A method for inspection of a target object, the method including irradiating a reference surface having a non-flat reference profile with radiation; determining reference response data based on detected radiation having interacted with the reference surface; irradiating a target object with radiation, the target object including a target surface having a non-flat target profile corresponding to the reference profile; determining inspection response data based on detected radiation having interacted with the target object; and determining at least one parameter of the target object based on the reference response data and the inspection response data. An alternative method; a control system for controlling an emitter system and a detector system; and an inspection system including a control system, an emitter system and a detector system, are also provided.

Optical spectroscopy, such as THz (terahertz) spectroscopy, may be used to perform non-contact and non-destructive inspection of material properties based on interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. Examples of potential areas of application are paint layer inspection in the automotive and aerospace industries, bumper and sheet inspection in the plastic industry, and other kinds of quality control of surfaces and thin layers, for example within the medical and agricultural fields.
One problem of using such an optical technology on objects that are curved, such as car bodies, fuselages and bumpers, is that the curvature affects the divergence of the radiation beam used for the quality control. Consequently, instead of being entirely detected, a part of the radiation will not reach the radiation detector. A direct consequence of this is that the determined quality control parameters will have significant error bars, or in the worst case will be undeterminable.
In quality control of material properties and thicknesses of individual paint layers, an absolute measurement may be used, i.e., a measurement where absolute functions are determined. In order to perform such a measurement, both an inspection measurement on a target object, as well as a reference measurement on a reference object, are required. For reflection measurements, it is previously known to use a flat reflecting plate, such as a mirror, as a reference object, reflecting close to 100% of the radiation. For transmission measurements, this object may be an aperture that transmits the entire radiation beam to the radiation detector.
DE 102011104708 A1 discloses a device and a method for determining material properties of a coated or uncoated substrate sample in the electromagnetic terahertz frequency spectrum, in particular a substrate sample which is coated with at least one layer and which is preferably reinforced with fibers. The substrate sample is illuminated with at least two terahertz light pulses of different polarizations, in particular with the same beam cross-section, the light pulses propagating in a collinear manner and being generated by at least two terahertz emitters. The terahertz light pulses that are reflected by the substrate sample and/or transmitted through the substrate sample are measured with respect to the intensity and/or electric field strength in at least two, preferably three different polarization directions in a time-resolved manner.
EP 1688704 A1 discloses a thin film inspection method for determining the state of a thin film formed on the surface of an object. The method comprises radiating measurement light from a radiator with nothing set on a thin film inspection apparatus. An intensity spectrum output from a light splitter is stored as a dark reference in an arithmetic unit. Next, measurement light is radiated from the radiator in a state where a reference PET bottle having the same shape as the object and formed with no barrier film thereon is set on the thin film inspection apparatus. The arithmetic unit then stores an intensity spectrum output from the light splitter as a reference spectrum. Next, measurement light is radiated from the radiator with the object PET bottle set on the thin film inspection apparatus. The arithmetic unit then acquires the intensity spectrum output from the light splitter as a measurement spectrum. Furthermore, the arithmetic unit calculates a relative reflectivity from an equation using the measurement spectrum, the dark reference and the reference spectrum in store.
US 2012236318 A1 discloses a defect inspection process of an object. The process comprises profile measuring processing to obtain profile data of an object surface, and calculation of an evaluating value indicating a correlation degree of the profile data and non-defective profile data. The non-defective profile data corresponds to non-defective product data of the profile data, and is profile data obtained in a state where a non-defective product with the same specification as that of the object, instead of the object, is placed on a stage.
DE 102016012396 A1 discloses a method for improving defect detectability in a direct imaging test with non-ionizing electromagnetic waves, where a difference of a current image is formed to an image of a reference object.
US 2003011784 A1 discloses an interferometry method. The method comprises directing a measurement wavefront to reflect from a measurement surface and a reference wavefront to reflect from a reference surface, where the measurement and reference wavefronts are from a common light source, and directing the reflected measurement and reference wavefronts to overlap with one another and form an interference pattern.

Method for inspection of a target object, control system and inspection system


A funneling apparatus for selectively directing the flow of materials out of a container. The funneling apparatus has a funnel with an inlet having a device for detachably securing the funnel to the container.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for enabling selective direction of the flow of fluids and/or other matter. In particular, the invention is advantageously used to direct the flow of fluids from a container which is being emptied. More specifically, the inventive apparatus is used to selectively direct the flow of fluids from a type of container having an obstruction, such as a plug, therein which must be removed prior to emptying the same.
A primary example of the problem addressed by the inventive apparatus is that encountered when changing the oil in an automobile. The oil pan of an automobile has a drain hole equipped with a drain plug which must be removed when changing the oil. Unfortunately, when a mechanic removes the drain plug, the oil immediately begins to flow out from the oil pan and often spills on the mechanics hands, clothing or onto the floor. This problem is especially vexatious when the oil is hot, as it generally is in a drive-through oil change establishment.
In contrast to the present invention, which is concerned with directing the flow of fluids from a container that is being emptied, the prior art has been concerned with directing the flow of fluids when filling a container. For example, funnels have been used to minimize spills when filling containers.
Improvements in these funnels have generally concentrated on minimizing spills when filling a container. This problem has been addressed by modifying the funnel so that it can more easily be determined when the container is full. Examples of such modifications include U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,908 to Boyum (a funnel with a flange at the nozzle to maintain the nozzle at a spaced relationship from the container opening to permit viewing of the level of the liquid), U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,343 to Tyree, Jr. (a funnel-shaped filling unit with a displacer extending into the container being filled to prevent it from actually being overfilled), and U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,776 to Attinello (a funnel with a float to indicate when the container is full).
Spills can also be minimized by permitting the escape of air when using a funnel to fill a container. GB 2 081 128 discloses one such funnel which includes a filter in the conical portion thereof.
An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for enabling selective direction of the flow of fluids. A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for permitting removal of a plug from a container, to enable emptying of the container, while selectively directing the flow of fluid emptying out of the container.


An adjusting and locking device for mounting a cycle wheel hub of the type having a tubular body supported in a rotating manner on an internal hollow traversing shaft by the intermediary of two rolling bearings, each being positioned at one end part of the body and having a clearance that is adjustable by a clearance adjusting nut which abuts the bearings and which is axially screwed on the shaft. A locking pressure tubular screw is axially screwed into the clearance adjusting nut and abuts on the end of the internal traversing shaft.

The present invention relates to the cycle industry. It relates to a bicycle wheel hub with adjustable bearing play, and more particularly to an adjusting and locking device for the mounting of such a hub.
A bicycle wheel hub normally comprises a tubular body supported in rotation by the intermediary of two ball bearings on an internal traversing shaft which is at least partially threaded.
Furthermore and often, the tubular body forms a cross-piece between the outer bearing rings and the clearance of the bearings can be adjusted by means of a slight axial displacement of at least one of the inner bearing rings which are screwed or which are made to slide on the traversing shaft towards the mean plane of the wheel.
After adjusting the clearance, the inner ring which has been displaced must be immobilized and this immobilization is frequently obtained by means of a nut/lock-nut system where the nut and the lock-nut are both screwed on the shaft and locked against each other. Now this method has disadvantages which will be explained below. In this explanation, a distinction will be made between the inner and outer sides of the thread of the shaft which are respectively oriented towards the mean plane of the wheel and towards the outside of the wheel. During the adjustment, the nut which pushes the balls towards the inside of the hub bears on the inner sides of the thread of the shaft; on the contrary, after locking, the nut which is itself pushed towards the inside by the lock-nut, locks onto the outer sides of the thread of the shaft.
Between the adjustment phase and the locked phase, the nut has therefore changed bearing sides; now, the axial play of the nut on the shaft is not zero and the change of bearing sides implies an axial displacement of the nut towards the inside of the hub. This displacement modifies the initial adjustment and risks causing an excessive tightening of the balls which, as is well understood, would be harmful to the smoothness of rolling and to the service life of the mechanical elements. In practice, in order to avoid such excessive tightening, a process of trial and error is often carried out by leaving a certain clearance during% adjustment which is intended to disappear when locking the nut/lock-nut system. Adjustment by trial and error is a waste of time and, furthermore, it is not within everyone's capability and for a piece of machinery as widespread among the public as the bicycle, it can be expected that there is a high number of hubs incorrectly adjusted and having either an excessive clearance or an excessive tightening.

Adjusting and locking device for mounting a cycle wheel hub


In a broad aspect, the invention is a method and apparatus for the downhole metering and control of fluids injected into a subterranean formation, and includes: a housing sealably connectable to a well tubing; a turbine meter disposed in the housing which provides an indication of flow rate therethrough to a control panel at the surface; and a variable orifice valve means in the housing which alternately permits, prohibits, or throttles fluid flow therethrough. The system has a communication link to the surface, an onboard motor which powers a hydraulic system in the housing that controls the throttling action of the variable orifice valve means, and a system to monitor and report downhole pressure and temperature. The system has the option of reversing the action of the turbine to monitor production from the subterranean formation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to subsurface well completion equipment and, more particularly, to methods and related apparatus for the metering and control of fluids that have been separated by downhole apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Commonly, in subterranean oil producing formations, oil and water coexist in varying ratios. The most commercially ideal situation for an oil producing company is to have a well where the percentage of water, commonly referred to as the "water cut" to be as close to zero as is practical, but in reality as oil is produced from the formation, the water cut percentage invariably increases. Water produced with the oil is a problem for operating companies since it must be separated from the oil at the earliest possible point in the oil production process to avoid the costs associated with handling and or transporting and disposing of large volumes of water. This is especially true in wells with a high water cut, wherein the percentage of water is 75% or greater.
In the past, equipment has been used to separate the oil from the water after it has been lifted to the surface. The most basic method is to allow the produced fluid to flow into a large tank for "settling". The difference in density of the two fluids causes a separation to occur. The water is removed from the bottom of the tank and is disposed of, leaving the crude oil for use by the operator. A third product, dissolved gas which breaks out of solution as a result of decreased pressure, must also be managed by the surface equipment. This method is very slow and expensive. Over time, smaller separators were developed that allowed portions of the water cut and gas to be removed from the oil at the surface, but the expense of lifting the water to the surface, and the disposal thereof, still represented a significant expense. In these cases the separated oil is moved to storage tanks until transport by pipeline, truck or tanker is arranged. The water is disposed of, generally by being reinjected into the original formation, or in a disposal well. In the case of high water cut wells, the volume of water handled can be 80 to 90 percent of the total production of the well. The ultimate economics of the well dictate that when the cost of lifting and disposal of water exceed the value of the crude oil being produced, the well must be abandoned, leaving valuable crude oil in the formation.
More recently, methods have been developed to separate the oil from the water downhole, either by filtration, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,787, or by centrifugal force in devices well known to those skilled in the art called "hydrocyclones". Hydrocyclones positioned deep in the well and used in conjunction with downhole electric submersible pumps (commonly called ESP's) separate the oil and water by taking advantage of the difference in the density of the two fluids. In application, the oil/water mixture is pumped tangentially and rotationally into a cylindrical chamber in the hydrocyclone causing a separation vortex. Centrifugal force in the vortex causes the fluids to separate, with the water passing out the bottom of the hydrocyclone, and the oil passing out the top. The resultant oil portion can be lifted to the surface, while the water portion can be reinjected directly into the formation from whence it was produced, or it can be routed into a disposal stratum. The hydrocyclones can be arranged in a series to increase the efficiency of the device to relatively match the water cut. The advantages of downhole separation of the produced oil/water mixture are obvious. The excess water does not have to lifted to the surface, solution gas remains dissolved in the water and is distributed with the water in the disposal stratum, and the surface separation facilities can be much smaller and less expensive. The end is enhanced economics of the produced well resulting in a greater percentage of oil being recovered from the formation.
In order for downhole hydrocyclones to function optimally, controlled back pressure must be maintained, as small pressure fluctuations on the discharge radically effect the efficiency thereof. When the water cut portion of the produced fluid is not lifted to the surface where it can be directly measured, the operator has no direct indication of the water cut percentage, and how it changes over time. This leads to a decreased ability to manage the reservoir and to monitor the efficiency of the separation hydrocyclones.
There is a need for an apparatus to enhance and optimize the operation of downhole separation hydrocyclones by metering and controlling fluids being reinjected into the formation by: providing a back pressure on the hydrocyclone; controlling the water injection flow rate; monitoring the total volume of fluid injected into the formation; and monitoring temperature, as well as providing an indication of up and downstream pressure on the apparatus. There is also a need for an apparatus to similarly monitor the fluid volume being lifted from the well to the surface.

Method and apparatus for the downhole metering and control of fluids produced from wells


A degassing system for a hydrocarbon dispenser including a hydrocarbon circulating pump (12). The system includes a degassing assembly (16) having an inlet connected to the outlet of the pump, a degassed hydrocarbon outlet (90), a takeoff outlet (20) for taking off the hydrocarbon/gas mixture, a degassing vessel (24), and a duct (38, 60") for connecting the takeoff outlet to the degassing vessel. The end of the duct which opens out into the degassing vessel has an adjustable effective flow section. The system also includes a valve arrangement (110, 118) for modifying the effective flow section as a function of the gas content of the hydrocarbon.

The present invention relates to a degassing system for a hydrocarbon dispenser.
In hydrocarbon dispensers, it is known that it is necessary to degas the hydrocarbon in order to ensure that the volume of hydrocarbon delivered to a user does indeed correspond to hydrocarbon and not to a volume mixture of liquid hydrocarbon plus gas.
In European patent No. 0 357 513, a hydrocarbon dispenser is described that includes means for monitoring the gas content of the hydrocarbon. In that document, the hydrocarbon dispenser is provided with a vortex type degasser which is associated with detection means enabling hydrocarbon dispensing to be interrupted as soon as the gas content therein exceeds a predetermined value. Vortex degassers are commonly used in that type of installation. They consist in establishing a helical flow of liquid-and-gas mixture in an elongate cylindrical enclosure, in taking off the liquid-enriched fraction via a lateral tube, and in taking off a gas-enriched fraction via an axial tube.
Accompanying FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a degassing device as commonly used in hydrocarbon dispensers. In this figure, a pump 12 is shown causing hydrocarbon to pass from a storage tank 14 to a vortex degasser 16 which is constituted by an elongate cylindrical enclosure, as mentioned above. The hydrocarbon, possibly containing gas, is injected to a first end of the enclosure 16 by duct 18 in such a manner as to establish helical motion of the hydrocarbon inside the enclosure 16. Degassed hydrocarbon is taken via lateral duct 22 while a liquid fraction that is possibly enriched in gas is taken via axial duct 20. Exit tube 20 is connected to a duct 26 which is in turn connected to a degassing tank or vessel 24.
Looking at the device of FIG. 1, it will be understood that one of the problems associated with such a system is that in the most usual situation of the gas content being very low, the axial takeoff tube 20 is in fact going to take off a non-negligible quantity of hydrocarbon, possibly containing very little gas. It will be understood that this hydrocarbon which is transferred to the degassing vessel reduces the effective efficiency of the installation since this hydrocarbon fraction must be recycled to the inlet of the pump 12 after spending a length of time in the vessel 24.
In contrast, it will be understood that when, accidentally, the hydrocarbon happens to have a high gas content, it is necessary to provide a takeoff tube 20 of diameter that is sufficient to take off effectively the entire gas-filled hydrocarbon fraction.
Also known, from U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,503, is a degassing system of the type shown in FIG. 1, in which the end of the duct opening out in the degassing vessel carries a non-return valve of effective through section that is adjustable by the action of a float resting on the liquid contained in the vessel. When the liquid content is large in the liquid/gas mixture taken off at the outlet from the degassing enclosure, the vessel fills with liquid, thus having the effect of raising the level of the liquid in the degassing vessel, and thus closing the section of the valve. Conversely, if the mixture taken off is rich in gas, then the level of liquid in the vessel remains substantially constant and the valve remains open to pass gas.
However, it can be observed that the above-known degassing system has a response time that is relatively long since when the liquid/gas mixture becomes enriched in liquid it is necessary to allow enough liquid to pour pointlessly into the degassing vessel to cause the liquid level to rise far enough to cause the valve to move through its entire stroke from its open position to its closed position.

Degassing system for a hydrocarbon dispenser


A method of performing hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in a carrier aggregation system is provided. The method includes: monitoring a downlink (DL) grant for initial DL data transmission in a first DL component carrier (CC); receiving initial DL data through a second DL CC indicated by the DL grant; decoding the initial DL data; transmitting a not-acknowledgment (NACK) signal when decoding of the initial DL data fails; monitoring a DL grant for retransmission of the DL data in the first DL CC; and receiving DL data retransmitted through the second DL CC, wherein the second DL CC is any one of a plurality of DL CCs having a predetermined link relation with the first DL CC, and the DL grant for the initial transmission includes a carrier indication field indicating the second DL CC and resource allocation information for the initially transmitted DL data.

One of the most important requirements of a next generation wireless communication system is to support a required high data rate. For this, various techniques such as multiple input multiple output (MIMO), cooperative multiple point transmission (CoMP), relay, etc., have been under research, but the most fundamental and reliable solution is to increase a bandwidth.
However, a frequency resource is in a saturation state at present, and various schemes are partially used in a wide frequency band. For this reason, in order to ensure a broadband bandwidth to satisfy the required higher data rate, a system is designed such that a basic requirement which requires separate bands capable of operating respective independent systems is satisfied. Further, a carrier aggregation (CA) is introduced. In concept, the CA aggregates a plurality of bands into one system. In this case, a band that can be independently managed is defined as a component carrier (CC).
To support growing transmission capacity, the 3GPP LTE or the 802.16m has recently expanded its bandwidth to 20 MHz or higher. In this case, a wideband is supported by aggregating one or more CCs. For example, if one CC corresponds to a bandwidth of 5 MHz, four carriers are aggregated to support a bandwidth of up to 20 MHz. As such, the carrier aggregation system uses a plurality of CCs, and in this sense, it can be called a multi-carrier system.
In order to increase reliability of data transmission in the multi-carrier system, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) can be used. The HARQ is a method in which a receiving end receives data and thereafter reports whether the reception is successful to a transmitting end by using an acknowledgement/not-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) signal, and the transmitting end transmits new data or retransmits data which fails in reception according to the ACK/NACK signal. Since the multi-carrier system uses a plurality of carriers, data and control information such as resource allocation information can be transmitted in different CCs. In this case, the control information may include a carrier indication field (CIF) indicating a CC on which the data is transmitted. However, there may be a case where the CIF is unnecessary in the process of performing HARQ.

Method and device for a hybrid automatic repeat request in a multi-carrier system


A dry type developer is composed of substantially spherical, electrically insulating toner particles which are free from electroconductive particles, and carrier particles, each carrier particle including a core particle and a resin layer coated on the surface of the core particle, with a resistivity in the range of 10.sup.8 to 10.sup.14 .OMEGA.cm under application of a DC voltage of 1000 volts.

Developers for use in electrophotography are required to comprise toner particles having a small average particle size with a sharp particle size distribution, and have satisfactory coloring performance and uniform chargeability, in order to obtain high quality images and excellent developer durability when used in an electrophotographic system.
The image formation characteristics, such as resolution, sharpness, half-tone reproduction and photographic reproduction of images, can be improved by reducing the average particle size of the toner particles in a developer. Furthermore, when the average particle size of toner particles is reduced, the half-tone reproduction and the photographic reproduction, in particular, are improved. In addition, when the toner particles have a small average particle size, the particle size distribution of the toner particles does not change even when the developer is used for an extended period of time. Therefore, the obtained image quality is stabilized and the life of the developer can be prolonged.
Conventionally, toner particles are generally produced by mixing a resin, a dye or a pigment, and a charge control agent, then fusing and kneading the mixture, mechanically crushing the kneaded mixture after cooling to produce toner particles, and classifying the resulting toner particles. The toner particles obtained by the above-mentioned conventional method have the following shortcomings when the particle size of the toner particles is reduced:
(1) As the particle size of the toner particles is reduced, the chargeability of the toner particles is decreased because of the non-uniform dispersion of the charge control agent in the toner particles, and the toner particles tend to be deposited on the background area of a copy paper, and to be scattered.
(2) The toner particle obtained by the above-mentioned crushing process has a very rough surface and many protrusions on the surface, so that the components of the toner particle are easily detached from the surface thereof As a result, a so-called toner filming phenomenon occurs, in which the toner particles are deposited in the form of a film on the surfaces of the carrier particles, a triboelectric charging member and a photoconductor employed in a photographic copying system
(3) The coloring performance of the toner particles is decreased when the particle size of the toner particles is reduced.
(4) It becomes difficult to remove the small-particle-size toner particles from the surface of the photoconductor when the photoconductor is cleaned.
(5) The productivity and yield of the small-particle-size toner particles are significantly low. In particular, when toner particles with a sharp particle size distribution are obtained, the productivity and yield thereof are considerably decreased and the cost of such toner particles is high. Also, there is a limitation on the reduction of the particle size distribution even when the classification is repeated.
Accordingly, many proposals have been made concerning the production of toner particles having small particle sizes and a narrow particle size distribution which are capable of yielding high image quality and which have high durability.
For example, a method of producing core resin particles including a pigment and a charge control agent therein by a suspension polymerization method is proposed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publications 51-14895 and 47-51830. However, with this method, it is difficult to remove a polymer-dispersion stabilizing agent and a surface active agent remaining on the surface of toner particles. These agents often cause the deterioration of the chargeability of the toner particles, and the properties of the toner particles obtained by this method are easily changed depending upon the ambient conditions.
Moreover, it is difficult to stably produce toner particles having small particle sizes with a narrow particle size distribution.
Methods of producing toner particles having small particle sizes and a narrow particle size distribution with a so-called core-shell structure are proposed as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 58-106554, 61-18965, and 61-275766. According to these methods, a coloring agent and materials capable of imparting properties necessary for a toner for use in electrophotography are deposited and coated on the surface of particles with a narrow particle size distribution. The toner particles obtained by these methods, however, have very poor electric characteristics and durability because of the presence of the above coloring agent and materials on the surface of the toner particles.
Furthermore, methods of producing toner particles by dyeing resin particles by immersing the particles in a solution of a dye are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications 50-46333, 1-103631, 56-154738, 61-228458, 63-106667, and 64-90454.
The methods disclosed in these Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications appear suitable for producing toner particles with a narrow particle size distribution because of the small number of production steps. However, those methods have not yet been studied to the extent that it can be confirmed that each of the toner particles obtained is uniformly dyed to the inside thereof. Moreover the descriptions in these Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications are insufficient for actual preparation of the toner particles.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 61-228458 discloses a method of producing toner particles by dyeing resin particles prepared by dispersion polymerization, with a dispersion stabilizer permanently deposited on the surface of the toner particles. The toner particles produced by this method, however, have the shortcoming that the triboelectric chargeability thereof is unstable because the polarity of the toner particles is controlled by the dispersion stabilizing agent deposited on the surface of the toner particles.
Toner particles free from the above-mentioned shortcomings are proposed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 596474 filed Oct. 12, 1990 by Suguro et al. These toner particles are prepared by dyeing polymer particles obtained by polymerization in a hydrophilic organic solvent and have a narrow particle size distribution. A developer comprising the above toner particles is capable of providing images with high image density and high resolution, free from toner deposition on the background of the images, and can be used for an extended period of time with high reliability, without causing significant changes in the image quality obtained and the properties of the developer
However, in the case of a developer which is prepared by mixing such toner particles with resin-coated carrier particles which are widely used for prolonging the life of developers and preventing the deposition of carrier particles on solid image areas, the developer has the defect that non-developed portions tend to be produced at the rear edge of a half-tone portion of the obtained image.


Synthetic leaders for effective secretion of proteins in yeast are provided. Also provided are replicable yeast vectors containing a DNA-sequence encoding the synthetic leader positioned upstream to a DNA-sequence encoding the desired product and operably connected with promoter and signal sequences. There are also provided yeast strains transformed with such vectors and a method for producing proteins by means of the transformed yeast strains.

Yeast organisms produce a number of proteins synthesized intracellularly, but having a function outside the cell. Such extra-cellular proteins are referred to as secreted proteins. These secreted proteins are expressed initially inside the cell in a precursor or a preprotein form containing a presequence ensuring effective direction of the expressed product across the membrane of the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER). The presequence, normally named a signal peptide, is generally cleaved off from the desired product during translocation. Once entered in the secretory pathway, the protein is transported to the Golgi apparatus. From the Golgi the protein can follow different routes that lead to compartments such as the cell vacuole or the cell membrane, or it can be routed out of the cell to be secreted to the external medium (Rfeffer, S. R. and Rothman, J. E. Ann.Rev.Biochem. 56 (1987) 829-852).
Several approaches have been suggested for the expression and secretion in yeast of proteins heterologous to yeast. European published patent application No. 0088632A describes a process by which proteins heterologous to yeast are expressed, processed and secreted by transforming a yeast organism with an expression vehicle harbouring DNA encoding the desired protein and a signal peptide, preparing a culture of the transformed organism, growing the culture and recovering the protein from the culture medium. The signal peptide may be the desired proteins own signal peptide, a heterologous signal peptide or a hybrid of native and heterologous signal peptide.
A problem encountered with the use of signal peptides heterologous to yeast might be that the heterologous signal peptide does not ensure efficient translocation and/or cleavage after the signal peptide.
The S. cerevisiae MF.alpha. (.alpha.-factor) is synthesized as a prepro form of 165 amino acids comprising a 19 amino acid long signal- or prepeptide followed by a 64 amino acid long "leader-" or propeptide, encompassing three N-linked glycosylation sites followed by (LYSArg(Asp/Glu, Ala).sub.2-3 .alpha.-factor).sub.4 (Kurjan, J. and Herskowitz, I. Cell 30 (1982) 933-943). The signal-leader part of the preproMF.alpha. has been widely applied to obtain synthesis and secretion of heterologous proteins in S. cerevisiae.
Use of signal/leader peptides homologous to yeast is known from a.o. U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,082, European published patent applications Nos. 0116201A, 0123294A, 0123544A, 0163529A, and 0123289A and DK patent specifications Nos. 2484/84 and 3614/83.
In EP 0123289A utilization of the S. cerevisiae a-factor precursor is described whereas DK 2484/84 describes utilization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase signal peptide and DK 3614/83 utilization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PH05 signal peptide for secretion of foreign proteins.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,082, EP 0016201A, 0123294A, 0123544A, and 0163529A describe processes by which the a-factor signal-leader from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MF.alpha.1 or MF.alpha.2) is utilized in the secretion process of expressed heterologous proteins in yeast. By fusing a DNA-sequence encoding the S. cerevisiae MF.alpha. signal/leader sequence to the 5'end of the gene for the desired protein secretion and processing of the desired protein was demonstrated.
A number of secreted proteins are routed so as to be exposed to a proteolytic processing system which can cleave the peptide bond at the carboxy end of two consecutive basic amino acids. This enzymatic activity is in S. cerevisiae encoded by the KEX 2 gene (Julius, D. A. et al., Cell 37 (1984b), 1075). Processing of the product by the KEX 2 gene product is needed for the secretion of active S. cerevisiae mating factor .alpha. (MF.alpha. or .alpha.-factor) but is not involved in the secretion of active S. cerevisiae mating factor a.
The growing evidence for secretion being a default route in the localization of proteins in eucaryotes, where conformation of the protein to be secreted or its precursor is the essential parameter for the efficiency of the process (Rfeffer, S. R. and Rothman, J. E., Ann.Rev.Biochem. 56 (1987) 829-852), elicited a search for more efficient leaders than the MF.alpha. leader for secretion in S. cerevisiae.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide more efficient leaders than the .alpha.-factor leader for the secretion in yeast of small proteins.
In competition experiments of the type described by M. Egel-Mitani et al., GENE (1988) (in press) with insulin precursors of the type described in EP-patent application No. 163,529 we found a limiting factor in expression and secretion of the insulin precursors to be caused by the N-terminal of the precursor, most likely due to inefficient processing at the lysine-arginine sequence separating the signal-leader from insulin precursor.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a secretion system for heterologous proteins in yeast ensuring a highly efficient processing of the mature protein by means of a KEX 2 encoded endopeptidase at a dibasic sequence thus improving the yield of the mature product.


The techniques herein relate to a ram assembly for a blowout preventer for receiving a tubular of a wellbore. The ram assembly includes a ram block for engagement with the tubular, a ram shaft for selectively extending and retracting the ram block, and a ram connector for operatively connecting the ram shaft to the ram block. The ram block has at least one block groove. The ram shaft has a ram head with at least one shaft groove. The ram connector includes at least one shear connector correspondingly disposable in the block groove and the shaft groove whereby the ram shaft is releasably securable to the ram block.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to techniques for performing wellsite operations. More specifically, the present invention relates to techniques, such as blowout preventers (BOPs) and related devices, for controlling leaks at a wellsite.
2. Background of the Related Art
Oilfield operations are typically performed to locate and gather valuable downhole fluids. Oil rigs may be positioned at wellsites, and downhole tools, such as drilling tools, may be deployed into the ground to reach subsurface reservoirs. Once the downhole tools form a wellbore to reach a desired reservoir, casings may be cemented into place within the wellbore, and the wellbore completed to initiate production of fluids from the reservoir. Casing, pipes or other tubing may be positioned in the wellbore to enable the passage of subsurface fluids to the surface. During wellsite operations a blowout preventer (BOP) may be placed at a wellhead to control pressure from the wellbore.
Leakage of subsurface fluids may pose a threat if released from the wellbore. Equipment, such as a BOP, may be positioned about the wellbore to form a seal with and/or sever pipes therein to prevent leakage of fluid as it is brought to the surface. In some cases, the BOPs employ rams and/or ram blocks that seal and/or sever tubing from the wellbore. Some examples of ram BOPs and/or ram blocks are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/838,701, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,647,002, 6,173,770, 5,025,708, 7,051,989, 5,575,452, 6,374,925, 2008/0265188, 5,735,502, 5,897,094, 7,234,530 and 2009/0056132. Some BOPs have bonnets as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,897,094 and 7,044,430.
Despite the development of techniques relating to rams and/or ram blocks, there remains a need to provide advanced blowout preventer techniques. The present invention is directed to fulfilling these needs in the art.

Blowout preventer ram assembly and method of using same


In a first-order complex band-pass filter, multiplexers are alternately switched over between time intervals of phases A and B, where the multiplexers includes two multiplexers provided at input and output stages, and a multiplexer provided in a feedback circuit of each of first-order filters and being switching over whether to invert a sign of a feedback signal. Then in a circuit part sandwiched between the multiplexers, a processing performed by an I circuit part and a processing performed by a Q circuit part are alternately switched over so that a sign of a signal inputted to an adder is inverted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a complex band-pass filter for use in a radio receiver such as digital radio receiver, a complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator using the same complex band-pass filter, an AD converter circuit using the complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator, and a digital radio receiver using the same AD converter circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
For a high-frequency receiver circuit of a radio communication system such as a mobile telephone or a radio LAN, a low-intermediate frequency (Low-IF) receiver architecture (See, for example, First Non-Patent Document described later) is one of effective applications. When two "one-input and one-output ΔΣ AD modulators" are employed according to this application, the same AD modulators perform AD conversion on not only a signal component but also an image component, and this leads to inefficiency. On the other hand, a complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator performs the AD conversion on only the signal component. Therefore, the AD converter can be implemented with lower power consumption and is suitable for this application (See, for example, Second to Fourth Non-Patent Documents described later).
Further, when each of an internal AD converter and an internal DA converter of the ΔΣ AD modulator is constituted as a multi-bit converter, then the requirements for performance of the internal operational amplifier are moderated, and a larger signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be implemented by a low-order loop filter. Therefore, the converter with lower power consumption can be implemented. Considering these points, a data-weighted averaging algorithm (referred to as a DWA algorithm hereinafter) has been developed for the complex band-pass modulator (See, for example, Sixth to Eighth Non-Patent Documents described later). In this case, a logic circuit for implementing a DWA algorithm by a circuit is referred to as a DWA logic circuit.
Prior art documents related to the present invention are as follows:
(1) First Patent Document: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP-05-275972-A;
(2) Second Patent Document: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP-11-017549-A;
(3) Third Patent Document: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP-2000-244323-A;
(4) Forth Patent Document: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. JP-2002-100992-A;
(5) First Non-Patent Document: J. Crols, et al., "Low-IF Topologies for High-Performance Analog Front Ends of Fully Integrated Receivers", IEEE Transaction on Circuits and Systems II, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 269–282, March 1998;
(6) Second Non-Patent Document: F. Munoz et al., "A 4.7 mW 89.5 dB DR CT Complex ΔΣ ADC with Built-in LPF", ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, Vol. 47, pp. 500–501, February 2004;
(7) Third Non-Patent Document: N. Yaghini et al., "A 43 mW CT Complex ΔΣ ADC with 23 MHz of Signal Band width and 68.6 SNDR", ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, Vol. 47, pp. 502–503, February 2005;
(8) Fourth Non-Patent Document: S. A. Jantzi et al., "Quadrature bandpass ΣΔ modulator for digital radio", IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 32, No. 12, pp. 1935–1949, December 1997;
(9) Fifth Non-Patent Document: Akira Hayakawa et al., "Design of Discrete-Time Multi-bit Complex Bandpass ΣΔ AD modulators", Technical Report of IEICE (The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers), IEICE Electronics Society Technical Committee on Integrated Circuits and Devices, Osaka, Jul. 13, 2004;
(10) Sixth Non-Patent Document: H. San et al., "An Element Rotation Algorithm for Multi-bit DAC Nonlinearities in Complex Bandpass Delta-sigma AD Modulators", IEEE 17th International Conference on VLSI Design, pp. 151–156, Mumbai, India, January 2004;
(11) Seventh Non-Patent Document: H. San et al., "A Noise-shaping Algorithm of Multi-bit DAC Nonlinearities in Complex Bandpass ΔΣ AD Modulators", IEICE Transactions of Fundamentals, Vol. E87-A, No. 4, pp. 792–800, April 2004;
(12) Eighth Non-Patent Document: Hiroki Wada et al., "Mapping from a DWA Algorithm into Circuit for Multi-bit Complex Band-pass ΔΣ AD Modulators", Report of Meeting of IEEJ(The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan) on Electronic Circuits, ECT-04-47, pp. 1–6, Hakodate, Jun. 25, 2004;
(13) Ninth Non-Patent Document: L. Longo et al., "A 15 b 30 kHz Bandpass Sigma-Delta Modulator", ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, pp. 226–227, February 1993.;
(14) Tenth Non-Patent Document: R. Schreier, "Quadrature Mismatch-shaping", Proceedings of ISCAS, Vol. 4, pp. 675–678, May 2002;
(15) Eleventh Non-Patent Document: J. Riches et al., "Mismatch Cancellation in Quadrature Bandpass ΔΣ Modulators Using an Error Shaping Technique", IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II, Vol. 49, pp. 73–85, February 2002;
(16) Twelfth Non-Patent Document: L. Breems et al., "A Quadrature Data-dependent DEM Algorithm to Improve Image Rejection of a Complex ΔΣ Modulator", IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 36, pp. 1879–1886, December 2001;
(17) Thirteenth Non-Patent Document: R. Maurino et al., "Multibit Quadrature Sigma-Delta Modulator with DEM Scheme", Proceedings of ISCAS, Vol. 1, pp. 1136–1139, May 2004; and
(18) Fourteenth Non-Patent Document: K. W. Martin et al., "Complex Signal Processing is Not Complex", IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I, Vol. 51, pp. 1823–1836, September 2004.
First of all, configurations and problems of a first-order complex band-pass filter according to a first prior art and a second-order complex band-pass filter according to a second prior art employed in a complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator will be described.
FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the first-order complex band-pass filter according to the first prior art. Referring to FIG. 19, the first-order complex band-pass filter includes two adders SU1 and SU2, and two delay circuits DE1 and DE2 each of which delays an input signal by a time interval corresponding to one clock signal to output the delayed input signal. The first-order complex band-pass filter performs a predetermined filtering on an inputted I signal Iin and an inputted Q signal Qin, and outputs an I signal lout and a Q signal Qout represented by the following equations:Iout(n)=Iin(n−1)−Qout(n−1)  (1), andQout(n)=Qin(n−1)+Iout(n−1)  (2),
where "n" denotes a parameter indicating a processing timing. The first-order complex band-pass filter thus configured according to the first prior art has the following problems. The mismatching in the element parameters is caused between an I circuit part including the adder SU1 and the delay circuit DE1, and a Q circuit part including the adder SU2 and the delay circuit DE2. The mismatching leads to deterioration in the precisions of the output signals lout and Qout. Further, as apparent from FIG. 19, there are signal lines crossing each other between the I and Q circuit parts. As a result, when the layout of the complex band-pass filter on an integrated circuit is designed, wirings are disadvantageously complicated, and also, a chip area disadvantageously increases.
FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator including a one-bit second-order complex band-pass filter according to a second prior art. The complex band-pass Δ93 AD modulator includes I and Q circuit parts. The I circuit part includes the following:
(1) multipliers AP1, AP11, AP21 and AP31 each of an amplifier (a number within each symbol indicates an amplification factor, and this can be applied hereinafter);
(2) adders SU1 and SU11;
(3) delay circuits DE1 and DE11 each delaying an input signal by a time interval corresponding to one clock signal;
(4) an AD converter ADCI; and
(5) DA converters DAC1 and DAC3.
The Q circuit part includes the following:
(1) multipliers AP2, AP12, AP22 and AP32 each of an amplifier;
(2) adders SU2 and SU12;
(3) delay circuits DE2 and DE12 each delaying an input signal by a time interval corresponding to one clock signal;
(4) an AD-converter ADCQ; and
(5) DA converters DAC2 and DAC4.
The complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator thus configured according to the second prior art has the following problems. The mismatching in the element parameters is caused between the I and Q circuit parts. This mismatching leads to not only deterioration in the precisions of output signals Iout and Qout from the modulator, but also deterioration in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Further, as apparent from FIG. 20, there are the signal lines crossing one another between the I and Q circuit parts. As a result, when the layout of the complex band-pass filter on an integrated circuit is designed, wirings are disadvantageously complicated and also a chip area disadvantageously increases.
FIG. 21 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator including a multi-bit second-order complex band-pass filter, according to a third prior art. This is a second-order complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator according to a prior art previously considered by the inventors of the present invention, and is disclosed in, for example, the Fifth Non-Patent Document. Referring to FIG. 21, amplification factors are set as follows: a1=⅓, b1=−⅔, a2= 3/2, and b2=2. The second-order complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator includes a second-order complex filter, two three-bit AD converters ADCI and ADCQ, and four three-bit DA converters DAC1, DAC2, DAC3 and DAC4.
In order to suppress the influence of nonlinearity of each of the multi-bit DA converters DAC1, DAC2, DAC3 and DAC4, the DWA algorithm developed by the inventors of the present invention is applied to the same. In addition, three multiplexers MU1-101, MU1-102 and MU1-103, and DWA logic circuits DWA1 and DWA2 are added to a feedback path formed by the four DA converters DAC1, DAC2, DAC3 and DAC4 (See, for example, the Sixth to Eighth Non-Patent Documents). A detailed configuration of each of the multiplexers MU1-101, MU1-102 and MU1-103 is similar to that of the multiplexer MU1 shown in FIG. 3. The detailed configurations of the DWA logic circuits DWA1 and DWA2 are shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively, and will be described later.
The relationship among input signals and output signals inputted to and outputted from the complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator shown in FIG. 21 is represented by the following equation:
                                          I            out                    +                      jQ            out                          =                                            z                              -                2                                                                [                                                                    1                    2                                                                          (                                                                  I                                                  i                                                                                n                                                                    +                                              jQ                                                  i                                                                                n                                                                                )                                                  +                                                                            (                                              z                        -                        j                                            )                                        2                                                                          (                                                                  E                        I                                            +                                              jE                        Q                                                              )                                                              ]                                .                                    (        3        )
In addition, the relationship among internal signals of the complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator shown in FIG. 21 is represented by the following equations:I1(n+1)=a1·Iin(n+1)+b1·DAC1(n+1)−Q1(n)  (4),Q1(n+1)=a1·Qin(n+1)+b1·DAC2(n+1)+I1(n)  (5),I2(n+1)=a2·I1(n)+b2·DAC3(n+1)−Q2(n)  (6), andQ2(n+1)=a2·Q1(n)+b2·DAC4(n+1)+I2(n)  (7).
The DAC converters DAC1 and DAC4 constitute a feedback circuit that feeds back an output signal from the AD converter ADC1. The DAC converters DAC2 and DAC3 constitute a feedback circuit that feeds back an output signal from the AD converter ADC2.
The following two problems are caused in the case of the configuration of the complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator shown in FIG. 21:
(1) Complicated layout: as shown in FIG. 21, in internal complex band-pass filters CBF1 and CBF2, and the feedback circuits formed by four-channel DA converters constituting I and Q circuit parts of the complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator, signal lines of I and Q signals cross each other in many portions. As a result, wirings are longer on the layout of an IC chip, a power consumption of a drive circuit is larger, and a chip area increases.
(2) The mismatching in the element parameters between the I and Q circuit parts: when the circuits of the complex band-pass ΔΣ AD modulator shown in FIG. 21 are implemented on the chip, the mismatching of analog circuit characteristics is caused between the I circuit part located at the upper stage of a forward path and the Q circuit part located at the lower stage of thereof due to manufacturing irregularities of element parameters. Then the quantization noise in an image band enters a signal band. This results in deterioration in the precision of the entire modulator (Concretely speaking, this leads to deterioration in the SNR (See Appendix 1 described later)). Several methods for reducing the influence of the mismatching in the element parameters between the I and Q circuit parts have been proposed (See, for example, the Tenth to Thirteenth Non-Patent Documents). These methods are not always effective for and directly applied to the configuration of the modulator proposed by the inventors of the present invention.

Complex band-pass filter for use in digital radio receiver and complex band-pass Δ-Σ AD modulator using the same

Semiconductor Technology Academic Research Center


A method of operating a power tool detects human contact with a non-moving implement in the power tool. The method includes generating a series of samples of an electrical signal passing through the non-moving implement, identifying a component for each sample in the series of samples of the electrical signal, identifying a first max−min value corresponding to a first plurality of samples in the series of samples occurring during a first periodic time interval with reference to a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value identified in the components of the first plurality of samples, and identifying human contact with the non-moving implement in response to the first max−min value being greater than a first predetermined threshold.

Detection or sensing systems have been developed for use with various kinds of manufacturing equipment and power tools. Such detection systems are operable to trigger a reaction device by detecting or sensing the proximity or contact of some appendage of an operator with some part of the equipment. For example, existing capacitive contact sensing systems in table saws detect contact between the operator and a moving blade.
FIG. 1 depicts a prior art capacitive sensing based detection system 90 that is incorporated with a table saw 1. The detection system 90 drives an excitation voltage that is electrically coupled to a movable blade 22 of the saw 1, and detects the current drawn from the blade 22. The amplitude or phase of the detected current and/or excitation voltage changes when the blade 22 comes into contact with an electrically conductive object (such as an operator's hand, finger or other body part, as well as work pieces). The characteristics of the changes are used to trigger the operation of a reaction system 92. The reaction system 92 disables operation of the blade 22 by, for example, applying a brake to cease motion of the blade 22 and/or by dropping or otherwise removing the blade 22 from the cutting area. One example of a reaction system 92 uses an explosive charge to drive a stopper (not shown) into the blade 22 to arrest the motion of the blade 22. In addition, or instead, an embodiment of the reaction system 92 drops or collapses a blade support member (not show) to urge the blade 22 below the surface of the table 14.
The embodiment of the detection system 90 shown in FIG. 1 includes an oscillator 10 that generates a time-varying signal on line 12. The time-varying signal is any suitable signal type including, for example, a sine wave, a sum of multiple sine waves, a chirp waveform, a noise signal, etc. The frequency of the signal is chosen to enable a detection system to distinguish between contact with the first object, such as a finger or hand, and a second object, such as wood or other material, to be cut by the power tool. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the frequency is 1.22 MHz, but other frequencies can also be used, as well as non-sinusoidal wave shapes. The oscillator 10 is referenced to the saw table 14 or other metallic structure as a local ground. As shown in FIG. 1, the blade 22 is disposed vertically in an opening defined by the saw table 14 (or work surface or cutting surface or platform).
The oscillator 10 is connected to two voltage amplifiers or buffers 16, 18 through the line 12. The first voltage amplifier 16 has an output connected to line 20, which operatively couples the output of the oscillator to the saw blade 22. A current sensor 24 operatively couples a signal from line 20 onto line 26 that is fed to an amplifier 28, which is connected to a processor 30 by line 32. The current sensor 24 is, for example, a current sense transformer, a current sense resistor, a Hall Effect current sense device, or other suitable type of current sensor. An output line 34 from the processor 30 is operatively connected to the reaction system 92 so that the processor 30 triggers the reaction system 92 if predetermined conditions are detected indicating, for example, contact between the blade 22 and the first object.
The signal on line 26 is indicative of the instantaneous current drawn by the blade 22. Because the saw blade 22 is in motion during operation of the table saw, the connection is made through an excitation plate 36, which is mounted generally parallel to the blade 22. The plate 36 is driven by the first voltage amplifier 16, and is configured with a capacitance of approximately 100 picoFarad (pF) relative to the blade 22 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The plate 36 is held in a stable position relative to the side of the blade 22. The excitation plate 36 is configured to follow the blade 22 as the height and bevel angle of the blade 22 are adjusted during operation of the saw 1.
The capacitance between the first object and the saw table 14 (or power line ground if one is present) is in the range of approximately 30-50 pF in the embodiment of FIG. 1. When the capacitance between the excitation plate 36 and the saw blade 22 exceeds the capacitance between the first object and the saw table 14, the detection thresholds are not unduly affected by changes in the plate-to-blade capacitance. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the plate 36 is arranged in parallel with the blade 22 on the side where the blade 22 rests against the arbor 37, so that changes in blade thickness do not affect the clearance between the blade 22 and the plate 36. Other methods of excitation, including contact through the arbor bearings or brush contact with the shaft or the blade, could be used to the same effect.
In the detection system 90, the second-amplifier 18 is connected to a shield 38, and the amplifier 18 drives the shield 38 to the same potential as the excitation plate 36. Also, sensors in the detection system 90 optionally monitor the level of electrical current drawn by the shield 38. The shield 38 extends around the blade 22 underneath the table 14, and is spaced some distance away from the blade 22 on the top of the table 14 in the configuration of FIG. 1. The configuration of the shield 38 reduces the static capacitance between the blade 22 and the table 14, which acts as a ground plane if the table is not electrically connected to an earth ground. In various embodiments, the shield 38 is a continuous pocket of mesh, or some other type of guard that is electrically equivalent to a Faraday cage at the excitation frequencies generated by the oscillator 10. The shield 38 optionally includes a component that moves with the blade adjustments, or is large enough to accommodate the blade's adjustment as well as the various blades that can be fitted on the table saw. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the shield 38 moves with the blade adjustments, and includes a throat plate area of the table top 14.
The processor 30 performs various pre-processing steps and implements an adaptive trigger that enables detection of conditions indicative of contact between the first object and the blade 22. The processor 30 optionally includes one or more associated analog-to-digital (A/D) converters. The blade current signal from the current sensor 24 is directed to one or more of the A/D converters, which generate a corresponding digital signal. A blade voltage signal representing the voltage drop between the blade 22 and the excitation plate 36 is directed to an A/D converter to generate a digital blade voltage signal in some embodiments. The processor 30 receives the digitized signal and performs various digital signal processing operations and/or computes derivative parameters based on the received signal. The processor 30 analyzes or otherwise performs operations on the conditioned blade signal to detect conditions indicative of contact between the first object and the blade 22.
Existing detection systems, such as the system 90 of FIG. 1, are configured for use when the power tool is operating to move an implement. For example, in the saw 1, the detection system 90 identifies contact between the moving saw blade and an object based on a transient signal, such as a spike in the digital blade voltage signal. The transient signal occurs over a short time, but system 90 recognizes the signal and the processor 30 takes appropriate actions within a brief time period of the contact between the blade and the object. When the saw blade is not moving, however, the transient signal still occurs if the signal is being passed through the blade, but the signal quickly returns to a similar level from before the contact occurred, and the detection system 90 cannot effectively identify long-term contact between the object and the implement. Additionally, if the object is already in contact with the static implement when the oscillator 10 begins generating the signal, then the detection system 90 does not detect the transient signal corresponding to initial contact between the object and the implement. For example, if an operator holds the saw blade 22 while the saw blade 22 is not moving, the sensing system 90 cannot identify the prolonged contact between the hand of the operator and the static blade 22. Consequently, improvements to power tools that enable identification of contact between an object and a non-moving implement in the power tool would be beneficial.

System and method for identification of contact between a human and a static implement in a power tool


A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for transmitting data to a facsimile presentation device is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of receiving a presentation job comprising input data associable with at least one input grayscale value, retrieving at least one of a plurality of threshold matrices, each threshold matrix selected to control a grayscale rendering characteristic of the facsimile presentation device associated with the threshold matrix, applying the grayscale values to the retrieved threshold matrix to rasterize the input data, and transmitting the rasterized input data to the facsimile presentation device. This invention can be practiced in several embodiments, and permits the user to select the threshold matrix according to the presentation device and/or a selected presentation quality. In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a means for receiving a presentation job having input data associable with at least one input grayscale value, means for retrieving at least one of a plurality of threshold matrices, each threshold matrix selected to control a grayscale rendering characteristic of the facsimile presentation device associated with the threshold matrix, means for applying the grayscale values to the retrieved threshold matrix to rasterize the input data, and means for transmitting the rasterized input data to the facsimile presentation device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems and methods for reproducing documents and other files, and in particular to a method and system for the reproduction of grayscales at remote devices such as facsimile machines.
2. Description of the Related Art
Facsimile machines are widely used in business today. Unfortunately, while most documents today are reproduced with a resolution of 300 dots per inch (DPI) or more, transmission bandwidth and other factors limit fax machines to the transmission and reception of images of considerably less resolution, usually in the order of either 204xc3x97196 or 204xc3x9798 DPI. This reduction in image resolution often results in a received transmission that is distorted with Moire patterns, jagged edges on text and images, severely limited dynamic range, reduced contrast and blurred. This can make the faxed document difficult or impossible to read. As a result, high quality documents cannot be transmitted with confidence that they will be reproduced correctly by the receiving facsimile machine.
The present invention discloses a method, apparatus, and an article of manufacture for transmitting data to a presentation device for receiving facsimile transmissions.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of receiving a presentation job comprising input data associable with at least one input grayscale value, retrieving at least one of a plurality of threshold matrices, each threshold matrix selected to control a grayscale rendering characteristic of the facsimile presentation device associated with the threshold matrix, applying the grayscale values to the retrieved threshold matrix to rasterize the input data, and transmitting the rasterized input data to the facsimile presentation device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of transmitting the rasterized input data to the presentation device comprises the steps of reducing the rasterized input data to an intermediate format being one of a number of widely supported formats, generating device-specific data and device-specific control information for the presentation device based on the intermediate format and control information associated with the input data, and transmitting the device-specific data and the device-specific control information to the presentation device. This invention can be practiced in several embodiments, and permits the user to select the threshold matrix according to the presentation device and/or a selected presentation quality.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a means for receiving a presentation job having input data associable with at least one input grayscale value, means for retrieving at least one of a plurality of threshold matrices, each threshold matrix selected to control a grayscale rendering characteristic of the facsimile presentation device associated with the threshold matrix, means for applying the grayscale values to the retrieved threshold matrix to rasterize the input data, and means for transmitting the rasterized input data to the facsimile presentation device. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a facsimile machine, and the means for receiving a presentation job comprises a scanner. In another embodiment, the apparatus is comprised of a computer executing software instructions to translate a document, image, or other computer file into rasterized input data for transmission to a presentation device.
The foregoing uses calibration curves and threshold arrays which are specifically designed to enhance the output quality of the facsimile transmission and reproduction, and enable users to provide their outgoing faxes with high quality images and text that can be accepted by a receiving fax machine with the image fidelity intact. The result is that the user is able to transmit higher quality images that are more visually appealing, easier to read, and convey the information content of the original.

Method and apparatus for rendering grayscales at a facsimile presentation device using a calibrated threshold matrix

International Business Machines Corporation


An air bypass valve (10) includes a solenoid assembly (30) including a magnetic housing (32), a coil bobbin (34) in the magnetic housing, a coil (36) disposed about the coil bobbin, and a magnetic flux ring (38) coupled with the magnetic housing. An armature and seal assembly (12) includes an armature structure (14, 16) that can move with respect to the solenoid assembly from a closed position to an open position in response to a magnetic field generated by the coil. Seal structure (22) is coupled with armature structure so that the seal structure can pivot with respect to the armature structure. The seal structure has a sealing edge (28) to seal with a manifold component when the armature structure is in the closed position thereof. A spring (44) biases the armature structure to the closed position and a main housing covers (46) the magnetic housing.

Automotive applications typically using an air pump, specifically a turbine, supercharger, or exhaust driven turbocharger, include gasoline, natural gas or diesel internal combustion engines. Other automotive applications also include fuel cells and fuel reformers, both requiring large volumes of air and often supplied by a turbine pump. While a bypass valve may be utilized for any pump configuration, the exhaust driven turbocharger is the typical application. The exhaust driven turbocharger is a free-spinning turbine with a shaft-separated split impeller, one end receiving force and a rotational moment from the exiting exhaust gases, the other end applying a pumping effect. As it is a free-spinning turbine, if the load on the air side suddenly increases due to a sudden decrease of demand by the engine, such as during deceleration, the pump will see a dramatic decrease in rotation and the corresponding sudden decrease in cooling effect, lubricating effect, as well as a high fatigue load on the impeller blades.
For the purpose of reducing the load on the turbocharger during sudden decreases of downstream flow, a bypass valve is typically applied to allow the impeller to continue moving air from the low pressure side to the high pressure side at a rate now set by the impeller speed. It is desirable to have a valve which can respond quickly when deceleration, load change or load shift point occurs, and recover quickly as when acceleration or higher load is suddenly required. When not energized, it is desirable to minimize bypass leak and corresponding decrease in pump efficiency when full throughput is required from pump. This must be satisfied with robustness as well as cost efficiency, while at the same time not introducing undesirable noise, vibration and harshness, or noise, vibration, harshness (NVH). Historically, bypass valves are comparatively large, heavy electromagnets with machined parts and multiple elastomeric diaphragms, bumpers and seals.
Thus, there is a need to provide an improved air bypass valve that reduces noise and reduces the force to open and close the valve.


A pedal device for a drum includes a base plate, a pedal, a chain, a pivot shaft, a beater, and an extension coil spring. When the pedal is freed from a depressed state, the urging force of the extension coil spring returns the beater from an operation position to a suspended position and returns the pedal to a standby position. A compression coil spring is arranged between the pedal and the base plate.

The present invention relates to a pedal device used when playing a drum such as a bass drum.
With reference to FIG. 11, a pedal device 100 includes a base plate 101, a pedal 102, a chain 103, a pivot shaft 104, a beater 105, and an extension coil spring 110. Two arms 107 project upward from the front portion of the base plate 101. The two arms 107 pivotally support the pivot shaft 104. The beater 105 and a wheel 108 are attached to the pivot shaft 104. The pedal 102 is pivotally attached to a rear portion of the base plate 101 by a support shaft 106. The chain 103 connects the pivot shaft 104 and the pedal 102. The chain 103 is wound on the wheel 108. In this state, one end of the chain 103 is fixed to the wheel 108, and the other end of the chain 103 is fixed to a movable end of the pedal 102. The extension coil spring 110 is connected between a cam 111, which is connected to the pivot shaft 104, and an adjustment screw 112, which is located at the outer side of the arms 107.
In the pedal device 100, when the pedal 102 is not operated, the extension coil spring 110 holds the beater 105 at a suspended position P1 and the pedal 102 at a standby position F1, as shown in the state of FIG. 11 by solid lines. When the pedal 102 is depressed against the urging force of the extension coil spring 110, the chain 103, the wheel 108, and the pivot shaft 104 pivots the beater 105 from the suspended position P1 to an operation position P3, which is shown by the broken lines, to beat a bass drum (not shown). When the pedal 102 is freed, the urging force of the extension coil spring 110 returns the beater 105 from the operation position P3 to the suspended position P1, and the pedal 102 to the standby position F1. In the pedal device 100 of the prior art, the position of the adjustment screw 112 is adjusted in the vertical direction to vary the urging force of the extension coil spring 110. This sets the feel of pedal depression or sets the return speed of the beater 105 to a predetermined speed.
When playing the bass drum, a drummer depresses the pedal 102 with his or her foot and then frees the pedal 102 to pivot the beater 105 in a reciprocating manner. The drummer quickly lifts his or her foot to free the pedal 102 when successively beating the drum. In such a case, the drummer's foot may instantaneously be separated from the pedal 102. Thus, the pedal 102 would not follow the movement of the drummer's foot. This may hinder with the playing of the bass drum. To solve such a problem, the return speed of the pedal 102 may be increased by increasing the urging force of the extension coil spring 110, reducing the weight of the pedal 102 or beater 105, or enlarging the diameter of the wheel 108.
However, an increase in the urging force of the extension coil spring 110 would increase the force required by the drummer to depress the pedal 102. Further, an enlargement of the diameter of the wheel 108 would decrease the pivoting amount of the pivot shaft 104 with respect to the depression amount of the pedal 102 and thus reduce the pivoting amount (pivoting angle) of the beater 105. Accordingly, an increase in the urging force of the extension coil spring 110 or an enlargement of the diameter of the wheel 108 would lower the movability of the pedal 102 or slow the movement of the beater 105. This would make it difficult to play the bass drum. Further, to reduce the weight of the pedal 102, light steel such as titanium would have to be used from the viewpoint of durability. However, this would increase the material cost and be an obstacle to lowering the cost of the pedal device 100. Moreover, if the weight of the beater 105 is reduced, the desired loudness may not be obtained when beating the bass drum.


A battery pack including a bare cell including an electrode assembly, and a battery case including a body portion accommodating the electrode assembly, and a sealing portion extending from the body portion; and a bonding member bonding the sealing portion to the body portion, the bonding member having a slit formed therein.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery pack.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, battery packs have been variously used as power sources of portable electronic devices. As the portable electronic devices are used in various fields, demands on battery packs are rapidly increasing. The battery packs can be charged/discharged a plurality of times, and, accordingly, are economically and environmentally efficient. Thus, the use of the battery packs is encouraged.
As small size and light weight of electronic devices are desired, small size and light weight of battery packs are also desired. However, since a material such as lithium having high reactivity is provided to the inside of the battery pack, the small size and light weight of the battery pack is limited due to the safety of the battery pack. Accordingly, a variety of studies have been conducted to develop a battery pack that can implement a small size and light weight while improving the safety thereof.


Provided are a unit that only outputs notification in the case where users having access have been added, a unit that saves image data in a restricted access save area without outputting notification, and a unit that outputs notification in a case where a specific pattern such as copyright information or confidential information was included in an original document that was read, and the user is notified by a combination of any of these three units.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to information processing technology for transmitting image data to a storage apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, it has become popular to transmit image data read with an image reading apparatus to a storage server on an external network and save the image data on the storage server. This storage server can be set to share image data with only specified users by configuring the settings so that only specified users have access, or to share image data with unspecified users by configuring the access settings so that anyone has access.
Here, the prior agreement of the user is required as to the settings of the storage area on the storage server to which image data read by an image reading apparatus is to be transmitted, such as whether the storage area will be set so that unspecified users have access (storage area set to unlimited access), or whether the storage area is set so that access is limited to specified users, for example. This is also because of the possible infringement of security, privacy, copyright and the like (hereinafter, "security and the like") related to an image, if an image that was not meant to be made available to unspecified persons is stored in a storage area set to unlimited access.
However, image data may also be stored without the user knowing that the access range settings of the storage server have been changed. Infringements such as the above can occur if such a situation arises.
It is desirable to prevent such situations. Technology for notifying a user that the settings have been changed without the user's knowledge has been proposed (e.g., see specification of Japanese Patent No. 4174480, etc.). In the specification of Japanese Patent No. 4174480, in order to prevent an MFP transmitting image data or the like to the wrong destination, registered destination information is checked prior to transmission to that destination, and if the information has been updated after transmission was last performed to that destination, the user is notified of the change.
Even when the access range settings of the storage area are thus checked prior to storing data, there is a problem in that even though the user does not need to be notified in the case where the settings are changed to limit access since there is no possibility security or the like being infringed, the user will be notified whatever the change according to the technology disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 4174480.
Even when a user that has received notification that the settings have been changed returns the settings to their original state, for example, a further notification will be issued as a result of that change according to the technology of the specification of Japanese Patent No. 4174480.
Furthermore, in order to notify a user, the image reading apparatus needs to be provided with means for that purpose, and performing such notification with a simple image reading apparatus is problematic.

System and method for transmitting image data


A current-voltage response of at least one site of a semiconductor wafer where ions have been implanted in the semiconducting material of the semiconductor wafer is measured prior to annealing the semiconductor wafer. From the measured response, a determination is made whether the ion implantation is within acceptable tolerance(s).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor wafers and, more particularly, to determining the efficacy of ion implantation of a semiconductor wafer.
2. Description of Related Art
Presently, in semiconductor wafers, electrically based ion implantation detection measurements detect changes in ion implantation concentration and energy, but require as a prerequisite an annealing step to activate the implant. This can be problematic since typically it is desired to determine whether ion implantation of the semiconductor wafers is within acceptable tolerance(s) before the time-consuming and costly annealing step and any other processing steps between ion implantation and annealing.
It would, therefore, be desirable to overcome the above problems and others by providing a method for testing the efficacy of ion implantation of a semiconductor wafer before the annealing step. Other problems that the present invention overcomes will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description.

Method of detecting un-annealed ion implants


Rapid connection of multiple motor drive modules for safety operation may be made using screw terminals for initial connections to a safety controller and pre-wired cables for daisy chaining subsequent motor drives responsive to the same safety signals. Adaptor modules may be used to provide for a variety of different connector configurations depending on the location of the motor drive within the signal chain.

The present invention relates generally to motor drives for electrical motors and in particular to a motor drive useful in safety systems.
Motor controllers provide sophisticated control of electrical motors by changing the frequency and amplitude of the power received by those motors. The control provided by a motor drive may be simple open-loop control of the motor, for example, ramping its speed up during start or may include more complex feedback control of motor speed and position using signals from an external tachometer or position encoder. One or more motor drives may be connected to an industrial controller programmed to coordinate the actions of multiple motors in an industrial process.
Safety systems are systems intended to ensure the safety of humans working in the area of potentially dangerous machinery in an industrial process. Safety systems accept inputs from emergency stop buttons, rope pull switches, safety mats, key switches, light curtains and the like, and stop the operation of equipment based on a command or the presence of a human in a dangerous area. Typically such equipment is powered by electric motors, and safety systems may disable those motors to stop the equipment.
Traditionally safety systems have been implemented by a set of circuits wholly separate from an industrial control system that may be used to control the industrial process with which the safety system is associated. Such safety systems may use specially designed "safety relays" which require a redundant signal to actuate relay contacts and which provide feedback signals that can reveal relay failures such as welded or stuck contacts.
In order to simplify wiring and hardware when motor drives are part of a safety system, it is known to incorporate safety relay circuitry directly into the motor drive. In this way, redundant safety signals may be provided directly to the motor drive (and safety feedback signals returned) allowing safe shutdown of the motor without the need for external contactors and their associated wiring.
The safety wiring connected to the motor drive includes five or seven conductors: three for the two redundant safety signals and a combined return which drive separate relay coils, and two or four more for the feedback signals and returns for two separate contacts associated with each relay coil. Often multiple motor drives are stacked together in a small area and adding this additional wiring to each motor drive can be cumbersome. When multiple motor drives are used, the number of wires from the control device to each motor drive can exceed the limit of wires that can fit on the terminals of the control device requiring the use of additional terminals and additional wiring. Inevitably, connecting the large number of wires needed for safety control increases the possibility of miswiring and increases installation costs.

Rapid configuration safety motor drive kit


A ball valve seat in which a resin or metal impregnated graphite seal ring and an L-shaped metal retainer are integrated by a shrink fit method. The graphite seal ring is provided with a continuous rib having a height of 50 to 250 μm on the outer periphery of the graphite seal ring. The rib preferably has arc curve of radius R slopes on both sides of the rib from the top to the bottom, and the width L of the bottom of the rib is preferably 550 to 1100 μm.

The ball valves control the flow rate and open or close the flow path by rotating the spherical, hemispherical or cylindrical valve body actuated by a handle or a lever. As the ball valves have good sealing property and operability, it is widely used in the electric power industry, natural gas pipelines, petroleum refining plants, petrochemical plants, general chemical plant equipment, building installation, anti-pollution industries, general housing water and sewage installations, gas supply equipment etc.
The structure of the ball valve seal comprises an annular seal disposed between the surface of the valve ball and the valve case, and the seal member is held on the case by a retainer mounted inside the case. That is, the seal member between the ball and the case is constituted by a combination of a retainer and a seal ring.
The material of the seal member is selected depending on a kind of fluid, fluid pressure and temperature, but in particular, when used under pressure higher than 2 MPa, and at temperature over 200° C. or 350° C. to 500° C. at maximum, and resin impregnated graphite or metal impregnated graphite is selected as a material of the seal.
Resin impregnated graphite materials have high resistant ability against alkaline and acidic fluid, and metal impregnated graphite materials can withstand alkaline and some acidic fluids. A ball valve seat using the graphite materials is fixed by shrink fitting a graphite seal ring (seal member) to the inside of a ring-shaped metal retainer.
In case the flow passage is suddenly closed or a sudden pressure change occurs due to the quick operation of the valve handle or the trunnion, the fluid enters into the gap between the retainer and the seal ring, and causes a peeling of the seal ring, which damages and reduces the sealing property. In addition, pressure acts on the back surface of the retainer and causes problems, namely, the displacement of the retainer from the right position.
In order to prevent these accidental phenomena, the ball valve seat interposed between the spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical valve body and the inside of the valve case is integrated with the seal ring and the retainer which are the ball pressure contact portion of the pressure under high temperature.
And it has also been proposed to use a seal ring formed by covering expansive graphite that can deform depending on a change of the pressure under the high temperature with metal foil, metal wire or metal mesh, or sandwiching metal foil, metal wire or metal mesh inside the expansive graphite.
But the strength of the ball valve seat is still not sufficient for the usage under high temperature and high pressure.


Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes depositing an organic dielectric material overlying a semiconductor substrate for forming an organic interlayer dielectric (OILD) layer. An opening is formed in the OILD layer and a conductive metal fill is deposited in the opening for forming a metal line and/or a via.

Integrated circuits (ICs) typically include a plurality of semiconductor devices and interconnect wiring. Networks of metal interconnect wiring are often used to connect the semiconductor devices from the semiconductor portion of the substrate. Multiple levels of metal interconnect wiring form a plurality of metallization layers above the semiconductor portion of the substrate and are connected together to form a back-end-of-the-line ("BEOL") interconnect structure. Within such a structure, metal lines in the metallization layers run parallel to the substrate and conductive vias run perpendicular to the substrate between the metallization layers to interconnect the metal lines.
High performance of contemporary ICs may be achieved using a highly conductive metal, such as copper, as the interconnect metal of the BEOL interconnect structure. The BEOL interconnect structure also employs a low dielectric constant (low-k) dielectric material as an interlayer or interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer or layers between and/or about the interconnect metal of the structure.
Conventional fabrication of BEOL interconnect structures include forming an ILD layer of a dielectric material such as porous silicon dioxide overlying a semiconductor substrate. A hard mask layer is then deposited and patterned overlying the ILD layer. Using the patterned hard mask layer as an etch mask, openings including via-holes and metal line trenches are etched into the ILD layer. The via-holes and metal line trenches are then cleaned and filled with a conductive metal to form the conductive vias and metal lines that form part of the BEOL interconnect structure. Any overburden of the conductive metal above the ILD layer is typically removed by a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process. Unfortunately, during etching, cleaning, and/or CMP, damage and/or dimensional variations across the wafer can occur to the dielectric material particularly in areas proximate the via-holes and conductive vias, and/or the metal line trenches and metal lines. This can result, for example, in variations in wire resistance of the metal lines and/or reduce chamfer control of the conductive vias.
Additionally, during normal operation of the IC, chip pack interactions (CPI) can occur in which the temperature of the IC will generally increase due to, for example, the relatively large power consumption by the semiconductor devices. This increased temperature can produce relatively high thermal stresses in the IC including in the BEOL interconnect structure due to the thermal expansion differences between the conductive metal(s) and the dielectric material(s) that form the interconnect structure. These relatively high thermal stresses can result in reliability issues resulting from, for example, cracking and/or delamination (e.g., peeling) of or between the various metallization layers.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide integrated circuits with improved metal resistance uniformity, via chamfer control, and/or robustness to chip package interactions and methods for fabricating such integrated circuits. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Integrated circuits including organic interlayer dielectric layers and methods for fabricating the same


A topographical model simulates mountains having stream beds, a river valley, a dam creating a lake therebehind, and a cultivated field. A chamber formed in the top of the mountain is charged with ice, which melts and escapes to the stream bed. A diverter selectively directs this water to the lake or to a dry side of the mountain, thus influencing water level of the lake and the river. The dam includes a simulated hydroelectric generator and a simulated irrigation system delivering water from the lake to the cultivated field. A secondary dam is provided to trap spillage from the main dam. A trench and optional surface screen protect the lake from floating or submerged debris. The model thus demonstrates that portion of a natural water cycle originating with snow melting on mountains, and exploitation of water resources to generate power and to irrigate a cultivated field.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three dimensional model used to teach aspects of natural water cycle flow and artificial exploitation of water flow, as for power generation and irrigation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Models of real topographical formations and water bodies are known. Exemplary are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,278,632, issued to M. Gerashshenevsky on Sep. 10, 1918 and 3,751,827, issued on Aug. 14, 1973 to T. A. Gaskin. These models are generally static displays not employing water to act thereupon, and generally are directed to natural phenomena, and do not illustrate harnessing of water resources.
Of course, water resources are harnessed to produce electrical power and to provide potable water, among other purposes, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,600,163, issued to J. Burns on Sep. 14, 1926, 1,922,055, issued to K. F. Marx on Aug. 15, 1933, 3,426,540, issued to A. E. Fixel on Feb. 11, 1969, 3,431,735, issued to H. Stauber on Mar. 11, 1969, and 4,363,564, issued to P. M. Borgren on Dec. 14, 1982.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Waterflow teaching terrain model having ice storage chamber