A field effect device (2) includes a source electrode (14), a drain electrode (16), a channel (24) formed between the source electrode (14) and the drain electrode (16), and a gate electrode (22) separated from the channel (24) by an insulating layer (20), wherein the channel (24) comprises a switching material reversibly switchable between a lower conductivity state and a higher conductivity state, each of the conductivity states being persistent.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention refers to a field effect device with a channel with a switchable conductivity and to a non-volatile memory device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art:
For memory devices and for numerous other applications, bistable devices or circuits are used. For example, for storing one bit of information in a memory, a bistable device can be used which is switchable between (at least) two different and persistent states. When writing a logical "1" into the device, it is driven into one of the two persistant states and when writing a logical "0", or erasing the logical "1", the device is driven into the other of the two different states. Each of the states persists until a next step of writing information into the device or erasing information in the device proceeds. A huge number of such bistable devices arranged in one or more arrays may form an EEPROM (EEPROM stands for electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) as a separate memory device or as part of an even more complex device.
An important example for such a bistable device is a capacitor with a ferroelectric layer between its electrodes. The ferroelectric layer shows hysteresis polarization. The application of an electrostatic field causes a polarization of the ferroelectric material which persists after switching off the electrostatic field. The persistent remanence-polarization is deleted or erased or even inverted by an electrostatic field of opposite sign and sufficient strength.
When the ferroelectric layer is arranged between a gate and a channel of a field effect transistor, the polarization state of the ferroelectric layer influences the number of charge carriers induced in the channel. In particular, the permittivity of the ferroelectric layer depends on its polarization state. Therefore, for the same device bias condition, the drain current depends on the polarization state of the ferroelectric gate dielectric layer.
When the ferroelectric layer is arranged between the electrodes of a capacitor, the polarization state influences the capacity of the capacitor. In both devices, the polarization state of the ferroelectric layer is switched by applying sufficiently high voltages between the capacitor electrodes or the gate and the channel, respectively.
A further bistable device is a resistor with two (or more) reversibly switchable and persistent resistance-states. The resistor is made of a material with respective reversibly. switchable and persistent conductivity states.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,098 describes a superconductive photoelectric device with a superconductive thin film between two electrodes, the superconductive thin film having a photo-conductive effect and converting from a normally conducting state to a superconductive state in response to light irradiation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,139 describes a method for switching properties of perovskite materials used in thin film resistors. The properties, in particular the conductivity, are switched reversibly by short electrical pulses. Application of the method for non volatile memory units and sensors with changeable sensitivity is proposed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,531,371 describes an electrically programmable resistance cross point memory. At cross points of bit lines and word lines, perovskite material acts as variable resistors the resistance values of which can be changed reversibly and with hysteresis.
U.S. 20030156445 A1 describes a method of changing the resistance of a perovskite metal oxide thin film device by means of a voltage pulse.
Other materials are described in the three articles and the international application publication mentioned subsequently.
The articles "Reproducible switching effect in thin oxide films for memory applications" (A. Beck et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 77, No. 1, July 2000), "Current-driven insulator-conductor transition and nonvolatile memory in chromium-doped SrTiO3 single-crystals" (Y. Watanabe et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 78, No. 23, June 2001) and "Electrical current distribution across a metal-insulator-metal structure during bistable switching" (C. Rossel et al., Journal of applied Physics, Vol. 90, No. 6, September 2001) and the international application publication WO 00/49659 A1 describe materials and classes of materials with hysteretically switchable electro static resistance, and simple resistor devices made from these materials.
The article "Field effect transistor on SrTiO3 with sputtered Al2O3 gate insulator" (K. Ueno et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol 83, No. 9, September 2003) describes a field effect transistor with a channel at a surface of undoped SrTiO3.
The above-mentioned devices provide switching speeds, power consumption and manufacturing costs which are still unsatisfactory for many applications.

Field effect device with a channel with a switchable conductivity


There is provided with a radio terminal which carries out data transmission using frequency bands licensed to other licensed radio terminals, including: a judging section configured to carry out a modulation analysis on a radio signal for each frequency band to judge whether the radio signal is a radio signal from a licensed radio terminal or not; a selection section configured to select a plurality of frequency bands; a schedule generation section configured to generate a schedule for intermittent data transmission; a data transmission section configured to transmit data according to the schedule; a carrier sensing section configured to carry out carrier sensing on a frequency band in which data is transmitted before data transmission for each the intermittent data transmission; and a control section configured to stop, when a radio signal from a licensed radio terminal is detected in a certain frequency band, data transmission using at least the certain frequency band.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio terminal which transmits data using a plurality of frequency bands including frequency bands preferentially licensed to other radio terminals.
2. Related Art
With the development of an information-oriented society, communication means available in familiar scenes are becoming drastically widespread and there is also a remarkable increase in a communication capacity. In order to increase the communication capacity, frequency bands used for specific applications are often made available for different applications. For example, in current general radio communications, it is stipulated by law that specific frequency bands should be used exclusively for specific applications, but several frequency bands are already open to a plurality of applications. In the future, a very wide band will be possibly made open to the public so as to be used together with other applications exclusively for small power short-distance communications such as UWB (Ultra-wideband).
Furthermore, a study of a scheme called "cognitive radio" has been started whereby a frequency band licensed to a specific system is allowed to be made available to an unlicensed radio terminal exclusively for places and times unoccupied by the specific system (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3583962).
A basic concept of the cognitive radio is to scan a potential band to be used, detect its status of use and use the band if the band is unoccupied by a system licensed to the band. Considering the speed enhancement and use of increasingly wider bandwidths in radio communications in recent years, it is anticipated that the ability to scan quite a wide band and determine to use a band that can satisfy demanded performance will be required.
As described above, a radio terminal which carries out communication using cognitive radio (hereinafter, referred to as a "cognitive radio set") detects and uses an unoccupied frequency band licensed to other systems. Therefore, in the case where a cognitive radio set uses a certain frequency band, there is a problem that when a licensed radio terminal which is an original user of the frequency band (hereinafter referred to as a "licensed terminal") starts to use the frequency band, the cognitive radio set must immediately stop the use of the frequency band and suppress the influences on data transmission to the licensed terminal.
Furthermore, when the use of the scheduled frequency band is stopped along with the start of a communication of the licensed terminal, continuity of the communication on the cognitive radio set side is not guaranteed, which results in problems that necessary file transfers cannot be completed, QoS (Quality of Service) of an isochronal communication cannot be guaranteed and so on.


A visual means of an endoscope comprising at least one optical system or composite optical system arranged at a front area of the endoscope. The at least one optical system or the at least one composite optical system realizes an aperture angle of more than 180° and is arranged such that the field of vision thereof reaches both beyond the normal to the direction of movement and beyond the longitudinal axis of the endoscope pointing ahead.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a visual means of an endoscope.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In principle, endoscopes, also in the form of capsules or probes, wherein the latter basically represent endoscopes having no endoscope shaft, are equipped with visual or rather optical systems for exploring body cavities such as the intestines, the stomach, blood vessels, etc., the visual or rather optical systems permitting a visual inspection or image recording of parts of the body cavity on the basis of which diagnoses of diseases can be made. In DE 101 16 056 A1, for instance, a generic endoscopic visualizing device comprising different image systems is known. Concretely spoken, the known visualizing device includes two image systems having different visual angles and different optical parameters (for instance different aperture angles) whose fields of vision directed ahead are partly overlapping and thus permit two different perspective representations of an area to be examined without the endoscope having to be subjected to a change of position or a change of the visualization device being necessary for taking different pictures. By this measure, a stereoscopic visualizing can be obtained, so that a larger total image field can be made available to an operator.
Basically, such image recordings have been available and also technically usable in the field of optics, in particular, since appropriate computer capacities and computing programs adapted thereto which permit a computer-aided electronic image processing have been provided so as to compute a total image from a number of single photographs partly overlapping with respect to their visual angle.
Especially in the field of endoscopy, it has turned out that, for instance, when exploring the intestines the error rate in finding polypi and tumors is still very high. The difficulty consists in the fact that the field of vision of an inserted endoscope is and also has to be directed substantially ahead so as to be capable of visually monitoring and controlling the inserting movement. Consequently, polypi and tumors which are very small in their initial state and might be located at the rear of an intestinal fold remain undiscovered in a plurality of cases.
Therefore the object underlying the invention is to further develop an endoscope or probe in such a manner that an improved visual exploration of a body cavity is permitted.


Citrate polyester additives for crude oils, mixtures of the citrate polyester additives and crude oils, and methods for producing or forming the mixtures are provided. The mixtures and methods comprise at least one citrate polyester additive introduce or applied to crude oil, wherein the at least one citrate polyester additive comprises one or more citrate crosspolymers.

Wax crystal formation in crude oils is common during well operation, as the crude oils cool from bottomhole static temperatures to mudline or surface conditions. Overtime, the wax crystals can coat the interior of wellbore equipment, leading to higher pressure drops and lower production rates. Often, the wax crystal formation leads to gelation and formation of gelled oils. The high viscosities of the gelled oils create challenges during the storage and transport of crude oil produced from a well or wellbore, as heating would be required to achieve enough flowability to move the oil between containers.
Traditionally, at least one paraffin inhibitor (hereinafter "PI") and/or at least one pour point depressant (hereinafter "PPD") is often applied to a crude oil to affect and/or reduce wax crystal formation, deposition and gelling in the crude oil. During production, the PI is often introduced to the crude oil to slow a rate of wax deposition in the crude oil and/or the PPD is introduced to the crude oil so that the crude oil is flowable at anticipated surface conditions. The PI and/or the PPD is sometimes applied to the crude oil downhole to reduce the rate of wax deposition in the crude oil and/or improve flowability of the crude oil, respectively. Molecular structures of the PI and/or the PPD are typically designed to co-crystallize or adsorb to wax during crystallization and alter the crystal morphology so the crystals do not adhere to the casing or tubing surfaces and/or a weaker gel network are formed, respectively. However, each crude oil is a unique, complex mixture of components that can be saturated or unsaturated, polar or non-polar, and charged or neutral. Often, the PI also functions as a weak PPD as a side effect which may further improve flowability of the crude oil at the anticipated surface conditions.

Citrate polyester additives for crude oil, mixtures of said additives and crude oil, and methods for producing said mixtures


A load-break switch has a housing holding insulation gas at ambient pressure; a first main contact and a second main contact being movable relative to each other in an axial direction of the switch; a first arcing contact and a second arcing contact being movable relative to each other in the axial direction and defining an arcing region where an arc is formed during a current breaking operation, wherein the arcing region is located radially inward from the first main contact; a pressurizing system pressurizing a quenching gas during the current breaking operation; and a nozzle system arranged to blow the pressurized quenching gas onto the arc. The first main contact includes at least one pressure release opening to allow gas flow in a radial outward direction. A total area of the pressure release opening suppresses a reduction of gas flow out of the pressure release opening.

Load break switches constitute an integral part of units assigned to the task of switching load currents, with typical load currents being in a range of 400 A to 2000 A root mean square. The switch is opened or closed by a relative movement of contacts, e.g. a plug contact and a tulip-type contact. When the contacts are moved away from each other during a current-breaking operation, an electric arc may be formed between the separating contacts.
In load break switches which have a mechanism with an arc-extinguishing capability, such as puffer mechanism, a quenching gas is compressed in a puffer volume and released into an arcing region or arc quenching region. During an opening operation, a piston through a displacement stroke, the quenching gas is compressed, and an overpressure occurs in the compression chamber. At the same time, the tulip contact is pulled away from the plug contact, and the electric arc is generated. During the interruption, the arc heats up the gas volume around the contacts. Hot insulation gas has a lower insulation capability than the same insulation gas at a lower temperature. The hot gas increases a risk of a dielectric re-strike, even if the arc was successfully interrupted beforehand (i.e., even if a preceding thermal interruption was successful).
In typical applications, sulfur hexafluoride (SF) is used as a quenching gas or insulating gas. SF6 has excellent dielectric properties for the purpose of insulation, as well as excellent arc cooling or arc quenching properties and thermal dissipating properties. Therefore, the use of SF6 allows for compact load break switches and compact switchgears having such SF6-based load break switches. However, the global warming potential of SF6 has led to developing gas-insulated load break switches and/or switchgear with alternative insulation gases.
Document EP 2 445 068 A1 describes a gas circuit breaker comprising an insulation gas of CO2 gas or a gas including CO2 gas as the main component. The gas circuit breaker includes a high-voltage unit, a zeolite and the insulation gas in a closed vessel.
Document WO 2014/094891 A1 describes an electrical switching device having arcing contacts and main contacts. A first arcing contact is attached to an exhaust tube, the exhaust tube being surrounded by an exhaust volume. Another exhaust volume follows a second arcing contact.

Gas-insulated load break switch and switchgear comprising a gas-insulated load break switch


Strand positional guide implements, for use in connection with hot melt adhesive strand coating applicator assemblies, comprise a plurality of V-shaped strand guide slots wherein the apex portions are oriented outwardly away from the hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles. Accordingly, an enlarged air space is effectively defined between the plurality of elongated strands and its respective hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzle such that the plurality of elongated strands are not adversely affected by the heat or thermal radiation generated by or emanating from the hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles thereof.

Various, different material dispensing and coating systems or apparatus, for simultaneously coating a plurality of elongated, parallel strands with suitable materials, such as, for example, hot melt adhesives, are of course known in the art. Dispensing and coating systems or apparatus, of the aforenoted type, are disclosed, for example, within U.S. Pat. No. 7,067,009 which issued on Jun. 27, 2006 to Bolyard, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,146 which issued on Sep. 2, 2003 to Bolyard, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,237 which issued on Feb. 18, 2003 to Bolyard, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,635 which issued on Mar. 13, 2001 to Kwok, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,375 which issued on Jun. 20, 2000 to Kwok. In addition to the aforenoted patents, a similar system or apparatus is disclosed within U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/623,294 which was filed on Jul. 18, 2003 in the name of M. Steve Lessley et al. More particularly, as disclosed within FIG. 1, which corresponds substantially to FIG. 2 of the aforenoted patent application, a strand coating system or applicator assembly is generally indicated by the reference character 200, and it is seen that the strand coating system or applicator assembly 200 comprises an adhesive dispensing device 210 which is fixedly mounted upon a module assembly 220. The module assembly 220 is, in turn, fixedly mounted upon a head 240, and a pair of strands 233,235, to be coated with a suitable adhesive material discharged from a pair of nozzles or orifices defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210, are conveyed from a suitable strand supply roll, not shown, over a strand guide member or roller 230, which is mounted upon a pair of positionally adjustable arms 236,238 and within which a pair of strand guide grooves 232,234 are defined, and downwardly past the nozzles or orifices defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210.
In order to ensure the fact that the strands 233, 235 are conveyed past the nozzles or orifices, defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210, in a desired manner or mode wherein the strands 233,235 will be properly coated with the adhesive material, a pair of cylindrical, strand guide pins 250,252 are mounted upon a mounting plate 254 which, in turn, is fixedly mounted upon the module assembly 220. More particularly, the provision, presence, or disposition of the pair of cylindrical, strand guide pins 250,252 ensures the fact that the strands 233,235 will be moved past, or aligned with, the nozzles or orifices, defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210, in a substantially coplanar manner or mode with respect to the nozzles or orifices such that the adhesive material, dispensed or discharged from the nozzles or orifices defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210, will in fact be properly deposited or coated upon the strands 233, 235. More particularly, it can be readily appreciated still further that in order for the aforenoted adhesive material coating operation to be properly performed in connection with the strands 233,235, the strands 233,235 must be disposed upon, or conveyed along, the internal portions of the pair of cylindrical, strand guide pins 250,252, that is, the strands 233,235 must be conveyed in a substantially tangential manner along those portions of the cylindrical strand guide pins 250,252 which effectively face, or are disposed toward, each other. If the strands 233,235 are disposed upon or conveyed along the external portions of the pair of cylindrical strand guide pins 250,252, that is, those portions of the cylindrical, strand guide pins 250,252 which effectively face, or are disposed, away from each other, then the strands 233,235 will not be properly aligned, in the aforenoted coplanar manner or mode, with respect to the nozzles or orifices defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210.
It can be readily appreciated still further, however, that due to the circular symmetry defined by means of the cylindrical strand guide pins 250,252, the strands 233, 235 can in fact be easily or readily conveyed either in a tangential manner upon or along the internal portions of the pair of cylindrical strand guide pins 250,252 that effectively face, or are disposed, toward each other, or alternatively, the strands 233, 235 can likewise be easily or readily conveyed in a tangential manner along or upon the external portions of the pair of cylindrical strand guide pins 250, 252 that effectively face, or are disposed, away from each other. Obviously, if the strands 233,235 are erroneously or mistakenly routed so as to be tangentially conveyed along or upon the external portions of the pair of cylindrical strand guide pins 250,252 which effectively face, or are disposed, away from each other, the strands 233,235 will not be properly aligned or disposed in the aforenoted coplanar manner or mode with respect to the nozzles or orifices defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210. Accordingly, the adhesive material, dispensed or discharged from the nozzles or orifices, defined within the adhesive dispensing device 210, will not in fact be properly deposited upon the strands 233,235 in accordance with required or desired deposition techniques or patterns. This will be quite detrimental to the overall adhesive coating process because the system must obviously be shut down while the strand routing problem is effectively corrected. In addition, those elongated strands, already having the adhesive material deposited or coated thereon in a relatively defective manner, must be discarded as waste in view of the fact that such strands cannot be readily rerouted for reprocessing because any adhesive material already deposited thereon, albeit in an improper mode or pattern, would tend to foul the overall strand coating system 200.
In order to rectify the aforenoted potential difficulties characteristic of the hot melt adhesive dispensing apparatus utilizing such cylindrical strand guide pins, the strand guide system, as disclosed within FIG. 2, which effectively corresponds to FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 7,067,009, employs V-shaped strand guide slots. More particularly, the strand guide system 310 comprises a module assembly 312 that controls the supply of the hot melt adhesive material and the control air or other gas to a hot melt adhesive material dispensing assembly 314, and it is seen that a plurality of hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316 are arranged or disposed within a horizontal array within the hot melt adhesive material dispensing assembly 314. The hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316 are adapted to dispense and discharge hot melt adhesive material which is to be deposited onto and coated upon a plurality of laterally spaced material strands 322 which are to be subsequently adhered to or upon one or more substrates, not shown. A strand guide implement or block 324 is fixedly mounted upon a vertically oriented mounting plate 326 which, in turn, is fixedly mounted upon the front face of the module assembly 312, and a plurality of laterally spaced substantially V-shaped strand guide slots 328 are defined within the strand guide implement or block 324 so as to effectively extend rearwardly from a front face or surface 330 of the strand guide implement or block 324 whereby the apex portions 332 of the substantially V-shaped strand guide slots 328 are disposed in a recessed manner internally within the strand guide implement or block 324.
It can additionally be appreciated that each one of the apex portions 332 effectively forms a seat within or upon which each one of the plurality of elongated strands 322 is adapted to be disposed or seated. Accordingly, when each one of the plurality of elongated strands 322 is inserted into a respective one of the plurality of guide slots 328, the convergent side walls of each one of the substantially V-shaped guide slots 328 will effectively cause each one of the elongated strands 322 to be disposed or seated upon the apex seat portion 332 of its respective V-shaped strand guide slot 328 in view of the rearward biasing of the elongated strands 322 as determined, for example, by means of the disposition of a strand supply roll, not shown, and a product assembly station, also not shown. In this manner, it can be seen that each one of the plurality of elongated strands 322 is effectively laterally constrained or confined within its respective one of the substantially V-shaped guide slots 328, and that each one of the plurality of apex seat portions 332 of the plurality of substantially V-shaped strand guide slots 328 is respectively vertically aligned in a substantially coplanar manner with a respective one of the plurality of hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316. Accordingly, it is thereby ensured that each one of the elongated strands 322 will be conveyed within the common plane defined by means of respective ones of the apex seat portions 332 of the plurality of substantially V-shaped strand guide slots 328 and the plurality of hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316, and therefore, as hot melt adhesive material is dispensed and discharged from each one of the hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316, and deposited upon each one of the vertically oriented elongated strands 322, the elongated strands 322 will be properly coated with the hot melt adhesive material.
While the aforenoted strand guide system 310, as disclosed within FIG. 2, has proven to be an operational advancement with respect to the strand guide system 250,252, as disclosed within FIG. 1, it is noted that as a result of the rearward disposition or orientation of the V-shaped guide slots 328 with respect to the front face or surface 330 of the strand guide implement or block 324, whereby the plurality of strands 322 will be disposed at positions closest to the hot melt adhesive material dispensing assembly 314 and the hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316 thereof as a result of being disposed upon the apex seat portions 332 of the plurality of substantially V-shaped strand guide slots 328, the strands 322 could possibly be adversely affected by means of the heat or thermal radiation generated by or emanating from the hot melt adhesive material dispensing assembly 314 and the hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles 316 thereof. In addition, it is not always logistically possible to position the strand supply roll, the product assembly station, or the various electrical power or air conduits, operatively associated with the hot melt adhesive applicator apparatus, in such a manner that the rearward bias of the strands 322 is able to be readily achieved.
A need therefore exists in the art for new and improved strand positional guide implements or mechanisms, for use in connection with hot melt adhesive material dispensing and coating nozzles of strand coating applicators, wherein the strand positional guide implements or mechanisms will not only serve to properly position a plurality of elongated, parallel strands with respect to the plurality of the material dispensing and coating nozzles, in such a manner that the plurality of elongated, parallel strands can assuredly be respectively aligned in a coplanar manner with respect to the plurality of material dispensing and coating nozzles whereby the dispensed and discharged materials, such as, for example, hot melt adhesives, can be simultaneously dispensed and discharged from the plurality of material dispensing and coating nozzles and properly applied to or coated upon the elongated, parallel strands prior to the adherence of the elongated strands upon suitable substrates so as to ensure the adherence of the plurality of elongated strands upon the particular substrates when the elongated strands and the substrates are mated together in order to form completed fabricated products, but in addition, the strand positional guide implements or mechanisms will space or separate the plurality of elongated strands from the plurality of material dispensing and coating nozzles such that the plurality of strands will not be adversely affected by means of the heat or thermal radiation generated by or emanating from the hot melt adhesive material dispensing assembly and the hot melt adhesive material dispensing nozzles thereof.

Strand positioning guide having reversely oriented V-shaped slots for use in connection with strand coating applicators


This document provides dietary supplement compositions as well as methods for using dietary supplement compositions to control glucose levels. For example, a dietary supplement composition including chromium (e.g., Chromium Oligofructose Complex), a sweet potato extract, and one or more of a mulberry extract, a green tea extract, a cinnamon extract, or a ginseng extract (e.g., Korean Red Ginseng extract) are provided.

The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood of a human or animal. Normally in mammals, the body maintains blood glucose levels at a reference range between about 3.6 and 5.8 mM (mmol/L, i.e., millimoles/liter). When healthy, the body's homeostatic mechanisms keep blood glucose levels within a narrow range. Blood sugar levels can vary over the course of the day and spike after a meal, particularly after a sugar-rich meal. Moreover, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, can interrupt the body's homeostatic mechanisms that maintain blood glucose levels within a narrow range, thus blood glucose levels may spike even further after a meal for a diabetic. Severe stress, such as trauma, stroke, myocardial infarction, surgery, or illness, can also impact a body's hemostatic mechanisms. High blood sugar levels can have a variety of adverse health effects, including weight gain, kidney damage, neurological damage, cardiovascular damage, and retina damage.


A robust gate spacer that can resist a long overetch that is required to form gate spacers in fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) and a method of forming the same are provided. The gate spacer includes a first gate spacer adjacent sidewalls of at least one hard mask and a top portion of sacrificial gate material of a sacrificial gate structure and a second gate spacer located beneath the first gate spacer and adjacent remaining portions of sidewalls of the sacrificial gate material. The first gate spacers is composed of a material having a high etch resistance that is not prone to material loss during subsequent exposure to dry or wet etch chemicals employed to form the second gate spacer and to remove the hard mask.

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor device fabrication, and more particularly to a method of forming a gate spacer that can resist a long overetch that is required to form the gate spacers in fin field effect transistors (FinFETs) during a replacement gate scheme.
Field-effect transistors (FETs) generate an electric field by a gate structure to control the conductivity of a channel between a source region and a drain region in a semiconductor substrate. The gate of a finFET, and in some non-finFETs, may be formed by a replacement gate process in which a sacrificial gate, typically made of polysilicon, is removed to form a gate cavity, and gate materials replace the removed sacrificial gate material in the gate cavity.
During the fabrication of the FETs, the sacrificial gate is exposed to various etchants and cleaning chemistries. To protect the sacrificial gate, a spacer material is conformally applied to the sacrificial gate and then partially removed to form a gate spacer on a sidewall of the sacrificial gate. A problem arises in the prior art spacer formation in finFETs because the spacer etch in FinFETs has a huge build-in overetch budge in order to clear spacer material from fin sidewalls. This overetch that clears the sidewalls of fins also consumes the spacer material on the sidewalls of the sacrificial gate, which in turn, exposes polysilicon from the sacrificial gate at the polysilicon line ends. If polysilicon is exposed, epitaxial growth will also occur on the sacrificial gate. The uncontrolled epitaxial growth on the sacrificial gate can cause shorts of the polysilicon-polysilicon and polysilicon-contact. As such, a method to form a robust gate spacer that can resist the long overetch process in FinFETs is needed.

Method and structure for robust finFET replacement metal gate integration

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


The organic content of a fluid is determined by: (a) reacting a sample of a fluid containing organic matter (such as viable biomass or soluble or insoluble organic compounds) with excess oxidizing agent; (b) permitting an enzyme catalyzed release of oxygen from any unreacted oxidizing agent; and (c) measuring the volume of oxygen liberated from the sample; wherein the volume of oxygen liberated provides a measure of the organic content of the fluid.

Frequently, in industrial waste treatment, waste water treatment or in brewing plants or the like, an accurate measurement of the organic content of a fluid may be required so as to determine, for example, the treatment or filtration efficiency of the plant. Typically, any such measurements are taken only once during the working day, which is insufficient to identify fluctuating organic loads within the fluid, thus leading to inefficient treatment of the fluid due because of use of non-optimal conditions for treatment of the fluid.
Furthermore, waste water of both domestic and industrial origin is frequently treated by a biological aerobic process which uses suspended micro-organisms (the activated sludge process). The biomass concentration is an important parameter in maintaining effluent quality. It is generally measured off-line as dry weight. On-line probes based on, for example, turbidity, are generally unreliable and measure inert particles and dead cells.

Determining the organic content of a fluid

University of Glamorgan Commercial Services Limited


The protection element of the present invention is constructed of a MOS capacitor composed of a semiconductor substrate, an insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and a word line formed on the insulating film. A well region having a conductivity type opposite to that of the semiconductor substrate is formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate constituting the MOS capacitor. If charge exceeding the breakdown voltage of the insulating film constituting the MOS capacitor is induced in the word line, the induced charge is released into either the semiconductor substrate or the well region depending on whether the induced charge is positive or negative.

The present invention relates to a protection element of a semiconductor device formed on a semiconductor substrate and a fabrication method for such a protection element.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 59-125654 describes a technology in which in a conventional semiconductor memory device including a MOS capacitor and a field effect transistor as an information memory unit (memory cell), a MOS capacitor having an insulating film of which breakdown voltage is relatively low compared with that of the MOS capacitor of the memory cell is used as a protection element.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the protection element of the semiconductor memory device described in the above patent publication. As shown in FIG. 7, a field effect transistor includes impurity diffusion layers 102 and 103 serving as the source/drain, and a second conductive layer 106 serving as the gate located above the impurity diffusion layers via a gate insulating film 107 made of a silicon dioxide film.
A MOS capacitor (I) in a memory cell is composed of the impurity diffusion layer 103 and a first conductive layer 105 with a dielectric layer 108 made of a silicon dioxide film interposed therebetween. A MOS capacitor (II) as the protection element is composed of the first conductive layer 105 and a reversal layer 110 with a silicon dioxide layer 109 thinner than the silicon dioxide layer of the MOS capacitor (I) in the memory cell interposed therebetween.
Once charge is induced in the first conductive layer 105, breakdown predominantly occurs in the MOS capacitor (II) as the protection element that is lower in breakdown voltage than the MOS capacitor (I) in the memory cell, causing the charge in the first conductive layer 105 to flow into a semiconductor substrate 101 via the MOS capacitor (II) as the protection element, preventing occurrence of further charging up. The MOS capacitor (I) in the memory cell is therefore protected.

Protection element and fabrication method for the same


The layered drug delivery devices of the present invention have an outer side and an inner side. The device includes, in order from the outer side to the inner side, a first layer and a second layer. The first layer wherein the first layer is water insoluble, water swellable, and water permeable. The second layer includes a therapeutic amount of a water soluble drug and a water soluble mucoadhesive film. The second layer is disposed such that water passing through said first layer solubilizes the drug. The said solubilized drug then can permeate through a mucosal membrane when the inner side is in contact with the mucosal membrane. The drug delivery device is in sheet form.

The present invention relates to a layered drug delivery device in thin sheet form for oral/buccal transmucosal delivery of active drug to a human or animal.
The delivery of active substances into the blood stream poses a large challenge in the pharmaceutical sciences. Oral administration of pharmaceutical compositions has drawbacks including difficulty in keeping the active in a desired location for absorption, loss of drug due to decomposition in the acidic environment of the stomach, and reduced bioavailability due to metabolism of the active in the liver, poor solubility, and/or efflux.
There has been much interest in drug delivery through the oral mucosa. The buccal, gingival (e.g. gums, palate (e.g. roof of mouth), and sublingual (e.g. under-tongue) membranes offer several advantages for active delivery as compared to typical oral administration of the active. For example, actives administered through the oral mucosa have rapid onset of action, reach high concentration in the blood in short periods of time, avoid first-pass effect of hepatic metabolism, and avoid exposure of the drug to fluids of the gastrointestinal tract.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,517,173; 4,572,832; 4,713,243; 4,900,554 and 5,137,729 and Published US Patent Applications Nos. 2001/0051186 and 2004/0006111, all of which are incorporated herein for all purposes, describe delivering active substances through a mucosal membrane using thin film compositions. However, there is still a need for drug delivery device that allows for the delivery of unstable and/or hard to dissolve active ingredients through the mucosal membrane.


One embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a feedforward equalizer (FFE), an FFE data slicer and an FFE least mean square (LMS) module. The FFE data slicer is to threshold detect a sample of a received analog training signal, a result of the threshold detecting corresponding to an input signal digital decision. The FFE LMS module is to determine a plurality of FFE coefficients based, at least in part, on an output of the FFE data slicer and based, at least in part, on a mean square error corresponding to a difference between an equalized sample and a reference.

An electronic communication system typically includes a transmitter and a receiver coupled by a communication channel. In digital communications, digital data that includes a plurality of binary digits, i.e., bits, may be serialized and converted to an analog signal for transmission. The transmitted analog signal is carried by the communication channel to the receiver. The received analog signal may then be digitized (e.g., "sliced") to recover received bits. The recovered bits may then be deserialized and the plurality of recovered bits may be output from the receiver.
Non-ideal characteristics of the communication channel may distort the analog signal resulting in a bit error rate (BER) at the receiver. A bit error means that a value of a recovered bit is not the same as the value of the corresponding transmitted bit. For example, non-ideal channel characteristics include a finite bandwidth, a frequency dependent attenuation in the pass band and frequency dependent propagation velocity. The respective magnitude of each non-ideal channel characteristic is specific to a communication channel. In order to manage and/or reduce a bit error rate, the receiver may be adapted to an associated channel upon deployment.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.


An apparatus is used for determining at least one parameter relating to an elongate member disposed within a vessel. The apparatus includes at least one measurement unit having a light emitting component and a corresponding light receiving component. The light receiving component is positioned apart from the light emitting component such that the elongate member is positionable between the light emitting component and the light receiving component. Additionally, the light emitting component is adapted to emit light towards the light receiving component, and the light receiving component is adapted to generate a signal corresponding to the light received from the light emitting component. A method for determining at least one parameter relating to the elongate member disposed within the vessel is also provided.

In the pharmaceutical industry, dissolution testing and analysis is required to be performed on samples taken from batches of tablets or capsules manufactured by pharmaceutical companies in order to assess efficacy and other properties. Dissolution analysis by automated means has become popular for increasing throughput and improving accuracy, precision, reliability, and reproducibility. Automation also relieves the tedium of manually performing a variety of requisite procedures, including: handling and delivering dosage units such as capsules and tablets; monitoring dissolution system parameters; manipulating the shafts carrying the agitation paddles or sample baskets; recording, displaying and printing accumulated data and test results; and cleaning and filtering the vessels employed in such procedures.
Despite the benefits accruing from automation, validation of the procedures employed in dissolution testing and analysis remains a critical consideration. A typical dissolution test requires, among other things, that a rotatable shaft equipped with a paddle or basket be properly positioned in the center of and properly located a specified distance from the bottom of, a dissolution test vessel prior to conducting the test. The USP has promulgated guidelines for the pharmaceutical industry which are enforced by the FDA. Under USP 24, General Chapters, Dissolution (711), the shaft must be positioned such that its centerline is not more than 2 mm at any point from the vertical axis of the vessel, and such that the paddle or basket (typically mounted to the lower end of the shaft) be positioned at 25 mm±2 mm from the bottom of the vessel. Similar guidelines specify standards relating to the diameter of the shaft, the angular offset of the shaft and the vessel from a vertical axis, the wobble of the shaft and shaft basket during operation, and the rotations-per-minute (RPMs) of the shaft during operation.
Systems and methods have been developed to automatically acquire the physical measurements relating to the vessel and the shaft, which improved upon various hand-held devices such as rulers, machinist calipers and micrometers, and pass/fail fixtures. These systems and methods reduced the amount of manual handling and reduced reliance on sight and feel when acquiring physical measurements. However, such systems may require attachment of the measurement device to the shaft. The attachment of the measurement device to the shaft may apply force to the shaft potentially disturbing the position of the shaft within the vessel. Moreover, these known systems may require an operator to take multiple readings and reposition the measurement device within the vessel for subsequent readings. This manipulation of the measurement device may further disturb the position of the shaft within the vessel. There accordingly exists a need for an improved apparatus and improved methods for acquiring physical parameters relating to a vessel and a shaft within a vessel of a dissolution apparatus.

Methods and apparatus for acquiring physical measurements relating to a vessel and a shaft within a vessel


The present disclosure provides a backlight regulation circuit and a liquid crystal display having the same. The backlight regulation circuit includes a PWM signal generating module, a D/A conversion module, and a current driving module. The PWM signal generating module is configured for generating a PWM signal and outputting the PWM signal to the current driving module; the D/A conversion module receives an operation command inputted by user and outputs a preset voltage to the current driving module according to the operation command; the current driving module receives the PWM signal, amplifies the PWM signal according to the preset voltage, and outputs the amplified PWM signal to an electrical switch in control of switch-on and switch-off of a backlight, thereby controlling the switch-on and switch-off of the backlight. The present disclosure integrates multiple LED backlight schemes, expands the application range of the backlight regulation circuit, and shortens the development cycle.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to technologies of liquid crystal displays, and more particularly, to a backlight regulation circuit and a liquid crystal display having the same.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known that at present a MCU as well as a special LED driver IC is adopted to drive multiple LED strings for achieving current balance and brightness regulation. When choosing the special LED driver IC, according to the structure of the backlight, it is often necessary to choose different LED driver ICs for debugging. Moreover, this type of driving structure requires multiple peripheral circuits, which extends the development cycle.

Backlight regulation circuit and liquid crystal display

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A method for sealing electronic devices formed on a semiconductor substrate includes forming a plurality of first electronic devices adjacent a first portion of the semiconductor substrate, with each first electronic device including a first region comprising at least one first conductive layer projecting from the semiconductor substrate. A first sealing layer is formed adjacent the first regions for sealing the plurality of first electronic devices. A protective layer is formed adjacent the first sealing layer. The protective layer is etched to form protective spacers adjacent sidewalls of the first regions. The method further includes forming a plurality of second electronic devices adjacent a second portion of the semiconductor substrate, with each second electronic device including a second region comprising a second conductive layer projecting from the semiconductor substrate. A second sealing layer is formed adjacent the second regions for sealing the plurality of second electronic devices, and adjacent the first sealing layer for sealing the plurality of first electronic devices.

The integration on a common semiconductor substrate of different electronic devices, such as traditional transistors and non-volatile memory cells with a double polysilicon level for example, presents the problem of reconciling the different needs for sealing these two different types of electronic devices. Sealing refers to the manufacturing process where one or more layers are formed after the polysilicon layer forming the gate regions of the transistors and memory cells have been formed. This manufacturing process seals these electronic devices.
Typically, memory cells undergo a high quality sealing step to ensure the retention properties of the charge stored in the floating gate region. For transistors, a protection layer formed as part of this sealing step is to provide protection from the subsequent process steps.
A prior art approach provides the use of two different photolithographic masks to first define the gate regions in a memory matrix, and then those of the circuitry even if the order is not significant. Afterwards, the simultaneous oxidation of both electronic devices occurs, thus sealing the devices by a single sealing layer.
Although advantageous, this approach has several drawbacks as the size of the electronic devices decreases. In fact, the continuous reduction in the size of the electronic devices pushes transistors to require thinner sealing layers, and heat treatments with lower temperatures. This is in contrast to memory cells requiring thicker layers in addition to higher quality requirements.
In addition, CMOS transistors may be formed on the same semiconductor substrate where memory cells are formed. However, in the treatments most commonly used in CMOS transistor manufacturing process etching, the oxide layer is used to seal the memory cells. This reduces the retention properties of the charge stored in the floating gate region.

Sealing method for electronic devices formed on a common semiconductor substrate and corresponding circuit structure


Reconfigurable power systems and converters and operating methods therefor are disclosed. Reconfigurable power systems may include a DC power source, an electrical energy storage device, an AC power grid connection, and a power converter configured to selectively couple two or more of the DC power source, the electrical energy storage device, and the AC power grid connection.

Examples of solar and electric power converter systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,072,194; 6,914,418 and 6,590,793 and in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0008119. Examples of battery charging using solar or photovoltaic panels and maximum power point tracking (MPPT) are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,834,580; 6,914,418 and 6,057,665. The disclosures of these and all other publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.


A tool including a dispersive spectrometer deployable within a wellbore is provided. The dispersive spectrometer includes a waveguide layer to detect electromagnetic radiation according to wavelength. The dispersive spectrometer also includes a plurality of detector elements disposed along the waveguide layer to detect electromagnetic radiation associated with a portion of the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation. A method for using the tool in a subterranean application is also provided.

In the field of oil and gas exploration and production, material characterization such as reservoir or wellbore fluid composition is desirable to determine the quality of a product or the condition of a container, a wellbore, or a pipeline. Current dispersive spectrometers for material characterization operate in the near-infrared (NIR) over a limited wavelength range with a small number of channels (typically about 16) and with relatively low spectral resolution.
To increase spectral resolution, traditional dispersive spectrometers use narrow slit apertures to convey electromagnetic radiation in and out of the spectrometer. This reduces the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), thereby deteriorating measurement quality and increasing measurement collection times to compensate for quality degradation. In some approaches, the length of the dispersive spectrometer is increased to achieve a desirable resolution. However, this design strategy hinders compactness and the ability to co-locate the device with the fluid in the reservoir or wellbore. Some traditional dispersive spectrometers may fit in spaces as small as a few inches per side and have been utilized in downhole fluid characterization. However, the size of these devices is still too large for use in more demanding configurations such as permanent downhole sensors.
In the figures, elements or steps having the same or similar reference numerals have the same or similar description and configuration, unless stated otherwise.

Digital 2D holographic spectrometer for material characterization


In an electrolyzer system having metallic supply and discharge piping subjected to shunt currents, the improvement which comprises a removable target electrode in the section of said piping subjected to said shunt currents, said target electrode having a lower overvoltage than the metallic piping being protected.

There are three types of electrolytic cells primarily used for the commercial production of halogen gas and aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solutions from alkali metal halide brines, a process referred to by industry as a chlor-alkali process. Two of these cells are the diaphragm cell and the membrane cell. The general operation of each cell is known to those skilled in the art and is discussed in Volume 1 of the Third Edition of the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology at page 799 et. seq., the relevant teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In the diaphragm cell, an alkali metal halide brine solution is continually fed into a anolyte compartment containing an anolyte solution where halide ions are oxidized at the anode to produce halogen gas. The anolyte solution, including alkali metal cations contained therein, migrates to a catholyte compartment containing a catholyte solution through a hydraulically-permeable microporous diaphragm disposed between the anolyte compartment and the catholyte compartment. Hydrogen gas and an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution are produced at the cathode. Due to the hydraulically permeable nature of the diaphragm, the anolyte solution mixes with the alkali metal hydroxide solution formed in the catholyte compartment.
The membrane cell functions similarly to the diaphragm cell, except that the diaphragm is replaced by a hydraulically-impermeable, cationically-permselective membrane which selectively permits passage of alkali metal ions to the catholyte compartment. The membrane essentially prevents hydraulic permeation of the anolyte solution to the catholyte compartment, except for the alkali metal cations. Therefore, a membrane cell produces alkali metal hydroxide solutions relatively uncontaminated with the alkali metal halide brine.
Membrane cells are typically assembled in "stacks" comprising a plurality of bipolar plate electrodes, the electrodes being assembled in a filter press arrangement wherein each electrode is positioned in a spaced-apart but face-to-face planar relationship with respect to an adjacent electrode. A membrane is positioned between each adjacent bipolar electrode, thereby forming a series of alternating catholyte and anolyte compartments. A stack may also comprise a plurality of membrane cells having monopolar electrodes where the cells are electrically connected in series with respect to each other. Membrane cell stacks generally have common electrolyte and product piping. Membrane cell stacks are known in the chlor-alkali industry and, for example, are described in Volume 6A of Ullman's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (5th Ed. 1986) at pages 399 et. seq., the relevant teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
It is well known that shunt currents exist in stacks of bipolar plate cells with common electrolytes. These shunt currents are undesirable for at least two reasons: they can cause corrosion of some of the components of the system, and they are currents that are essentially lost in terms of the production of the desired products of the system. The corrosion problem can be particularly severe if the shunt currents leave the cells via conducting nozzles to which they are attached the inlet and outlet tubes for the cells. It is desirable, therefore, to be able to reduce the effect of the shunt currents for all of the inlet and outlet tubes for cells in stacks.
The piping carrying the anolyte or brine to the stack of the cells is normally a titanium containing metal which is connected to the stack by a non-conductive tubing. During normal electrolysis, shunt currents pass from the individual cells at the positive end of the stack and enter the tubes. When the tubes are made of a poor electrical conductor, the current flow that passes in the tubes is conducted by ions. This current is also called the bypass current. The current operates by a cathodic electrolysis reaction such as: EQU 2H.sub.2 O+2e.sup.- .fwdarw.H.sub.2 +2OH.sup.- E.degree.=-0.2V (1)
At the negative end, the current leaves the piping by an anodic electrolysis reaction, such as: EQU 2Cl.sup.- .fwdarw.Cl.sub.2 +2e.sup.- E.degree.=+1.3V (2)
The current then flows from the housing at the positive end into the non-conductive tubes and returns to the cells at the negative of the cell stacks. The current flow in the non-conductive tubes is again conducted by ions and in order for the current to enter the metal structure at the negative end of the cell stack, a reduction reaction such as reaction (1) must again occur.
Because of these shunt currents, titanium may be dissolved by an anodic reaction such as: EQU Ti+4Cl.sup.- .fwdarw.TiCl.sub.4 +4e.sup.- E.degree.=+0.4 (3)
Merely grounding the titanium piping as proposed by the prior art does not solve the problem of protecting the titanium against corrosion as a result of the shunt currents since they still exist and corrosion can still occur at those points where the current flows. TiH+ forms as a result of penetration of atomic hydrogen into titanium and typically occurs as a result of an electrolysis reaction. TiH+ is known to cause embrittlement of titanium.
An important member of an electrolyzer system to be protected is the titanium nozzle which is connected to the anolyte compartment at one end and is connected to the polymeric or Teflon tubing leading to the titanium piping at the other end. Shunt currents pass through this nozzle which is located at the negative end of the cell stack. To prevent a reduction reaction that produces hydrogen and creates TiH.sub.2, corrosion protection should be provided. Since the nozzle is a piping member that must contain Cl.sub.2 and anolyte under pressure, its protection against TiH.sub.2 stress crack failure is important.

Target electrode for preventing corrosion in electrochemical cells


A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which can increase the strength and durability of the wheel hub under rotary bending condition as well as can reduce its weight without changing the configuration and dimension of the wheel mounting flange and without causing surface run-out has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner peripheral surface. An inner member is formed with double row inner raceway surfaces arranged opposite to the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are freely rollable between the outer and inner raceway surfaces respectively of the outer and inner members. A wheel mounting flange is integrally formed with either one of the outer or inner members. At least one of the outer or inner members has threaded apertures to receive hub bolts to secure a wheel. At least one of the outer or inner members formed with the wheel mounting flange which is heat treated to have a predetermined surface hardness. The raceway surfaces are hardened by quenching to a predetermined surface hardness.

The vehicle wheel bearing apparatus includes various types in accordance with applications for a driven wheel as well as a driving wheel. For example, a conventional bearing apparatus for a driving wheel is shown in FIG. 6. The bearing apparatus has an inner member 50 including a wheel hub 51 and an inner ring 52; double row rolling elements 53 and 54; an outer member 55; and a constant velocity universal joint 56 to transmit an engine output to the wheel hub 51. In a driving wheel bearing apparatus, the wheel hub 51 for supporting a wheel (not shown) and a brake rotor 57 is made of medium carbon steel for machine structures, such as S53C, in view of its ease of forging, cutting and heat treatment, and economy in production. The wheel hub 51 and a wheel mounting flange 58 have been ribbed and thinned to reduce their size and weight to improve fuel consumption as well as driving stability. However since the mechanical strength of such a miniaturized wheel hub 51 itself nears the fatigue limit of the medium carbon steel forming the wheel hub 51, it is difficult to further proceed with the miniaturization and reduction of weight of the wheel hub 51.
In the wheel hub 51 where the wheel mounting flange 58 is thinned for weigh reduction purposes, a special countermeasure is required to deal with the concentration of rotary bending stress at the base portion of the outboard side, namely, at a corner 61 extending from a brake rotor mounting surface 59 toward a cylindrical pilot portion 60. Although it is possible to reduce the generated stress by enlarging the dimension of the corner 61, i.e. the radius of curvature, it is also limited by interference due to the brake rotor 57 being mounted on the wheel mounting flange 58.
The applicant of the present application has proposed a vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which increases the strength of the wheel hub 51 as well as reducing its weight without changing the configuration and dimension of the wheel mounting flange 58. In this bearing apparatus, as shown in FIG. 5, the corner 61 of the flange 58 of the wheel hub 51 is formed with a surface hardened layer 62. The surface hardened layer is formed by high frequency induction hardening. This strengthens the corner 61 of the flange 58 where the rotary bending strength is most weakened and thus increases the durability of the wheel hub 51.
Portions other than the corner 61, e.g. a seal land portion which slidably contacts a seal lip is fitted into the outboard side end of the outer member 55, as well as, portions "a"˜"d" from the raceway surfaces to the axially extending stepped cylindrical portion of the wheel hub 51, are also formed with a surface hardened layer 63 by induction hardening. In addition a serrated portion 64 formed within the inner peripheral surface of the wheel hub 51 is formed with a surface hardened layer 65. Thus the rotary bending strength, wear resistance and rolling fatigue life required for these portions "a"˜"d" can be improved (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 87008/2002).
Although it is possible, according to the vehicle wheel bearing apparatus of the prior art, to increase the strength of the wheel hub 51 as well as to reduce its weight without changing the configuration and dimension of the wheel mounting flange 58 by forming the surface hardened layer 62 at the corner 61 of the flange 58 of the wheel hub 51, new problems are caused such that the wheel mounting flange 58 is deformed by the heat treatment in the high frequency induction hardening step. Thus, this causes a large surface run-out of the brake rotor mounting surface 59. The problem of surface run-out is also caused by the thinning of the wheel mounting flange 58. The surface run-out of the brake rotor mounting surface 59 gives influence to the run-out of the brake rotor 57. Thus, this causes a brake judder which impairs the driving stability and the driving feeling. In this case, although it is also conceivable to further cut the brake rotor mounting surface 59 by lathe cutting after heat treatment of the wheel hub 51 to modify the deformed portion so as to improve the surface run-out, there also remains the dilemma that a slight step difference is caused between the surface hardened layer 62 of the corner 61 and the unhardened brake rotor mounting surface 59 due to a difference in hardness between the two.

Bearing apparatus for a wheel of vehicle


A method is disclosed for introducing a stent inside the body of a patient. The stent is made of a material that cures due to the action of light. A catheter having an inflatable balloon adjacent its distal end is provided. Also provided is a light conductor comprising a transparent, elongated member, the elongated member having a smooth, outer wall along most of its length with a portion of the light conductor within the balloon having a rougher outer wall to allow light to project laterally outwardly through the wall. The balloon carries on substantially its entire surface a partially reflective layer to permit the light to be partly reflected and partly transmitted through the same portions of the wall of the balloon. The stent is cured by providing light to the light conductor.

In International Publication WO83/03188; Sinofsky et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,492; and the like, balloon catheters are disclosed which carry an optical fiber for permitting irradiation in the region of the balloon. Such balloon catheter devices have been used for the placement of a Glastra stent, which stent may be expanded by a balloon catheter in the blood vessel of a patient or other desired location, and then cured with ultraviolet light so that the stent cures to rigidity.
Optical fibers of the prior art may be quartz fibers, but deliver the ultraviolet light within the catheter from the distal end of the fiber in the form of a light cone. By this invention, an optical fiber is provided for a catheter in which the light is delivered radially over a desired length of the fiber. Thus, a system may be provided in which an optical fiber is secured inside of a catheter balloon providing radial light delivery without the risk of balloon puncture with the sharp fiber end.

Method for introducing a curable stent using catheter with light conductor


Molded bodies of a hydrogen absorbing alloy accommodated in a hydrogen storage container are made readily replaceable to ensure stabilized supply of hydrogen gas. When exhibiting an impaired hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity, the molded bodies can be easily replaced by new molded bodies, whereby a specified hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity can be maintained. The hydrogen gas released from the storage container is partly utilized to heat the container and thereby maintain the alloy at a predetermined temperature, consequently assuring a device, such as a fuel cell, of stabilized supply of hydrogen from the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydrogen storage containers for accommodating hydrogen absorbing alloys, and more particularly to hydrogen storage containers adapted for stabilized supply of hydrogen gas from a hydrogen absorbing alloy accommodated therein.
2. Background Art
Developed in recent years are devices, such as fuel cells, hydrogen motor vehicles and heat pumps, wherein the energy source is hydrogen gas. Hydrogen gas is supplied to these devices utilizing a hydrogen absorbing alloy which reversibly absorbs or desorbs hydrogen. The alloy is accommodated in the form of a powder or molded body in a specified container.
To give an increased hydrogen storage capacity to the container, it is desired that a larger quantity of hydrogen absorbing alloy be accommodated in the container. Instead of filling the container with the alloy in the form of a powders therefore, the alloy is often accommodated in the container in the form of a molded body which is prepared from a mixture of alloy powder and a binder (e.g., PTFE) by compression molding and the subsequent sintering or like treatment and which is externally shaped in conformity with the interior configuration of the container.
For example, FIG. 26 shows a hydrogen storage container 90 for containing molded bodies 91 of hydrogen absorbing alloy. The container 90 comprises a tubular body 92 closed at one end, open at the other end and having a circular cross section, and a lid 93 closing the opening. The molded bodies 91 are placed into the container through the opening and accommodated therein as stacked up. After the molded bodies 91 have been accommodated, the opening is closed with the lid 93 attached to the tubular body 92, for example, with fastening members 94 such as bolts and nuts or by welding. The lid 93 has joined thereto piping 95 for releasing hydrogen gas, causing the container 90 to communicate with a fuel cell or like device therethrough.
With hydrogen storage containers, it is desirable that the hydrogen gas desorbed from the alloy be supplied to the device with good stability.
The hydrogen absorbing alloy becomes more finely divided with the absorption and desorption of hydrogen gas to exhibit a reduced hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity. Accordingly, there arises a need to replace the alloy within the container to ensure the desired hydrogen absorbing-desorbing capacity. With the container described, however, it is necessary for the replacement of the alloy to take out the alloy from the container by removing the tubular body from the lid and turning the body upside down, hence the drawback of requiring a time-consuming procedure. It is therefore practice to remove the piping from the device and replace the alloy as contained in the container.
The hydrogen absorbing alloy desorbs hydrogen gas through an endothermic reaction, so that the temperature of the alloy drops with the desorption of hydrogen gas, gradually decreasing the amount of hydrogen gas to be desorbed. In order to cause the alloy to desorb a sufficient amount of hydrogen gas with good stability, it is accordingly necessary to heat the alloy to some extent and preclude the drop in the temperature.
A container is available which is internally provided with heat transfer fins for heat exchange and thereby adapted to control the temperature of the alloy to overcome the problem of temperature reduction (see, for example, JP-B-36081/1992). As shown in FIG. 27, a device is also available which comprises a heat medium tube 96 inserted in a container 90 through a wall thereof, and an external heat source 98 operable by electricity, gas or other external energy source for heating a heat medium to pass the heated medium through the tube 96 and raise the temperature of a hydrogen absorbing alloy. Nevertheless, since the fuel cell, hydrogen motor vehicle or the like utilizing hydrogen gas as its energy source is used generally at a location where an external power source, gas or other energy source is not readily available, it is difficult to heat the alloy by the external heat source.
Additionally, when internally provided with the heat transfer fins or the heat medium tube 96 as stated above, the container 90 can be packed with a powder 97 of hydrogen absorbing alloy, but encounters difficulty in accommodating a molded body of hydrogen absorbing alloy, therefore has the drawback of a reduced hydrogen storage capacity and is further likely to rupture owing to the swelling of the alloy due to the absorption and desorption of hydrogen.


A text processing system includes a text processing device having an outer surface treated with coating, plating, printing, etc., a display device movably supported on the text processing device, a circular rotating member rotatably supported on the display device so as to rotationally contact the outer surface of the text processing device, a device for continuously moving the display device relative to the text processing device, and a device for holding the display device in a desired position relative to the text processing device. it is accordingly possible to prevent the peeling-off of the surface treatment layer such as a coating, plating or printing layer formed on the outer surface of the text processing device due to the contact between the lower end portion of the display device and the outer surface of the text processing device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a text processing system having a text processing device and a display device movably connected to the text processing device.
2. Description of Related Art
In a conventional text processing system for creating a text with use of a keyboard and a display device and for printing the text thus created, it is known to movably connect the display device to a text processing device.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view of an essential part of such a conventional text processing system 80. Referring to FIG. 8, reference numerals 82 and 84 designate a display device and a text processing device, respectively. In the condition shown in FIG. 8, a lower end portion 83 of the display device 82 is in contact with an upper surface 85 of the text processing device 84 treated with coating, plating, printing, etc.
However, when the display device 82 is moved in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 8 with the lower end portion 83 being maintained in contact with the upper surface 85 of the text processing device 84, the lower end portion 83 of the display device 82 slides or slips on the upper surface 85 of the text processing device 84, causing a problem that the surface treatment layer of coating, plating, printing, etc. formed on the upper surface 85 is peeled off.

Text processing system with a movable display device


A control circuit, a memory device and a voltage control method thereof are provided. The memory device includes a memory cell, a voltage regulator circuit and the control circuit. The control circuit receives a clock signal, and determines a clock frequency of the clock signal so as to generate a control signal. An operation voltage is converted into an internal supply voltage for supplying the control circuit by the voltage regulator circuit according to the control signal.

The conventional technology usually increases the processing speed of central processing unit (CPU) chips by elevating an operation voltage or overclocking. However, such method for increasing speed is only effective to CPU chips. For the conventional memory devices, the internal supply voltage of the memory devices remains at a constant value regardless of variation of the operation voltage being applied. This is to say that the processing speed of the memory devices remains the same. Therefore, it is not feasible to make use of an external signal of the memory devices to adjust the internal supply voltage. Consequently, the processing speed of the memory devices cannot be increased.

Semiconductor memory device for controlling an internal supply voltage based on a clock frequency of an external clock signal and a look-up table


A VCSEL for emitting visible wavelength light including a GaInP substrate element, a first mirror stack with mirror pairs in a GaInP/AlInP material system lattice matched to a GaInP active region. The active region including a quantum well layer, a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer. The active region sandwiched between a first cladding region adjacent the first mirror stack and a second cladding region adjacent a second mirror stack. The second mirror stack lattice matched to the active region and having mirror pairs in a GaInP/AlInP material system. The VCSEL device capable of emitting light in the range of 635-650 nanometers.

Vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSEL) typically include a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), also referred to as a mirror stack, formed on top of a substrate by semiconductor manufacturing techniques, an active region formed on top of the first mirror stack, and a second mirror stack formed on top of the active region. The VCSEL is driven by current forced through the active region, typically achieved by providing a first contact on the reverse side of the substrate and a second contact on top of the second mirror stack.
The use of mirror stacks in VCSELs is well established in the art. Typically, mirror stacks are formed of multiple pairs of layers often referred to as mirror pairs. The pairs of layers are formed of a material system generally consisting of two materials having different indices of refraction and being easily lattice matched to the other portions of the VCSEL. For example, a GaAs based VCSEL typically uses a GaInP/AlInP, an AlAs/GaAs or an AlGaAs/AlAs material system wherein the different refractive index of each layer of a pair is achieved by altering the aluminum material content in the layers. As an example, in a VCSEL that uses a GaAs substrate and the GaInP/AlInP material system, the emission wavelength is limited to 670 nm or longer. The best results are achieved in the 675-690 nm range, due to poor electrical and optical confinement between the GaInP multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and the AlInP cladding layers used in the active region. In conventional devices of this type, the number of mirror pairs per stack may range from 30-55 to achieve a high percentage of reflectivity, depending on the difference between the refractive indices of the layers. The large number of pairs increases the percentage of reflected light.
In conventional VCSELs, conventional material systems perform adequately. However, new products are being developed requiring VCSELs which emit light having visible wavelengths. VCSELs emitting light having a visible wavelength are of great interest in the digital video disk (DVD) industry, more particularly for use with both audio and CD-ROM applications. Accordingly, it would be highly advantageous, to remedy the foregoing problems and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved visible wavelength VCSEL and method of fabrication. Typically, the DVD standard requires an emission in the 635-650 nm range, a power of 3 mW-5 mW for a read only mode of operation, 30 mw for a write only mode of operation, and an operating temperature of up to 60.degree. C. These visible wavelengths can be obtained by using a VCSEL having a strained GaInP quantum well layer and AlGaInP barrier layers which compose the active region, AlInP cladding layers and GaInP/AlInP distributed Bragg reflectors with a GaInP substrate element. In a device of this type, the total bandgap discontinuity is approximately 400 meV, which is large enough to allow for excellent electrical confinement, thus allowing for operation at high temperatures with good reliability. In addition, the distributed Bragg reflectors can be easily formed using alternating layers of GaInP and AlInP layers lattice matched to the GaInP substrate. The refractive index difference between the two layers is approximately 0.5 at 650 nm and a forty pair DBR structure will allow for an approximate 99.99% power reflectance.
Another object of the invention is to provide a reliable visible wavelength VCSEL.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide for a new and improved active region for use in a visible wavelength VCSEL.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved substrate element for use in a visible wavelength VCSEL.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide for an efficient active region and mirror stacks for use in a visible wavelength VCSEL.
Yet another object of the invention is to reduce the complexity of fabricating a visible wavelength VCSEL.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an active region which emits visible wavelength light, a mirror stack and substrate which can be lattice matched thereto.

Fabrication of visible wavelength vertical cavity surface emitting laser


A wireless remote controlled rotorcraft tug assembly and method of maneuvering a rotorcraft positions a rotorcraft, of the type having skids, through use of a remote controlled low-profile tug vehicle that maneuvers in a tight 360° motion to maneuver the rotorcraft to a desired location, and operates multiple arms to raise, lower, and support the rotorcraft. A forward support arm and at least one lever arm are selectively movable through hydraulic or electrical means to engage the undercarriage of the fuselage for raising, lowering, and supporting the rotorcraft. A lateral arm connects to the skids from free ends to raise and lower the rotorcraft by the skids. A motor advances the tug vehicle by powering a drive wheel. A guide wheel attaches to a steering mechanism and enables 360° turns and precise maneuverability. A radio receiver and transmitter work to remotely control the motor and the arm control subassembly.

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, a rotorcraft includes landing gear, such as an undercarriage or skids by which the rotorcraft is supported on a ground surface. For example, the landing gear may be provided as a pair of skids, wheels, or three or four wheeled undercarriages constituting a support polygon for the aircraft on the ground. Rotorcraft engine power is almost exclusively used to taxi the rotorcraft, typically to or from a runway. Operation of the rotary blades and engines in a ground environment may be relatively loud and, when used to provide aircraft ground movement, create heavy air turbulence and burn relatively large quantities of fuel.
Generally, a tug is used to advance rotorcraft across the taxi area. The tug is a small manned vehicle which couples to the aircraft nose gear such that the vehicle may push or tow the rotorcraft. The tug commonly utilizes a separate tow bar system for attachment to the rotorcraft nose gear. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the typical means of maneuvering a rotorcraft, such as a helicopter with skid-type landing gear, is either to attach its factory-supplied ground handling wheels and utilize two or more personnel to balance, maneuver, and push the aircraft; or to utilize a hydraulic lifting and towing device. These positioning techniques require multiple operators, which require manpower and is dangerous around the rotating rotors. Also, the attachment to the helicopter skids is not always efficient.
Other proposals have involved apparatuses and methods for maneuvering rotorcraft, such as helicopters. The problem with these apparatuses is that they do not grip the undercarriage, such as skids efficiently. Also, the tug is not very maneuverable below the fuselage of the rotorcraft. Even though the above cited apparatuses and methods for maneuvering rotorcraft meets some of the needs of the market, a wireless remote controlled rotorcraft tug assembly and method of maneuvering a rotorcraft that raises, lowers, and maneuvers a rotorcraft of the type having skids through use of a remote controlled low-profile tug vehicle that advances below the fuselage of the rotorcraft and operates multiple arms to raise, lower, and support the rotorcraft, while also maneuvering up to 360° for positioning the rotorcraft to a desired position, is still desired.

Wireless remote controlled rotorcraft tug assembly and method of maneuvering a rotorcraft


Fluorine-containing resin molded article comprising a molded article of a fluorine-containing resin composition containing 0.1 to 30% by weight of a carbon material, a surface of said molded article being fluorinated. The fluorine-containing resin molded article can be obtained by, after preparing molded article of a fluorine-containing resin composition containing 0.1 to 30% by weight of a carbon material, fluorinating the surface of the article with a reaction gas which comprises a compound containing fluorine atom. This fluorine-containing resin molded article has an antistatic property and non-tackiness.

Fluorine-containing resins such as homopolymer or copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene have a very low surface energy in comparison with other resins, and therefore have an extremely superior surface properties such as water- and oil-repelling property, non-tackiness and mold-releasing property. In addition, it has been known that because of their chemical stability, they have many excellent properties such as chemical resistance, corrosion resistance and heat resistance, and thus the fluorine-containing resins have been applied to wide and various fields.
The fluorine-containing resins, however, have problems that they are easy to be electrostatically charged, because they are electrically insulative.
For example, in computer devices and various office automation (O.A.) machines, electronic parts such as IC and LSI and magnetic storages must be protected from electrostatic charge and sparks due to the charge. Therefore, for the parts to be used for their peripheral equipments or business machines (e.g. bearing parts for various rollers and transferring machines) are required a sufficient antistatic property.
Further, for a reservior of chemicals and an equipment used in preparation process of semiconductors, but for a sufficient antistatic property, not only the elements are broken due to the electrostatic charge, but also the maintenance of clean environment is obstructed.
Moreover, a fluorine-containing resin film is used as an offset-preventing layer for the surface of a fixing roller in a heat roller fixing equipment of electrostatic copying machines. In this case, when using the fluorine-containing resin alone, though non-tackiness and mold-releasing property to a toner melted by heating (hereinafter referred to as "hot-offset-preventing effect") are sufficient, there arises the problem of a phenomenon so-called electrostatic offset, that is, due to the abrasion between the fixing roller and paper sheets the offset-preventing layer of the fluorine-containing resin is charged gradually, and then the toner before fixing is electrostatically adsorbed or repelled, which results in blotting and missing in electrostatic images.
Further, in view of saving energy and shortening a warm-up time of machines it is desired to carry out the fixing at a temperature as low as possible. For this purpose, a fixing roller having an excellent heat conductivity is desired. Accordingly, it is required that the offset-preventing layer is made as thinner as possible and also has abrasion resistance together with the above various properties.
In order to solve the above problems, there has been proposed a composition of a fluorine-containing resin with which various electrically conductive fillers are blended.
For example, JP-B-38302/1991 discloses a fluorine-containing resin composition to which a carbon black is added as the electrically conductive filler. When adding the electrically conductive carbon black to the fluorine-containing resin, the composition is endowed with an electric conductivity and thus an excellent antistatic ability can be achieved. However, since the electrically conductive carbon black has a larger surface energy than the fluorine-containing resin, the carbon black is inferior to the fluorine-containing resin in such properties as water- and oil-repelling property, non-tackiness and mold-releasing property. Accordingly, the composition of the fluorine-containing resin and the electrically conductive carbon black has the problem that the composition is inferior to the fluorine-containing resin used alone in such properties as water- and oil-repelling, non-tackiness and mold-releasing property, and therefore such a composition has been practically used within the limited use.
To the offset-preventing layer of the fixing roller, it has been also tried to add various electrically conductive fillers.
For example, JP-B-23626/1983 proposes the use of a resin layer containing a carbon black and the like as the offset-preventing layer. When an addition amount of carbon black is made larger, a volume specific resistivity can be lowered, which results in improvement of electrostatic offset-preventing effect. However, the hot offset-preventing effect becomes bad. In order to solve this dilemma, in the practical application there is obliged to use a wet process in which a silicone oil is applied to the surface of the fixing roller.
JP-B-59468/1990 proposes the addition of a carbon fluoride to a fluorine-containing resin together with a carbon fiber as the electrically conductive filler in order to compensate the hot offset-preventing effect. In this case, though the both offsets, i.e. hot-offset and electrostatic-offset can be prevented, it is difficult to form uniformly an offset-preventing layer containing the two fillers. When the surface of the offset-preventing layer is uneven, it is impossible to maintain the offset-preventing effect for a long time.
As explained above, in the practical situation, it is difficult to prepare a fluorine-containing resin molded article which has a uniform surface and is simultaneously sufficient in both of antistatic ability and non-tackiness.
The present invention has been made on the basis of those problems, and has an object to provide a fluorine-containing resin molded article with an excellent antistatic ability and non-tackiness due to its proper electric conductivity and sufficiently low surface energy.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel process for preparing a fluorine-containing resin molded article with an antistatic ability and non-tackiness.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a fixing roller for electrostatic copying machine having a high offset-preventing ability, and to provide a preparation process of the same.

Surface fluorination of F-containing resin molded article