A roll towel for use in the drying of hands in the lavatory setting is provided. The roll towel includes at least two segments of textile material which include at least 60 percent polyester fiber. The two segments of textile material are spliced together by an ultrasonically formed seam. The seam is made up of a series of bonding points offset from one another by nonbonded segments.

Hand wiping roll towels for use in public lavatories are well known. Such roll towels typically are mounted in a wall hanging cabinet having supply and take-up rolls such that the user can pull down a clean, unused segment of the towel from the supply roll with the previously used segment of the towel being conveyed back to the take-up roll. In the past, such towels have typically been formed primarily of cotton so as to provide the user with the absorbency and texture benefits of such a product.
Roll towels are typically formed from woven fabric structures as are well known to those of skill in the art. The fabric which is formed is thereafter typically sealed at the edges by sewing and then shipped in roll form to rental laundries. In practice, these laundries install clean towels and reclaim soiled towels for cleaning and reuse. The length of such fabric segments is generally in the range of about 21 meters.
As will be appreciated, at times it is necessary to splice segments of material together to form a complete length for use in a roll towel application. More significantly, once the roll towel is in actual use, it may be necessary to cut out damaged or stained portions of the towels and splice the remainder back together. This is particularly true since the towels undergo multiple uses in between which they are washed and inspected. In prior practice, such splicing was generally accomplished by means of standard sewn seams traversing the width of the fabric. While such sewn seams are extremely strong, they are generally considered to be aesthetically unpleasing since the towel tends to take on a dog-bone profile in the vicinity of the seam. This is particularly true once a number of sections of the roll towel material have been cut and spliced back together.
In light of the above, it would be advantageous to have a roll towel wherein a strong, spliced seam may be formed by means other than a standard sewing procedure. The present invention provides such a roll towel and method for forming a splice therein wherein the spliced seam is formed by a patterned ultrasonic bond disposed across the width of the roll towel.


The relative position of a test surface is sequentially changed from a reference position where a surface central axis is aligned with a measurement optical axis such that the measurement optical axis is sequentially moved to a plurality of annular regions obtained by dividing the test surface in a diametric direction. The test surface is rotated on a rotation axis whenever the relative position is changed. Measurement light composed of a plane wave is radiated to the rotating test surface, and a one-dimensional image sensor captures interference fringes at each of a plurality of rotational positions. The shape information of each annular region is calculated on the basis of the captured interference fringes at each rotational position, and the shape information is connected to calculate the shape information of the entire measurement region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical wave interference measuring apparatus that radiates measurement light to a test surface and measures the shape of the test surface on the basis of an interference fringe formed by interference between reference light and returning light from the test surface, and more particularly, to an optical wave interference measuring apparatus suitable for a test surface that is rotationally symmetric and has a complicated shape.
2. Description of the Related Art
A method has been proposed which radiates spherical waves to an aspheric test surface and specifies the shape of the test surface on the basis of an interference fringe formed by interference between the reference light and the returning light from the test surface. However, it is difficult to obtain an interference fringe corresponding to the entire test surface using this method.
Therefore, a method has been proposed which sequentially moves an interferometer or a test surface in a measurement optical axis direction to sequentially generate an interference fringe corresponding to each partial region of the test surface in the diametric direction thereof, analyzes each of the interference fringes to calculate the shape of each partial region of the test surface in the diametric direction, and connects the shapes to specify the shape of the entire test surface (see JP-A-62-126305).
In addition, a method has been proposed which sequentially moves an interferometer or a test surface in a plane perpendicular to the measurement optical axis, enlarges an interference fringe corresponding to each partial region of the test surface to a size that can be analyzed whenever the movement is performed, captures the enlarged interference fringes, analyzes each of the interference fringes to calculate the shape of each partial region of the test surface, and connects the shapes to specify the shape of the entire test surface (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,657).
In recent years, the shape of aspheric lenses has become complicated, and aspheric lenses have been used in which both a concave portion (concave surface portion) and a convex portion (convex surface portion) each having the optical axis (central axis) of the lens surface as its center are formed in one lens surface. It is difficult to measure the shape of the test surface having the concave surface portion and the convex surface portion using an optical interferometer. Therefore, the shape of the test surface has been measured by a three-dimensional shape measuring method using an optical probe.
For example, the reason why it is difficult to measure the shape of the test surface using the optical interferometer is that the concave surface portion and the convex surface portion have opposite gradients with respect to the optical axis of the test surface (when the test surface faces upward, the gradient of the concave surface portion is reduced toward the optical axis, and the gradient of the convex surface portion is increased toward the optical axis). That is, in a general optical interference measurement method, an appropriate interference fringe is obtained from only the region in which measurement light radiated to the test surface is retro-reflected from the test surface (returning light travels through the original optical path in the opposite direction). In the methods disclosed in JP-A-62-126305 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,657 in which the measurement light radiated to the test surface is fixed to a spherical wave that travels along the measurement optical axis while diverging or a spherical wave that travels along the measurement optical axis while converging, the returning light from the test surface travels in different directions in the concave surface portion and the convex surface portion. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain appropriate interference fringes from both the concave surface portion and the convex surface portion.
In addition, an interferometer using a plane wave as the measurement light is generally known. In a test surface having a complicated shape, there is a large variation in the inclination of each partial region of the test surface. Therefore, when each partial region of the test surface is measured while the direction of measurement light radiated to the test surface is changed, the density of the obtained interference fringes is excessively high. Therefore, it is difficult for a general two-dimensional image sensor to analyze the interference fringes with high accuracy since the resolution of the two-dimensional image sensor is too low.

Optical wave interference measuring apparatus


A semiconductor laser element is realized with high beam quality (index M2<1). A diffraction grating 6ba of a diffraction grating layer 6 extends along a principal surface 2a and is provided on a p-side surface 6a of the diffraction grating layer 6; the refractive index of the diffraction grating layer 6 periodically varies in directions extending along the principal surface 2a, in the diffraction grating 6ba; the diffraction grating 6ba has a plurality of holes 6b; the plurality of holes 6b are provided in the p-side surface 6a and arranged in translational symmetry along a square lattice R3; the plurality of holes 6b each have the same size and shape; each hole 6b corresponds to a lattice point of the diffraction grating 6ba and is of a triangular prism shape; a shape of a bottom face 6c of the hole 6b is an approximate right triangle.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a two-dimensional photonic crystal vertical cavity surface emitting laser. Its lattice structure is a square lattice or orthogonal lattice. The lattice structure has translational symmetry. The shape of lattice points is triangular.
Patent Literature 2 discloses a surface emitting laser. The surface emitting laser has a laminated body, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The laminated body has an active layer and a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The laminated body lies between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode has an annular shape. The two-dimensional photonic crystal lases to emit a laser beam. The laser beam has an annular cross-sectional shape and is radially polarized.


A fiber optic adapter assembly reduced in size from a SFP footprint to a SC footprint to accommodate a first fiber optic connector on a first side within one or more ports, and a second fiber optic connector on a second side within one or more ports. The first fiber optic connector is a duplex fiber optic connector with an overall length of about 50 mm and the second fiber optic connector is a behind-the-wall connector with an overall length of about 15 mm thereby reducing the overall length of a connector and adapter assembly for increasing optical fiber density.

The use of fiber optics for communications purposes continues to grow. Data, voice, and other communication networks are increasingly using fiber optics to carry information. Conventional fiber optic cables include optical fibers that conduct light in the transmission of voice, video, and data information. Optical cables have the advantages of large bandwidth and low power loss. Typical applications for optical cables include fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-desk (FTTD), fiber-to-the-antenna (FTTA), plenum, riser, local area networks (LANs), and closed circuit television systems (CCTV).
In a fiber optic network, each individual fiber is generally connected to both a source and a destination device. Additionally, along the fiber optic run between the source and the destination, various connections or couplings may be made on the optical fiber to adjust the length of the fiber. Each connection or coupling requires a connector and adapter to align the fibers such that the light can transmit over the connection without interruption.
Fiber optic connectors of a wide variety of designs have been employed to terminate optical fiber cables and to facilitate connection of the cables to other cables or other optical fiber transmission devices. A typical fiber optic connector includes a ferrule which mounts and centers an optical fiber or fibers within the connector. The ferrule may be fabricated of ceramic or other suitable material. A multi-fiber optic cable is terminated in the connector, and a plurality of individual optical fibers of the cable may be terminated in the ferrule. A popular type of fiber optic cable is a multi-fiber flat, or ribbon cable.
Adapters are configured to accept opposing fiber optic connectors along a longitudinal path formed by opposing ports. A first port and a second port are configured to accept similar fiber optic connectors to form an optical signal pathway for a simplex adapter. A duplex adapter has two ports side-by-side on a first side and two opposing ports on a second side. Each port has internal structure such as hooks, alignment sleeves or cut-outs formed as part of the inner body structure of an outer housing of the adapter body to accept a first fiber optic connector and a second fiber optic connector where the first fiber optic connector opposing the second fiber optic connector may be of the same type of fiber optic connector or dissimilar fiber optic connectors. Each fiber optic connector has at least one ferrule or two ferrules side-by-side with at least one optical fiber therein. A simplex fiber optic connector has one ferrule. A duplex fiber optic connector has two ferrules. A fiber optic connector may have a mechanical transfer ferrule with a plural of optical fibers therein such as twelve (12) or twenty-four (24). Each ferrule is assembled with a ferrule flange and the ferrule itself, and the ferrule is received within an alignment sleeve holder opening. The ferrule assembly comprising the ferrule, ferrule flange, and alignment sleeve holder are all biased by a spring at a distal end of the ferrule assembly.


At least one donor cylinder is coupled to an intake manifold. The intake manifold is configured to feed a mixture of air and a first fuel, or a mixture of air, the first fuel, and a second fuel to the at least one donor cylinder. At least one non-donor cylinder is coupled to the intake manifold and an exhaust manifold. The intake manifold is further configured to feed air, or a mixture of air and the second fuel to the at least one non-donor cylinder. An exhaust channel extend from the at least one donor cylinder to the intake manifold for recirculating an exhaust emission from the at least one donor cylinder to the at least one donor, and non-donor cylinders via the intake manifold.

The invention relates generally to engines, and more specifically to engines using more than one fuel.
Compression-ignition engines, such as diesel engines, operate by directly injecting a fuel (e.g., diesel fuel) into compressed air in one or more piston-cylinder assemblies, such that the heat of the compressed air ignites the fuel-air mixture. Compression-ignition engines also can include a glow plug or grid heater to provide heat to ensure ignition, particularly during cold start conditions. The direct fuel injection atomizes the fuel into droplets, which evaporate and mix with the compressed air in the combustion chambers of the piston-cylinder assemblies. Typically, compression-ignition engines operate at a relatively higher compression ratio than spark ignition engines. The compression ratio directly affects the engine performance, efficiency, exhaust pollutants, and other engine characteristics. In addition, the fuel-air ratio affects engine performance, efficiency, exhaust pollutants, and other engine characteristics. Exhaust emissions generally include pollutants such as carbon oxides (e.g., carbon monoxide), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and particulate matter (PM). The amount and relative proportion of these pollutants varies according to the fuel-air mixture, compression ratio, injection timing, environmental conditions (e.g., atmospheric pressure, temperature, etc.), and so forth.
A dual-fuel engine is an alternative internal combustion engine designed to run on more than one fuel, for example, natural gas and diesel, each stored in separate vessels. Such engines are capable of burning varying proportions of the resulting blend of fuels in the combustion chamber and the fuel injection or spark timing may be adjusted according to the blend of fuels in the combustion chamber. For dual fuel operation where one of the fuel is premixed with air, a reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions is enabled by combusting a relatively larger fraction of the premixed fuel. However, one challenge is that some of the air-fuel mixture is trapped at the crevices proximate to an edge of the piston, resulting in efficiency loss and increased hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. In certain cases, the exhaust emissions may be subjected to after treatment, but the energy associated with the exhaust emissions is not used to generate useful work.
There is a need for an improved system and method for engines operating on more than one fuel.

Engine utilizing a plurality of fuels, and a related method thereof


A roof structure for an electric arc smelting furnace includes a spider frame for supporting a plurality of independent removable coolant coil sections. An inner coil section is generally annular in shape and includes a coolant pipe which spirals completely around a central opening in the roof structure. An intermediate coil section is also generally annular in shape, but includes a coolant pipe which extends around the circumference of the inner section, reverses itself around the circumference of the first pipe of the intermediate section, and then reverses itself once again around the circumference of the second coolant pipe of the intermediate section, to form a generally serpentine pattern. A plurality of semi-annular outer coil sections are supported radially outwardly from the intermediate coil section. Each outer section includes a first pipe located generally centrally within the semi-annular section and extending from end to end. A second pipe reverses the coolant flow and is located radially outwardly from the first pipe. A third coolant pipe is connected to the second coolant pipe and is located radially inwardly of the first coolant pipe within the outer section.

Electric arc furnaces are utilized in the production of steel from scrap and the like. Smelting furnaces typically are designed as welded steel structures with water cooled walls and roof panels to protect the structure against the high temperatures of the furnace.
Currently, furnace roofs are provided with a plurality of generally pie-shaped cooling coil panels made from pipes which are removably mounted to a spider frame on the roof. In this way, failure of weld joints or the pipe may be repaired by removing and replacing one of the removable coil panels.
However, current cooling coil panels suffer several drawbacks. Each prior art panel is typically formed from lengths of pipe connected in a serpentine shape with gradually increasing lengths of pipe between end caps. Thus, in forming a "pie-shaped" panel, the point of the panel has a very short length of pipe between a pair of generally U-shaped end caps to return the pipe in the opposite direction. It can be seen that in such a design, many turns in the pipe are necessary to create the desired shape. Each such turn requires welded joints, which are the main areas of failure in such coolant coils. Each turn in the pipe also forms a restriction to water flow through the pipe, thereby reducing the velocity of water flow and increasing the pressure within the pipe.
Another problem with prior art pie-shaped designs for cooling coil panels lies in the fact that higher stresses and greater failure rates occur near the center of the roof section as compared to the outer peripheral region of the roof section. Thus, a pie-shaped panel is more likely to have only a small portion of the coil damaged by heat and stress near the point of the pie-shaped section. The replacement of such a panel thereby throws out a large portion of cooling coil which has not been damaged, thereby increasing maintenance costs and wasting materials.
Finally, the pie-shaped design of prior art coil panels utilizes a serpentine arrangement of pipe with the adjacent pipe lengths welded together and connected by caps with a tight 180.degree. turn. Such a serpentine design restricts expansion, and builds greater stresses on each weld because of the number of tight caps which are utilized.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved electric arc furnace roof with removable cooling coils.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a furnace roof with cooling coils which have fewer turns than conventional serpentine designs of pie-shaped panels.
Yet another object is to provide a furnace roof with a plurality of cooling coils designed to permit replacement of coils in high stress areas independently of coils in lower stress areas of the roof.
These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Coolant coils for a smelting furnace roof


A micromechanical apparatus includes a microelectronic substrate and a tiltable body thereon. The tiltable body includes a plate configured to tilt about an axis parallel to the microelectronic substrate and a tilt stop engaging portion disposed axially adjacent the plate. A range of rotation of the plate about the axis is defined by contact of the tilt stop engaging portion with a tilt stop on the substrate. The microelectronic substrate may have an opening therein configured to receive the plate, and the tilt stop may include a surface of the microelectronic substrate adjacent the opening. An actuator, such as an electrostatic actuator, may tilt the tiltable body about the axis. Related operation and fabrication methods are also described.

This invention relates to micromechanical apparatus, and more specifically, to moveable microstructures for use in optical and other microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have been developed as alternatives to conventional electromechanical devices. MEMS devices are potentially low-cost devices, due to the use of microelectronic fabrication techniques. New functionality also may be provided, because MEMS devices can be much smaller than conventional electromechanical devices.
A common application of MEMS technology is in the fabrication of moveable mirrors and other optical devices. For example, MEMS techniques have been used to fabricate moveable micromirrors for use in directing light in devices such as bar code scanners, optical switches and projection video displays. Examples of MEMS micromirror structures are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,399 to Stern et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,629 to McClelland et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,460 to Tran et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,042 to Dhuler et al.
Many conventional micromirror structures include a body that bears a mirror surface and that is suspended above a substrate by a xe2x80x9chingexe2x80x9d that provides rotation of the mirror surface about an axis. Arrays of such structures may be used in devices such as optical switches or video display devices. In many applications, it may be desirable to fabricate multiple mirrors with differing sizes and deflection angles on a single substrate.
According to embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus includes a microelectronic substrate and a tiltable body thereon. The tiltable body includes a plate configured to tilt about an axis and a tilt stop engaging portion axially displaced with respect to the plate. A range of rotation of the plate about the axis is defined by contact of the tilt stop engaging portion with a tilt stop on the substrate.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the microelectronic substrate has an opening therein configured to receive the plate, and the tilt stop comprises a surface of the microelectronic substrate adjacent the opening. In other embodiments of the present invention, the tiltable body is attached to the microelectronic substrate by first and second spaced apart supports. The tiltable body may include first and second beams attached to respective ones of the first and second spaced-apart supports. An optical device region, such as a mirror, a lens, a filter, a refractive or other optical coating, a prism, or an optical source, may be disposed on the plate. The apparatus may further include an actuator, such as an electrostatic actuator, that is operative to move the tiltable body about the axis.
In method embodiments of the present invention, a micromechanical device may be fabricated by forming a tiltable body on a microelectronic substrate, the tiltable body including a plate configured to tilt about an axis and a tilt stop engaging portion axially displaced with respect to the plate. A range of rotation of the plate about the axis is defined by contact of the tilt stop engaging portion with a tilt stop on the substrate. The range of rotation may be controlled by controlling the extent of the tilt stop engaging portion.

Microelectromechanical apparatus with tiltable bodies including variable tilt-stop engaging portions and methods of operation and fabrication therefor


The present invention relates to novel strains of Bacillus and methods of their use for enhancing the growth, promoting plant health or controlling diseases or pests of a plant.

The Bacillus genus comprises numerous endospore-forming bacteria that have myriad uses in the agricultural and animal nutrition fields, among others. Several strains of Bacillus are currently marketed for use as plant growth promoters and/or biocontrol agents against insect pests and diseases (see, e.g., Masaaki Morikawa, "Beneficial Biofilm Formation by Industrial Bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Related Species," Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering (2006) 101(1):1-8; Kloepper, et al., "Induced Systemic Resistance and Promotion of Plant Growth by Bacillus spp.," Phytopathology (2004) 94(11):1259-1266). These organic, environmentally-friendly alternatives have found wide-spread acceptance among agronomists and horticulturists due to their effectiveness as plant growth promoters and as biopesticides.
Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive soil bacterium, which is often found in the plant rhizosphere. B. subtilis, like many species of bacteria, can exhibit two distinct modes of growth, a free-swimming, planktonic mode of growth and a sessile biofilm mode in which an aggregate of cells secrete an extracellular matrix to adhere to each other and/or to a surface (Branda, et al., "Fruiting Body Formation by Bacillus subtilis," Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2001) 98:11621-11626; Hamon and Lazazzera, "The Sporulation Transcription Factor Spo0A is Required for Biofilm Development in Bacillus subtilis," Mol. Microbiol. (2001) 52:847-860). The pathways utilized by bacteria such as B. subtilis to build biofilms are extremely diverse, varying enormously within and among different species and under different environment conditions (Bais, et al., "Biocontrol of Bacillus subtilis Against Infection of Arabidopsis Roots by Pseudomonas syringae is Facilitated by Biofilm Formation and Surfactin Production," Plant Physiol. (2004) 134:307-319; Lemon et al., "Biofilm Development with an Emphasis on Bacillus subtilis," (2008) Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology (2008) 322:1-16). It has somewhat recently been recognized that biofilm formation by specific strains of B. subtilis and related species may help control infection caused by plant pathogens (Morikawa (2006), supra).
Biofilm morphology and chemical composition vary across species and strains. Mucoid colony morphology and production of γ-polyglutamic acid occurring in wild Bacillus subtilis strains has been correlated with enhanced biofilm formation, while flat, dry colony morphology occurring in domestic (or lab) strains has been correlated with decreased biofilm formation. See Stanley, N. and Lazazzera, B. "Defining the Genetic Differences Between Wild and Domestic Strains of Bacillus subtilis that Affect Poly-γ-DL-Glutamic Acid Production and Biofilm Formation," Molecular Microbiology (2005) 57(4): 1143-1158 at 1145. The Branda paper (supra, 2001) described deficiencies in biofilms with non-mucoid colony morphology, such as flat, small, dry colonies, which grew laterally and eventually fused with each other, leading to small colonies lacking aerial structures. The Stanley paper, however, described a hybrid Bacillus subtilis strain having a loss of function mutation in the swrA locus that formed flat, dry colonies and showed enhanced biofilm formation. (The hybrid strain was a congression-made combination of a domestic strain with the DNA from a wild strain that is responsible for mucoid colony morphology.) Applicants have found that wild Bacillus strains with reduction or loss of function mutations to the swrA locus produce flat, dry colonies that form robust biofilms and, further, that formulated fermentation products consisting of such cells enhance plant health, lead to more robust root colonization compared to strains containing the wild type swrA gene, and control plant diseases and pests, such as nematodes.
Commercial agriculture and home gardening would both benefit from the availability of different and improved sources of Bacillus strains for use in enhancing plant growth, promoting plant health, controlling plant pests and diseases and providing alternatives to chemical nematicides. The present invention provides a new class of such bacterial strains and improved methods of their use by manipulation of biofilm formation.


A retaining ring for use with a fastener is disclosed. The retaining ring comprises a plurality of substantially t-shaped internal tabs that oppose one another and are about twice as thick as the exterior of the ring. The ring is installed onto a fastener having at least two longitudinally-oriented slots by locating a tab into one of the slots and snapping another tab into another slot, thereby momentarily elongating during installation. The tabs substantially reduce the possibility of accidental removal of the retaining ring. In addition, resistance and damage to the internal tabs of the retaining ring is substantially reduced when the retaining ring slides axially in the longitudinal slots of the fastener. Since only the longitudinally-oriented slots are required for installation, the axially-oriented entry slots and cross-over slots of some fastener embodiments can be eliminated, thereby significantly reducing fastener cost and manufacturing time.

The current fastener utilizes longitudinal slots that extend from underneath the fastener head to almost the opposite end of the fastener. There are at least two longitudinal slots per fastener. The location of these longitudinal slots extend through the non-threaded "grip" or "shank" portion and also the threaded segment of the fastener. The length of the longitudinal slots terminate a short distance from the fastener's end and allow a ledge of material to be present. At a prescribed angle from the longitudinal slots are located two other axial slots; these slots are called "entry slots" for the installation of the retaining ring. These axial "entry slots" are considerably shorter in length as compared to longitudinal slots. At the termination of the entry slots, they are joined with another slot that connects the entry slot with the much longer longitudinal slots. This "cross over" slot is normal to the entry slots and the longer longitudinal slots.
Upon installation, the fastener is placed through a mating hole in the outer panel. An internally tabbed retaining ring is aligned with the entry slots, and slid a short distance until it reaches the cross over slot. At that junction, the retaining ring is then rotated toward the longitudinal slots. When the retaining ring tabs are in the longitudinal slots, the retaining ring is free to move axially and retain the fastener to the outer panel. The weakness with this design is that the retaining ring, once installed, can be removed almost as easily as it was installed. During normal installations and removals, the retaining ring occasionally catches a retaining ring tab in the cross over slot. When this occurs, the retaining ring may remove itself and the tabs may be damaged and deformed. The thinness of the tabs occasionally cause a slight restriction of movement with the axial walls of the longitudinal slots, especially when the retaining ring is severely angled. Finally, the addition of the entry and cross over slot adds additional manufacturing cost to the fabrication.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a retaining ring for use with a panel fastener that substantially reduces accidental removal from the longitudinal slots of the fastener.
Another object of the invention is to substantially reduce the accidental removal and hanging up of the retaining ring should it attempt entering the cross over slots of the fastener.
Another object of this invention is to substantially reduce the possibility of resistance and damage to the internal tabs of the retaining ring when the retaining ring slides axially in the longitudinal slots of the fastener.
A further object of this invention is to provide a method of installing the retaining ring to the fastener that only requires longitudinal slots on the fastener, and that does not involve sliding or twisting of the retaining ring.
These and other objects and advantages are met or exceeded by the instant invention, and will become more fully understood and appreciated with reference to the following description.

Snap on retaining ring with enhanced tab thickness


A broadside microstrip coupler employs a first transmission line which consists of a series of capacitor plates which alternate between a dielectric layer from a first location to a second location and each of the series of plates are connected together with a top plate on the top surface of the dielectric and a bottom plate located a given distance beneath the dielectric layer. A second transmission line alternates between the top and bottom layers of the dielectric and consists of a second series of plates where each capacitor is connected to an adjacent plate with the top plate of the first connecting to the bottom plate of the second and the bottom plate of the first connecting to the top plate of the second and so on. This pattern is repeated so that the conductive plate path alternates from the top to the bottom plate. The coupler allows for tight coupling between inputs and outputs and enables the even and odd mode phase velocity differences to be compensated for due to the fact that the odd mode travels between the two conductors and the even mode travels between the conductor and the ground plate.

Directional couplers are a very common element in RF and microwave systems. A directional coupler is a reciprocal, four-port circuit consisting of two pairs of ports in which (a) the ports of each pair are mutually isolated from one another, and (b) one pair of ports are matched. The ideal directional coupler takes power, which is incident at a first port, and transmits the power to two output ports with no transmitted power to a fourth port known as the isolated port. The quality of a coupler is measured by the insertion loss from an input port to an output port and by its directivity which is the ratios of power at the isolated port to the power at the coupler port.
Directional couplers operate on the principle of constructive and destructive interference of two waves. A signal at the input splits into two waves that arrive at the isolated port 180.degree. out of phase with one another and therefore cancel one another. At the direct and coupled output ports, these waves arrive in phase with one another and interfere constructively. A directional coupler may be used as a power level monitor, a local oscillator injection device, an attenuator, a power combiner/divider, or a device to produce a fixed relative phase angle between two signals.
At high frequencies, directional couplers are implemented by allowing two transmission lines to couple. Such directional couplers have been made by means of mechanical designs, stripline, microstrip and other types of transmission medium, relatively popular in a microwave field. See a text entitled "Microwave Semiconductors Circuit Design" by W. Allan Davis published by Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1984, Chapter 2 entitled "Passive Microwave Components".
The stripline broadside coupler is widely used and employs well established technology. The broadside coupler gets its name because the broadside of flat conductors effect the coupling. Typically such conductors are a quarter wave length long. The reason why the broadsides are used for coupling is that coupling from the edges is insufficient to form heavily coupled devices, such as 3 dB couplers. Because the stripline coupler has two ground planes and a homogeneous dielectric, TEM propagation occurs and the even and odd phase velocities are identical which gives good bandwidth, directivity, and VSWR. It is understood that directivity is the measure of how much signal is present at the isolation port.
Another type of coupler in widespread use is the microstrip coupler. Microstrip has only one ground plane with the conductor supported by a layer of dielectric and therefore does not truly support TEM propagation. This type of coupler has two major problems. The first problem is the fact that it is very hard to manufacture a 3 dB coupler because the dimensional separation is very tight and therefore extremely critical. Prior art approaches have attempted to solve that problem by using interdigital techniques, as by interdigitating the coupler. The lack of true TEM propagation causes another problem. Because the even mode travels in the dielectric and the odd mode (the coupling fields between the conductors) travels in the air and dielectric the odd mode travels faster, reducing the directivity and bandwidth of the coupler. This is a major problem with microstrip.
It is desirable to use microstrip for a coupler as microstrip is used in a majority of microwave integrated circuits (MICs) and monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs).

Microstrip twisted broadside coupler apparatus


A system including a monitoring device dimensioned for placement on a human. The monitoring device including a plurality of sensors for monitoring a sleep position, a temperature, a carbon dioxide level and a respiration of the human. The system further including a processing unit coupled to the monitoring device, the processing unit capable of processing information from the plurality of sensors and performing an algorithm to determine the presence of a sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk factor based on the information. A method may include monitoring two or more of a sleep position, a respiration, a temperature and a carbon dioxide level of a subject. An algorithm may be automatically performed based on the monitoring, to determine the presence of a SIDS risk factor. The results of the algorithm may be displayed and an alert can be sent to, for example, a mobile device based on the risk level.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is one of the most mysterious disorders in medicine. While the pathophysiologic mechanisms of SIDS are not fully understood, many key environmental risk factors for SIDS are known. The most important discovery has been that the prone sleep position triples the risk for SIDS. This discovery led to the national Back to Sleep campaign in 1994 and, a dramatic, 58% decrease in SIDS incidence. Because SIDS commonly occurs in apparently healthy infants, effective interventions for SIDS will have impact on all 4.1 million infants born in the U.S. each year.
Although the Back to Sleep campaign had tremendous initial success, SIDS is still the leading cause of infant death beyond the first month of life, and its incidence has not changed since 2000. Scientific and public health communities now face two critical barriers: (1) the roles of environmental risk factors in mechanisms leading to SIDS remain unclear (i.e., why does Back To Sleep work?); and (2) despite substantial resources devoted to educating the public, >30% of U.S. infants (1.2 million) do not sleep in the recommended supine position.
Apnea monitors have been used in infants for over 30 years. However, these monitors of cardiorespiratory parameters have not prevented SIDS because they target the wrong parameters. Furthermore, changes in physiologic parameters are hard to recognize by parents and often occur too late for intervention. These monitors focused on only the physiologic parameters of the infant but not the important environmental risk factors and how the infant responds to the environmental changes. Thus, SIDS research and prevention has encountered major obstacles and SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants over 1 month of age.

Monitor for SIDS research and prevention

Los Angeles Biomedical Research Insitute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center


A cursor movement control key and electronic keyboard for a computer having a video display incorporates a force-sensitive resistor having a junction resistance which varies inversely with pressure applied thereto. The external key cap engages an actuator which bears against the force-sensitive resistor. The actuator has a plurality of four pads which bear against respective electrode regions of the force-sensitive resistor. The pads are positioned at the 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree., and 270.degree. positions. The actuator mounts relative to a keyboard mounting plate. At least one of the actuator and mounting plate include opposed lateral projections which engage relative to the other of the actuator and mounting plate to both, a) retain the actuator to the mounting plate, and yet b) allow clearance for tilting movement of the actuator relative to the mounting plate. The force-sensitive resistor is comprised of a material which is predictably and consistently responsive to operator proportional force inputs between about 50 grams and 175 grams. The opposing electrode regions are connected with parallel resistances which cause the resulting resistance response to be more linear for operator force inputs below some preset value selected somewhere between about 50 and 175 grams.

A computer operator typically inputs data through a keyboard and views the output via a video display screen. The location at which the information is entered relative to the screen is determined by the position of a cursor or cross-hair marker. The operator must be provided with a means of moving the cursor or other marker about the screen to enable data input at desired locations. As cursor positioning may be required at any location on the screen, means must be provided for both vertical and horizontal movement of the cursor. Accordingly, essentially every keyboard is provided with four cursor movement control keys which move the cursor straight up, straight down, straight left or straight right. Diagonal or other angled movements are generated by successive pushing of two of the cursor movement control keys.
With the advent of computer graphics and graphical user interfaces, pointing devices have been designed which enable the user to move a cursor quickly, easily and directly to any desired location on a screen. These devices include data tablets, mice, trackballs and joy sticks. Such devices are typically incorporated in a housing separate from the computer keyboard. Such consumes desk space, and is typically unsuited for portable computers such as the increasingly popular lap-top and notebook size computers. Trackballs have been incorporated into keyboards, but they typically consume a large amount of space.
It would be desirable to incorporate cursor/cross-hair movement control of any direction into a single key positioned within the confines of a conventional computer keyboard housing. Preferably, the size of such a key would be no greater than the existing size of any alphanumeric key on a keyboard. One such key is shown by way of example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,577. Sliding movements of such control key impart cursor movement on the screen.
Another more recent type of cursor movement control key employs force-sensitive resistors for registering operator key inputs. A force-sensitive resistor is typically comprised of two polymer sheets laminated or otherwise spaced closely relative to one another. One sheet is coated with spaced conductive interdigiting electrodes. The other sheet is coated with a polymer film which exhibits decreasing resistance with increasing force applied normal to the film surface. When force is applied to the opposing sheets, the conductive polymer material shunts the interdigiting electrodes to a greater or lesser degree depending upon the applied force. Thus, greater force results in greater current flow between the interdigiting electrodes.
Force-sensitive resistors were first developed for use in musical instruments such as electric drums and pianos, and as well have found use in electronic computer keyboard switches. Example construction and operation of force-sensitive resistors are explained in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,268,815; 4,276,538; 4,301,337; 4,314,227; 4,314,228; 4,315,238; 4,451,714; 4,489,302; 4,739,299; 4,810,992; and 4,963,702, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Such force-sensitive resistors exhibiting a desired force-resistance relationship can be purchased through Interlink Electronics of Santa Barbara, Calif. and Carpenteria, Calif.
One prior art cursor movement control key for a computer having a video display, and which employs a force-sensitive resistor, is illustrated in FIG. 1A in partial section and designated with reference numeral 10. FIG. 1A is a partial diagrammatic section of a keyboard which supports an external key cap or body 12 for depression and tilting movement. Electronic computer keyboards include what is commonly referred to as a top mounting plate 14 and a bottom or backing plate 16. An actuator/housing 18 is suspended as shown within an opening 19 of mounting plate 14, and supports external key 12 for depression relative thereto. A rubber dome sheet 20 and switching membrane 22 are provided between actuator 18 and backing plate 16. Components or sheets 14, 20, 22, and 16 are typically each of a unitary construction extending throughout the keyboard key area.
Rubber dome sheet 20 functions as a biasing means for biasing the keys to their normal, extended positions using resiliently collapsible domes 15. Switching membrane 22 incorporates opposed conductive elements which function as on-off switches depending upon the relative position of external key 12. Switching membrane 22 also incorporates the above-described force-sensitive resistor material, as will be more fully described below. External cap 12 would be retained relative to actuator 18 by means of conventional spring clips (not shown) which also enable depression of cap 12 relative to actuator 18. Actuator 18 is retained relative to the keyboard by means of screws 24, screw plate 26, and adjustable spring 29, as will be more fully described below. FIG. 1A illustrates key 10 in its fully extended position, while FIG. 2A illustrates key 10 in a depressed condition. FIGS. 1B and 2B are enlarged sectional views of switching membrane 22 in its extended and depressed conditions, respectively.
More particularly and with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, actuator 18 is of a rotated square-diamond shape, which is complementary to the size and shape of opening 19 in mounting plate 14. Actuator 18 includes three threaded holes 26 at its periphery which receive mounting and tension screws 24, for reasons which will be more fully described below. A raised portion 28 is provided in the center of actuator 18, and includes an opening or hole 30 extending therethrough. External key 12 includes a transverse stem 13 (FIGS. 1A, 2A) which is slidably received within opening 30. Key 12 and actuator 18 are constructed such that limited movement of key 12 is possible relative to actuator 18. Specifically, the length of stem 13 is sufficient such that depression of key 12 will cause collapsing of dome 15 of rubber dome sheet 20 and, at such point, cause engagement of a portion 17 of external key 12 with actuator raised portion 28. At this point, continued depression of key 12 transfers force and correspondingly limited movement directly to actuator 18 by such engagement.
Actuator 18 includes four actuator nodules 32 positioned diagonally relative to raised portion 28 from the underside of actuator 18 (FIG. 4). Actuator nodules 32 are so positioned for engagement with isolated conductive electrode regions of a force-sensitive resistor, which will become more apparent from the continuing discussion. Depression of external key 12 engages cap stem 13 and actuator nodules 32 through dome sheet 20 against switching membrane 22.
Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1B, 2B and 3, switching membrane 22 is comprised of a top layer 34, a spacer layer 36, and a bottom layer 38. A pair of opposed conductive switch contacts 40, 42 are provided on the underside of top layer 34 and top side of bottom layer 38, respectively. Contacts 40, 42 are positioned beneath dome 15 of dome sheet 20 and are depressible against one another through an opening 44 provided for such purpose in spacer middle layer 36.
A series of four isolated and conductive interdigiting electrodes 46 is formed on the underside of top layer 34. Each electrode region is positioned diagonally at the 45.degree., 135.degree., 225.degree. and 325.degree. positions relative to opposed contacts 40, 42, and collectively they form an outer shape of a square. Electrode regions 46 and actuator nodules 32 are positioned relative to one another such that respective nodules 32 engage in the respective centers of isolated electrode regions 46. A force-sensitive resistive polymer 48 is continuously provided about the top of middle layer 36 to correspond in positioning to electrode regions 46.
As evident from FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B, depression of key 12 closes switch contacts 40 and 42, transfers pressing force against actuator 18, and correspondingly force to force-sensitive resistor regions 46 and 48 through actuator nodules 32. Actuator 18 is supported for limited angular tilting movement within mounting plate opening 19 for loading and unloading of various of the four conductive grid regions based upon where and how the operator depresses and angles key 12. The circuitry and software interprets the relative loadings of the various force-sensitive resistor electrode regions to impart cursor movement. Additionally, the quantity of force applied by the user affects conductivity through the respective force-sensitive resistor grid regions, with such information being used to impact the speed of cursor movement. The harder the depression applied by the operator, the faster the cursor movement.
The force versus resistance characteristics of the force-sensitive resistor of FIGS. 1-4 is illustrated graphically in FIG. 5. As evident, resistance drops as the amount of applied force increases. Also, force inputs at less than 200 grams fall on a significantly steep area of the curve. Accordingly, very minor changes in force in this area produce drastically different current flows, resulting in erratic or unpredictable operation. Equally important, a 200 gram pressure input by a user's finger is excessive and would not provide the desired and necessary tactile feel over the key for precise operator control of cursor movement. With the cursor movement control key FIGS. 1-4, such drawbacks or limitations are partially overcome by preloading the force-sensitive resistor to enable operator inputs significantly less than 200 grams and which enable more predictable operation for proportional operator force inputs.
Such preloading is achieved by or through the illustrated screws 24, screw plate 26, and tension spring 29 (FIGS. 1A and 1B). Screws 24 are slidably received through respective openings in screw plate 26 and thread into openings 27 on actuator 18. Spring 29 is sandwiched between screw plate 26 and the underside of backing plate 16. At manufacture and test, screws 24 are threaded sufficiently to draw actuator 18 against membrane 22 to provide a desired and equal preloading effect against each of electrode regions 46 such that reliable operation will be obtained with lighter operator force inputs. Such a construction is not however without drawbacks. For example, the requirement for adjustment increases problems and the time required at manufacture. Further, the construction could fall out of adjustment in operation, requiring the end user to attempt to readjust the required preload or effectively shorten the life of the key.
An additional drawback associated with the above-described construction relates to the diagonal positioning of electrode regions 46 relative to the orientation of the key. Such orientation in operation can provide less than desirable reliability when moving a key in the precise 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree. or 270.degree. positions, which are the predominant directions which operators move the cursor.
It would be desirable to overcome these and other drawbacks associated with cursor movement control keys for a computer having a video display which incorporate force-sensitive resistors.

Cursor movement control key and electronic computer keyboard for computers having a video display


Nutritional or therapeutic compositions containing glutamic acid, cystine, glycine and a selenium precursor and methods for their utilization to increase glutathione synthesis and thereby enhance the immune system are described.

Glutathione is a tripeptide and a major reducing agent in the mammalian body. Its chemical structure is: or, more simplyGLU-CYS-GLY
Its chemical name is glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine.
Like many other small peptides in the mammalian body, it is not synthesized by procedures involving DNA, RNA and ribosomes. Rather, it is synthesized from the amino acids available in the body by procedures utilizing enzymes and other body components such as adenosine triphosphate as an energy source.
It is generally recognized that many disease processes are attributed to the presence of elevated levels of free radicals, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, singlet oxygen, peroxynitrite, hydroxyl radicals, hypochlorous acid (and other hypohalous acids) and nitric oxide.
Mammalian cells have numerous mechanisms to eliminate these damaging free radicals and reactive species. One such mechanism includes the glutathione system, which plays a major role in direct destruction of reactive oxygen compounds and also plays a role in the body's defense against infection.
It is known that insufficient levels of glutathione may result in the onset of numerous diseases. Diseases of aging appear to be associated with a drop in glutathione levels. Moreover, since there is no evidence of transport of glutathione into cells, glutathione must be produced intra cellularly.
One of the most important contributions of glutathione to mammalian health is its participation in the proper functioning of the immune system to respond to infection or other types of trauma. It is known that weakening of the immune system caused by infection or other traumas occurs concurrently with depletion of glutathione in body tissues. It is known, also, that such weakening can be reversed by replenishing the supply of glutathione. It is believed that glutathione accomplishes its salutary effects by protecting immune cells against the ravages of oxidizing agents and free radicals.
There is a need for compositions and methods to aid in elimination of damaging free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. One possible mechanism for achieving this may be through enhancement of glutathione levels in patients utilizing precursors for glutathione synthesis.
There is some question as to whether orally ingested glutathione is available to enhance the immune system. Since it is a tripeptide, conventional wisdom suggests that it would be hydrolyzed in the intestinal system to release the free amino acids. Even if some of the tripeptide gets through the gastrointestinal wall intact, it is questionable whether it can be absorbed as such into the individual cell, rather than being synthesized intracellularly. Some experts are of the opinion that glutathione resists hydrolysis when taken orally. In any event, it is generally acknowledged that an increase in tissue and cellular concentrations of glutathione facilitates resistance to infective agents by enhancing the immune system.
The mucous membrane is the membrane which lines those body passages which communicate directly or indirectly with the exterior. For purposes of this invention, the important parts of the mucous membrane are those portions which line the oral passage, the nose, the anus and the vagina since the compositions are intended for sublingual, buccal, nasal, anal and or vaginal delivery. Oral delivery by sublingual or buccal routes is much preferred because of its convenience. Such delivery may be, for example, in the form of pills, lozenges and tablets which may be retained in the mouth until dissolved. In rare instances, parenteral delivery may be utilized, but this is normally not necessary.

Nutritional or therapeutic compositions to increase bodily glutathione levels


A truss connector for releasably coupling ends of truss structures in a quick and uniform fashion. The connector connects trusses, end-to-end, by binding to their tubular truss members in spigot fashion with an arbor, traveling nut and expandable collet assembly and by binding to the truss gusset plates in a directly fastened, mated plate assembly.

The present invention generally relates to a mechanical device for releasably coupling truss structures and is specifically directed to an apparatus adapted to simultaneously join, with complete and uniform rigidity, the aligned ends of chord members of trusses, particularly trusses of the types commonly used to erect temporary entertainment stage environments.
Truss structures are staple equipment of entertainment industry productions. Music concerts, theatrical shows and other types of outdoors spectator events typically require stage platforms upon which the performances take place, elevated light fixtures and sound speakers to hover about the stage and inclined areas for the audiences to sit and view the performances. Normally, multiple truss sections are assembled to form structures for supporting the stage and retractable bleachers and for suspending speakers and lights. Obviously, the types of trusses used are selected for their ability to support loads that they are likely to experience. It is, therefore, imperative that any connectors used to join these trusses together be able to withstand any static and dynamic loads that they may be subjected to and that the connectors not be likely failure points along the assembled truss structures. Furthermore, where the stage environment may require quick reconfiguration, such as may be necessary during intermission of a multi-act concert, it is equally vital that the truss connectors lend themselves to rapid assembly and disassembly of trusses sections.
There are several varieties of truss connectors of the prior art adapted to facilitate relatively quick releasable coupling of the terminal ends of truss sections. Some such truss connectors feature forked configurations that allow chord members of adjacent truss sections to be joined at their aligned ends. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,546 to Coles discloses a connector comprising a male member and a forked female member, both having distal ends which are to be inserted into the ends of adjacent truss chord members and then secured to those chord members with cotter pins that are inserted into aligned holes residing in the connector members and truss chord members, and wherein the connector's male member is to be inserted into the forked female member and secured thereto with a clevis pin, thereby hingedly fastening the adjacent truss chord members together. However, while the connector disclosed in the Coles patent may be an effective truss coupling means, it, like many other truss connectors of the prior art, may have a particular vulnerability. Specifically, pins used to fasten components are subjected to shear when loads acting upon the connector-joined trusses pull the trusses away from each other.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,131 to Thomas discloses a truss also having connectors of forked configurations. More specifically, the Thomas connector features forked limbs with co-axial holes—allowing the limbs to be bolted to those of another connector—and a spigot to be inserted into a tubular truss member. Rather than using pins or bolts to secure the connector to the truss, the spigot is welded to the truss member that it is disposed within. However, because the forked connectors disclosed in Thomas are irremovable from the truss members that they are welded to, these trusses can be incompatible for coupling with other trusses that do not employ the same connector parts.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,823 to Sciortino discloses another style of truss connector comprising left and right shell pieces that are fitted over opposite sides of abutting truss member ends and then are screwed and bolted to those truss members. However, similar to the Coles connector, the configuration of the Sciortino apparatus renders its securing bolts and screws susceptible to failure due to shearing forces that may be induced by dynamic loads on the connected truss sections. Moreover, virtually all tube-to-tube truss connecting devices of the prior art of which the present inventor is aware, whatever their unique configurations, require their users to manually secure each joining of truss members one joint at a time. For example, when two truss sections are to be coupled at the ends of their four respective chord members, one normally must undertake piecemeal installation of four separate connector devices in order to secure each of the four chord member couplings. Obviously, when a great number of truss sections must be assembled, installing the necessary number of truss connectors can be a tedious, time consuming proposition. Furthermore, in circumstances where there is minimal time to perform such assembly work (ex: between concert acts), this realization could induce operations personnel, in their hast, to make mistakes relative to properly securing each truss member coupling and, consequently, cause the overall truss assembly to be structurally unsound.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a truss connector apparatus that is adapted to: (a) facilitate more rigid and secure assembling of trusses and (b) allow the multiple aligned ends of chord members of separate truss sections to be coupled simultaneously for the purpose of reducing the work time associated with properly connecting trusses. The truss connector of the present invention substantially fulfills this existing need.


A system and method for overcoming adhesion between media and a surface of a storage device in contact with the media. A storage device comprises a media velocity detector and a media drive motor controller. The media velocity detector detects storage media velocity as torque is applied to a storage media. The media drive motor controller causes a media drive motor to apply acceleration torque to the storage media. If the media velocity detector detects no increase in media velocity as acceleration torque is applied to the storage media, then the media drive motor controller causes the media drive motor to apply a torque pulse to the storage media.

Magnetic storage devices are often included in computer systems to provide high capacity secondary storage or data backup. Magnetic tape systems are a type of magnetic storage device. A magnetic tape system generally comprises a recording media, magnetic tape, and a media access device known as a tape drive or tape transport that reads data from and writes data to the magnetic tape. A magnetic tape typically comprises a flexible narrow ribbon of a base material (e.g., polyester films such as polyethylene naphthalate or polyethylene tereohthalate), and a magnetic material, such as a metal particulate, affixed to the base material by a binding agent (e.g., vinyl chloride polymer). The tape drive accesses the magnetic tape as the tape passes over a set of transducers called "heads." "Write heads" generate magnetic fields which encode data onto the tape as the tape passes over the heads. "Read heads" sense the magnetic fields of the tape's magnetic material to read data from the tape.
Magnetic tape systems are subject to a phenomenon whereby the surface of the magnetic tape adheres to a component of the tape drive, for example the tape head assembly. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as "stiction." A variety of conditions, including binder formulations and environmental factors, operate to promote stiction. After adhesion occurs, breaking the tape free from the heads may cause damage to the tape surface, or other severe failures including deformation or breaking of the tape media.
A tape's storage capacity may be expanded by increasing the tape's bit density. In order to increase the tape's bit density, the surface of the tape must be made smoother. As the tape's surface is made smoother, the stiction between the tape and heads is exacerbated.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A portable entertainment system for use with a vehicle, such as a bicycle, that amplifies a signal from a portable media device docked therein, and includes a substantially cylindrical housing unit having a speaker and a portable media device docking unit, the speaker being communicably coupled with the docking unit and outputting the amplified signal, a remote control unit controlling a level of the amplified signal output by the speaker and controlling functions of the portable media device docked in the docking unit, and an impact resistant suspension mounting bracket stably securing the housing unit to a frame of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a portable entertainment system. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a portable entertainment system that is mountable to a structure or frame of a vehicle or conveyor, such as a bicycle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Entertainment systems are used by all types of people under all types of circumstances. Personal entertainment systems, such as battery operated portable radios, cassette and compact disc (CD) players are available and may include one or more speakers or headphones. Units for storing and playing digitally recorded media, such as the IPOD player manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc., are also available and in wide use. Due to their small size and battery operability, personal radios and digital media players can be carried and used when the user is active, such as when riding a bicycle, for example. Some portable compact disc players are designed with memory buffers or other means to provide an anti-shock feature, to prevent skipping when the CD player is bumped or jostled. However, these anti-shock features are often ineffective during high-impact activities, as may sometimes be the case when bicycling.
Although the small size and battery operability of conventional portable entertainment systems renders them attractive, a manner or means for carrying such portable systems while maintaining full operability over the systems, particularly when a user is simultaneously engaged in another activity, has presented several challenges.
Various types of carriers have been designed for carrying portable radios and digital media players. For example, there are body-mountable carriers for holding a portable unit that are designed to be strapped around a body part, e.g., arm, leg or waist, of a user. In addition, some backpacks are provided with a pocket designed specifically for carrying a portable CD player. However, a problem with many such carriers is that access to function controls of the portable unit is frequently obstructed by the carrier.
Moreover, even if the controls are not obstructed, it may be difficult to manipulate the controls due to placement of the portable unit when using such a body-mounted carrier or backpack. In particular, manipulating the controls of a portable radio or digital media player carried in a body-mounted carrier or backpack while bicycling, for example, can be especially difficult, as the controls may not be easily accessed.
Thus, there is a need for a portable entertainment system that is conveniently accessible to use when mounted to a structure or frame of a vehicle or conveyor, such as a bicycle.


A non-porous composite is provided that includes a textile substrate impregnated with a first fluoropolymer and a film of polymeric material comprising at least one second fluoropolymer filled with porous particles of a silicate having a granulometric dimension d50 less than or equal to 5 μm and a porosity ranging from 30 to 60% in volume and loaded with antibacterial ions of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of silver, copper, zinc and nickel. A method for production of the composite and a containing and/or transport element for a fluid, preferably water, produced with the composite, are also provided.

It is known that in the aerospace sector the transport of fluids, for example drinking water, encounters numerous difficulties. In particular, it is known that containers made of FEP are used for the conservation and transport of drinking water during space voyages. These containers are attacked less by bacteria than containers made of other polymers. Nevertheless, they require sterilization after every use. Alternatively, metal containers and pipes are used but these require a very costly pre-treatment to minimize the surface roughness which favours microbial growth. Furthermore, they are particularly heavy.
Lastly, disinfectants are periodically added to the liquids transported, for example colloidal silver or iodine. The use of silver is very costly and has proved to have a non-stable biocidal activity over time. The use of iodine instead requires the removal of the water prior to consumption by means of a system of filters which obviously reduce the space available in a space module and require maintenance by the crew.
Therefore the search for new materials, for producing containing elements and/or elements for the transport of fluids which avoid the use of chemicals, and which are inexpensive and lightweight, is ongoing.

Composite of an antibacterial polymeric material, method for the preparation and use thereof

Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A. Con Unico Socio


A data input device is provided, implementing a potentiometer having a first and a second fixed connection point which are respectively situated at each of the ends of the potentiometer, a third fixed connection point situated at an intermediate position on the potentiometer and a fourth, mobile connection point forming a slider. The data input device comprises means converting a position of the slider into an electrical voltage, means for supplying a first fixed voltage to the potentiometer via the third connection point, means for supplying a current source to the potentiometer via the slider, means for measuring a voltage difference between the first and second connection points, the voltage difference forming the electrical voltage that represents the position of the slider.

By way of example, this type of device is found in the field of aeronautics and more precisely in a joystick that is used for piloting aircraft, aeroplanes or helicopters. The pilot manoeuvres this joystick in order to modify the trim of his aircraft. It is essential to have precise knowledge of the position of the joystick in order to reflect the orders from the pilot. The joystick is commonly arranged between the legs of the pilot and has several degrees of freedom, thus allowing the pilot to control several types of mobile elements on his aircraft, such as the ailerons and the elevator. By way of example, the joystick may be mobile on the basis of two rotations or one rotation and one translation. There have recently appeared scaled-down joysticks called minijoysticks, which still allow the pilot to control his aircraft.
The invention is concerned with converting the movements of the joystick into electrical information. More precisely, for each degree of freedom, the joystick has at least one potentiometer allowing the position of the joystick to be converted into electrical information in the form of a DC voltage. The potentiometer may be rotary in order to convert a rotation of the joystick or may be linear in order to convert a translation of a joystick or of a minijoystick.
The invention is not limited to a joystick allowing an aircraft to be piloted. The invention can be implemented for any use of a potentiometer.
It is known practice to apply a DC voltage between the two ends of the potentiometer and to read the voltage that is present on the slider of the potentiometer in order to obtain the sought information. This reading is performed at high impedance in order to avoid losses of linearity between the position of the slider and the voltage that is read. This high impedance results in a very small current which does not allow good continuity to be guaranteed of the contacts. Faults may occur at the level of the contact of the slider in the potentiometer itself or at the level of contacts outside the potentiometer, for example in a connector linking said potentiometer to the environment thereof. The use of gilded contacts allows the quality of the connections to be improved but does not provide a perfect solution to the problems pertaining to the continuity of the contacts.
Moreover, fault detection may be difficult to implement. A continuity fault may become apparent only when the slider is moved, which may be critical to the task of an aircraft. The pilot would thus notice a fault in his joystick only when he wished to manoeuvre his aircraft.

Data input device with a potentiometer, and joystick intended for piloting an aircraft, said joystick comprising the data input device


A torrefaction reactor includes a preheater section and a torrefaction section arranged to receive the biomass material from the preheater section. The preheater section includes a plurality of preheater plates arranged to facilitate the flow of the biomass material between the preheater plates by the force of gravity, each of the preheater plates facilitates a flow of a preheater fluid through the preheater plate for heating the biomass material. The torrefaction section includes a plurality of torrefaction plates arranged to facilitate the flow of the biomass material between the torrefaction plates by the force of gravity, each the torrefaction plates facilitates a flow of a torrefaction fluid through the torrefaction plate for heating the biomass material to the torrefaction temperature, and a first and second torrefaction purge gas openings to facilitate a flow of a torrefaction purge gas for providing an oxygen-depleted environment within the torrefaction section.

The torrefaction process includes heating a biomass material to a temperature typically in the range of 200° C. to 320° C. for a period of time in an oxygen-deprived environment. During the torrefaction process, moisture and volatiles are removed from the biomass material, increasing the energy density of the material. Through the torrefaction process, the biomass material becomes hydrophobic and increases in resistance to microbial growth and decomposition. The torrefaction process is typically used to increase the shelf life of the biomass material and facilitate transportation of the material.
The torrified biomass material can be used for fuel, replacing coal, or for co-firing with coal, for example. The torrified biomass material can also be used as feeder stock for the production of biofuels such as syngas or bio-oils.
Present torrefaction processes include directly heated moving bed reactors, directly heated drum reactors, and fluidized bed reactors. Present processes may require tumbling, fluidization, or scraping of the biomass material within a reactor which may lead to degradation of the biomass material, or produce combustible dust that may pose a safety hazard.
Further, in present torrefaction processes, the biomass material is typically dried to remove excess moisture prior to entering a torrefaction reactor, and the heated torrified biomass that exits the torrefaction reactor typically requires cooling prior to further processing.
Improvements to torrefaction reactors are desired.


A support device includes a wheel, a base member, a leg coupled to the wheel and the base member, the leg including an upper leg segment, a lower leg segment positioned below the upper leg segment, a joint positioned between the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the joint including a cam defining a non-circular perimeter, and an actuator coupled to one of the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment, the actuator including an engagement member that is engaged with the non-circular perimeter of the of the cam of the joint, where the actuator selectively moves the engagement member to move the cam and the upper leg segment and the lower leg segment about the joint.

Support devices, such as wheelchairs, assistive robots, mechanized walkers, and the like, are conventionally used to assist users in moving from one location to another. For example, motorized wheelchairs can move a user between locations, and assistive robots and mechanized walkers can provide support to a user moving between locations. In some instances, assistive robots and mechanized walkers may also assist a user in carrying objects between locations. Conventional support devices can include wheels that move along a surface, such as a floor or the ground, and can include legs coupled to the wheels. The legs may operate to move the support device upward and downward in the vertical direction, which can assist in moving the support device over uneven surfaces or obstacles.

Support devices including movable leg segments and methods for operating the same


The invention relates to a device comprising a filling unit for filling containers with a product. The invention furthermore relates to a system comprising such a device and to a harvesting machine provided with such a system. Lastly, the invention relates to a method for filling containers with a product by means of a filling unit.

The invention relates to a device comprising a filling unit for filling containers with a product.
The invention furthermore relates to a system comprising such a device and to a harvesting machine provided with such a system.
Lastly, the invention relates to a method for filling containers with a product by means of a filling unit.

Device comprising a filling unit for filling containers with a product


A stereoscopic imaging system (10) includes a display (14) and stereoscopic glasses (18) having right-and left-eye pieces (20 and 22). A photodetector (28) in the glasses receives electromagnetic radiation including IR pulses, having fast rise times, from a transmitter (26), and noise from ambient light and other electromagnetic radiation. An ambient light filter (34) filters out low frequency and low amplitude noise created by ambient light and other electromagnetic signals. The ambient light filter employs a high pass filter cancellation loop (42) that cancels low frequency components, a high frequency amplifier (50) that provides unity gain to low frequency components, and a high pass filter (C3 and R9). The ambient light filter also employs a threshold adjusting circuit (64) that temporarily adjusts the threshold voltage of a comparator (60) in response to reception of the IR pulses.

Stereoscopic imaging systems have been employed to give a three-dimensional appearance to field sequential images displayed on a video display screen. The three-dimensional appearance is created by active stereoscopic glasses that switch between opaque and transmissive optical states to alternately transmit to a viewer left-and right-eye views of a stereoscopic image is sequentially displayed on the screen. The viewer fuses the separate left- and right-eye images into a single stereoscopic image.
In certain prior stereoscopic imaging systems, the active stereoscopic glasses are linked to the video display with wires. This is undesirable, however, because the wires tether the viewer to the video display. To overcome this problem, other systems have used infrared radiation to link the stereoscopic glasses to the video display. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,268 of Lipton et al. ("Lipton et al. patent"), entitled "Liquid Crystal Shutter System for Stereoscopic and Other Applications," describes infrared linked active stereoscopic glasses.
A problem encountered with infrared linked systems is that the stereoscopic glasses may mistake electromagnetic noise for infrared pulses, or the electromagnetic noise may make differentiation of infrared pulses from noise unreliable.
There is a need, therefore, for an ambient light filter for infrared stereoscopic glasses.

Ambient light filter for infrared linked stereoscopic glasses


A power generation system including a wind turbine generator for generating electrical power, an alternate power source, and a processor programmed to control operation of the alternate power source to control a power output of the alternate power source at least partially based on at least one of a wind parameter, a wind forecast, a wind turbine condition sensor, and a power output of the electrical generator.

The methods and systems described herein relate generally to generating electrical power, and more specifically to generating electrical power using wind energy.
Wind energy is often used to generate electrical power at power plants, often referred to as wind farms, using, for example, the rotation of large wind turbines to drive electrical generators. However, because wind speed and density changes over time, power output from the generators of a wind farm may also change over time, sometimes even falling to zero when wind speed drops below a minimum threshold. Variations in power output from such wind farms may cause variations not only in an amount of power flowing from the farm but also a frequency of a power system to which the electrical power is delivered for consumption thereof. A group of power systems, power plants, and associated infrastructure spread over a geographical area is sometimes referred to as a grid. A drop in power output from the wind farm can cause a deficiency in power delivered to a local area of a grid of which the wind farm is within, as well as power delivered to other areas of the grid. Typically, a power output of one or more other power plants within the grid is adjusted to compensate for a change in the power output from the wind farm. Accordingly, a size of the wind farm relative to a local demand for power, sometimes referred to as a load demand, relative to a load demand of other areas of the grid, and/or relative to an overall load demand of the grid may influence an impact of the variable power output of the wind farm on other plants in the grid. For example, when power output from the wind farm falls to zero due to low wind, another plant within the grid may meet the total load demand of a region of the grid local to the wind farm. Such other power plants are typically plants that generate electrical power from coal, steam, a combustible fluid, water, and/or solar energy but may also include, but are not limited to, gas turbine power stations, nuclear power plants, or even other wind farms.

Methods and systems for generating electrical power


An improved cast power transmission disk and method of forming the same, the disk including a peripheral rim having at least one power transmission unit spaced from a hub with an integral body portion therebetween, a major portion of the rim and hub and the entirety of the body being formed on one side of a mold parting plane along with preselected areas of build-up, chamfering and draft angles and the remaining minor portion being formed on the opposite side of the mold parting plane.

The present invention relates to a cast power transmission disk and to a method of manufacturing such a disk and more particularly to a novel cast disk including peripheral rim, body and hub portions, the rim portion having at least one power transmission unit and a unique molding method for forming such cast disk.
Various types of cast disks including peripheral rim, hub and body portions are known in the art, as are methods of manufacturing such disks. In fact, it is known to cast a power transmission disk with molds formed to provide major and minor portions of the disk and then to chuck the disk on both sides of the disk for major machine finishing operations on both cast disk sides. Such machine indexed finishing operations on both disk sides in the past has involved machining both the outer and inner diameters of the rim, the body portion extending between the rim and hub--particularly when such body portion was in the cast form of spiders or radial-type arms--and both the inner and outer diameters of the hub.
The present invention, recognizing the desirability of casting a power transmission disk with molds formed to provide major and minor portions of a disk, utilizes such a known principal in combination with novel casting and machining features and with novel method steps including chamfering of selected areas of the novel power transmission disk to reduce subsequent machine indexed finishing operations, the addition of materials at other specifically selected areas of the disk to enhance strength and at the same time reduce overall material demands for such selected areas, the casting of appropriate draft angles at appropriate selected areas of the disk to accommodate for ready mold release and machine chucking and finishing operations and to also minimize such machine finishing operations at the cast parting areas by minimizing sharp or stepped edges at such parting areas. In addition, the present invention provides a novel, strong, well balanced power transmission disk structure along with a method of manufacturing the same which is both economical in manufacture and assembly, and which reduces machine indexed finishing operations in most instances to one disk side to allow for only one concentric and square chucking operation with little or no balance operations required and in those other instances to minimize machine finishing operations on both disk sides, allowing for ready chucking of both disk sides, if and when required, with minimum machine finishing operations at least on one disk side.
Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth herein.

Cast disk and method of manufacturing the same


The invention is directed to enhancement of performance of a back surface incident type semiconductor device having a light receiving element and a manufacturing method thereof without increasing a manufacturing cost. A supporting body is attached to a front surface of a semiconductor substrate formed with a light receiving element and its pad electrode. Then, the supporting body is etched to form a via hole penetrating the supporting body and exposing the pad electrode. Then, a wiring connected to the pad electrode and extending onto a front surface of the supporting body through the via hole is formed. Lastly, the semiconductor substrate is separated into a plurality of semiconductor dies by dicing. The semiconductor device is mounted so that the supporting body faces a circuit board.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof, particularly, a back surface incident type semiconductor device having a light receiving element and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor device detecting light coming from a main surface of a semiconductor die on the opposite side of a surface formed with a light receiving element has been conventionally known in a semiconductor device having a light receiving element. Such a semiconductor device is called a back surface incident type or back surface irradiation type semiconductor device. Next, a structure of the conventional back surface incident type semiconductor device will be described referring to figures. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional semiconductor device.
A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 211 as a light receiving element and its pad electrode 213 are formed on a front surface of a semiconductor die 210 as shown in FIG. 10. An opening 210H is formed on a back surface of the semiconductor die 210. Size of a bottom of the opening 210H is almost the same as that of the region formed with the CCD 211, forming a thin film portion 210T made of a thinned semiconductor die 210. The pad electrode 213 is electrically connected to an external connection electrode 217 formed on a supporting body 215 through a conductive bump 216. A space between the pad electrode 213 and the supporting body 215 is filled with resin 214.
The semiconductor die 210 is set in a package 219. A window member 220 made of glass or the like is provided on the package 219 on the side facing the opening 210H of the semiconductor die 210.
The external connection electrode 217 is connected to the package 219 through a bonding wire 218. In this semiconductor device, light coming from the window member 220 is detected by the CCD 211 through the thin film portion 210T of the semiconductor die 210.
In such a semiconductor device, since an electrode for reading a signal or a power supply wiring that is electrically connected to the CCD 211 does not exist on a light incident side (i.e. on the backside of the semiconductor die 210), light receiving efficiency can be enhanced compared with a design where light coming from the front surface of the semiconductor die 210 on which the CCD 211 is formed is detected. Furthermore, an energy beam such as an ultraviolet ray, a soft X-ray, or an electron beam, that is difficult to be detected when it passes through a thick semiconductor die, can be sensitively detected as much as possible. The relevant technology is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application Publication No. hei 10-223873.
In a process of manufacturing the described conventional semiconductor device, a region of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to a region formed with the CCD 211 need be thinned, to a thickness of, for example, 10 to 20 μm by grinding. However, since it is very difficult to perform the grinding uniformly, the uniformity of the back surface of the thin film portion 210T thinned by the grinding is reduced. Therefore, light entering the thin film portion 210T is distorted to cause variation in imaging when the CCD receives light, that is, the CCD images. That is, a full performance of the semiconductor device is not guaranteed. Furthermore, since it costs much to partially thin such a semiconductor substrate, a manufacturing cost of the semiconductor device increases.
Furthermore, a mechanical strength of the thin film portion 210T of the semiconductor die 210 is low after the semiconductor device is completed. A connection strength of the bump 216 electrically connecting the semiconductor die 210 and the supporting body 215 is also low. Therefore, electrical connection between elements and electrodes is often insufficient, thereby lowering the performance of the semiconductor device.

Light sensor receiving light from backside

Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC


A dual frequency field is generated to produce an interrogation zone wherein the higher frequency is substantially higher than the lower frequency. The signal generated by the magnetic marker is detected, filtered and amplified. Time windows are selected at the expected pulse locations of a signal. The signals detected at the time windows are multiplied by a window function. The product resulting therefrom is averaged to produce a demodulated signal and the presence of a marker in the interrogation zone is determined by detecting the demodulated signal at the lower frequency of the dual frequency interrogation zone.

1. Field of the Invention
In electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems, articles being protected are tagged with a tag containing an electronically detectable device which is referred to as a marker. Typically, a sweep frequency interrogation transmitter whose frequency is swept through a resident frequency of the tag includes a transmitting antenna located near an exit of a protected area. A receiving antenna is located near the transmitting antenna and forms a passage-way with the transmitting antenna through which someone exiting the protecting area must pass. The receiving antenna is coupled to a receiver that detects the signal radiated by the marker whenever the transmitter frequency passes through the resident frequency of the marker. There are two types of EAS systems of primary use commercially. Radio frequency (RF) systems and magnet systems. The instant invention has particular use in a magnetic EAS system wherein a magnetic field is generated at a fixed frequency. A signal is generated when the magnetic field causes the magnetization of a marker to switch. This occurs near zero field amplitude.
2. Description of the Related Art
Although there are many EAS systems that work satisfactorily well, all these systems face the problem of distinguishing a signal emitted from the EAS marker from background noise. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,598, detection is achieved by the use of averaging techniques of a plurality of sweeps wherein peaks above a defined level are stored in a persistent table. A symmetry test is made on the peaks and if the peaks are persistent and symmetrical, the presence of a marker is indicated. Although this system works well, it is primarily directed to radio frequency systems that detect the presence of a resonant tank circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,001 describes an EAS system that has a signal generator for generating a magnetic field which includes an arrangement for generating a non-rotating field at a first frequency and a rotating field at a second frequency that is lower than the the first frequency. This system is designed for the purpose of detecting magnetic markers and represents an advancement in the constant attempt to eliminate background noise; nevertheless, it would be advantageous to reach a higher level of efficiency for detecting magnetic markers.

Apparatus and method for detecting magnetic electronic article surveillance markers


A mobile radio communication device for an automatic toll collection system executes toll charging processing and travel guide. It communicates with road-side communication devices at an entrance gate and an exit gate in a toll charge area to receive map data. It also receives present position information from a GPS receiver circuit. It executes processing necessary for toll charging based on the received map data and present position information. It also provides a travel guide in the toll charge area.

The present invention relates to a mobile radio communication device and method for an automatic toll collection system which charges a toll by executing communications with a road-side communication device.
A conventional automatic toll collection system charges toll of a toll road by executing a dedicated short range communication (DSRC) between a road-side communication device and a mobile radio communication device.
In this automatic toll collection system, a gate installed with the road-side communication device is provided in every section in a specified toll road, and toll is charged basically based on the number of sections which the vehicle has traveled.
In the mobile radio communication device used in the automatic toll collection system, transmission and reception of data necessary for toll charging is attained by executing the dedicated short range communication with the road-side communication device only in a specific communication zone of the road-side communication device.

Mobile radio communication for automatic toll collection system