An electrical contact assembly is provided that includes insolated blade and receptacle connector housings mateable with one another while moved from initial to final mating positions. A blade contact is provided with a support section that is securely mounted within the insulated connector housing. The blade contact further includes a contact knife projecting from the support section. A receptacle contact is provided having a base section that is securely mounted in the insulated receptacle housing. Arcing zones are defined on the blade and receptacle contacts that are located separate and apart from mating zones. The arcing zones electrically engage one another only when the blade and receptacle contacts are located in the initial mating position to provide a temporary electrical interface for discharging arcs between the blade and receptacle contacts. After which, the arcing zones disengage one another.

At least one embodiment of the present invention generally relates to an electrical connector assembly having mateable contact pairs and more specifically, a connector assembly including predefined arcing zones located separate and apart from the final mating zones between blade and receptacle contacts.
In the past, ground and signal contact assemblies have been proposed that comprise pairs of mating receptacle and blade contacts. U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,230 generally describes a make-first-break-last connector assembly provided by making ground pins of a pin header longer than signal pins of the header in order that the ground pins engage ground contacts of a mating connector before the signal pins engage signal contacts thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,329 describes a connector assembly that uses ground plates, not ground pins, to afford a make-first-break-last connector assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,324 discloses an electrical connector assembly in which a connector mounted on a circuit board has signal contact springs for mating with complimentary contact elements of a mating connector similarly mounted on the circuit board. A planar grounding blade projects beyond the signal contact spring for mating with a grounding contact of the mating connector.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,519 discloses an alternative make-first-break-last connection. A pair of mating electrical ground contacts comprise a blade contact having a rearward blade support for retention in a first insulating housing and a contact blade projecting forwardly from the blade support, with a tab substantially narrower than the contact blade projecting forward from a forward edge of the contact blade. The pair of ground contacts comprises a receptacle contact having a rearward base for retention in an insolated housing and first and second contact springs projecting forwardly from the base. The first contact spring has a first transverse contact surface, while the second contact spring has a transverse contact surface that is substantially wider than the tab. The contact surfaces of the contact springs cooperate to apply contact forces to the tab and to the contact blade as the ground contacts are mated. The second contact spring defines a rearward opening for receiving the tab to allow full mating of the contact blade with the receptacle contact.
Connectors are being used in applications with higher and higher electrical performance demands, and thus improvement is needed to satisfy such demands. By way of example, today high performance connectors are in demand for applications such as telecommunications, computer systems requiring motherboard and daughter board connections, servers, networks, internet applications and the like. These applications use connectors having separable interfaces that may be connected and disconnected repeatedly while still affording high signal performance characteristics.
More recently, the power and signal requirements have been extended to new levels, such as for example, but not limited to, power connectors capable of carrying 50 volt DC power supplies at 30 amps per contact. In addition, signal contacts are needed to carry signals rated in different rating tiers, such as at or near 2.5 GHz (Tier 1), 5 GHz (Tier 2), 10 GHz (Tier 3), and the like. An improved electrical connector assembly is needed to satisfy the higher power and signal requirements of today""s applications.
In addition, connector assemblies are needed that better address the electrical phenomenon associated with xe2x80x9chot-pluggingxe2x80x9d or static electricity discharge. Hot-plugging refers to the process whereby the connector halves are mated while power continues to be applied to the board already mounted in the system. When cards or boards are added to the system while the power is on, arcing may occur. Another example is when circuit cards are stored before use, such cards collect static electricity. The collection of static electricity is not limited to motherboard and daughter card types of circuits. Instead, many other types of components and subassemblies have a tendency to collect static electricity during storage. The static electricity builds up in the component, card or subassembly until discharge to a ground. Typically these components are not grounded during storage, but instead are grounded for the first when inserted into a server, network, computer or other application. At the time that the card, component, subassembly and the like is inserted into a system, an electricity discharge may occur whether it be due to static electricity, hot-plugging or otherwise. In conventional connectors, the discharge occurs between the contacts at the mating interface where power or data signals are to be transferred to the card, component or subassembly once plugged into a server, network, computer and the like.
With today""s high electrical signal and power performance requirements of mateable connectors, the sensitivity of such connectors to electrical discharge is heightened. By way of example only, certain connectors may be coated at the mating interface with a material to facilitate the connection, such as gold plating and the like. However, the coating material becomes damaged and removed when arcing occurs since the coating material is not well suited to withstand the high voltage and/or current spikes that occur with hot-plugging or static electricity arc-type discharges. As the coating material degrades, the mating interface becomes susceptible to corrosion. As corrosion progresses, the resistance increases at the mating interface between the two connector halves of the contact assembly which in turn causes heating within the contacts. The chain of events (e.g., electrical discharge, corrosion, increased resistance and heating) induces an upper limit on the performance characteristics of the contact, such as by limiting the amount of power that the contact may handle and/or limiting the signal to noise characteristics maintainable by the contact for high data transmission speeds. In addition, as connectors are repeatedly unplugged and remated, the potential for additional build-up of a static electricity and discharge exists with each mating operation, thereby further exaggerating the foregoing problems.
A need remains for an improved connector that is capable of withstanding arcing in a manner that does not degrade the mating interface of the connector assembly.
An embodiment of the present invention is provided in which a pair of mating electrical contacts include a blade contact and a receptacle contact. The blade contact includes a support section that is securely mounted in an insulated connector housing and has at least one contact knife projecting from the support section. The receptacle contact has a base section that is securely mounted in an insulated receptacle housing and has at least one contact spring projecting from the base section. The blade and receptacle contacts are joined in a mating operation as the blade and receptacle contacts move from initial to final mating positions.
Blade and receptacle mating zones are defined on the blade and receptacle contacts, respectively. The mating zones electrically engage one another when the blade and receptacle contacts are moved to the final mating position to establish and maintain a primary electrical interface between the blade and receptacle contacts. Arcing zones are defined separate and distinct from the mating zones, with the arcing zones on the blade and receptacle contacts only being electrically engaged with one another when the blade and receptacle contacts are located in the initial mating position. The arcing zones provide a temporary electrical interface for discharging static electrical charge between the blade and receptacle contacts.
In accordance with one embodiment, raised dimples may be used on the blade and receptacle contacts to define signal and power interface regions and arcing regions located separate and remote from one another. The signal/power interface regions maintain the primary electrical interface, while the arcing regions provide temporary electrical interfaces. Alternatively, raised bumps may be used to define the blade and receptacle arcing zones. The bumps may be located on a sacrificial portion of an associated one of the blade and receptacle contacts remote from the primary electrical interface.
Alternatively, or in addition, multiple raised bumps may be used to define at least one of the blade and receptacle mating zones. The bumps may be located on a portion of an associated of the blade and receptacle contacts remote from areas that potentially experience arcing during a mating operation.
In accordance with at least one embodiment, the receptacle contacts are constructed with first and second contact springs projecting forward from a base section and cantilevered beams. The beams and springs define a gap there between to receive the knife contact. A crossbar is provided connecting outer ends of the first and second contact springs, with the crossbar including receptacle arcing zones thereon. Optionally, at least one of the first and second contact springs may also include a receptacle mating zone thereon.
Alternatively, a contact spring assembly may be provided that includes a proximal region near the base section constituting the receptacle mating zone and a distal region remote from the base section constituting the receptacle arcing zone. The distal region may come into contact with the blade contact during the mating operation when in the initial mating position, while the proximal region comes into contact with the blade contact during the mating operation only when in the final mating position.
As yet a further alternative, the receptacle contacts may be constructed in a U-shape with opposed spring legs projecting from a base section and joined with an interconnect at outer ends of the spring legs. The interconnect may include arcing zones, while the spring legs may include mating zones.
In accordance with one embodiment, an electrical contact assembly is provided that includes an insulated blade connector housing having a mating cavity in one end thereof and an insulated receptacle connector having a mating section adapted to be inserted into the mating cavity during a mating operation. A blade contact is securely mounted in the insulated connector housing and includes at least one contact arm extending into the mating cavity. A receptacle contact is securely mounted in an insulated receptacle housing and has at least one contact spring housed within the mating section. The blade and receptacle housings are joined in a mating operation in which the blade and receptacle contacts move from initial to final mating positions.
Mating interfaces on the blade and receptacle contacts are positioned to electrically engage one another when the blade and receptacle housings are moved to the final mating position. The mating interface is maintained at the primary electrical interface between the blade and receptacle contacts so long as in the final mating position. Arcing points are also provided on the blade and receptacle contacts and are located remote from the mating interfaces. The arcing points temporarily electrically communicate with one another only while the blade and receptacle connector housings are in the initial mating position to provide a temporary electrical interface affording an arcing point between the blade and receptacle contacts.

Electrical connector assembly with separate arcing zones


A connector mounted on a system board has terminals the number of which corresponds to the total sum of key matrix control signal lines and pointing stick control signal lines. The key matrix control signal lines and pointing stick control signal lines are connected together to the connector. Both a keyboard interface and a pointing stick interface can thus be achieved by the single connector, resulting in improvement in mounting efficiency, decrease in cost and simplification in assembly process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer with a keyboard unit including a pointing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various types of portable personal computer, such as a notebook computer and a laptop computer, which can be carried easily and operated by a battery, have recently been developed. These personal computers employ built-in pointing device such a track ball, a pointing stick, and a touch pad.
Since the pointing stick can be arranged in a keyboard unit, the area of the pointing device occupied in the computer can be reduced greatly, as compared with the case of a personal computer equipped with a track ball and a touch pad. The pointing stick is therefore effective in serving as a pointing device of small-sized personal computers, especially A4-sized and B5-sized computers.
However, in a conventional personal computer, though a pointing stick is arranged in a keyboard, the pointing stick and keyboard unit are connected to two separate connectors mounted on a system board through cables, thus causing a problem wherein the mounting efficiency is lowered, the cost is increased, and the assembly process is complicated.
Since a power supply for supplying power to the built-in pointing device, differs from that of a pointing device control IC mounted on the system board, there occurs a problem in which the control IC erroneously detects a signal supplied from the built-in pointing device.
In other words, since a number of electric components are mounted on the system board, their operation states may cause noise in the power supply of the control IC and thus the detection level of the control IC is likely to vary. If, in this case, there occur variations in relationship between the signal level of the built-in pointing device and the detection level of the control IC, the control IC erroneously detects the signal from the built-in pointing device, resulting in a drawback wherein a cursor moves freely without operating the built-in pointing device and software malfunctions.
Conventionally, since the keyboard unit and pointing stick are connected to the two connectors, which are mounted on the system board, through the cables, respectively, the mounting efficiency is lowered accordingly. Since, furthermore, the power supply for supplying power to the built-in pointing device, differs from that of the built-in pointing device control IC mounted on the system board, the control IC is likely to erroneously detect a signal from the built-in pointing device when noise or the like occurs in the power supply.
In the conventional computer described above, a mouse interface of a keyboard controller is employed by the control IC. To use an external mouse, therefore, it should be connected to the mouse interface of the keyboard controller through the control IC; however, in this case, a usable mouse is limited to one type supported by the control IC.

Computer system with keyboard and pointing device interface for managing device input codes


A thin film transistor array panel includes a first insulating substrate, a gate electrode positioned on the first insulating substrate, a gate insulating layer positioned on the gate electrode, a semiconductor layer positioned on the gate insulating layer, and a source electrode and a drain electrode positioned on the semiconductor layer and spaced apart from each other, in which the semiconductor layer includes three or more amorphous silicon layers having different bandgap energies from one another in order to reduce a leakage current and improve performance of a liquid crystal display.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a thin film transistor array panel and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Technology
A flat panel display may be used as a display device, and various display devices such as a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode device, a plasma display device, an electrophoretic display, and an electrowetting display device, among others, may be used as the flat panel display.
Among the display devices, a liquid crystal display is currently one of the most widely used flat panel displays, and includes two display panels on which field generating electrodes such as a pixel electrode and a common electrode are formed, a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and a backlight unit providing light to the display panels pinching the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal display displays an image by applying a voltage to the field generating electrode to generate an electric field on the liquid crystal layer, determining directions of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer therethrough, and controlling an emission quantity of light provided by the backlight unit.
Generally, the display device including the liquid crystal display includes a thin film transistor array panel. The thin film transistor array panel is formed of a gate electrode that is a portion of a gate wire, a semiconductor layer forming a channel, and a source electrode and a drain electrode that are a portion of the data wire. The thin film transistor is a switching element transferring an image signal transferred through the data wire to the pixel electrode according to a scanning signal transferred through the gate wire, or interrupting the image signal.
If light is radiated on the semiconductor layer of a portion protruding over line widths of source and drain electrodes, a bond of amorphous silicon molecules in the semiconductor layer is broken by light energy to form an electron hole pair (e-h pair).
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Thin film transistor array panel and method of manufacturing the same


A method includes defining a general query for extracting data from at least one data store operable to store workpiece data associated with the processing of workpieces in a manufacturing system. The general query specifies at least one ambiguous parameter having a plurality of potential values. Metadata associated with the workpiece data is accessed. The metadata is employed to identify a plurality of candidate values for the at least one ambiguous parameter. A plurality of atomic queries is generated. Each atomic query is associated with one of the candidate values. The plurality of atomic queries is executed to extract data from the at least one data store and generate an output report including the extracted data.

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to manufacturing and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for extracting data from a data store.
The manufacture of semiconductor devices requires a number of discrete process steps to create a packaged semiconductor circuit device from raw semiconductor material. The various processes, from the initial melt and refinement of the semiconductor material, the slicing of the semiconductor crystal into individual wafers, the fabrication stages (etching, doping, ion implanting or the like), to the packaging and final testing of the completed device, are so different from one another and specialized that the processes may be performed in different facilities in remote regions of the globe.
For example, the process of growing and refining a large semiconductor crystal (e.g., Si, GaAs, or the like) may be performed by a facility specializing in such crystal growth techniques. The resultant crystals may then be sold directly to a semiconductor manufacturer, either as large crystals, or as wafers, sliced from a large crystal. The semiconductor manufacturer may then slice the semiconductor crystal into wafers, if the semiconductor material is not already in wafer format. The semiconductor manufacturer then fabricates semiconductor circuit devices (e.g., microprocessor, DRAM, ASIC or the like) on individual wafers, usually forming a number of devices on each wafer.
Generally, a set of processing steps is performed on a wafer using a variety of processing tools, including photolithography steppers, etch tools, deposition tools, polishing tools, rapid thermal processing tools, implantation tools, etc. During the fabrication process various events may take place that affect the performance of the devices being fabricated. That is, variations in the fabrication process steps result in device performance variations. Factors, such as feature critical dimensions, doping levels, contact resistance, particle contamination, etc., all may potentially affect the end performance of the device. During the fabrication flow, various metrology parameters are collected for verifying the proper formation of the features on the wafer and/or to control the process tools to reduce variation and increase device performance and reliability.
After fabrication of the devices is complete, each wafer is subjected to preliminary functional tests, commonly referred to as final wafer electrical tests (FWET) that evaluate test structures on the wafer and SORT tests that evaluate each die. Wafers that pass these tests are then cut to singulate the individual die, which are then packed in substrates. Packed die are then subjected to additional tests against the specification of customers' orders to determine performance characteristics such as maximum operating speed, power, caches, etc. This packaging process is fairly labor intensive, and thus it may be desirable to perform the mounting, wire-bonding, and final testing at a remote facility. Once completed, the packaged semiconductor device may again be tested, and then labeled and shipped to customers through a distribution system.
One problem which arises in this prior art manufacturing technique, is that the various processes take place at different discrete locations. Thus, it is difficult to track a semiconductor device through the fabrication process, from single crystal to finished product. Such tracking may be necessary for quality control purposes in order to determine the causes of production problems which may result in low yields or circuit defects.
In present fabrication facilities, individual fabrication machines or computer aided manufacturing systems (CAM systems) may provide data regarding operating conditions during the fabrication process. Some of these data are intrinsic data, for example, lot numbers, device model numbers or the like. Other data may be extrinsic data, such as production test data, production conditions, or the like.
The large amount of data collected during manufacturing process requires the use of enterprise wide data collection and storage resources. Typically, such engineering databases store vast quantities of data. The vast quantity data gives rise to various data management issues. Often, a process engineer may want to gather data to evaluate a particular lot or process. However, the particular path a lot or group of lots traverses through the production flow it is not readily discernible. Hence, when a query is specified for extracting the data, wildcards are often used. The use of wildcards in data queries increases flexibility, but also greatly reduces the time required to gather data, as the wildcards need to be resolved by the database system. In addition, due to the number of different facilities involved in the fabrication process, data may be stored in different data warehouses that need to be linked to determine first if any data exists that satisfies the query, and second to extract the data. Given these conditions, data queries may consume significant processing resources and may also take a significant amount of time to complete.
This section of this document is intended to introduce various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the disclosed subject matter described and/or claimed below. This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosed subject matter. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. The disclosed subject matter is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Method and apparatus for extracting data from a data store


Disclosed are a time synchronization method and system. The method comprises: an NE1 and the upstream nodes of the NE1 are classified into the first level, and the downstream nodes of the NE1 are classified into the second level, where the first level priority of the first level is higher than the second level priority of the second level; an NE3 connected to the NE1 through a PTP synchronization link in the downstream node receives a first device priority of the NE1 and the first level priority from the NE1; and after the NE3 receives the second device priority of an NE2 and the second level priority sent by the NE2 in the downstream nodes which is connected to the NE1 through the 1PPS+TOD synchronization link, determines that a clock parameter of the NE1 is optimal, and synchronizes the local clock to the NE1.

With the high-speed development of 3G network, a Precision Time Protocol (simply "PTP" for short) has been taken more and more attentions and been applied widely. The PTP protocol is utilized consistently by operators at home and abroad for the time synchronization, and is gradually replacing the way of using Global Position System (simply "GPS" for short) for the time synchronization.
Currently, the time synchronization technologies utilized by operators include PTP, Network Time Protocol (simply "NTP" for short) and China Mobile's high precision time synchronization (1 Pulse per Second+Time of Day, 1PPS+TOD), which employ different protocol formats respectively. As applications of the time network expands continuously, intercommunication among different time synchronization technologies is required, for example, 1PPS+TOD is commonly used currently for the intercommunication between the synchronization technology of the Optical Transport Network (simply "OTN" for short) and the synchronization technology of the Packet Transport Network (simply "PTN" for short). In addition, within a synchronization network, there are different types of time interfaces on certain synchronization equipments. For example, there are a 1PPS+TOD interface and a PTP interface on a synchronization equipment, and at this point a mixed source selection needs to be supported. However, since the 1PPS+TOD protocol can only carry the time information and a second pulse state, can not carry more time source information, such as grandmother clock identity, priority parameters, the number of hops, the types of time sources and so on. Therefore, the upstream time source information is lost after passing through a 1PPS+TOD synchronization interface, thereby forming a timing loop under some situations.
In the following, a process of forming the timing loop under a situation of a time ring network is introduced in detail:
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of forming a timing loop under a situation of a time ring network according to the related art, and as shown in FIG. 1, there are four synchronization equipments (network equipments) in the time ring network, i.e. network equipment 1 (NE1), network equipment 2 (NE2), network equipment 3 (NE3), and network equipment 4 (NE4), respectively. In this situation, there is a 1PPS+TOD link between the NE1 and the NE2, and there are PTP links among other adjacent equipments. Firstly, clock parameters of these equipments need to be configured within the time ring network, wherein the clock parameters mainly comprise: clock identity (ID) (for example, the clock identities of the NE1, the NE2, the NE3 and the NE4 can be uniquely represented by each MAC address respectively), priority level 1 (priority1), priority level 2 (priority2) and clock class and so on.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the clock ID configured for NE2 is NE2 Mac, priority1=20, priority2=22, and so on for other NEs, and the requirements of an existing time synchronization method are that:
(1) when there are both 1PPS+TOD synchronization input interface and PTP input port on an equipment, it should support to select a best master time source among multiple PTP input sources and multiple 1PPS+TOD input sources;
(2) when the 1PPS+TOD is selected by the equipment as the current best master time source, and the type of the output port is PTP, it is needed to perform a parameter remapping, namely a data set of 1PPS+TOD reference sources is needed to be constructed on a local node, wherein the data set contains parameters such as: grandmother clock identity (grandmaster Identity), priority level 1 (priority1), priority level 2 (priority2), the class of the clock (Clock Class), port number (portNumber), the number of hops (stepsRemoved), the accuracy of the clock (clockAccuracy), the jitter of the clock (offsetScaledLogVariance), time source (timesource) and time scale (TimeScale);
(3) grandmasterIdentity, priority1 and priority2 shall be able to be configured on a network manager, and other parameters can be configured to be equipment default values, wherein the value of the Timesource is configured to be 0×20 by default, and the value of the stepsRemoved is configured to be 0 by default.
With reference to FIG. 1, there are two PTP ports and one 1PPS+TOD interface on the equipment NE1; suppose that PTP port 1 is selected as a slave port by the NE1, at this time another PTP port is the master port and the PTP port 2 send to the NE3 a PTP announce message, the parameters carried in the PTP announce message include GMid, priority1, priority2, ClockClass, stepsRemoved, timesource of a upstream time source, and these parameters are transferred from an upstream reference source. However, for the 1PPS+TOD interface, it can only carry a second pulse state and time information of the upstream, wherein the TOD second pulse state is mapped to the ClockClass of the PTP, and the time information includes the number of weeks and the number of seconds within a week; it can be found that other parameters of the upstream time source can not be transferred on the 1PPS+TOD interface, such as GMid, priority1, priority2, stepsRemoved, timesource and so on, and these parameters can only be constructed locally, namely the 1PPS+TOD interface is mapped into a common PTP port.
For the NE2, when the 1PPS+TOD interface is selected as a master time interface, with the configured parameters of priority1=10, priority2=10, which are superior to those of priority1=10, priority2=12 of a upstream time source; in addition, the NE2 also receives PTP announce messages of the upstream time source and the downstream time source from other PTP ports, but the NE2 will select the 1PPS+TOD interface as a master clock after a comparison by a BMC algorithm, and at this time the NE2 will send PTP announce messages to the NE1, the NE3 and the NE4 respectively; wherein, the parameters of the sent PTP announce messages are GMid=NE2, p1=10, p2=10, stepsRemoved=0, timesource=0×20; at this time, the NE3 will be synchronized to the NE2; for the NE1, it receives information sent respectively from two time sources via two PTP ports, and the NE1 will select the PTE port 2 as the master clock after a comparison by the BMC algorithm, thereby forming a timing loop. It can be seen with reference to FIG. 1, a particular process of forming a timing loop is as followings:
step 1, for the NE2, the 1PPS+TOD synchronization input interface is mapped into a PTP interface, namely a data set of 1PPS+TOD reference sources is constructed, and in the embodiment, it is supposed that the configurations are priority1=10, priority2=10;
step 2, the NE2 performs the BMC (Best Master Clock) algorithm, and selects the 1PPS+TOD interface as a master time source, and at this time, the 1PPS+TOD interface is in Slave state and other PTP interface are in a Master state;
step 3, via the PTP port, the NE2 sends respectively to the NE3, the NE4 the PTP announce message, the clock parameters carried in the PTP announce message are that respectively: grandmasterIdentity is MAC address of the NE2, the value of the priority1 is 10, the value of the priority2 is 10, and the value of the ClockClass is the value corresponding to the TOD second pulse state;
step 4, the NE3 receives the PTP announce message of the NE2, and finds that the clock parameters are superior to its own (since its own clock parameters are priority1=20, priority2=21, but the clock parameters from the NE2 are priority1=10, priority2=10), as the NE3 is synchronized to the NE2 according to the BMC algorithm;
step 5, the NE1 receives the announce message with priority1=10, priority2=10 from the NE3, and the NE1 is synchronized to the NE3 according to the BMC algorithm, thus a timing loop of NE1-NE2-NE3 being formed.
Aiming at the problem in the related art that it is liable to form a timing loop when a mixed source selection is performed among different time synchronization technologies, effective solutions are not presented so far.


An airbag module (10) employing a deflagration venting system (40) for adaptively changing the level of venting provided during airbag inflation is disclosed. The adaptively controlled airbag system (10) includes an airbag (12) in fluid communication with an airbag inflator (18). A manifold (16) is provided for directing the output of the airbag inflator (18) into the airbag (12), and a reaction canister (22) houses the airbag (12), the airbag inflator (18), and the manifold (16). A deflagration device (40) is provided for selectively venting the airbag module (10). The deflagration device (40) may be activated for creating at least one variable shaped vent (50, 52) for regulating output from the airbag inflator (18) and adaptively changing the deployment force of the airbag (12).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an adaptive safety restraint system, and more particularly to an airbag module employing a deflagration venting system for adaptively changing the level of venting provided during airbag inflation.
2. Discussion
The use of airbag systems for protecting a vehicle occupant in crash situations is well known within the prior art. To promote occupant safety in a variety of crash scenarios, vehicles are being outfitted with different types of airbag and safety restraint systems. For example, a vehicle may include airbags positioned in front of the seat occupant as well as airbags positioned along the door side of the seat occupant. The vehicle may also include inflatable knee bolsters for providing additional protection to the seat occupant, and seat belt pretensioners for taking up any slack in a properly fastened seat belt.
These first generation airbag and safety restraint systems are typically driven by individual inflators having a stored energy device which is activated by the vehicle's crash detection system. Typically, actuation of the inflator generates a predetermined output, based on the magnitude of gas or propellant discharge, for driving its associated airbag or safety restraint device. However, a vehicular collision producing less impact force does not require the same amount of airbag inflation to absorb the energy transferred to the seat occupant as a vehicular collision producing greater impact force. Accordingly, this desire for adaptive airbag systems has prompted investigation into regulating the output of an airbag inflator, and thus the deployment force of the airbag.
One method for regulating the output of the airbag inflator is through the use of a multi-level inflator having two or more separate stored energy devices. Typically, the multi-level inflator includes a first stored energy device associated with a smaller propellant chamber and a second stored energy device associated with a larger propellant chamber, each of which can be independently activated. In response to a relatively minor crash, only the first stored energy device is activated for inflating the airbag. Likewise, in a more severe crash, only the second stored energy device is activated. However, in a high severity crash, both stored energy devices are simultaneously activated for providing maximum inflator output. This same multi-level inflator approach can alternatively be used for regulating inflator output in response to the size of the vehicle occupant, if used in conjunction with the appropriate occupant detection sensors. However, multi-level inflators are expensive to produce because two separate inflation gas sources must be integrated into a single unit. Moreover, even if only one of the chambers is discharged, the entire inflator must still be replaced.

Deflagration venting system for airbag systems


A vented filter is placed at the HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) loop entry port of an HPLC injector valve. The vented filter prevents the push gas used to deliver the crude radiolabeled product from over-pushing the liquid to waste. Push gas is vented off when the entire crude liquid product has passed through the vented filter and been loaded onto the HPLC loop.

Chromatography is used to separate mixtures of substances into their individual components. The basic principles of chromatography involve a stationary phase (usually a solid or a liquid supported on a solid) and a mobile phase (usually a liquid or a gas). The mobile phase flows through the stationary phase and carries the components of the mixture with it. Since different components travel at different rates, the components separate from each other during the process and can be isolated.
In column chromatography, stationary phase particles are packed into a column and the mobile phase is allowed to flow through the stationary phase. This method relies on gravity to force the mobile phase through the stationary phase. During column chromatography, the smaller the stationary phase particle size, the greater the separation of components. However, smaller particles have greater resistance to flow.
HPLC is an improved form of column chromatography. Instead of a solvent being allowed to drip through a column under gravity, it is forced through the column under high pressures of up to 400 atmospheres, thereby increasing the speed of the process and allowing the use of smaller stationary phase particles. Thus, HPLC allows for improved separation of the components of the mixture.
FIG. 1 is a schematic of a conventional HPLC system 100. A sample mixture 120 is introduced to system 100 through injector valve 130. Injector valve 130 allows sample 120 to be introduced into HPLC loop 140 with any excess sample 120 directed to waste 110. Once sample 120 is in HPLC loop 140, injector valve 130 is activated to allow mobile phase 160 to be pumped into system 100 via pump 150. Pump 150 forces mobile phase 160 through injector valve 130 and HPLC loop 140 and into column 170. Column 170 is filled with a stationary phase 175. As mobile phase 160 is forced through injector valve 130, HPLC loop 140, and column 170, the individual components of sample 120 are separated out. As the separated components flow out of the column, detector 180 analyzes the results.
One common method of detecting substances that have passed through the column uses ultra-violet absorption. Many organic compounds absorb UV light of various wavelengths. Therefore a beam of UV light is directed through the stream of liquid coming out of the column and detected on the opposite side of the stream. The amount of light absorbed will depend on the amount of a particular compound that is passing through the beam at the time. Based on the output of the detector, it is possible to identify the separated components of the sample.
Conventional HPLC is often employed as a method of analysis of different components in a given sample. In the production of radiolabeled pharmaceuticals, the radiolabeled pharmaceutical synthesis step is often followed by a purification step. HPLC is one purification method to isolate the radiolabeled pharmaceutical from the synthesis mixture. In a radiolabeled pharmaceutical HPLC purification system, a radiation detector is used along with the UV detector to identify the components of the sample. The detection of a peak in the UV or radiation detector signal indicates the presence of the radiolabeled pharmaceutical. A valve following the detectors is installed to direct fluid flow to either a waste vial or to a product collection vial. Once the UV chromatogram peak or the radiation chromatogram peak of the desired radiolabeled pharmaceutical appears, the valve is switched to collect this product.
As mentioned above, the first step of the HPLC process is to load a specific amount of the sample to be purified/separated into a fixed volume HPLC loop. The other end of the loop is directed to waste to catch any waste that overflows from the loop. In a regular HPLC setup, the sample is injected into the loop with a syringe and overflows to waste are common. However, in the production of radiolabeled pharmaceuticals, it is desirable to avoid overflows to waste, thereby minimizing process loss. Further complicating the process is that the task of loading the loop is often automated.
One efficient way of transporting liquid is by using a push gas to push liquid through a series of tubes. The push gas has to be turned off at the right time to avoid sending the crude radiolabeled product to waste. Prior systems use a bubble detector or a liquid detector to determine when the radiolabeled product has been completely loaded into the HPLC loop and to stop the push gas. However, these systems are unreliable.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a reliable device to automatically limit the amount of sample that is injected into the HPLC loop.

Vented filter for automatic HPLC loop loading


A GaN substrate comprises a GaN single crystal substrate, an AlxGa1-xN intermediate layer (0<x≦1) epitaxially grown on the substrate, and an GaN epitaxial layer grown on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is made of AlGaN and this AlGaN grows over the entire surface of the substrate with contaminants thereon and high dislocation regions therein. Thus, the intermediate layer is normally grown on the substrate, and a growth surface of the intermediate layer can be made flat. Since the growth surface is flat, a growth surface of the GaN epitaxial layer epitaxially grown on the intermediate layer is also flat.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a GaN epitaxial substrate and a method of fabricating the same and to a nitride semiconductor device and a method of fabrication the same.
2. Related Background Art
Gallium nitride (GaN) is attractive material of substrates for light emitting devices. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-102307 publication discloses the formation of a GaN substrate. In this formation of GaN substrates, a GaN thick layer is grown by the lateral growth method on a semiconductor single-crystal substrate such as a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate. Then, the GaAs substrate is removed from the GaN thick layer and one or more GaN substrates are formed from the GaN thick layer.
Prior to manufacturing semiconductor devices thereon, an epitaxial layer is grown on such a GaN substrate to form a GaN epitaxial substrate. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-340509 publication, a homoepitaxial layer of GaN, which has the same composition as the substrate, has been grown thereon as the epitaxial layer because researchers thought that the growth of the homoepitaxial layer can reduce the number of defects such as threading dislocations. Particularly, the homoepitaxial layer was used for GaN based semiconductor laser diodes because threading dislocations in the semiconductor layers of the laser diode affect the lifetime thereof.

GaN substrate and method of fabricating the same, nitride semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same


Light directing film (100) is disclosed. The light directing film includes a structured major surface (110) that includes a plurality of microstructures (150) extending along a first direction (142) and a plurality of elevated portions (160) disposed on the plurality of microstructures. The number density of the elevated portions across the light directing film is D. Each elevated portion includes a leading edge (162) and a trailing edge (164) along the first direction. The light directing film can be divided into a plurality of same size and shape grid cells that form a continuous two-dimensional grid. The area of each grid cell is approximately 1/D. Each of at least 70% of the grid cells includes a single leading edge (162) of an elevated portion (160).

Flat panel displays, such as displays that incorporate a liquid crystal panel, often incorporate one or more light directing films to enhance display brightness along a pre-determined viewing direction. Such light directing films typically include a plurality of linear microstructures that have prismatic cross-sectional profiles.
In some applications a single prismatic film is used, while in others two crossed prismatic films are employed, in which case, the two crossed prismatic films are often oriented perpendicular to each other.

Uniform light directing film and method of making same


An upper body exercise device designed to be used by a person while walking. The device consists of a belt to which a pair of cables is attached. The cables are retractable and roll up automatically, via a spring reel assembly, onto spools located within a pair of handgrips. The user grasps the handgrips and pulls outwardly while walking. The force required to pull the handgrips outwardly can be increased or decreased by turning an adjustment knob located on the outside of each handgrip. The adjustment knob causes a frictional force to be exerted on the cable spool making it easier or harder to pull the cable out. Straps are provided on each side of the belt to store the handgrips when not in use. Obviously the device of the present invention may also be used while in a stationary position or while jogging.

The present invention relates to exercise devices and more particularly to an upper body exercise device for people of all ages.
Many means of exercising exist for improving ones muscular tone and for producing an aerobic workout. One popular way of getting aerobic exercise is to take a brisk walk. Walking is a low impact exercise, which does not put excess strain on the body's joints and yet gives strength and tone to the lower body. Unfortunately, the upper body does not get as much of a work out during the act of brisk walking. There are some exercise aids available on the market for exercising the upper body while walking. The most common devices are hand weights, which the user holds in his or her hand while swinging the arms and walking. There are several problems with hand weights however. Firstly, the amount of weight can not be easily adjusted while walking so if a person begins to feel fatigue with a heavy weight he or she can not easily switch to a lighter weight. Second, if the user wishes to discontinue the use of the weights while walking, he or she has no convenient place to put them. Even if a person puts them in a separate bag or pack, the person must still bear the extra weight of the hand weight devices. Finally, there are only a limited number of exercises one can do with traditional hand weights, which include normal arm swinging, arm curling and over head presses. These exercises act on primarily the arm muscles rather than the entire upper body and even then, only in a limited way, on selected muscle groups.


A cooling system for an axial flow compressor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed having a device to tap a portion of air from the primary air flow flowing through the axial compressor and a control device associated with the tap to control the amount of air tapped from the primary air flow. The system also includes a cooling device to cool the portion of air tapped from the primary air flow, which cooled air is directed into a cooling air chamber. The cooling air chamber is located between the last rotor stage of the compressor and a cone attached to the last stage and extending downstream from the rotor wheel. Nozzles associated with the cooling air chamber direct cooling air from the chamber onto the rotating rotor wheel such that a portion of the cooling air passes into the peripheral groove defined by the rotor wheel between the wheel and the blade root, while another portion of the cooling air from the nozzles is directed onto the surface of the cone in order to cool the blades and the cone.

The present invention relates to system for cooling the compressor of a gas turbine engine and to supply air to the clearances between the rotating and stationary parts of the compressor.
Modern gas turbine engines, particularly those utilized in aircraft applications, are using higher and higher air temperatures at the compressor outlet in order to increase the power and efficiency of the gas turbine engine. The air temperatures are often at the limit and sometimes beyond the temperature limits for the elements which come into contact with the air. This is particularly true with the peripheral grooves defined by the rotor wheels in which turbine blades are mounted, especially at the downstream stages of the axial compressor.
It is also known to provide clearances between the rotating and stationary portions of the gas turbine engine and to provide labyrinth seals between these elements in order to increase the efficiency and to provide maximum thrust for the gas turbine engine. Systems are also known for adjusting the radial clearances between the rotating and stationary portions of the engine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,895 discloses such a system which utilizes real-time adjustment for adjusting the radial clearances between the gas turbine engine rotor and stator as a function of flight conditions of the aircraft. The system utilizes an air flow regulating valve which is controlled by a computer.
Systems are also known for cooling portions of the gas turbine engines. U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,618 discloses turbine cooling system utilizing an air/air heat exchanger. This system is incorporated into a turbofan engine in which the cooling air circulating through the heat exchanger is tapped from the cold flow bypass duct and is utilized to cool a portion of the hot air flowing through the gas turbine compressor. The cooled air is subsequently applied to the compressor.
French Patent 2,485,632 discloses a rotor wheel/blade root structure which facilitates the passage of air between these elements in order to cool the blades and the peripheral groove of the rotor wheel.
Systems are also known to cool the air of the primary air flow circulating in the compressor. French Patent 2,482,196 describes a heat exchanger mounted between a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor with air being tapped from the bypass flow. The heat exchanger in this case is used to cool the primary air flow and to heat the bypass air flow. This design allows combining the thermodynamic gain of the intermediary cooling of the primary flow with the propulsive gain linked to heating the bypass flow.

Cooling system for a gas turbine engine compressor

Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation (S.N.E.C.M.A.)


A chain saw (1) includes a guide bar (5) supporting a chain (7) and attached to a main body (3). Disposed within the body is an anchor bolt (9) for securing the guide bar to the main body. Disposed within a sprocket cover (8) is a hexagonal nut (11) screwed onto the anchor bolt. Furthermore, provided coaxially with the hexagonal nut is a cylindrical element (15) having a hexagonal cavity (13) that engages the hexagonal nut and is axially movable and rotatable about the same axis as the hexagonal nut. Also provided is a lever (17) disposed at the outer end of the cylindrical element. Provided within the sprocket cover are an adjustment pin (19) engaging the guide bar, a screw stock (20) onto which the adjustment pin is threaded and which extends in the axial direction of the guide bar, a first helical gear (21) disposed at one end of the screw stock, and a second helical gear (23) meshing with the first helical gear. Further provided is a rotating element (25) coaxial with the second helical gear. Rotation of the lever and thus the rotating element from the exterior of the saw causes rotation of the second helical gear.

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-148967 filed on May 19, 2000 in Japan. The contents of the aforementioned application are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to chain saws. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chain saw which requires no separate tool for adjustment of the chain tension of the chain saw.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional chain saw includes a guide bar that supports the saw""s chain, with an anchor bolt and hexagonal nut provided so as to secure the guide bar to the main body of the chain saw. The chain saw is further constructed such that the guide bar is movable in the axial direction so as to allow adjustment of the chain tension. Conventionally, the process of axially moving the guide bar involves a procedure whereby a hex wrench is first used to loosen the above-mentioned hexagonal nut, a screwdriver is then inserted from the forward-facing side of the chain saw, and then the screwdriver is used to rotate an adjustment screw that causes the guide bar to move in the axial direction.
While this adjustment mechanism achieves its intended objective, it is not free from certain problems and inconveniences, thus leaving room for further improvement. For example, such a system requires the use of additional tools, namely a hex wrench and screwdriver, in order to perform adjustment of the tension of the saw""s chain. Furthermore, the necessity of inserting the screwdriver from the forward-facing side of the chain saw to adjust the chain tension presents further difficulty in performing this procedure.
In view of the above-identified problems, an important object of the present invention is to provide a chain saw with improved operability.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide a chain saw that requires no separate or additional tools for adjustment of the chain tension.
To achieve these objectives, the present invention provides a chain saw which comprises: a main body; a chain; a guide bar for supporting the chain; an anchor bolt that has an axis and is disposed within the chain saw, the anchor bolt securing the guide bar to the main body; a hexagonal nut that threadably engages the anchor bolt; a cylindrical element provided along the same axis as the hexagonal nut and adapted to be both axially movable and rotatable about the same axis as the hexagonal nut, the cylindrical element including, at one end thereof that faces the hexagonal nut, a hexagonal cavity that is adapted to engage the hexagonal nut; a lever disposed on the opposing end of the cylindrical element from the hexagonal cavity of the cylindrical element, the lever being adapted to move between a raised position and a lowered position; an adjustment pin that engages the guide bar; a screw stock that both threadably engages the adjustment pin and extends along an axis of the guide bar; a first helical gear disposed at one end of the screw stock; a second helical gear that has an axis of rotation and meshes with the first helical gear such that rotation of the second helical gear causes rotation of the first helical gear; a rotating element disposed along the same axis of rotation as that of the second helical gear, wherein rotation of the rotating element causes rotation of the second helical gear; and a sprocket cover provided on a side face of the main body, the sprocket cover defining an interior and an exterior thereof. In this chain saw, the rotating element and the lever are so arranged as to permit their operation from the exterior of the sprocket cover, and pulling the lever up to the raised position and moving the lever along the axis of the anchor bolt allows the cylindrical element to engage the hexagonal nut.
According to this chain saw, when adjusting the chain tension of the chain saw, the lever is first pulled to a raised position and then pressed toward the interior of the machine, thus causing engagement between the hexagonal cavity of the cylindrical element and the hexagonal nut. While in this position, the lever is then rotated, thus loosening the hexagonal nut. The rotating element is then rotated so as to cause rotation of the second helical gear in a desired direction. The rotation of the second helical gear also causes rotation of the first helical gear with which it is engaged. This in turn causes rotation of the screw stock, which causes the adjustment pin to travel in the axial direction of the guide bar as it is rotated. In this fashion, as the adjustment pin moves in the axial direction of the guide bar, it also causes axial movement of the guide bar. In this manner, the axial movement of the guide bar permits adjustment of the chain tension. When the adjustment of the chain tension is completed, the lever is pressed toward the interior of the chain saw, causing engagement between the hexagonal cavity of the cylindrical element and the hexagonal nut, and the lever is rotated in the direction opposite that mentioned above. This allows tightening of the hexagonal nut, thus securing the guide bar to the main body of the chain saw. In this manner, adjustment of the tension of the chain can be achieved without the use of either a hex wrench or screwdriver. Additionally, this construction greatly simplifies the process for adjusting the chain tension.
In one aspect of the present invention, the hexagonal nut, the cylindrical element, the adjustment pin, the screw stock, and the first helical gear and second helical gear are disposed in the interior of the sprocket cover such that they are integrally removable with the sprocket cover from the chain saw and attachable with the sprocket cover to the chain saw. With a chain saw so constructed, the hexagonal nut and other components are not only removed along with the sprocket cover when the sprocket cover is removed from the chain saw, but are also disposed in the sprocket cover, thus helping to prevent loss of any of the various components.
Furthermore, according to yet another aspect of the present invention, the lever is favorably constructed in a manner wherein rotation of the rotating element is at least hindered due to the rotating element being covered by the lever when the lever is in the lowered position. According to this construction, rotation of the rotating element is obstructed when the lever is in the lowered position, thus allowing prevention of unreasonable force being applied to the adjustment pin.
Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the lever is most favorably constructed such that it is provided with a structure that maintains it in the raised position as it engages the outer surface of the cylindrical element when the lever is in the raised position. This construction allows the lever to remain in the raised position, enabling the lever to be rotated with greater ease.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the rotating element is most favorably constructed in a manner whereby the rotating element includes at least one lug on its surface, and further wherein the lug can be grasped with the fingers when being rotated. This construction also facilitates rotation of the rotating element.
In one aspect of the present invention, the rotating element has a generally columnar shape having a top surface located substantially flush with an outer surface of the sprocket cover, and the sprocket cover includes a pair of recessed areas formed in the outer surface along the rotating element for facilitating manual rotation of the rotating element.
In another aspect of the present invention, when in the lowered position, the lever covers at least part of the rotating element and at least one of the recessed areas. According to this construction, rotation of the rotating element is obstructed when the lever is in the lowered position, thus allowing prevention of undesirable force being applied to the adjustment pin.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the lever is attached to said opposing end of the cylindrical element so as to be pivotal between the lowered and raised positions. According to this construction, when folded in the lowered position, the lever does not hinder the use of the chain saw.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the sprocket cover includes a setting hole and the lever includes a protrusion for engaging the setting hole when the lever is in the lowered position such that engagement of the protrusion with the setting hole maintains the lever in the lowered position. This construction enables the lever to remain securely in the lowered position.
In one preferred mode, the sprocket cover includes a first rib and the lever includes a second rib adapted to engage the first rib when the lever is in the lowered position such that engagement of the two ribs maintains the lever in the lowered position.
In another preferred mode, rotation of the rotating element causes rotation of the screw stock, which causes the adjustment pin to rotate and move on the screw stock along the axis of the guide bar, thus moving the guide bar along the axis thereof.
In one aspect, when the hexagonal cavity of the cylindrical element is in engagement with the hexagonal nut, the hexagonal nut is adapted to be both loosened from the anchor bolt by manual rotation of the lever to permit axial movement of the guide bar and tightened on the anchor bolt to secure the guide bar to the main body.
In one embodiment, the present invention provide a chain saw comprising: a main body; a chain; a sprocket for transmitting rotation from the main body to the chain; a guide bar for supporting the chain; first means and second means adapted to cooperate to secure the guide bar to the main body; and a sprocket cover partially covering the sprocket, the chain, and the guide bar. In this chain saw, the first means is provided in the main body and the second means is disposed within the sprocket cover. This chain saw further comprises means for adjusting the tension of the chain disposed adjacent to the second means within the sprocket cover so as to allow both securing of the guide bar and adjustment of the tension of the chain without the use of any tool.
Other general and more specific objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be evident from the drawings and descriptions which follow.

Chain saw with an improved chain tensioning arrangement


A dialed number of a called party is received from a calling party. Based on the dialed number, a name of the called party is retrieved from a database. An audio message which includes the name of the called party is generated and communicated to the calling party. A call is routed between the calling party and the called party after said communicating the audio message.

Traditional caller identification services allow a called party to identify a calling party of an incoming call. For outgoing calls, however, the called party is identified once the called party has been reached. A caller determines that he/she has misdialed a telephone number after being informed of same by an unintended called party.
Some private branch exchange (PBX) configurations allow caller identification information to be displayed in relation to an outgoing call if the outgoing call is to another line of the PBX. Business callers use this feature to determine if they have dialed a correct number before the call is placed or answered.

Method, system, and article for audibly identifying a called party


The subject matter of the present disclosure is a hair treatment agent for reducing and/or avoiding bleeding out and/or fading of artificially produced hair colours and/or for strengthening the internal hair structure, containing—relative to the total quantity of hair treatment agent—                a) from about 1 to about 15 wt. % of a salt-containing component. comprising                    (i) at least one polyvalent salt of a fatty acid and/or            (ii) at least one fatty acid (A1) and at least one polyvalent salt (A2).                        b) at least one cationic compound selected from            cationic tensides of the group formed from quaternary ammonium compounds, esterquats and/or amidoamines and/or    cationic polymers.

Products for changing the natural hair colour play an outstanding role in hair cosmetics. A distinction is made between permanent, semi-permanent or temporary colour systems based on chemical and/or natural dyes. However, the hair colours produced artificially by permanent, semi-permanent or temporary colour systems have the disadvantage that they can change in an undesirable manner—for example during or after hair washing.
"Undesirable change" is understood as the fading or bleeding out and also the loss of colour brilliance of the shade of the hair produced by the respective colouring. Environmental influences and/or effects of the sun can further intensity these changes. There is accordingly the need for hair treatment agents that can better stabilize artificially produced hair colours.
Hair treatment agents for protecting artificially produced hair colours or methods for stabilizing artificially produced hair colours are known in principle. A method for enhancing the chroma of hair is described in EP 1676604 A1 in which the hair is initially washed with a shampoo which contains a water-soluble salt—preferably sodium sulphate—in addition to an anionic tenside and a special silicone. In a second step the hair is treated with a conditioning agent comprising a long-chain alcohol and a cationic tenside in a specific weight ratio and then rinsed.
However the consumer desires less time-intensive methods to protect hair colours from any change preferably in one treatment step.

Hair treatment agent with a polyvalent metal cation I


The present invention relates to an enhanced micropump for the nebulization of fluids. The micropump, mounted on a bottle cap, comprises a hollow body and a set of stem and piston such as to constitute a "metering chamber" in the body. The set, protruding outside the body, is joined with a dispensing push-button fitted with a nebulization element. Pressing the dispensing push-button allows the passage of the fluid to be nebulizer from the "metering chamber" to an exit duct for the fluid itself, comprising a "compression pre-chamber" in the dispensing button and passages from the chamber to the nebulization element. A metering valve is obtained by interposing, in said fluid exit duct, an elastically deformable shutter positioned in a cylindrical seat in the top end of the set.

The present invention relates to an enhanced micropump for the nebulization of fluids.
A micropump of this kind is suitable for mounting on a cap for glass or plastic bottles destined to contain perfumes or other substances which, in relation to their specific use, require nebulization.
Generally, this type of micropump comprises a pump body and a set of hollow stern and piston such as to constitute together with the body a "metering chamber";0 the exit duct for the fluid includes the longitudinal cavity of the hollow stem, a so called "compression pre-chamber" obtained in a dispensing push-button and at least one passage from this "compression pre-chamber" to a "vortex chamber" of a nebulization element fitted with related orifice. The stem and piston set is movable within the body thanks to the antagonistic action between the dispensing push-button and a helical spring, abutting in the "metering chamber" against the front end of the stem. The stem and the piston of the set are, themselves, mutually movable to uncover one or more through holes obtained in the stem, at the moment the dispensing push-button is pressed to allow the fluid to be nebulized to pass from the "metering chamber" into the fluid exit duct.
In a system of this type the pressure inside the "metering chamber" necessary to obtain a correct nebulization is guaranteed by a valve, which could be called "minimum pressure" valve, obtained with the aforesaid piston and a "pre-loading" spring abutted between the piston and a flange provided on the stem inside the pump body. Such "minimum pressure" valve determines the threshold pressure which must exist in the "metering chamber" for the through holes of the stem to be uncovered, and the pressurized fluid to travel through the longitudinal cavity of the stem, reach the "compression pre-chamber", be accelerated and exit from the orifice of the nebulization element, creating the nebulization cone.
In the prior art system the correct nebulization requires the fluid to reach the "compression pre-chamber" with sufficient pressure to be accelerated adequately. This depends mainly: 1) on the pre-load imparted by the "pre-loading" spring in relation to the surface area of the inner straight section of the pump body, 2) on the head losses the fluid undergoes in its exit duct, and 3) on the "sensitivity" of the "minimum pressure" valve. On the basis of the first factor mentioned, it is evident that, the spring pre-load value being equal, the smaller the inner diameter of the pump body, the greater the pressure threshold value will be and the better the nebulization will be. On the other hand it is not advantageous to increase the spring pre-load excessively since, for the same inner diameter of the body, the force that the user must impart to the dispensing push-button would be excessive and the use of the device would not be very comfortable.
For the second factor, the smaller the head losses, with the threshold pressure being equal, the more pressure the fluid retains in correspondence with the "compression pre-chamber".
Lastly, the "sensitivity" of the "minimum pressure" valve is its ability to shut the passage when the pressure in the "metering chamber" drops below the threshold value. This generally occurs when the speed with which the dispensing push-button, and thus the stem and piston set, is lowered, is slow. If the "minimum pressure" valve is not very sensitive, the fluid reaches the nebulization clement with insufficient pressure for adequate nebulization.
On the basis of the first factor mentioned above, the prior art pump presents, due to a distinct construction of stem and piston, the drawback of having a pump body with an excessive cross section, and therefore insufficient threshold pressure values are determined with the need to increase spring pre-load.
With regard to the second factor in relation to the prior art pump, since the "minimum pressure" valve, comprised by the piston which covers and, vice versa, uncovers the holes by means of the "pre-loading" spring, is situated away from the "compression pre-chamber", the head losses, i.e. Those along the hollow stem, are significant, and hence pressure in the "compression pre-chamber" can be insufficient.
With reference to the sensitivity of the prior art pump, the friction forces generated between the outer lip of the piston and the inner surface of the pump body tend to hamper the correct closure of the piston pushed by the pre-loading spring, even when pressure in the duct would actually be lower than its threshold value.
Pump systems already exist which use micro-springs associated to micro-shutters positioned inside the cylindrical duct of the stem in the vicinity of the nebulization element, which acting on small sections, maximize, other conditions being equal, the dispensing pressure value. These systems, being independent of friction resistance, also present high "sensitivity".
Although they are able to obviate all drawbacks, the aforementioned systems are particularly complex and, given their small size, the production of their components and their assembly, especially in terms of dimensional precision and repeatability, are very onerous, and thus entail an increase of the final cost of the pumps and of the containers whereto they are applied.

Enhanced micropump for the nebulization of fluids


A power plug structure includes an insulating main body formed with a pair of receiving splits. A power cable having a first and a second electrodes mounted in the main body. A first and a second contact members mounted in the main body and respectively connected with the first and second electrodes of the power cable. A first and a second plug terminals respectively pivotally connected with the first and second contact members. A rotary seat body in which the first and second plug terminals are inlaid. The rotary seat body and the first and second plug terminals can be rotated relative to the insulating main body, whereby the first and second terminals can be received in the receiving splits of the insulating main body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to an improved power plug structure in which the plug terminals can be moved and received in a pair of receiving splits of the insulating main body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional power plug has an insulating main body and at least a pair of terminals fixedly protruding from the main body. The terminals can be plugged into a corresponding power socket. When not used, the fixed terminals cannot be folded to change the angle contained between the terminals and the main body. In addition, after plugged into the socket, the main body often protrudes from the wall face to hinder other appliance from being used. An improved power plug has been developed to solve the above problem. The terminals of the plug can be rotated to change the angle contained between the terminals and the main body. After plugged into the socket, the main body can be folded to attach to the wall face.
However, the above power plug still has some shortcomings as follows:
1. The terminals cannot be accommodated in the insulating main body. The terminals are always exposed to outer side of the main body and tend to be deformed and damaged due to compression (such as tread).
2. The terminals have sharp edges. In some cases, the soft power cable will be cut by the sharp edges of the terminals. This may result in leakage of electricity.
3. The terminals of the plug are arranged in standard pattern and at standard intervals. Some power plug has two terminals. Some other power plug has three terminals including a grounding terminal. In the case of three terminals, the pivoted ends of the terminals are often too close to each other. This often results in short circuit.


A capacitive touch system includes a touch panel, a detection circuit, and a microprocessor. The touch panel includes a plurality of scan areas. Each scan area of the plurality of scan areas includes a plurality of sensing units. The detection circuit is coupled to the touch panel for utilizing the Wheatstone bridge principle to transmit driving signals to the plurality of scan areas in turn to generate a detection result corresponding to each scan area of the plurality of scan areas according to a predetermined timing. The microprocessor is used for generating the predetermined timing to the detection circuit, and determining whether each area is touched according to a detection result corresponding to each scan area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a capacitive touch system and a method of operating a capacitive touch system, and particularly to a capacitive touch system and a method of operating a capacitive touch system that can utilize the Wheatstone bridge principle to quickly detect whether the touch panel is touched.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Please refer to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a touch panel 100, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detection circuit 200 of the touch panel 100, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the detection circuit 200 detecting the touch panel 100 touched by a finger and the touch panel 100 not touched by the finger. As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 100 includes a plurality of sensing lines XS1-XSN along an X axis and a plurality of sensing lines YS1-YSM along a Y axis, where each sensing line is coupled to a plurality of sensing units, and N, M are integers. As shown in FIG. 2, a current source 202 of the detection circuit 200 can charge the plurality of sensing lines XS1-XSN and the plurality of sensing lines YS1-YSM in turn according to a predetermined timing. Therefore, the detection circuit 200 can detect a location of a touch point on the touch panel 100 through capacitance variation of a parasitic capacitor SC of two adjacent sensing units of the touch panel 100. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the touch panel 100 is not touched by the finger, a period for a parasitic capacitor SC between two adjacent sensing units of the plurality of sensing lines XS1-XSN (or the plurality of sensing lines YS1-YSM) being charged to a reference voltage VREF is T1. That is to say, when the parasitic capacitor SC is charged to the reference voltage VREF, a comparator 204 generates a reset signal RS to a counter 206 and a switch 208. Meanwhile, the counter 206 can record the period T1 according to a clock CLK and the reset signal RS of the counter 206 and reset a count of the counter 206 at the period T1, and the switch 208 can reset a potential stored in the parasitic capacitor SC according to the reset signal RS at the period T1 and make an output of the comparator 204 back to an initial state. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when the touch panel 100 is touched by the finger, a period for a parasitic capacitor SC′ (because the parasitic capacitor SC′ is equal to the parasitic capacitor SC being in parallel with a parasitic capacitor caused by the finger, the parasitic capacitor SC′ is greater than the parasitic capacitor SC) between two adjacent sensing units of the plurality of sensing lines XS1-XSN (or the plurality of sensing lines YS1-YSM) touched by the finger being charged to the reference voltage VREF is T2, where the period T2 is greater than the period T1. Therefore, the touch panel 100 can repeat the above mentioned process to detect a touch point of the touch panel 100 through a timing controller. However, the above mentioned detection method can have a slower detection speed, not realize a multi-touch function easily, and be influenced by noise easily.

Capacitive touch system and method of operating a capacitive touch system


A speed select shift mechanism for a belt drive assembly to be installed on a shaft capable of shifting between high, low and neutral speeds is disclosed. The shift mechanism includes a shift collar that is enclosed within an enclosure to prevent debris from contacting the inner operations of the shift mechanism and thereby reduce wear and tear of the shift mechanism along with down time for maintenance of the device. The shift mechanism includes a shaft, a first pulley, a shift collar, a second pulley and a shifter. The shift collar further includes dowels that cooperatively engage corresponding apertures on the pulleys.

The present invention relates generally to a belt drive having a speed selection shift mechanism. In particular, the present invention relates to a shift collar that is moveable and engageable between a pair of drive pulleys.
To shift between speeds on conventional belt drive mechanisms, such as those used on agricultural combines, involves stopping the rotation of the belt drive, removing tension on the belt and moving the belt from one set of pulleys to another. Typically, to accomplish this, a tensioning mechanism for the pulley belt or belts must be disengaged or released. The belt or belts must then be moved from one set of pulleys to a second set of pulleys. Then, the belt tension mechanism must be re-engaged. Belt tension on such belt drive mechanisms is relatively high and thus a mechanical advantage device, such as a relatively long lever arm, is utilized to engage and disengage the tensioning mechanism. Moreover, moving the belt or belts can be difficult due to the length of the belts and/or the location of the belts within the framework of e.g., an agricultural combine.
Thus, what is sought is a belt drive shift mechanism for rotatable items on agricultural machines, such as combines and the like, which eliminates the need for engaging and disengaging the belt tensioning mechanism, and physically moving the belt or belts from one set of pulleys to another. However, conventional belt drive shift mechanisms have a number of drawbacks. For example, due to the arrangement, complexity and shape of conventional shifter mechanisms, such devices are very expensive, difficult to manufacture and easily susceptible to mechanical malfunction as a result of harvesting debris interfering with the mechanical operation of the shifter mechanism.
Thus, there is still a need for a shifter mechanism capable of shifting between a pair of pulleys that addresses the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional shifter mechanisms. Such a need is satisfied by the shift mechanism for a belt drive having a shift mechanism of the present invention.

Belt drive having a speed selection shift mechanism


A sterilization, transporting and storage container tray assembly for a surgical instrument kit comprises a plurality of trays for accommodating surgical instruments, and a rack for holding the trays in a stacked arrangement. The trays are slidably, removably mounted in the rack, and are accessible from the side of the rack. A removable cap is provided for locking the trays in position in the rack, i.e. for transportation, sterilization and storage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to sterilizing trays for surgical instruments, and, more particularly, to an improved storage and sterilization tray system for delivering a plurality of stacked trays for convenient access.
2. Brief Description of Related Prior Art
Surgical procedures are regularly performed using "sets" of pre-selected surgical instruments, each set being a collection of instruments established from experience to be useful in a given surgical procedure. For example, the surgical instruments expected to be used in an obstetrical procedure are grouped together to form a set, and, as a set, are sterilized, stored on a pan or tray, and finally transported on that pan or tray to the operating room when their use is required. Complex procedures typically involve a substantial number of instruments which generally are employed in a preset sequence. Thus, typically, several instrument trays may be necessary to accommodate all of the required surgical instruments. Accordingly, sterilizing cases often are designed to accommodate a plurality of stacking trays with the instruments arranged on the trays in such a manner that the trays are accessed one at a time as the surgical procedure advances. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a sterilizing case 10 includes a bottom tray 12, one or more middle trays 14, a top tray 15 and a removable top or lid 16. Latch means 17 is provided for clamping the lid 16 to the base 12. Typically, latch means 20 may also include handles 9 for carrying the tray assembly 10.
While stacking tray sterilization cases such as shown in FIG. 1 have become widely adopted, such trays have certain disadvantages. For example, incorrect stacking of the trays, i.e. stacking the trays in the wrong order could be disruptive to operating room personnel while they hunt for the correct tray. Also, in extreme circumstances, precious time lost could compromise the safety of a patient. Also, it sometimes may be necessary for operating room personnel to access certain instruments out of normal order. If those instruments are buried in a lower positioned tray, precious time again may be lost.


A control system for hybrid vehicles in which an electric prime mover is connected to an output shaft through a transmission, comprising: a running state judging means for judging whether or not a downshifting is being carried out to increase speed change ratio of the transmission while a vehicle is coasting; a creep torque lowering means for lowering creep torque generated by the electric prime mover, in case the running state judging means judges that the downshifting is being carried out; a speed change termination judging means for judging a termination of the downshifting; and a creep restoring means for raising the lowered creep torque to the previous level subsequent to the termination of downshifting, at a timing which is delayed in comparison with a timing when the torque is raised due to a torsional vibration arising from the downshifting.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a control system for hybrid vehicles having a plurality of prime movers.
The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-120773 filed on Apr. 15, 2004 including specification, drawings and claims is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
One example of a hybrid vehicle is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-225578. The disclosed hybrid vehicle has a drive unit, in which an engine, a first motor generator and an output member are connected through a power distributing mechanism, and the output member and a second motor generator are connected through a transmission. Accordingly, power of the engine is distributed to the output member and to the first motor generator through the power distributing mechanism. The torque is added to or subtracted from the output member by controlling the second motor generator. Additionally, it is possible to improve the fuel economy by controlling the engine speed in line with the optimum fuel economy curve.
According to the hybrid drive unit disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-225578, a transmission capable of being interchanged between a high gear stage and a low gear stage is arranged between the second motor generator for carrying out mainly a torque assist and the output shaft. Therefore, the output torque of the second motor generator is transmitted to the output shaft in accordance with the speed change ratio of the transmission. On the other hand, the transmission carries out the speed change operation by applying or releasing an engagement device, therefore, the torque is not transmitted temporarily at a transient time of the speed change operation.
For this reason, in case a downshifting is carried out by the transmission when the vehicle is run by inertia, the output torque of the second motor generator connected to the input side of the transmission is lowered to suppress an abrupt rise in the speed of the second motor generator. Then, the output torque of the second motor generator is raised to restore a creep torque upon completion of the speed change. In this case, the torque acts on the output shaft at a termination of the speed change so that the output shaft is twisted as a result. If the driving force of the vehicle is raised by the torsional torque simultaneously with the restoration of the creep torque which is lowered during the speed change, the driving torque becomes temporarily excessive. As a result of this, shocks arising from the speed change operation become prominent.


A memory circuit is provided which has a select and a deselect mode. The memory circuit, as part of its technique for quickly accessing data, includes circuitry for generating a pulse in response to detecting an address transition. When the memory circuit switches from the deselect mode to select mode, there appears to be an address transition even when there is not an address transition. In order to prevent a delay associated with interpreting such a false transition as an actual transition, local clock pulse generators are used which only detect high to low transitions in the chip select mode.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to memories which have a chip select function, and more particularly, to asynchronous memories which have the chip select function and which utilize address transition detection.
2. Background Art
A chip select function has long been used in memories to disable a memory chip to reduce power consumption. The memory is not responsive to external address signals when deselected by the chip select signal. While there is a power savings, there is also the potential problem of a loss of speed when switching from the deselected mode to the chip selected mode because the circuitry is powered down and there is a necessary recovery time. It is desirable to disable the input stage of as many input signals as is feasible during the deselect mode. In many modern memories, however, address transition is used for equilibrating bit lines as well as for other functions, for the purpose of increasing the speed of operations which is reflected in lower access times. When an access address buffer which receives an external address signal receives a logic low input, the transition from the deselect to select mode will cause the buffer to provide an address transition which is detected as such if the buffer is disabled during the deselect mode. There is then an unnecessary equalization pulse generated as a consequence of the address buffer being disabled during the deselect mode. There is, however, a delay in generating the equalization pulse. The delay is in enabling the address buffer because of an unavoidable delay in responding to the chip select signal. This causes a longer access time for the case in which the memory chip is coming out of the chip select mode than for the case for an address transition during the select mode. The alternative to having the extended access time has been either to not disable the address buffers during the deselect mode and incur the additional power loss, or to put "masking" circuitry in the chip select access path to disable the address transition pulse during the chip select mode of operation.
In asynchronous static random access memories (SRAMs), no external clock signals are provided. This requires an internally generated clock to provide the timing signals for the chip to operate. The clock signals are produced when an input to the RAM (i.e., an address signal) transitions, implying that some externally connected device, such as a microprocessor, desires the chip to perform either a read or write operation based on new input information. However, an SRAM chip also has another input known as a chip select which places the device either in the active addressable state or in an inactive standby state.
Access delay penalties are paid when the asynchronous SRAM comes out of the standby state into the addressable state. If the device generates a clock pulse, then the delay to activate the chip by transitioning to the chip select mode is added to the standard addressable access time.

Chip select speedup circuit for a memory

International Business Machines Corporation