It is an object of the invention provide a content addressable memory, which operates at high speed and consumes low electrical power. The first CAM cell array, which is supplied with higher m bits of reference data, is composed of m CAM cells connected in series for each word, compares previously stored data of m bits with higher m bits of reference data in bit serial for each word. The first sense amplifier detects the result of comparison. The second CAM cell array, which is supplied with lower n-m bits of the reference data, is composed of n-m CAM cells connected in parallel for each word, made to be in operating condition only in case that the output of the first sense amplifier shows coincidence, and compares previously stored data of n-m bits with lower n-m bits of the reference data in bit parallel for each word. The second sense amplifier detects the result of comparison.

As well known to all, an ordinary memory device reads or writes into an assigned address, but a content addressable memory device is supplied with reference data and outputs information on the existence of data, which is the same as or similar to the reference data, other data stored in a word containing the reference data and the addresses of the data, in addition to function of the ordinary memory device. Accordingly, the content addressable memory device is called an associative memory device also.
The content addressable memory (CAM) is composed of plural CAM cells, and each of the CAM cells is provided with a memory circuit of one bit and a comparator for comparing one bit stored in the memory circuit with a datum of one bit supplied thereto. The comparator circuit is composed of plural N-channel MOSFETs.
In the CAM, since reference is made to the content stored in the memory circuits, the CAM cells constituting the CAM have access to all the address, which is distinct from the RAM having access only to the assigned address. Accordingly, all the signal lines are activated, and high electrical power is consumed.
Hitherto, the content addressable memory device of various kind for reducing consumed electrical power have been proposed. For example, a content addressable memory cell device composed of CAM cells, each of which has a common line serving as both a bit line of a RAM and a reference signal line of a CAM and is provided with a coincidence signal line for outputting the result of comparison and a coincidence detection control signal line for controlling the coincidence signal line, is disclosed in Japanese patent Kokai 2-192098 (a conventional technologyl, hereinafter). Inthis technology, the potential of the coincidence detection control signal line is made to be a low logical level only at the time of the operation of comparison, and thereby the potential of the coincidence signal line is changed into a low logical level from a high logical level at the time of anticoincidence. Since the potential of the coincidence signal line is not made to be a low logical level at the time of write in a RAM operation, the level of the coincidence signal line is unchanged, even in case that N-channel MOSFETs are in anion condition. Accordingly, electrical energy consumed therein is reduced. The content addressable memory device shown the conventional technology 1 is constituted of a parallel connection of the plural CAM cells.
In Japanese patent Kokai 62-293596, a content addressable memory device, which reduces consumption of electrical power at the time of comparison (the conventional technology 2, hereinafter), is disclosed. The content addressable memory device disclosed in the conventional technology 2, in which one word is composed of n bits, comprises a decoder for selecting a word in order to wire a data of n bits, the first CAM cell array, in which one word is composed of m bits, the first sense amplifier for detecting the result of comparison of the fist CAM cell array, the second CAM cell array, which carries out the operation of comparison based on the output of the first sense amplifier, one word of the second CAM cell array being n-m bits, and the second sense amplifier, which detects the result of comparison of the second CAM cell array responding to the output of the first sense amplifier.
In the conventional technology 2, the first CAM cell array is constituted of a parallel connection of them CAM cells, and compares the previously stored data of m bits with the higher m bits of the reference data in bit parallel. Similarly, the second CAM cell array is constituted of a parallel connection of the n-m CAM cells, operates only in case that the output of the first sense amplifier shows coincidence, and compares the previously stored data of n-m bits with the lower n-m bits of the reference data in bit parallel.
In such a structure, the second CAM cell carries out the operation of comparison, after the operation of comparison of the first CAM cell array is completed. Accordingly, the second clock signal is necessary for the operation of comparison of the second CAM cell array, in addition to the first clock signal necessary for the operation of comparison of the first CAM cell array.
Moreover, in a technology disclosed in Japanese patent Kokai 6-89588 (the conventional technology 3, hereinafter), a content addressable memory device, in which a timing control signal for generating a coincidence detection signal is unnecessary, and high speed operation becomes possible by adopting AND logical operation circuits with low electric currents consumed therein, is disclosed. In the conventional technology 3, plural CAM cells are connected in series.
On the aforementioned conventional technologies, problems mention in later are pointed out.
In the conventional technology 1, there is a disadvantage that electrical power consumed at the time of comparison is high. The reason is that in case that the result of comparison shows anticoincidence at the time of comparison, the potential of the coincidence signal line and that of the coincidence detection control signal line, which has nearly the same capacity as that of the coincidence signal line, are changed into low logical levels from high logical levels.
In the content addressable memory device disclosed in the conventional technology 2, clock signals of two kinds, the first and second clock signals, are necessary, and it is difficult to adjust the two clock signals to each other. Moreover, since the CAM cells of both the first and second CAM cell arrays respectively operate in parallel, consumed electrical power becomes high.
In the content addressable memory device disclosed in the conventional technology 3, since the plural CAM cells are connected in series, the speed of operation becomes low, as the number of the CAM cells connected in series increases.


The invention provides an electric power steering apparatus which can detect a ground fault of an angular resolver without fault. Values of a first resistance (R1), a second resistance (R2), a third resistance (R3) and a fourth resistance (R4) are set such that a difference between a minimum output potential (Vout Min) of a first differential amplifier (OP1) at a time when an angular resolver is not in a ground fault which may be generated on the basis of a dispersion of the first resistance (R1), the second resistance (R2), the third resistance (R3) and the fourth resistance (R4), and a direct-current resistance component (Rdc) of the angular resolver, and a maximum potential (Vout Max) at a time when the angular resolver is in the ground fault becomes equal to or more than a predetermined margin for preventing an erroneous ground fault detection in a CPU (62) side. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the ground fault of the angular resolver on the basis of an output potential (Vout) of the first differential amplifier (OP1) without fault.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotating angle detecting apparatus detecting a rotating angle of a detected subject by using an angular resolver, and an electric power steering apparatus assisting a steering by attaching the angular resolver to a torsion bar connected to a steering wheel, detecting a steering torque on the basis of a rotating angle determined by the angular resolver, and determining an assist amount so as to control a motor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional, there has been known an electric power steering apparatus which reduces a steering force by a steering wheel by applying an assist force generated by a motor to a steering mechanism connected to a steering shaft. In the electric power steering apparatus mentioned above, there is a case that a torque sensor determining a steering torque on the basis of a torsion of a torsion bar is employed. As a rotating angle sensor of this kind of torque sensor, there has been generally employed an angular resolver having a high mechanical reliability. As the electric power steering apparatus in accordance with the structure mentioned above, there is JP HEI 11-321689 A.
Since an output from the angular resolver is constituted by alternating-current analogue signals of a sin phase or a cos phase, the output is generally raised by applying an offset voltage to the sin phase and the cos phase in accordance with an offset voltage applying circuit so as to convert into a direct-current analogue signal and thereafter is converted into a digital signal via an A/D converter, for the purpose of allowing a process by a CPU. JP 2000-132226 A shows a structure for detecting a disconnection of the resolver. JP HEI 11-37797 A shows a structure for detecting a disconnection of the sensor and a ground fault.
3. Prior Art    JP HEI 11-321689 A    JP 2000-132226 A    JP HEI 11-37797 A
In the electric power steering apparatus, in order to increase a reliability, it is desirable to detect the disconnection and the ground fault between the angular resolver detecting the steering torque and the CPU and employ a countermeasure of gradually lowering the assist force or the like when the disconnection or the ground fault is occurred. For example, when a harness comes off due to a vibration or the like and the disconnection is generated, or when a wire is in contact with a vehicle body in the case that the vehicle runs on a curb stone and the ground fault is generated, it is necessary to stop the assist of the steering on the basis of a signal from the angular resolver.
In a method of detecting the disconnection and the ground fault, since the signal from the angular resolver rised by applying the offset voltage by the offset voltage applying circuit changes at a time of the disconnection and the ground fault with respect to a normal time, it is possible to detect on the basis of this change. Since a direct-current component resistance value of an output coil structuring the angular resolver becomes infinitely large and a potential change is large at a time of the disconnection, it is possible to accurately detect. However, even if it is intended to detect the ground fault on the basis of the voltage change, the direct-current component resistance value of the output coil structuring the angular resolver is small and the change amount of the potential is small even when the direct-current component resistance value becomes zero, so that the change amount of the voltage is not distinguished from a variation of the signal potential at a normal time on the basis of the angular resolver itself, a variation of a characteristic of an electronic circuit and a temperature change. Taking into consideration a risk of a steering assist stop caused by an erroneous fail detection, the ground fault can not be actually detected.

Rotating angle detecting apparatus and electric power steering apparatus


A sample holder according to the present invention is characterized in that the sample holder comprise a holder body, a sample retaining stage, a means capable for tilting the sample around an axis which is arranged in a direction perpendicular to a long side of the holder body, wherein the means has a mechanism capable for tilting the sample around the axis with no relation to the existence of a fulcrum retaining member at the said axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sample holder. In particular, the invention relates to a sample holder which has a means capable for tilting a sample around an axis with no relation to the existence of a fulcrum retaining member at the tilt axis.
2. Related Art Statement
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a sample holder which has a means for tilting the sample with axes parallel (hereinafter called α tilt) and perpendicular (hereinafter called β tilt) to a long side of the holder body. Such a sample holder is typically used for electron microscopes such as a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) or the like.
There have been sample holders which comprise a holder body, a sample retaining stage and a sample retaining member. For example, a tilted sample stage has been invented since the tilt angle for the sample is notably restricted in the electron microscopes (JP-A 2001-15056, this is hereinafter called the patent reference 1).
However, in the prior art that essentially needs a fulcrum retaining member as shown in FIG. 1, there is the following problem: it is difficult to ensure a large α tilt angle because of interference between the fulcrum retaining member 15 for the β tilt stage 16 and upper 13 and lower 14 objective lens pole pieces (hereinafter called P-Ps) with a restricted spatial gap.
In other words, when the electron microscope observation is performed using a sample holder equipped with a double-tilt (α- and β-tilt) mechanism and a sample 17 supported at an apical portion of the sample holder is subsequently inserted and α-tilted at a cross-over point of the optical axis 10 and the focal plane 11 located between the upper 13 and lower 14 P-Ps, a large α tilt angle is not ensured since the fulcrum retaining member 15 interferes with the upper 13 and lower 14 P-Ps.
Further, in characteristic X-ray measurements, because the fulcrum retaining member 15 is a barrier to an emission pathway of characteristic X-rays, α tilt is needed in order to avoid the barrier. Namely, both the α- and β-tilt functions are required depending on the shape and crystallographic orientation of the sample in the characteristic X-ray measurements, and an X-ray detector is set between the upper P-P 13 and the focal plane 11 in order to detect X-rays emitted from the sample to the detector direction 12. As a result, the fulcrum retaining member for the β tilt 15 becomes a barrier to the emission pathway of the characteristic X-rays, and additional α tilt is needed for avoiding the barrier.
Furthermore, it is impossible to remove the sample stage 16 and exchange it with another sample stage, because the sample stage 16 capable for the β tilt is incorporated into the fulcrum retaining member 15. In the characteristic X-ray measurements, characteristic X-rays are generated from the sample stage as background since the electron beam in the electron microscope actually illuminates the sample stage as well as the sample. The influence of the background X-rays from the sample stage can be quantitatively measured by changing the material for the sample stage. However, it is actually necessary to prepare a number of sample holders with the sample stage 16 made of different materials, since the sample stage 16 has been incorporated into the member 15 for the β tilt.
The same problem described above exists in the patent reference 1. In the patent reference 1, there is a tilted sample stage to compensate the α tilt. However, a fulcrum retaining member such as the member 15 is still needed in order to add a β-tilt function. This means that nothing can hold and tilt the sample stage without the fulcrum retaining member; otherwise the stage is floating in the air.
In addition, there is another problem: although such a fulcrum retaining member as described above must be generally needed for ensuring mechanical strength of the holder itself, the member becomes a barrier to the movement of α tilt. Therefore, an art for attaining the β-tilt function without using a fulcrum retaining member is being desired. However, such a technique is unknown up to now.


A tattoo needle has a paddle secured at a point adjacent the distal end of the needle and a swivel secured to the proximal end of the needle. A stationary eyelet is secured to end of the swivel opposite the needle. A sleeve slides over the barrel, which rotates. The barrel retains the paddle of the needle, thus restricting rotating motion of the needle when the barrel is rotated.

The practice of tattooing has been practiced in many cultures for centuries. Tattoos are markings applied to the skin by introducing pigments into the dermal layer through multiple punctures. Modern tattoo guns apply tattoos usually through electric motors which are attached eccentrically to a needle. The rotational motion of the motor is translated to oscillation of the needle which punctures the skin hundreds or even thousands of times. The needle carries pigments through these punctures to the dermal layer of the skin changing the pigment of the skin itself.
Many modern tattoo guns are available with numerous attachments to suit the desired effect of the tattoo. Liner needles are often comprised of a few individual needles tightly grouped together to impart a solitary line into the dermis. Shader needles are commonly comprised of several needles grouped together in a wide, flat arrangement to allow the tattoo artist to effectively shade or color in a larger area of the skin with one (1) pass. Among these two (2) basic types of needles there are hundreds of variations made to fit specific tasks and impart the desired effect of the artist. These needles are typically fixed to the tattoo gun and must be changed out when a different effect is desired.
As an artist details a tattoo they are usually incentivized to select the proper needle for the desired effect which can lead to numerous needle changes during the course of a tattoo. As the artist works through the tattoo they are often presented with awkward angles and difficult-to-reach areas which the artist and even the subject are forced to adapt to and adjust their positioning. It is no surprise that tattoos can be very painful and minimizing the amount of movement and adjustment throughout the process is critical to the completion of the tattoo. To compensate for this inconvenience, many tattoo guns come with various designs to maximize the ease-of-use and maneuverability for the user.
Some tattoo guns allow the user to adjust the positioning of the motor on the gun to allow the user to pivot the motor to a more comfortable position to increase the versatility of the gun. These guns can offer decreased weight, better maneuverability and a generally more comfortable experience for their operators. Unfortunately, these guns can also increase the risk of over penetration or "blowout" when tattooing. The operator of the gun must constantly be aware of the changes made to the positioning of the motor and compensate for the dynamic changes of the gun to ensure its effectiveness.
Furthermore, many guns offer the feature of interchangeable barrels with various sized and shaped grips. These barrels can help accommodate the area the operator is working in, providing a large stable grip with vibration dampening and wieldy manipulation. Other barrels provide precise grips which facilitate high fidelity of movement and ease-of-access to tight spaces. However, these grips can be distinct in their characteristics that they may not provide the versatility an operator may desire and can necessitate frequent changing. Other guns provide adjustment to the throw of the needle. These guns allow the user to adjust the needle to the circumstance, giving it further reach for hard-to-reach areas or shorter reach for precise movements. Again, these guns while helpful in their own right, still necessitate frequent adjustments to the gun and can alter the consistency of the tattoo making it appear uneven and erratic. A suitable solution is desired.
Various attempts have been made to solve problems found in tattoo gun art. Among these are found in: U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,211 to Snijders; U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,421 to Theiss, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,647 to Dixon. These prior art references are representative of tattoo guns.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed. Thus, a need exists for a reliable rotatable tattooing needles and barrels, and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.


This invention relates to a method for coating an elastomeric component with a coating that has a low coefficient of friction and the articles formed by the method. The method includes preparing an elastomeric coating; applying the coating to a substrate; contacting the coated substrate with an elastomeric compound; and heating the elastomeric compound and the coated substrate under pressure to bond the coating to the elastomeric compound and form a coated elastomeric component.

Elastomeric electrical cable accessories are typically installed over cables, metallic contacts or mated in complimentary designs such as elbows and bushings, connectors, splices, switches, fuses, junctions and a wide variety of other configurations. In almost every design, installation requires interfaces to slide against each other with corresponding frictional forces. Because these components are elastomeric, these frictional forces are very high. Thus lubrication of these interfaces is a necessity. The most common lubricants are oils and greases, typically based on a compatibility with the type of elastomer requiring lubrication. Silicone oils and greases exhibit excellent electrical characteristics and are very compatible with ethylene-propylene based elastomers. These lubricants are usually supplied by the manufactures at significant cost as a separate package with the cable accessories.
A large majority of cable accessories are based on ethylene-propylene elastomers such as ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) and ethylene propylene diene monomer (also referred to as ethylene propylene diene methyl or EPDM) and are typically lubricated with silicone-based oils and greases. EPR is a thermoset material synthesized from ethylene, propylene and, in many instances, a third monomer. If only ethylene and propylene are used, the polymer may be referred to as EPM. If three monomers are used, the resulting polymer is called EPDM. Peroxide is the predominant cross-linking agent for EPR compounds.
Cable accessories have a 30- to 40-year life, and many have separable interfaces used for connection and disconnection. Although many oils and greases are high quality and are used effectively for many years of service, they often lose their lubricating capacity over time. Due to the inherent mobility of the oils used in these lubricants, they tend to "bleed" and/or migrate away from the interface. Consequently, the interface "dries out" and exposes the high coefficient of friction elastomeric surface. The result is component sticking which is deemed a major problem in the industry.
Accordingly, there is a need for a more reliable and cost-effective formulated coating and application process to provide a more permanent lubricated surface to an elastomeric electrical cable accessory.

Lubricating coating and application process for elastomeric electrical cable accessories


The invention relates to a method of purifying cholera toxin using a matrix with at least one ion chosen from among matrix with Ni.sup.+2, Co.sup.+2, Cd.sup.2 or Zn.sup.+2 immobilized thereon. It is possible thereby to selectively elute the B subunit for cholera toxin from the matrix.

Cholera toxin (CT) is composed of two subunits: a toxigenic A subunit (CTA), and a binding B subunit (CTB). The latter mediates binding of CTA to the surface of eukaryotic cells via its interaction with the monosialoganglioside GM1. The type I heat-labile enterotoxin of Escherichia coli (LT) is closely related to CT. It has an identical subunit structure and function, and shares 80% amino acid homology with CT. Although LT is very similar to CT in structure and function, it binds to a broader array of ligands than CT, including glycolipids and glycoproteins.
The 3-D crystal structure has been determined for both CT and LT. In addition, the crystal structure of CTB complexed with the GM1-pentasaccharide has also been determined. The crystal structure of this complex has revealed all interactions between the GM1 head group and the receptor binding site of CTB without any indication of the presence of a divalent ion binding site. Also, no biochemical evidence indicating that cations mediate ganglioside binding has previously been reported. However, some of the receptors for these enterotoxins have only been recently identified. Thus, it is possible that there are additional receptors for CT and LT that are still unknown.
An affinity method has been described for CT previously which employs the GM1 oligosaccharide as the ligand (Tayot et al., (1981) Eur. J. Biochem., 113, 249-258.). However, this affinity matrix is not commercially available and the protein must be eluted from the column under extremely acidic conditions. Another method has been described based on the affinity of CT and LT for D-galactose (Uesaka et al., (1994) Microb. Path., 16, 71-76). Like the Ni-NTA agarose, this column matrix is commercially available and elution is performed under mild conditions. The method described in this patent application provides yet another affinity purification method for CT and CTB.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


A projection-type display device is connectively coupled to a mobile device (such as a smartphone) where the light generated by a small projection device is directed at a relatively transparent holographic optical element (HOE) to provide a display to an operator of the mobile device or a viewer. The projector and HOE may be configured to produce and magnify a virtual image that is perceived as being displayed at a large distance from the operator who views the image through the HOE. The HOE may comprise a volume grating effective at only the narrow wavelengths of the projection device to maximize transparency while also maximizing the light reflected from the display projector to the eyes of the operator.

A mobile device is a small portable computing device typically comprising a display screen having a touch input, a keypad, and/or a miniature keyboard. Mobile devices include but are not limited to mobile phones and smartphones, email and/or Internet devices, portable GPS receivers, personal media players, handheld game players, personal digital assistants (PDAs), e-book readers, tablet devices, netbooks, notebooks, laptops, and other portable computers. Mobile phones, smartphones, e-book readers, and tablet-type portable devices have become prolific and are particularly popular among users who want to meld computing and communications technologies into everyday environments. In addition to computing and/or telephony, certain mobile devices (such as smartphones) also support a wide variety of services such as text messaging, email, Internet access, short-range wireless communications (via infrared, short-range radio, etc.), business and personal computing applications, gaming, photography, navigation, location-specific information and services, and data storage and retrieval, among other features and options.
However, typical mobile devices have several noticeable shortcomings. Many mobile devices may be difficult to use in bright sunlit environments because the display screens are relatively dim due in part to the fact that only a very small fraction of the light emitted by the display reaches the eye of the operator of the mobile device (i.e., the human operator's eye) coupled with the large amount of battery power used for the brightness of even relatively dim displays. Additionally, because mobile devices are used in public environments where third parties may eavesdrop and see sensitive information on the screen of the mobile device, these mobile devices present certain inherent privacy concerns. In addition, current mobile devices provide only limited "augmented reality" applications for integrating mobile device capabilities specific to their location and environment.


A method for analyzing a rock sample to determine a mechanical property of the rock sample includes (a) segmenting a digital image volume corresponding to an image of the rock sample. In addition, the method includes (b) partitioning the digital image volume to associate a plurality of voxels in the digital image volume with a plurality of grains of the rock sample. Further, the method includes (c) determining the voxels of the plurality of voxels that are adjacent to each other to identify a plurality of contact interfaces between the grains. Still further, the method includes (d) determining a contact area of each of the contact interfaces using adjacent voxels at the corresponding grain-grain interface. The method also includes (e) determining a number of contact interfaces that each grain of the plurality of grains has with each adjacent grain. Moreover, the method includes (f) determining the one or more mechanical properties of the rock sample based on the number of the contact interfaces of each of the plurality of grains and the contact area of each of the contact interfaces.

In hydrocarbon production, obtaining accurate subsurface estimates of petrophysical properties of the rock formations is important for the assessment of hydrocarbon volumes contained in the rock formations and for formulating a strategy for extracting the hydrocarbons from the rock formation. Traditionally, samples of the rock formation, such as from core samples or drilling cuttings, are subjected to physical laboratory tests to measure petrophysical properties such as permeability, porosity, formation factor, elastic moduli, and the like. Some of these measurements require long time periods, extending over several months in some cases, depending on the nature of the rock itself. The equipment used to make these measurements can also be quite costly.
Due to the cost and time required to directly measure petrophysical properties, the technique of "direct numerical simulation" can be applied to efficiently estimate physical properties, such as porosity, absolute permeability, relative permeability, formation factor, elastic moduli, and the like of rock samples, including samples from difficult rock types such as tight gas sands or carbonates. According to this approach, a three-dimensional tomographic image of the rock sample is obtained, for example by way of a computer tomographic (CT) scan. Voxels in the three-dimensional image volume are "segmented" (e.g., by "thresholding" their brightness values or by another approach) to distinguish rock matrix from void space. Direct numerical simulation of fluid flow or other physical behavior such as elasticity or electrical conductivity is then performed, from which porosity, permeability (absolute and/or relative), elastic properties, electrical properties, and the like can be derived. A variety of numerical methods may be applied to solve or approximate the physical equations simulating the appropriate behavior. These methods include the Lattice-Boltzmann, finite element, finite difference, finite volume numerical methods and the like.

Systems and methods for estimating mechanical properties of rocks using grain contact models


A detect ion unit 10, which is disposed in opposite relation to a scale 12, includes a transmission coil 10a and a detection coil 10b. A metal film 10g formed of two opposing metal films is provided between a silicon substrate and the transmission coil 10a, one of the two metal films is connected to a drive circuit 10c, and the other is connected to the transmission coil 10a. The metal film 10g provides the capacitance C of an LC resonance circuit, so that a chip capacitor is made unnecessary. The metal film 10g may be formed of a magnetic material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a relative-displacement detecting unit, and more particularly to the miniaturization of the relative-displacement detecting unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In related art, a transducer or an encoder for detecting relative displacement is known. In a capacitance-type encoder, a transmission electrode and a reception electrode are provided on a grid (unit), and a signal electrode is provided on a scale opposing this unit. The transmission electrode and the reception electrode on the unit are capacity-coupled with the signal electrode on the scale. A drive signal is supplied to the transmission electrode, and a detection signal occurring in the reception electrode is processed by a processing circuit in correspondence with the relative position of the unit and the scale. Thus it is possible to detect the movement or the position of the unit with respect to the scale.
Meanwhile, in an induction-type encoder, the relative position is detected on the basis of the electromagnetic interaction (electromagnetic induction) between the unit and the scale. Namely, a transmission coil and a detection coil are disposed on the unit, and a scale coil is formed on the scale. As the transmission coil on the unit is driven, a magnetic flux occurs, and an induced current is generated in the scale coil on the scale by electromagnetic induction. A magnetic flux is generated by the induced current generated in the scale coil, and an induced current (induced voltage) is generated in the detection coil on the unit by the magnetic flux. Since the induced voltage varies in correspondence with the relative position of the transmission coil and the scale coil, the relative position of the unit and the scale can be detected by detecting the induced voltage generated in the detection coil.
The driving of the transmission coil is effected by using an LC resonance circuit, and the capacitance C is generally realized by using a chip capacitor. Namely, the reduction of current consumption is attained by allowing a high-frequency large current to momentarily flow across the transmission coil by making use of the chip capacitor.
However, with the configuration in which the chip capacitor is provided to utilize the LC resonance circuit, there has been a problem in that it is difficult to miniaturize the unit due to this chip capacitor.
The invention has been devised in view of the above-described problem of the conventional art. It is an object to provide a unit which can be further miniaturized by realizing an LC circuit without using a chip capacitor.
The above-mentioned object can be achieved by a relative-displacement detecting unit for detecting a relative displacement of the relative-displacement detecting unit and a scale disposed opposing the relative-displacement detecting unit, and for outputting it as an electrical signal, according to the invention, comprising: a substrate; a transmitting section formed on the substrate; and a metal film formed between the substrate and the transmitting section so as to form a capacitor connected between the transmitting section and a circuit for driving the transmitting section. A metal film is formed between the substrate and the transmitting section, and this metal film forms the capacitance C of an LC resonance circuit for supplying a drive current to the transmitting section. In other words, a chip capacitor can be substituted for by the stray capacitance of a multilayered structure, thereby making it possible to make the unit compact. In addition, since the space for providing the chip capacitor is made unnecessary, the gap between the unit and the scale can be made small correspondingly, so that it is possible to improve the detection sensitivity.
In the above-mentioned relative-displacement detecting unit, it is preferable that the metal film is a magnetic film. By disposing the magnetic film between the substrate and the transmitting section, it is possible to increase a magnetic flux generated by the transmitting section, there by making it possible to increase the detection sensitivity.
Further, in the relative-displacement detecting unit, it is preferable that the metal film is formed of two metal films disposed in opposite relation to Leach other by being spaced apart a predetermined distance therebetween. By disposing two metal films in opposite relation to each other, a capacitor is formed which is determined by the gap between the two films, the area, and the dielectric constant between the metal films. The capacitance C necessary for the LC resonance circuit can be obtained by appropriately adjusting these physical quantities. It should be noted that in a case where a built-up substrate in which an insulator is laminated on the substrate is used, this insulator may be used as an insulator between the metal films of the capacitor.
Moreover, in the above-mentioned relative-displacement detecting unit, it is preferable that the metal film is formed so as to be spaced apart a predetermined distance from the transmitting section, and the capacitor is formed between the metal film and the transmitting section. Consequently, it is possible to further simplify the construction.


A biasing assembly for a punching device that includes a punch support member adapted to support a punch and including a head portion and a main portion extending from the head portion. The main portion has a recessed surface. A retaining member is coupled to the punch support member with the punch support member being slidable with respect to the retaining member. A coupling member is disposed between the main portion of the punch support member and the retaining member. A portion of the coupling member engages the recessed surface. A biasing member is supported between the head portion of the punch support member and the retaining member. The punch support member is movable between at least first and second positions with respect to the coupling member.

In conventional high speed punching machines, the cutting end of the punch after a period of use requires sharpening, typically by grinding. Sharpening, however, shortens the punch. To ensure proper positioning after sharpening, the punch must be readjusted. Often conventional punching machines require complete disassembly of their spring assemblies in order to sharpen and adjust the punch. Disassembly of the spring assemblies is time consuming and frequently requires the use of special tools. Moreover, the spring assemblies of conventional punching machines include many parts that require additional labor to assemble.
Examples of conventional punching machines include U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,052 to Weisbeck; U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,264 to Weisbeck; U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,888 to Wilson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,476 to Bartha; U.S. Pat. No. 3,741,056 to Saladin; and U.S. Pat. No. 939,958 to Koelsch; the subject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.


A cam shaft drive device includes a chain, a guide lever, a chain chamber, which is provided in a cylinder head, a support bolt, which pivotably supports the guide lever, the support bolt including a head portion, a male screw portion, and a shaft portion, which is inserted through the support hole of the guide lever, an insertion hole, which is through which the support bolt is inserted, and a female screw hole, which is provided in the rear wall and into which the male screw portion is screwed, wherein a length from a rear end to a front end of the shaft portion is longer than an axial distance from a front end of the support hole to a front end of the insertion hole in a state where the guide lever abuts on the rear wall.

In order to drive a camshaft of an internal combustion engine with a crank shaft, a camshaft drive device of a chain drive type has been known. The camshaft drive device has a cam sprocket attached to the camshaft, a chain wound around the cam sprocket, and a guide lever as a chain guide to guide the chain.


A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a navigation route for displaying on a device; estimating a public display location along the navigation route; and scheduling a location-based notification to be presented at the public display location and prior to traversing the navigation route.

Modern portable consumer and industrial electronics provide increasing levels of functionality to support modern life including navigation services. This is especially true for client devices such as navigation systems, cellular phones, portable digital assistants, and multifunction devices.
The navigation systems generally provide a recommended route to a desired destination. Generally, the recommended route and the desired destination are selected from a large database of roads stored in mass media storage, such as a compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM) or a hard drive, which includes roads of an area to be traveled by a user. The navigation systems can also notify waypoints or times along the route.
As users adopt mobile navigation service devices, new and old usage begin to take advantage of this new device space. Navigation system and service providers are continually making improvement to enhance the user's experience in order to be competitive.
Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system with location estimation mechanism for increasing levels of functionality. In view of ease of use, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

Navigation system with location estimation mechanism and method of operation thereof


A graphics coprocessor adapter with hardware support for horizontal scrolling is disclosed. A graphics processor provides both a row address with a RAS signal and a column address with a CAS signal to two banks of video RAMs. Both banks are provided with the same scrolling column address signal. Translating logic intercepts the column address signal for the static plane RAM bank and translates it into a fixed value. Thus, a single column address signal can control both the scrolling and static planes.

The present invention relates to graphics processors which support scrolling windows.
Graphics processor boards control the display on a monitor using special video RAMs. These chips are similar to conventional dynamic RAMs, but they have an internal shift register that can be loaded from an entire row of bits in the RAM array in a single cycle. The shift register data can then be serially clocked out on a separate pin, while the memory portion of the chip continues to perform random read and write cycles. The selection of a row to be transferred to the video RAM shift register is done using a RAS signal from a graphics processor. One graphics processor specially designed for working with video RAMs is the Texas Instruments' 34010. The 34010 outputs a signal called TRQE-L which indicates the start of shift register transfer cycle. Data is transferred out of the shift register serially starting from a column address indicated during a CAS signal from the processor. To accomplish scrolling, the column address signal is simply changed to indicate the appropriate starting position for the amount of scrolling desired.
The video memory is organized as a scrolling plane and a static plane. The static plane is normally visible as the "foreground". Windows can be written in the static plane to make the scrolling plane visible. A typical configuration for accomplishing this is shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 shows a microprocessor 10 with system RAM 12. The processor provides control signals to video RAM 14. Processor 10 will provide the TRQE signal to indicate a shift register transfer cycle, followed by a row address and RAS signal specifying which row to transfer. Then the column address and CAS signal indicate from where in the shift register data is to start. The outputs of the video RAM 14 are provided to a color palette look-up table 18. Windows can be generated in software, with the combined window and background provided by the processor. Overlays are generated by writing zeros into the overlay location in the VRAM 14. Look-up table 18 will then compare the pixel bits and substitute the overlay data when there is a zero in the VRAM data.
One such look-up table is the Brooktree BT478, which is shown in block diagram form in FIG. 2. The look-up table contains a color palette RAM 20 which stores color values for data coming in. The data comes in through a latch 22 which provides both the normal video data on the upper bus (PO-P7) and the overlay data on the lower bus (OL0-OL3). The video data is passed through a mask register 24 to set any unused input bits to zero. Outputs are provided in analog form through digital-to-analog converters. The color palette RAM will compare the normal video and overlay data and substitute the overlay data output when zeros are detected for normal video data pixels.

Graphics coprocessor board with hardware scrolling window


This invention is related to the measurement of flow rates and component fractions of individual phases of a composite fluid. More particularly, the invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for determining the volumetric flow rate or mass flow of one or more phases of a fluid by measuring the activity, as a function of time, of one or more specific radioactive isotopes affected by a specific phase of the flowing fluid stream. Radioactive phase isotope material is deposited upon one or more inserts, and each deposition of phase isotope material is coated with a corresponding phase coating. Each phase isotope and corresponding phase coating is soluble in only one phase of the multi-phase flow. The inserts are then inserted into the multi-phase flow, and the time required for each flow phase to wash the corresponding phase coating from the insert is measured by the release of the corresponding phase isotope into the flow stream. Phase flow parameters of interest are then computed from the measured phase release times.

This invention is related to the measurement of flow rates and component fractions of individual phases of a composite fluid. More particularly, the invention is directed toward apparatus and methods for determining the volumetric flow rate or mass flow of one or more phases of a fluid by measuring the activity, as a function of time, of one or more specific radioactive isotopes affected by a specific phase of the flowing fluid stream.

Apparatus and method for measuring multi-phase flow


A vapor decontamination system for decontaminating a defined region. The system is comprised of a chamber defining a region, and a generator for generating vaporized hydrogen peroxide from a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. A closed loop circulating system is provided for supplying the vaporized hydrogen peroxide to the region. A destroyer within the closed loop circulating system breaks down the vaporized hydrogen peroxide. A bypass conduit is provided to bypass the destroyer. A controller causes vaporized hydrogen peroxide from the generator to bypass the destroyer during a predetermined phase of operation.

Sterilization methods are used in a broad range of applications, and have used an equally broad range of sterilization agents. As used herein the tern "sterilization" refers to the inactivation of all bio-contamination, especially on inanimate objects. The term "disinfectant" refers to the inactivation of organisms considered pathogenic.
Gaseous and vapor sterilization/decontamination systems rely on maintaining certain process parameters in order to achieve a target sterility or decontamination assurance level. For hydrogen peroxide vapor sterilization/decontamination systems, those parameters include the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide vapor, the degree of saturation, the temperature and pressure and the exposure time. By controlling these parameters, the desired sterility assurance levels can be successfully obtained while avoiding condensation of the hydrogen peroxide due to vapor saturation.
Conventional Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP) sterilization systems for decontaminating large rooms or isolators are generally closed-loop systems that contain a destroyer and a dryer within the system. In such system, a sterilant is continuously conveyed through the room or isolator. Sterilant exiting the isolator or room is directed to the destroyer to break down the vaporized hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This type of arrangement allows the vaporized hydrogen peroxide concentration within the system to be maintained at a desired concentration depending on the airflow and sterilant (normally 35% hydrogen peroxide, 65% water by weight in a liquid state).
During a decontamination cycle, the room or isolator to be decontaminated is first dried to a low humidity level using a desiccant dryer. After the drying phase is complete, a conditioning phase is run wherein sterilant is injected into the room or isolator at a relatively high rate to bring the hydrogen peroxide level up to a desired concentration level in a short period of time. After the conditioning phase, the decontamination phase is run where sterilant injection rate is decreased to maintain the hydrogen peroxide level at a constant concentration level. After the decontamination phase, the enclosure is aerated by turning off the sterilant injection. Aeration is run until the hydrogen peroxide level is below an allowable threshold (usually 1 ppm).
A problem with such systems, particularly during a conditioning phase, is that because the destroyer and dryer are part of the closed loop system, the vaporized hydrogen peroxide is destroyed as it exits the room or isolator to be decontaminated. As a result, the vaporizer must continuously introduce new sterilant into the air stream entering the room or isolator. This method of operation limits the rate at which the concentration of sterilant can be increased into the isolator or room during a conditioning phase. For smaller enclosures, the conditioning phase does not greatly affect the overall cycle time. However, for large rooms or isolators, i.e., areas of 5,000 ft3 or larger, this can greatly affect the condition time.
The present invention overcomes this and other problems, and provides a decontamination system that increases the rate at which the concentration of a sterilant can be increased within a room or isolator.

System and method for increasing concentration of sterilant in region


A window sticker for pricing and fuel economy information about a motor vehicle can be readily positioned and repositioned on a motor vehicle window, and finally removed from the window without leaving an adhesive residue, and in integral form so that it serves as a customer receipt. A continuous web of coated hydrophobic bond paper, or printable plastic, is moved in a first direction to a press where fixed indicia, including fuel economy and price related word indicia, is applied to a first face of the web, and patterns of repositional adhesive are applied to the first face adjacent edges of the web elongated in the first direction. The repositional adhesive patterns are covered by release material strips to protect them. Application of the adhesive and protective strips may be accomplished simultaneously using tip-on or blow-on techniques with double faced adhesive label stock. Variable indicia is printed on the first face using a laser printer, including numerical indicia corresponding to and adjacent the fuel economy and price fixed word indicia. The individual stickers are burst from the continuous web, and if they contain marginal portions with tractor feed openings, the marginal portions are cut off.

The invention relates to window stickers for motor vehicles. One form of window sticker common in today's market is a sticker having a bond sheet with a water reactive starch based adhesive coating covering the entire sheet. The adhesive is wet, and then applied to a motor vehicle window. While this type of sticker is economical, it must be scraped from the window at the time of purchase, leaving adhesive residue on the window's surface, and completely destroying the label.
Another type of commonly used window sticker comprises a bond face sheet fully coated with a pressure sensitive removable adhesive adhered to a printed release liner, the printed release liner containing the necessary pricing and fuel economy information. By removing the border of the release liner, the label is affixed to the inside of a car window. This construction allows the dealer to remove the entire label, and separate the two plies, so that the customer may retain the printed release sheet for future reference. However this type of form is expensive, leaves an adhesive residue on the window surface, yellows at the exposed adhesive areas, delaminates from the window at high and low temperatures and humidity changes, and is easily ripped or removed from the window when the window is rolled open.
According to the present invention, a window sticker, a window sticker intermediate, and a method of constructing a window sticker, are provided which overcome the disadvantages discussed above, and additionally allow easy production of the window sticker utilizing continuous or sheet fed laser printers. According to the present invention, a sticker is provided which may be constructed simply and relatively inexpensively from bond paper, may be cleanly removed from a window with no adhesive residue remaining, and may be removed integrally so that the sticker may be retained by the customer as a receipt.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a window sticker is provided which comprises the following elements: A sheet of printable material having first and second faces, and opposite first and second edges, and opposite third and fourth edges. Indicia printed on the first face. Repositional adhesive patterns disposed on the first face adjacent the first and second edges. And, release strips covering the repositional adhesive patterns, and removable to expose the repositional adhesive. The sheet preferably comprises a coated hydrophobic bond paper sheet, or a printable plastic sheet, and the indicia includes fixed word indicia relating to fuel economy and price information for a motor vehicle, and also includes variable numerical indicia corresponding to and adjacent the fuel economy and price word indicia.
The repositional adhesive patterns typically comprise first and second strips of repositional adhesive adhered directly to the bond sheet, or repositional adhesive strips disposed on top of tape strips, the tape strips adhesively adhered to the bond sheet with permanent adhesive. If desired, patterns of repositional adhesive may also be disposed adjacent the third and fourth edges of the sheet, with release strips covering those patterns too.
The window sticker described above is formed from, in one embodiment a continuous web of printable material (e.g. coated hydrophobic bond paper, a plastic sheet, etc.) elongated in a first direction with the first and second opposite edges extending in the first direction. Means defining lines of weakness (e.g. perforations) are provided in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, to separate the web into individual stickers, with means defining tractor drive openings in the web adjacent the first and second opposite edges. Ultimately, the intermediates are burst along the lines of weakness to form individual stickers, and marginal portions containing the tractor drive openings are removed, for example by slitting.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of constructing a window sticker from a web of printable material (preferably coated hydrophobic bond paper, a plastic sheet, or the like) having first and second opposite edges elongated in a first direction, and first and second faces, is provided. The method comprises the following steps: (a) Feeding the continuous web in the first direction. (b) Printing fixed indicia on the first face of the web while practicing step (a). (c) Applying repositional adhesive patterns and covering release strips onto the first face adjacent the first and second edges while practicing step (a). Then, (d) printing variable indicia on the first face of the web, including adjacent fixed indicia. And, (e) separating the continuous web into individual window stickers having third and fourth edges perpendicular to the first and second edges.
Step (b) is practiced by printing fixed word indicia relating to fuel economy of a motor vehicle, and price information for that vehicle, while step (d) is preferably practiced with a continuous or sheet fed laser printer, to print variable numerical indicia corresponding to and adjacent the fuel economy and price word indicia. Step (c) is preferably practiced by tip-on or blow-on label techniques using double face label stock, although alternatively it may be practiced by providing a coating of repositional adhesive in strip form adjacent each of the first and second edges, and applying a release strip over each of the strips of repositional adhesive. Step (d) is preferably practiced before step (e), and step (b) is practiced before step (c).
In use of the window stickers, the release strips are removed from the repositional adhesive patterns, and the repositional adhesive is brought into contact with the inside surface of a motor vehicle window to hold the window sticker in place. The window sticker may be removed from the window and repositioned as desired. Once the motor vehicle is sold, the entire window sticker is removed from the motor vehicle, leaving no adhesive residue on the window, and the sticker is integral, and entirely readable, and may be maintained by a customer as a receipt (typically after cutting off the repositional adhesive strips with a scissors).
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a versatile, simple, economical, and advantageous window sticker for motor vehicle pricing and fuel economy information. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of invention, and from the appended claims.


According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of modelling a network comprising operating the network as a neural network and executing a neural network modelling algorithm on the network, whereby the network models its own response to a requested action.

A network comprises a plurality of network nodes, which are typically each either individual dataprocessors or microprocessors, physically interconnected to one another in some manner. The term 'computer' is used here in a general sense and is intended to refer to any device or component capable of performing some kind of processing task.
There are a number of different ways in which the individual networked computers can be arranged to co-operate with each other to ensure the successful operation of the network. One such way is to arrange for the individual computers to distribute, or share, the various tasks and processes amongst themselves that are required for the operation of the network, such as controlling the flow of information between the individual computers. This type of network is often referred to as a peer-to-peer network, as no simple networked computer is denoted as being more 'important' than any other.
Peer-to-peer networks tend to be more flexible in their operation and are attractive for use in scenarios where the network structure is either unknown, or prone to change. For example, a public network based on the internet, or a company intranet, is most likely to be a peer-to-peer network as the network will be subject to users logging on and off from it.
However, the distribution of tasks and responsibilities across a peer-to-peer network also tends to make it difficult to predict the behaviour of the network and in particular to predict and control instabilities that may occur due to inappropriate loads being put upon the network. Examples of such inappropriate loads include excessive demand for a resource, such as a popular media file, the transfer of the functionality to a node from a further node that has 'dropped out' of the network for some reason, or a malicious demand for resources such as occurs during a 'Denial of Service' attack.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method and apparatus for rapid loading stacks of items aboard vessels which can include rotating palletized items to depalletize the items, and then placing the items on a lifting robot, lifting the robot and items into the hold of a vessel, removing the items from the robot using a load push lift truck, and then using the load push lift truck to stow the items in a stowage location. The empty robot can be removed from the hold of the vessel and put in a position to receive a another depalletized stack of cartons. In one option the robot has a plurality of fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck along with receiving the blades or a rotating lift truck.

The present invention relates to cargo handling and, in particular, to handling with lift trucks (e.g., fork lifts) using rotation of palletized stacks of cartons or boxes to rotate the stacks of cartons and pallets about 180 degrees around a substantially horizontal axis.
Stevedores load and stow in ships many items, including palletized stacks of cartons of frozen animal products. A large volume of animal products such as frozen chicken, turkey, beef, pork, and seafood products are frozen and shipped in boxes or cartons. For example, chicken thighs, legs, or quarters may be shipped in cartons of about 23.5 inches in length by about 16.5 inches in width by about 4 to about 6.25 inches in height (59.7 cm by 41.9 cm by 10.2 to 15.9 cm). Each carton of frozen animal parts may weigh between about 30 and about 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg). A preferred standardized box size can be about 24 inches by about 16 inches (61.0 cm by 40.6 cm) with the height of the box varied to hold the particular products to be shipped. A box of such dimensions containing frozen chicken parts may weigh between about 30 to about 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg). Generally, these cartons are stacked on wooden "two" and/or "four way" pallets in layers. For simplicity, this application refer generally to stacks of cartons of frozen animal products (such as cartons of frozen chicken parts), as other animal products may be similarly handled, or merely to stacks of cartons.
In order to facilitate unitized transportation and storage of stacks of cartons of frozen animal products, the stacks are typically wrapped with a stretchable plastic film (e.g., stretch wrap or shrink wrap) to help reduce sliding of the individual cartons and/or layers of cartons relative to one another and facilitate the handling of the stacks as unitized loads.
A pallet is a platform or open-ended box, usually made of wood, that allows mechanical handling of bulk goods during transport and storage. Although wood is typically used, other materials such as metals, composites, etc., can be used to make pallets. "Two-way" wooden pallets are typically made of three parallel beams (including a center beam and two outer beams). Slats or other surface support members can be nailed, stapled, or otherwise fastened to the upper and lower surfaces of the support beams (slats forming at least the top). "Two-way" pallets can be converted to "four-way" pallets by including openings in the beams along their lower edges and/or removing (or spreading) slats from the bottom to allow insertion of lift truck blades (e.g., forks or tines) parallel to the slats (and generally perpendicular to the beams). "Four-way" pallets can be lifted from any of their four sides—therefore, they are described as "four-way." However, "two-way" pallets can only be lifted from two directions (e.g., the two directions which are both generally parallel to their beams and generally perpendicular to their slats).
Size restrictions imposed by standard trucks and trailers normally cause the cartons to be stacked on 40 by 48 inch (102 by 122 cm) pallets with five cartons per layer—arranged with layers of two cartons placed on the pallets in an end-to-end relationship beside three cartons placed side to side with their long axes being perpendicular to those of the first two cartons. While the exact sizes of the stacks of cartons may vary depending on the true dimensions of the cartons, stacks of cartons and layers of such stacks will be referred to as having a longer side of 48 inches (122 cm) (called length "L") and a shorter side of 40 inches (102 cm)(called width "W"). These dimensions are approximate, and may vary depending on box dimensions along with factors such as bulging of the cartons and irregularities in the stacking pattern. In general, however, the cartons have a relatively low aspect ratio (length divided by height). For example, a 4 inch tall by 16 inch long carton would have an aspect ratio of 4 inches by 16 inches or 0.25. A palletload of cartons generally contains between about 10 to 12 layers of cartons. A 12 layer stack of cartons (with 5 cartons per layer) with each carton weighing about 30 pounds (14 kg) would in total weigh about 1800 pounds (818 kg). Two such stacks of cartons would weigh about 3,600 pounds (1,636 kg).
In the frozen animal products industry the general practice includes using pallets having dimensions of 40 by 48 inches (102 by 122 cm), however, 48 by 48 inch pallets (122 by 122 cm) holding five cartons per layer, can also be used. In such cases, the layers can each have two rows of three cartons with the three cartons of each row being in a side-to-side arrangement. Typically, the stacking pattern for either the 40 by 48 or 48 by 48 inch pallets (102 by 122 cm or 122 by 122 cm) may be varied, such as by rotating the stacking pattern from layer to layer. For example, in the 40 by 48 inch (102 by 122 cm) pallets the two end-to-end cartons may be arranged along one of the long edges of the pallet in one layer and rotated 180 degrees in the next layer.
Excessive delays in loading of the stacks of cartons of frozen animal products which result in cartons being left on the dock or in a truck or trailer, can allow the frozen product to begin to thaw, which can result in spoilage, or otherwise render the product unmarketable. Delays in loading may also result in increased condensation of moisture on the cartons which can complicate the handling process. As the industry is seeking to use less wax on the cartons and to utilize paper-coated boxes, the damaging effect of condensation and internal thawing on the boxes is increased and delays should be minimized.
While there have been significant advances in the methods of loading and unloading of ships or vessels, the loading of stacks of cartons of frozen animal products has proved difficult due to many problems associated with the handling of stacks of frozen animal products. As a result, the loading of stacks of frozen animal products onto ships is currently carried out by methods involving high costs, significant expenditures of labor, and which include various bottlenecks slowing down the process—resulting in excessively large loading times, along with product damage, degradation, and/or spoilage.
Space on refrigerated vessels is at a premium. Stowing the pallets with the stacks of cartons of frozen animal products takes valuable storage space away from the possible stowage of additional cartons. Accordingly, the practice has been to stow the cartons without the pallets. Removing the pallets has been done manually, e.g., by hand restacking the cartons without the pallets. Additionally, removing the pallets has been done mechanically, e.g., by pushing the stacks of cartons off of the pallets. However, these prior art methods of depalletizing the palletized stacks of cartons have various disadvantages.
When it is time to load a ship with the cartons, lift trucks can be used to remove the palletloads of stacks of cartons frozen animal products from the cold storage warehouse, and place them inside dry van trucks or truck trailers for transportation to the dock where the ship is waiting to be loaded. The trucks or truck trailers are typically uninsulated and unrefrigerated, and thus can provide a deleterious environment to the stacks of frozen animal products if they are not soon loaded into the refrigerated ship. At the dock, the cartons can be removed from the truck trailer by lift trucks and placed on the dock. Alternatively, if the cold storage warehouse is sufficiently near to the dock, the lift trucks may transport the palletized stacks of cartons directly to the dock.
Hand loading has been used for many years. The palletized stacks of cartons can be lifted or hoisted into the ship's hold using lifting robots, carriers, slings, lifting platforms, lift cages, flying forks, or the like. In the hold, lift trucks can move the palletized stacks of cartons and transport the palletized stacks closed to their ultimate stowage location. Stevedores can then manually (i.e., by hand) unstack the individual cartons from the pallets and restack the cartons without pallets for shipping. The empty pallets can then be removed from the hold. Manual unloading can be slowed by the time it takes to manually unstack and restack the individual cartons along with delays in returning pallets shipside.
One method proposed to decrease loading times and increase loading efficiency (compared to manual unstacking and restacking) is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,854 (for a "Method and Apparatus for Loading Stacks of Cartons of Frozen Animal Products Onto Vessels Using a Carrier"), which patent is incorporated herein by reference. In its abstract this patent describes using "[a] method for rapid loading of stacks of cartons aboard vessels is provided which may include sliding the stacks of cartons from a pallet onto a carrier having fork channels receiving the blades of a load push lift truck, lifting the carrier into the hold of a vessel, removing the stacks of cartons from the carrier using a second load push lift truck and stowing the stack of cartons in a stowage location using the second load push lift truck." One of the disadvantages of the method described in the '854 Patent is the damage to the cartons (and frozen animal products) caused by sliding the stacks of cartons off of their pallets and onto the carrier. Even where the cartons are pushed in the direction of the supporting pallet slats, damage to the cartons can occur by discontinuities in the slats (e.g., nails, splintered portions, and/or misaligned slats). Damage to the cartons both slows down the overall loading process and typically is charged to the stevedore—both being undesirable. Another of the disadvantages of the method described in the '854 Patent is the time it takes to slide the stacks of cartons off of pallets. During the process of sliding, the load push lift truck is necessarily immobile (and cannot ambulate from one place to another, e.g., traveling towards the carrier to deposit the depalletized stack of cartons), also slowing down the overall loading process and efficiency. Another disadvantages of the method described in the '854 Patent, is the requirement that two stacks of cartons being simultaneously slid onto the carrier have their lengths (i.e., their 48 inch sides) parallel to and co-linear with each other. This necessarily increases the overall length of the carrier being used to lift the stacks (the dimensions of the two stacks of cartons 40 inches by 96 inches). This is required because the stacks are pushed in the direction of the upper slats of the four way pallets (i.e., such slats are parallel to the 40 inch sides of the stacks and perpendicular to the 48 inch sides of the stacks).
It would be advantageous to develop a method of depalletizing the stacks of cartons where the stacks are not required to be slid off of the pallets.
It would be advantageous to develop a method of depalletizing where the stacks can be both rotated and simultaneously moved to the area where they will be hoisted to the ship.
It would be advantageous to develop a method of depalletizing two stacks of cartons where the 40 inch sides of each stack are parallel to and co-linear with each other making the dimension of the two stacks 48 inches by 80 inches taking up less longitudinal length in the hold and allowing the load push lift trucks to have more room to work around the hold.
Many of the ships transporting cartons of frozen animal products internationally are older vessels having ship's gear (e.g., union purchases and/or cranes) with a three-ton (metric) rated capacities. This permits the ship's gear to lift up to three stacks of cartons at a time, depending on the weight of the stacks, along with the weight of the ship's gear used to lift the stacks. However, other ships may have cranes with capacities of five or more tons. Because of structural concerns, the weight of a lifting robot or carrier used to hoist two stacks of cartons can approach one ton. Accordingly, with three-ton ship's cranes or union purchases, generally only two stacks of cartons at a time can be lifted into the hold of the ship. In some cases loading docks may include dock cranes or mobile cranes which can be used to hoist or lift loads into the ships allowing for the hoisting of heavier loads.
Incorporated herein by reference is published European Patent Application number 86202117.7, published as EPO publication number EP0224966 "Method for loading piece goods, supplied on pallets, into a hold, particularly a hold of a vessel."
While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being "critical" or "essential."

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for loading vessels using rotation


A ceiling fan with an oscillating mechanism includes a clutch member for adjusting the angle of oscillation according to a user's need. When the motor is actuated, the rotating torque induced by the motor and the transmission mechanism is less than the rotational resistance of the clutch member such that the motor may drive the fan to oscillate. Further, when the user applies an external rotational force greater than the rotational resistance of the clutch member, the user can swing the fan to any angle as desired without rotating or shifting other members except the fan and the fan suspension tube. In this manner, undesired damage of the mechanism or motor due to inappropriately applied external force can be avoided efficiently.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fan oscillating mechanism and a ceiling fan using the same, and more particularly to a fan oscillating mechanism which is adaptable to a conventional electric fan and enables the airflow direction of the fan to be adjusted as desired.
2. Description of Related Art
In the conventional oscillating mechanism of an electric fan, the speed reduction mechanism is driven by the motor of the fan blade and is connected to one end of a connecting rod while the other end of the connecting rod is connected to the fan casing or base. In this way, the conventional oscillating mechanism of an electric fan is driven indirectly by the fan motor in order to oscillate.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which schematically shows the conventional oscillating mechanism of an electric fan. As shown in FIG. 1, a worm gear 111 meshed with a worm wheel 12 is disposed at the tail end of a primary driving shaft 11 of the fan. A reduction gear unit formed by two gears 13 and 14 is operatively coupled to the lower end of the worm wheel 12. The gear 14 has a shaft 15 connected pivotally to one end of a crank plate 16. The other end of the crank plate 16 is connected pivotally to one end of a connecting rod 17. The other end of the connecting rod 17 is connected pivotally to a driving element 171 received in a slot 181 of the casing 18.
The operation of the afore-mentioned conventional oscillating mechanism will be described as follows. Firstly, the fan rotates and the primary driving shaft 11 of the fan drives a speed reduction mechanism formed by the worm gear 111, the worm wheel 12, and the gears 13 and 14 of the reduction gear unit. Then, the shaft 15 of the gear 14 moves the crank plate 16, which indirectly moves the connecting rod 17. Finally, the driving element 171 moves the casing 18 in order to oscillate.
However, the oscillation angle of the conventional oscillating mechanism can not be adjusted. If an external force is imposed to vary the oscillation angle of oscillation, potential risks might occur, such as the collapse of the gear tooth, or fracture of the connecting rod or driving elements.

Fan oscillating mechanism and ceiling fan using the same


A full complement taper roller bearing consists of an inner ring or cone having an inner track on its radially outer conical surface, and an outer ring or cup having an outer track on its radially inward conical surface and one or more rows of taper rollers having a contact angle of less than 30 degrees freely disposed between the inner and outer rings and guided between the tracks. Each row of rollers is axially located within a recess on the inner track defined by a shoulder abutment disposed at least at the edge of the inner track having the greatest diameter and each of the rollers is in contact with the inner track over the entire length of the taper roller in the axial direction of the bearing.

This invention relates to a complete or full complement taper roller bearing by which is meant a taper roller bearing without a bearing cage and having a full complement of rollers.
Taper roller bearings are well known as a roller bearing element. The normal design shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 consists of an inner ring or cone, an outer ring or cup, rollers and a cage. The purpose of the cage is to guide the rollers and retain them in place in the absence of the cup, for example during assembly of the bearing. In an assembled arrangement the inner ring or cone, rollers and the cage form one unit whilst the outer ring is the other component by which the bearing can be mounted to shafts or into housings.
In the common design of taper roller bearings the axial guidance of the rollers is achieved by means of a recess on the inner ring or cone which in combination with the cage keeps the rollers in position and guides them to the center of the cone.
However this common design of taper roller bearing is prone to failure due to deformation of the cage, cage ring compression or cage pocket wear, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c respectively.
A full complement taper roller bearing in a well known O arrangement for shafts is known from U.S. Pat. No. 606,635. However, in this known configuration axial location and guidance of the rollers is by means of two axially spaced apart recesses provided on each of the taper roller bearing surfaces which engage with complimentary spaced apart ribs which project radially outwardly of the bearing surface or track of the radially inner ring or cone. The configuration of ribs and recesses on the bearing surfaces disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 606,635 both reduces the load carrying capacity of the bearing by reducing the available roller surface and increases the risk of premature failure by wear and breakage of the ribs.


The method of manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a step of forming a semiconductor laminate on a growth substrate with a lift-off layer therebetween; a step of providing grooves in a grid pattern in the semiconductor laminate, thereby forming a plurality of semiconductor structures each having a nearly quadrangular transverse cross-sectional shape; a step of forming a conductive support body; and a step of removing the lift-off layer using a chemical lift-off process, in which step, in supplying an etchant to the grooves via through-holes provided in a portion above the grooves, the lift-off layer is etched from only one side surface of each semiconductor structure.

Examples of semiconductor devices include field effect transistors (FETs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), and the like. For LEDs, for example, Group III-V semiconductors made of compounds of Group III and Group V elements are used.
A Group III nitride semiconductor using Al, Ga, In, or the like as a Group III element and using N as a Group V element has a high melting point and a high dissociation pressure of nitrogen, which makes it difficult to perform bulk single crystal growth. Further, conductive single crystal substrates having large diameter are not available at low cost. Therefore, such a semiconductor is typically formed on a sapphire substrate.
However, since the sapphire substrate has insulating property, electric current does not flow in the substrate. Accordingly, a light emitting diode having a lateral structure in which electric current flows in a lateral direction has conventionally been used. This structure is obtained by partially removing a semiconductor laminate formed by sequentially growing an n-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer, an active layer (light emitting layer), and a p-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer on a sapphire substrate, to expose the n-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer, and providing an n-type electrode and a p-type electrode on the exposed n-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer and the p-type Group III nitride semiconductor layer, respectively.
On the other hand, in recent years, the following techniques for obtaining LED chips have been studied. After forming a buffer layer made of a certain element other than a Group III element (for example, Al, Ga, or the like) on a sapphire substrate, a semiconductor laminate including a light-emitting layer is formed. The semiconductor laminate is supported by a conductive support body, and then a sapphire substrate is separated (lifted off) by selectively dissolving the buffer layer by chemical etching. The conductive support body and the semiconductor laminate are sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. Note that a "buffer layer" herein is a buffer layer for epitaxial growth of a semiconductor laminate, which also serves as a lift-off layer for separating the semiconductor laminate from a sapphire substrate.
Examples of processes for manufacturing a III nitride semiconductor LED chip having such a structure include a typical chemical lift-off process in which a lift-off layer made of a metal other than Group III elements or a nitride of such metal is etched to separate an epitaxial layer from a sapphire substrate, or a photochemical lift-off process in which etching is performed while activating a lift-off layer by irradiation with light such as ultraviolet light. They are processes in which a lift-off layer is immersed in a certain solution thereby dissolving the lift-off layer to lift off an epitaxial layer from a growth substrate, and such processes are collectively referred to as "chemical lift-off processes" in this specification. An alternative expression may be "a growth substrate is lifted off from an epitaxial layer".
Here, a method of manufacturing vertically structured Group III nitride semiconductor LED chips that is described in PTL 1 (WO 2011/055462) will be explained with reference to FIGS. 6(A) to 6(F) and FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B). FIGS. 6(A) to 6(F) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the steps of a method of manufacturing conventional vertically structured Group III nitride semiconductor LED chips 500. First, a semiconductor laminate 503 is formed on a growth substrate 501 with a lift-off layer 502 therebetween by sequentially stacking a first conductivity type Group III nitride semiconductor layer 504, a light emitting layer 505, and a second conductivity type Group III nitride semiconductor layer 506, the second conductivity type being different from the first conductivity type (FIG. 6(A)). Next, the semiconductor laminate 503 and the lift-off layer 502 are partially removed to partially expose the growth substrate 501, thereby forming a plurality of separate semiconductor structures 507 are formed by partially removing the semiconductor laminate 503 (FIG. 6(B)). Subsequently, a conductive support body 512 is formed, which integrally supports the plurality of semiconductor structures 507 and also serves as a lower electrode (FIG. 6(C)). Further, the lift-off layer 502 is removed using a chemical lift-off process, thereby separating the growth substrate 501 from the plurality of semiconductor structures 507 (FIG. 6(D)). After that, upper electrodes 516 are formed on the separation side of the semiconductor structures 507 (FIG. 6(E)); finally, the conductive support body 512 is divided by cutting or the like along the broken lines shown in FIG. 7(A) between the semiconductor structures 507, thus singulating a plurality of LED chips 500 having the respective semiconductor structures 507 supported by the divided conductive support bodies 512A (FIG. 6(F)).
FIG. 7(A) is a schematic top view of a wafer in a state of FIG. 6(E) where the plurality of semiconductor structures which have not been singulated are formed. FIG. 6(E) is a cross-sectional view taken along a broken line in FIG. 7(A). FIG. 7(B) is a schematic side view of one of the LED chips 500 singulated along the broken lines in FIG. 7(A). Thus, in PTL 1, through-grooves 514 are provided along cut lines of the singulation (broken lines) in portions of the conductive support body 512 located between adjacent semiconductor structures 507. Accordingly, when the lift-off layer 502 is removed as in FIGS. 6(C) to 6(D), an etchant is supplied via the through-grooves 514 to surround the semiconductor structures 507. Further, the lift-off layer 502 right under the semiconductor structures 507 is etched from the outer peripheral portion of the semiconductor structures to the center portion thereof.
Here, in PTL 1, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the transverse cross section of the semiconductor structures 507 has a circular shape or a 4 n-gon shape ("n" is a positive integer) having rounded corners. If the transverse cross section of the semiconductor structures has a 4 n-gon shape without rounded corners, X-shaped cracks extending from the vicinity of the corners to the center portion would be formed in the individual semiconductor structures at a considerable rate after the lift-off as shown in FIG. 8(A). In PTL 1, the shape of the semiconductor structures is as described above, so that stresses can be prevented from being concentrated at the corners (the vectors of the etching proceeding from the periphery of the light emitting structures meet) during etching; thus, the formation of the above X-shape cracks can be prevented.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same


A charged particle beam writing apparatus includes a stage on which a target object is placed and which moves in a predetermined direction, a first column configured to irradiate a first charged particle beam on a writing region of the target object, a second column which is located at the back of the first column in the predetermined direction and configured to irradiate a second charged particle beam on the writing region of the target object, and a sensor configured to measure a height level of the target object at any one of a position in front of a position where the first column irradiates the first charged particle beam in the predetermined direction and a position almost immediately under the position where the first charged particle beam is irradiated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a charged particle beam writing apparatus and a charged particle beam writing method, for example, a measuring procedure or a using method for a surface height level of a target object when a writing position is corrected at the surface height level and a writing apparatus which includes a multicolumn for measuring a surface height level of a target object.
2. Related Art
A lithography technique which bears the advance of micropatterning of a semiconductor device is only a very important process which generates a pattern in semiconductor manufacturing processes. In recent years, with a high degree of integration of an LSI, a circuit line width required for a semiconductor device is miniaturized every year. In order to form a desired circuit pattern to the semiconductor device, a high-precision original pattern (also called a reticle or a mask) is necessary. In this case, an electron beam writing technique inherently has an excellent resolution and is used in production of a high-precision original pattern.
FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of a variable shaping electron beam writing apparatus.
The variable shaping electron beam (EB) writing apparatus operates as described below. In a first aperture 410, an oblong (for example, rectangular) opening 411 to shape an electron beam 330 is formed. In a second aperture 420, a variable shaping opening 421 to shape the electron beam 330 passing through the rectangular opening 411 into a desired oblong shape is formed. The electron beam 330 irradiated from a charged particle source 430 and passing through the rectangular opening 411 is deflected by a deflector. The electron beam 330 passes through a part of the variable shaping opening 421 and is irradiated on a target object placed on a stage. The stage continuously moves in a predetermined direction (for example, an X direction). In this manner, an oblong shape which can pass through both the opening 411 and the variable shaping opening 421 is written in a writing region of the target object 340. A scheme which causes an electron beam to pass through both the rectangular opening 411 and the variable shaping opening 421 to form an arbitrary shape is called a variable shaping scheme.
In this case, in the electron beam writing apparatus, a writing position changes depending on the height of a target object surface of a mask or a wafer. For this reason, a height (z) is required to be measured to correct the position depending on the measured value. For example, the height of the entire mask is measured in advance before the pattern writing, and pattern writing is performed while correcting the position depending on the value (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3277746). Alternatively, height data is obtained while performing pattern writing, and the pattern writing is performed on real time by using the value while performing correction.
A writing apparatus using a multicolumn cell (MCC) scheme achieved by incorporating two or more optical system columns in one electron lens barrel is developed. The columns are arranged in the same writing condition, and each of the columns performs variable-shaped pattern writing (for example, see "Yasuda Hiroshi, Haraguchi Takeshi, et al., "multicolumn cell MCC-PoC (Proof of concept) system evaluation", 3rd symposium of charged particle optics, pp. 125 to 128, Sep. 18 to 19, 2003", "T. Haraguchi, T. Sakazaki, S. Hamaguchi and H. Yasuda, "Development of electromagnetic lenses for multielectron beam lithography system", 2726, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B20 (6), November/December 2002", or "T. Haraguchi, T. Sakazaki, T. Satoh, M. Nakano, S. Hamaguchi, T. Kiuchi, H. Yabara and H. Yasuda, "Multicolumn cell: Evaluation of the proof of concept system", 985, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. B22 (3), May/June 2004").
As described above, there is a method of measuring a height in advance. However, when a height is measured in advance, the measurement time directly generates a loss time to make a writing time longer. When correction is performed on real time in a writing apparatus including a multicolumn, height measurers (z sensors) the number of which is equal to the number of columns are necessary. In this case, the manufacturing cost of the apparatus disadvantageously increases. Furthermore, in order to mount a large number of z sensors, it is difficult to reduce the z sensors in size.

Charged particle beam writing apparatus and method