses the treatment of fibers with ozone--steam mixtures by conveying them through an open--ended chamber. The fibers are exposed to the ozone--steam mixture in the horizontal middle section of the chamber where the ozone is centrally introduced.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 560,357 of Hall et al, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses the fading of dyed cellulosic garments by the ozone degradation of the dye without any substantial degradation of the cellulosic materials in a vapor phase.
It should be understood that the term "dye" as used herein is meant to include any of the materials which are used to provide a color to a fabric such as conventional dyes, pigments, or the like. The term "fabric" as used herein is meant to include woven and non-woven cloth, knitted fabrics, garments, and the like.
It should be understood that the term "ozone and steam" as used herein denotes a preferable method of the invention and is meant to include ozone alone or ozone diluted with inert gases.

Apparatus for treatment of dyed garments and fabrics with oxidizing gases


When a vehicle is set to a travel control mode or external charging mode, a vehicle system is activated for executing the control mode to which the vehicle is set. A converter ECU selects one sub power storage unit to be used first after activation of the vehicle system, based on a power storage unit used after preceding activation as read from a memory unit contained in the converter ECU and based on respective states of charge of sub power storage units, and electrically connects the selected sub power storage unit and a converter via a switch circuit. When the vehicle system is activated for executing the travel control mode, the converter ECU updates information about the power storage unit used after preceding activation as stored in the memory unit, to information about the power storage unit used first after the present activation of the vehicle system. When the vehicle system has been activated for executing the external charging mode, the converter ECU maintains the information about power storage used after the preceding activation as stored in the memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power supply system provided with a plurality of chargeable and dischargeable power storage units, and a vehicle including the power supply system, as well as a control method for the power supply system.
2. Description of the Background Art
The recent interest in environmental issues has drawn people's attention to vehicles having an electric motor as a source of drive force, such as electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, fuel cell vehicle and the like. Such vehicles are mounted with a power storage unit formed of a secondary battery or electrical double layer capacitor for supplying electric power to the electric motor, or converting kinetic energy generated when regenerative braking is applied into electrical energy for storing the resultant electric power.
For such a vehicle having an electric motor as a source of drive force, it is desirable to increase the charge and discharge capacities of the power storage unit for the purpose of improving the travel performance such as acceleration performance and continuous travel distance, for example. A configuration including a plurality of power storage units has been proposed as a method for increasing the charge and discharge capacities of the power storage units.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-109840 for example discloses a vehicle mounted with a power supply system including: a plurality of power storage units connected in parallel with each other relative to one converter; and a plurality of system main relays provided in association with these power storage units for electrically connecting/disconnecting the associated power storage units and the converter to/from each other, respectively. According to the disclosure, a control device for controlling the converter controls the operation of these system main relays such that the power storage units are used in a specified order and the order of use is changed each time the vehicle system is activated.
Regarding the vehicle having an electric motor as a source of drive force, it has been proposed to electrically connect a power storage unit mounted on the vehicle via a connector to an external power supply such as commercial power supply, such that the power storage unit can be charged by the external power supply. The vehicle in which the power storage unit is thus charged in advance by the external power supply can travel with the internal combustion engine kept stopped, as long as the distance over which the vehicle travels is relatively short, in such cases as commuting or shopping. Accordingly, the overall fuel consumption efficiency can be improved. This charging of the power storage unit by an external power supply is also referred to as "external charging mode," relative to "travel control mode" for causing the vehicle to travel.
Regarding the vehicle using a plurality of power storage units charged by an external power supply, if the power storage unit to be used first is changed each time the vehicle system is activated as disclosed in the above-referenced Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-109840, it cannot be ensured that a sub power storage unit used first in the preceding execution of the travel control mode is different from a sub power storage unit to be used first in the current execution of the travel control mode, since the vehicle system is activated each time the travel control mode is performed and the external charging mode is performed. Accordingly, there is a possibility that a specific power storage unit is always used first each time the travel control mode is executed, while the remaining power storage units with a high SOC are left as they are for the period in which the specific power storage unit is used.
The rate of deterioration of the power storage unit considerably varies depending to the environment in which the power storage unit is used. The rate of deterioration of the power storage unit is higher when the power storage unit keeps a high SOC than when the power storage unit is being charged or discharged. In this case, therefore, the rate of deterioration of the remaining power storage units with the SOC kept high is accelerated. A resultant problem is that respective degrees of deterioration of the power storage units are different from each other.

Power supply system, vehicle with the power supply system and power supply system control method