A superconducting rotating machine has a relatively compact construction while still providing a relatively high output power, thus the superconducting rotating machine has an increased power density characteristic. The superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly, a rotor assembly configured to rotate within the stator assembly and having at least one HTS superconducting winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the rotor assembly to the stator assembly, and a refrigeration system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding. The superconducting rotating has a gap shear characteristic greater than 10 psi.

The invention relates to the construction and operation of superconducting rotating machines, including superconducting electric motors.
Superconducting air core, synchronous electric machines have been under development since the early 1960""s. The use of superconducting windings in these machines has resulted in a significant increase in the field magnetomotive forces generated by the windings and increased flux and power densities of the machines. These early superconducting machines included field windings wound with low temperature superconductor (LTS), originally with NbZr or NbTi and later with Nb3Sn. The field windings were cooled with liquid helium from a stationary liquifier. The liquid helium was transferred into the rotor of the machine and then vaporized to use both the latent and sensable heat of the fluid to cool the windings. This approach proved to be viable for only very large synchronous motors and generators. With the advent of high temperature superconductor (HTS) in the 1980""s, investigations ensued to determine the feasibility of HTS windings in superconducting synchronous machines.
The invention features a superconducting rotating machine having a relatively compact construction while still providing a relatively high output power. In effect, the construction provides a superconducting rotating machine having an increased power density characteristic. The superconducting rotating machine is of the type having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly which rotates within the stator assembly and is spaced from the stator assembly by a gap.
In one aspect of the invention, the rotor assembly of the superconducting rotating machine includes at least one HTS superconducting winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the stator assembly, a refrigeration system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding of the rotor assembly and the superconducting rotating machine has a gap shear stress characteristic in a range between 30 lbs/in2 (psi) and 100 lbs/in2. For example, in one embodiment, the superconducting rotating machine (e.g., motors or generators) has a gap shear stress characteristic of about 45 psi.
Gap shear stress is an effective measure of the torque density of a machine. It relates machine performance to the surface area in the gap between the rotor assembly and stator assembly. In particular, gap shear stress is numerically equivalent to the machine torque divided by the area and radius of the gap. If the rotor experiences a surface shear stress equal to the gap shear stress, a torque equal to the design torque would be transmitted to the shaft of the machine.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features.
The superconducting rotating machine has a specific power in a range between 1.5 kilowatts/kilogram (kw/Kg) and 4.5 KW/Kg, for example, 2.0 KW/Kg. The superconducting rotating machine has a power density in a range between 1.2 Mwatts/m3 and 4 Mwatts/m3 for an 1800 rpm rotating machine. It is appreciated that as the speed of the rotating machine becomes larger or smaller, the specific power and power density will become proportionally larger or smaller as well.
The superconducting winding assembly includes a superconducting coil having a superconductor tape wound about and disposed along an axis of the winding assembly to provide a plurality of concentric turns defining an opening. The opening has a dimension which gradually decreases, in the direction along the axis, and from a first end to a second end of the winding assembly. Each turn of the superconductor tape has a broad surface maintained substantially parallel to the axis of the winding assembly.
The decreasing dimension opening defined by the winding configuration of the coil provides a coil having a tapered profile. The advantages of a tapered superconducting coil having this arrangement are numerous. For example, the tapered superconducting coil is well-suited for use in applications where the coil is to be positioned in annularly-shaped volumes, such as those commonly found in rotating electric machines. In general, the tapered arrangement eliminates stepped profiles, common with other stacked arrangements. In particular, the tapered superconducting coil requires relatively fewer stacked individual coils to fill annularly-shaped volumes. This is in contrast to other superconducting coil assemblies, which require stacking of many more thin, individual coils to fill an annularly-shaped volume. Moreover, reducing the number of individual coils, in turn, reduces the number of electrical connections between the individual coils, thereby increasing the overall performance and reliability of a coil assembly using tapered coils. In addition, the superconductor tape of the present invention is wound with its broad surface maintained substantially parallel to the axis of the coil (as well as to adjacent turns.) This feature is particularly advantageous when the tape is formed of less flexible, brittle materials, such as ceramic-based high temperature superconducting materials. Furthermore, the tapered configuration provides better critical current (Ic) retention characteristics and allows for better coil grading.
In certain embodiments, the superconductor tape is wound in a racetrack shape defining a pair of opposing arcuate end sections and a pair of opposing substantially straight side sections. The superconductor tape includes a multi-filament composite superconductor having individual superconducting filaments which extend the length of the multi-filament composite conductor and are surrounded by a matrix-forming material.
The superconductor tape includes an anisotropic high temperature superconductor, for example, Bi2Sr3Ca2Cu3O. Alternatively, the anisotropic high temperature superconductor is a member of the rare-earth-copper-oxide family.
The rotor assembly includes a cylindrical support member for supporting the superconducting winding assembly.
The cylindrical support member includes end extension members defining warm/cold transition regions. The cylindrical support member is formed of a high strength, low thermal conductivity composite material, for example, a G-10 phenolic or woven-glass epoxy. Thus, the low thermal conductivity composite material thermally isolates the cryogenically-cooled superconducting coils from the outside ambient temperature world. The rotating machine further includes an axially compliant member for radially supporting an end of the cylindrical support member.
The refrigeration system includes a cryocooler located in a stationary reference frame, and a closed circulation system external to the cryocooler interfacing the stationary reference frame with a rotating reference frame in which the superconductor winding assembly is located. Among other advantages, the refrigeration system of the invention permits the cryocooler to remain stationary while eliminating the need for an extensive sealing system needed to flow coolant through an open circulation system.
The closed circulation system includes a heat transfer assembly located in the rotating reference frame and a heat transfer gap defined between the cryocooler and the heat transfer assembly. The heat transfer assembly transfers heat from the superconducting winding assembly to the heat transfer gap. Thus, the heat transfer gap provides an efficient structure for transferring heat from the superconductor winding to the cryocooler. A coolant (e.g., helium, neon, nitrogen, or oxygen) is located in the heat transfer gap.
In one embodiment, the rotating heat transfer assembly includes a heat pipe having a first fluid path for directing a flow of liquid coolant from a cold end to a warm end of the heat transfer assembly, and a second fluid path for directing a flow of gas coolant from the warm end to the cold end of the heat transfer assembly.
The superconducting rotating machine further includes a warm end conduction block and a cold end conduction block, which define the warm end and cold end of the heat transfer assembly, respectively. The warm end conduction block and cold end conduction block are both mounted to the heat pipe. The warm end conduction block is further mounted to the superconducting winding assembly. The cold end conduction block includes first fins and the cryocooler includes second fins rotatable with respect to the second fins and intermeshed with the first fins. The space between the intermeshed fins define the heat transfer gap.
The rotor assembly includes induction structure for carrying current at levels sufficient to allow a transient induction mode of operation. Because induced currents are generated in the rotor assembly in the induction mode, a structure for supporting these currents is necessary. The induction structure is configured to allow the superconducting motor to generate a starting torque which is at least 50% of the rated torque in the induction mode of operation. Further, the induction structure is configured to allow the superconducting motor to generate a peak torque (breakdown torque) which is at least twice the rated torque in the induction mode of operation.
In one embodiment, at least a portion of the induction structure is spaced from the at least one superconducting winding by a thermal isolation vacuum region. That is, a portion of the induction structure is in the warm region of the rotor assembly, such as an electromagnetic shield member. The electromagnetic shield member includes a conductive, non-magnetic material (e.g., copper, aluminum).
The induction structure can also include a cryostat positioned between the thermal isolation vacuum region and the electromagnetic shield member. Thus, the cryostat not only serves to cool the superconducting windings of the rotor assembly, but also serves to support induced currents when the motor operates in the induction mode.
The cold cylindrical support member which supports the at least one superconducting winding can also serve as part of the induction structure.
In certain embodiments, the superconducting electric motor also includes an adjustable speed drive for providing an adjustable frequency electrical signal to the stator assembly.
The superconducting rotating machine also includes an exciter, having a radially laminated rotatable disk including AC windings, and a stationary disk also including AC windings. The stationary disk is axially spaced from the radially laminated, rotating disk to form a gap therebetween. In essence, the rotating disk and stationary disks and coils together provide a transformer to induce AC voltage and current in the rotating coil.
The exciter further includes a rectifier coupled to the AC windings in the rotor and having an output coupled to the DC windings. The superconducting rotating machine further includes a frame for supporting the stationary disk, rectifier and current regulator.
The stator assembly includes a cylindrical support tube having a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of the support tube and a single-layer winding wound along the axis of the support tube. The cylindrical support tube is formed of an electrically resistive composite material including, for example, glass and epoxy. The stator assembly further includes a cooling member (e.g., at least one helically wound tube), thermally coupled to an external surface of the winding, and having at least one passage extending therethrough for receiving a coolant from an external source. The cooling member includes helically wound tubes, a first one of the helically wound tubes disposed between the outer surface of the support tube and an inner surface of single layer winding. A second one of the helically wound tubes is thermally coupled to an outer surface of one of the single layer windings. The windings of the stator are radially spaced from a longitudinal axis of the stator and are circumferentially spaced from each other, with alternate ones of the windings having end regions which extend radially away from the axis. The cooling member further includes an end region helically wound tube that is thermally coupled to the radially-extending end regions. The helically-wound tubes are formed of a non-magnetic material.
The stator assembly includes an outer banded member disposed around the superconducting winding and formed of a high permeability material. In one embodiment, the outer banded material is a steel wire wound around the at least one superconducting winding. This banded member is wound under tension to load the stator assembly against the stator bore tube.
The stator assembly includes an outer housing for enclosing the cylindrical support tube, the single-layer winding, and the outer banded material. The stator assembly also includes an encapsulating material (e.g., adhesive epoxy) surrounding the cylindrical support tube, the single-layer winding, and the outer banded material adhesive within the outer housing.
Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the claims.


A resistance measuring device is coupled with a controller for controlling the parameters of the cutting process. The device is connected between the laser cutting head of the machine of an electrically conducting part of the laser cutting head and workpiece, and the amount of the electrical resistance of the medium between the laser cutting head and the workpiece can be determined when cutting electrically conducting workpieces. In this method, the amount of the electrical resistance of the medium between the laser cutting head and the workpiece is determined, and the distance between the cutting head and workpiece is also determined. Depending on the detected values of the electrical resistance and distance, the parameters of the cutting process are controlled to obtain efficient cutting action.

The invention concerns a laser cutter machine for cutting electrically conducting workpieces with a laser cutting head movable relative to the workpiece to be cut and spaced from the latter. The laser cutting head has at least one electrically conducting part, such as an electrically conducting laser nozzle, and the machine includes an arrangement for controlling the parameters of the cutting process. Furthermore, the invention concerns a process for laser cutting of electrically conducting workpieces with a laser cutting head separated from the workpiece to be processed moving at a distance relative to the latter, and the parameters of the cutting process being controlled.
Automated processing machines of this type, as well as the processes mentioned, are customary for carrying out a number of processing measures. In particular, in the case of cutting relatively thick workpieces made of stainless steels, and in this case above all in the case of controlling cutting in the area of corners of workpieces, there can be difficulties in assuring the desired cutting quality. Thus, under the circumstances described, occasionally it may be observed that the laser cutting beam cannot maintain the required cutting depth and accordingly it has to be guided along the cutting line repeatedly and/or with changed cutting parameters until it effects separation of the workpiece.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate the problems described above.

Laser cutting machine and method for laser cutting with measurement of resistance between cutting head and work piece


A flame retardant poly(arylene ether) composition is described. In addition to the poly(arylene ether), the composition includes a polyolefin component, and a flame retardant composition that includes a metal dialkyl phosphinate and a nitrogen-containing flame retardant but excludes a liquid triaryl phosphate. The polyolefin component can be a polyolefin polymer and/or the polyolefin block of a poly(alkenyl aromatic)-polyolefin block copolymer. The composition is particularly suitable as a replacement for poly(vinyl chloride) in insulation for wire and cable.

Poly(arylene ether) resin is a type of plastic known for its excellent water resistance, dimensional stability, and inherent flame retardancy. Properties such as strength, stiffness, chemical resistance, and heat resistance can be tailored by blending it with various other plastics in order to meet the requirements of a wide variety of consumer products, for example, plumbing fixtures, electrical boxes, automotive parts, and insulation for wire and cable.
Poly(vinyl chloride) is currently the commercial dominant material for flame retardant wire and cable insulation. However, poly(vinyl chloride) is a halogenated material. There is mounting concern over the environmental impact of halogenated materials, and non-halogenated alternatives are being sought. There is therefore a strong desire—and in some places a legislative mandate—to replace poly(vinyl chloride) with non-halogenated polymer compositions.
Recent research has demonstrated that certain halogen-free poly(arylene ether) compositions can possess the physical and flame retardant properties needed for use as wire and cable insulation. See, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. US 2006/0106139 A1 and US 2006/0182967 A1 of Kosaka et al. The compositions disclosed in these references can exhibit good flame retardancy and good physical properties such as flexibility and tensile strength. However, in some instances trade-offs in physical properties accompany the relatively large amounts of flame retardants required. For example, when the flame retardant composition comprises substantial amounts of a metal hydroxide such as magnesium hydroxide, flexibility and processability and abrasion resistance are compromised. As another example, when the flame retardant composition comprises substantial amounts of a liquid organic phosphate flame retardant, the flame retardant can migrate to the surface of the insulation, creating an esthetic problem and, more importantly, compromising the flame retardancy of the thermoplastic composition. There remains a desire for flame retardant poly(arylene ether) compositions that exhibit an improved balance of flame retardancy, physical properties, and esthetic properties.

Flame-retardant poly(arylene ether) composition and its use as a covering for coated wire


A method and system for performing layout verification on an integrated circuit (IC) design using reusable subdesigns. Many custom designed integrated circuits are designed and fabricated using a number of computer implemented automatic design processes. Within these processes, a high level design language (e.g., HDL or VHDL) description of the integrated circuit can be translated by a computer system into a netlist of technology specific gates and interconnections there between. The cells of the netlist are then placed spatially in an integrated circuit layout and the connections between the cells are routed using computerized place and route processes. Circuit designers next run layout verification tests on the layout to verify that the geometry and connectivity data of the design meets specific design rules and matches logically with the schematic representation. The present invention provides a method of layout verification where unchanged subdesigns of a hierarchical IC design can be reused upon subsequent verification processes of the same IC design. They are reused for both design rule checking (DRC) and layout versus schematic (LVS) comparison. By reusing some of the subcell designs, subsequent verification processes of the present invention can be performed very efficiently. To account for faults attributed to subcell interfaces, the present invention advantageously determines subcell overlap areas within the layout and selectively flattens and verifies these areas in addition to any subcell designs that were not previously validated. Further, the invention determines updated connectivity information for new subcell designs.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of layout verification for an integrated circuit description. The integrated circuit description typically includes a listing of cell elements and interconnections there between and is stored as data within one or more computer readable memory units of a computer system.
(2) Prior Art
Many custom designed integrated circuits (IC), e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other custom IC circuits, are designed and fabricated using a number of various computer implemented automatic design processes. Within these processes, a high level design language description of the integrated circuit (e.g., HDL, VHDL, Verilog, etc.) can be translated by a computer system into a netlist of generic logic. The generic logic can then be translated into a netlist of technology specific gates and interconnections there between that represent the IC design. The netlist more specifically is a listing of circuit elements and their connectivity and is stored within computer memory units of a computer system.
The cells of the netlist are then placed spatially in an integrated circuit layout by a computer implemented placer and the connections between the cells are then routed through the appropriate areas of the layout by a computer implemented router. After place and route, the IC design is represented by specific geometries (e.g., transistors) and interconnections between the geometries. Once the IC design has been placed and routed, circuit designers run a battery of tests on the result to verify that the IC design meets specific design rules and matches logically with the schematic design. These tests are performed by a computer system in a process called layout verification. Layout verification is very important because it is one of the last tests performed before the integrated circuit design is committed to silicon.
The netlist containing the geometries and connectivity that is input to the layout verification processes is generally represented as hierarchical block of subdesigns with each individual subdesign comprising different parts of the integrated circuit. FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary integrated circuit design 10 having four subcell designs (or subdesigns): B 14; C 20; D 16; and E 18. The top level, design A 12, includes in its description each subcell design (e.g., 14, 16, 18, 20) plus any local structures 22 which are included directly within the top level 12. Each of the subcell designs can also include, like the top level 12, other subcell designs and so on. Under this representation, each subcell design has one parent design and can have one or more child designs. Those subcell designs located at the bottom of the hierarchy are leaf cell designs and contain only the data (e.g., geometry and connectivity) that needs to be layout verified.
The subcell designs of a netlist 10 are typically represented as different files within a computer system's disk access unit (e.g., a disk drive). Therefore, a netlist that requires layout verification is stored as a multi-file database. For instance, the actual file representation of design A 12 can be a directory having descriptions of the local structures 22 stored therein and having disk references to the files that contain the information for subcell design B 14, subcell design C 20, subcell design D 16 and subcell design E 18. This data is transferred in streams within the computer system using a well known graphic design stream format (e.g., GDSII format). In the GDSII format, the parent-child representations of the subcell designs are maintained as the data is passed within the computer system and to the layout verification process.
In the past, integrated circuit designs 10 were passed through the layout verification process in their entirety using either a hierarchical layout verification process or using a flattened layout verification process. In the hierarchical layout verification process, all of the disk files that represent the subcell designs (e.g., 14-20) of the top level design 12 and the subdesigns of the subcell designs (14-20), etc., are passed through the layout verification process for design rule checking (DRC) and layout versus schematic (LVS) comparison. In hierarchical fashion, the data from the disk unit is processed in accordance with its position within the hierarchical tree of the IC design. During layout verification, several disk directories are read to obtain the entire netlist data. This is done on each file of the IC design 10 every time verification is required.
In flattened layout verification, all of the files representing the leaf cells of the design 10 are incorporated (merged) directly into the top level 12 design. Further, any local structure stored in any subcell is also merged upward into the root file 12. That is to say, all leaf cells are pushed into a single disk directory to form one large file in the GDSII format that contains only geometry and connectivity information. This, like the hierarchical method, requires that all disk files be processed for layout verification. This entirely flattened top level design 12, or file, is then passed through layout verification for design rule checking (DRC) and layout versus schematic (LVS) comparison.
Therefore, in both cases, hierarchical or flattened layout verification, the input to the layout verification process is the entire integrated circuit design 10 for each instance that verification is required. This is true even if only a small part of the IC design 10 had been modified since the last layout verification process was run.
The prior art method of layout verification over the entire chip design requires about 10 or 20 minutes to complete for relatively small circuit designs. However, over the past 10 years, circuit designs have been growing increasingly larger thereby requiring more layout verification processing time. Today, IC chip designs are routinely in the 20-40 million transistors. At these chip sizes, the prior art method of layout verification, that requires the entire IC design as input for each verification, is consuming about four to five hours of processing time per integrated circuit chip design. This long verification period is required each time the integrated circuit design is modified for any reason or to any extent. Therefore, the prior art layout verification procedure is very inefficient. It would be advantageous to provide a layout verification process that can operate more effectively on an integrated circuit design to reduce the layout verification processing period required to verify the IC design.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a layout verification process that operates efficiently on an integrated circuit design to reduce the layout verification process period required of a circuit designer. Further, the present invention provides such an efficient layout verification method that includes design rule checking and layout versus schematic verification. Moreover, the present invention provides a particularly efficient layout verification method for integrated circuit designs that are passed through a layout verification process for the second and subsequent times. These and other advantages of the present invention not specifically described above will become clear within discussions of the present invention herein.

Method and system for layout verification of an integrated circuit design with reusable subdesigns


Systems and methods for providing a health care service provider specific wireless access point that facilitates secure communication between a patient, provider, and/or third-party service. Patient devices may connect to the healthcare service provider (HSP) wireless access point or “hub” when they are in range of the hub (e.g., when in a doctor's office waiting room). The wireless access point may be also configured to detect the presence of a patient device. In various implementations, the wireless access point may be configured to obtain identifying information of patient devices and send the information to a server. The server may be configured to use the information to create or update a profile for the patient associated with a patient device. The profile may be updated by additional information derived from the patient's interaction with the network, provider input, and/or by the patient updating their profile or inputting additional information.

Traditional check-in procedures at health care facilities (e.g., a doctors' office) typically involve the use of manual processes and oral disclosure between the patient and the doctors' staff to identify patients, coordinate patients' scheduling with the doctor, and orally calling patients when the doctor is ready to see them. Traditional patient check-in involves patients presenting themselves at the check-in desk to a receptionist. The receptionist has the patient sign in, provide updated insurance information, and provide forms for the patient to fill out for their initial visit or to update their existing medical information for the healthcare provider they are scheduled to see. In addition to being time/resource consuming, these manual/oral systems may risk the disclosure of personal health information to other patients in the waiting room. The use of these manual/oral systems also often results in unduly long wait or appointment times, as patients and staff may not be aware of and monitor how long a patient has been waiting or the total time a patient may spend in the office. Conventional systems for managing the arrival of patients at healthcare service provider facilities suffer from these and other drawbacks.

Secure patient access via healthcare service provider specific wireless access point


A bicycle riding training device or handle which is attachable to a bicycle and which can be easily adjusted and portion removed and reattached after being secured to the bicycle. A clamping portion is attached to the bicycle and a handle portion is locked into the clamping portion or unlocked from the clamping portion when it is no longer needed.

1. Field of Invention
This present invention relates to devices to aid in the training of bicycle riders. More particularly, the present invention concerns support bars mounted to a bicycle.
2. Description of Prior Art
Devices to assist novice bicycle riders during their learning process have been in existence for several years. The most commonly known training device comprises the mounting of additional wheels to the rear axle of the bicycle, one or more wheels on each side. This device is commonly termed "training wheels."
Another training device comprises a bar attached to the rear portion of the bicycle. The bar is attached to either the rear axle or the frame near the axle. The bar extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom, such that the bar may be grasped by an adult or other instructor to steady the rider or even to propel the device. These devices are usually non-adjustable and remain in one position after installation.
Typical of the bar type of training devices is French Patent No. 2,512,767, issued to Pruszinski on Mar. 3, 1983. Pruszinski teaches a handle for assisting bicycle riders having a tubular bar inserted into a receptacle permanently attached to the frame of the bicycle proximate the rear axle thereof. The bar is fastened into the receptacle, normal to the riding surface. Pruszinski does not teach any means for adjusting the orientation of the bar.
Another example of the bar training devices is U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,398, which issued to de Miranda Pinto on Apr. 17, 1990. de Miranda Pinto teaches a bar having a clevis formed at the lower end thereof. The clevis portion of the bar is attached to the rear axle of the bicycle. The instructor can then grasp the bar to support the rider or propel the bicycle. The device of de Miranda Pinto may be adjusted pivotally at its attachment to the axle. This adjustment is not, however, achieved unless the nuts fixing the position of the bar are loosened.
These types of devices suffer from limitations of the positioning of and length of the bar. Additionally, the devices known attach at the rear axle or the frame proximate the rear axle. This does not, however, allow an instructor to easily aid in supporting the rider. A more appropriate selection for attachment would improve the support of the rider.
Further, the known devices offer little flexibility in angular deployment or in the length of the bar. To allow the bar to be altered to the particularly physical attributes of the instructor would greatly aid in his or her effectiveness in supporting the riders.
Finally, a device which can be easily deployed or removed from a bicycle, such that riders of differing skills could use the bicycle, would give greater utilization to a bicycle having such a training device. It is to all of these goals that the present invention is directed.


An uniformity inspection line 1 comprises a decision-only line 2 having first UF machines 2M exclusive for the measurement of the uniformity of a tire 12 sorted and distributed on an automatic sorting line 21 and a correction-only line 3 having second UF machines 3M for the correction and re-measurement of the uniformity characteristics of a tire having uniformity characteristics outside specific values measured on the above decision-only line 2. Since the measurement of uniformity and the correction and re-measurement of uniformity characteristics are performed in different systems, uniformity inspection can be carried out efficiently even when the number of tires whose uniformity characteristics are to be corrected is varied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a uniformity inspection system for inspecting the uniformity characteristics of an assembled tire and correcting and re-inspecting the uniformity characteristics as required.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A product tire which has gone through a curing step and a finishing step is shipped after product inspections such as appearance and shape inspections and uniformity measurement are made.
As for the measurement of the uniformity of a tire, a tire 12 assembled with a rim is pressed against a rotating drum 11 corresponding to a road under load and turned while the axial distance between the tire 12 and the drum 11 is fixed as shown in FIG. 3(a) to measure a load variant (RFV), a longitudinal force variant (LFV) and a transverse force variant (TFV) as shown in FIG. 13(a), and displacement gauges 13a and 13b are pressed against the tread portion 12a and the side portion 12b of a rotating tire 12 to measure the size nonuniformity in the longitudinal direction (RR) and size nonuniformity in the transverse direction (LR) of the above tire 12 as shown in FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c).
When the above measured uniformity characteristics are within specified values, the tire is accepted and when they are outside the specified values, the assembly state of the tire with the rim is corrected, a size nonuniform portion or a projecting portion which causes the vibration of the tire is shaved off with a correction device such as a buff machine and then the uniformity characteristics of the corrected tire are re-measured.
FIG. 4 shows the outline of a conventional uniformity inspection line. The tires 12 which are sorted and distributed after an appearance inspection is made while they are carried on the conveyor 21C of an automatic sorting line 21 are supplied to a uniformity inspection line 22 having a plurality of uniformity inspection machines (to be referred to as "UF machines" hereinafter) 22M so as to measure their uniformity characteristics with the UF machines 22M.
The above UF machine 22M has a uniformity measuring function and a uniformity characteristics correction function. When the uniformity characteristics of the tire measured with the UF machine 22M are within specified values, the tire is carried to the subsequent step by the conveyor 23C of a conveyor line 23 as an accepted product. When the uniformity characteristics of the tire are outside the specified values, after the above tire is corrected by an unshown correction machine such as a buff machine provided in the UF machine 22M, the uniformity characteristics of the corrected tire are re-measured. When the uniformity characteristics of the above corrected tire are within the specified values after the re-measurement, the tire is supplied to the subsequent step as an accepted product and when the uniformity characteristics are outside the specified values again, the tire is supplied to the collection conveyor 24C of a collection line 24 as an unaccepted product.
However, as for the number of the above UF machines 22M, only the minimum required number of UF machines 22 which differs according to such conditions as the number of tires to be produced, the number of different sizes of tires to be produced and the estimated number of tires whose uniformity characteristics are to be corrected are installed. Therefore, when the number of tires whose uniformity characteristics are to be corrected greatly changes, an automatic line may not function properly. That is, the uniformity measurement time of the above UF machine 22M is almost fixed for the tires of each size but the uniformity characteristics correction time is several times longer than the above uniformity measurement time though it differs according to the size and uniformity characteristic values of the tire. Therefore, when the number of tires whose uniformity characteristics are to be corrected increases, the number of tires which can be processed by the UF machine 22M is reduced. Consequently, as the capacity of the automatic line is reduced by the overflow of the tires 12 to the automatic sorting line 21, the tires 12 on the above automatic sorting line 21 must be manually taken out and carried to a storage site temporarily so that the automatic line can function properly. When the load of the automatic line is reduced, the extra work of returning the above stored tires 12 to the automatic line is necessary.
It is an object of the present invention which has been made in view of the above problem of the prior art to provide a tire uniformity inspection system capable of carrying out uniformity inspection efficiently even when the number of tires whose uniformity characteristics are to be corrected changes.

System for inspecting uniformity of tire


A rubber composition for tire treads which significantly improves the wet skid performance of the tire, which comprises (A) 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber containing at least 35% by weight of styrene-butadiene rubber, (B) 5 to 50 parts by weight of clay, (C) at least 5 parts by weight of silica having a nitrogen absorption specific surface area of 100 to 300 m2/g and (D) at least 1 parts by weight of carbon black having a nitrogen absorption specific surface area of 70 to 300 m2/g, wherein, the total amount of (B) clay and (C) silica is at least 30 parts by weight and a total amount of (B) clay, (C) silica and (D) carbon black is at most 100 parts by weight.

The present invention relates to a rubber composition for tire treads and a pneumatic tire having a tread made of the rubber composition, and particularly relates to a rubber composition for tire treads significantly improving tires in grip performance on wet road with remaining low fuel consumption of automobiles and a pneumatic tire having a tread made of the rubber composition.
In recent years, tires for automobiles have required performances, such as the controllability in driving, abrasion resistance, riding comfort as well as the low fuel consumption. Steps taken to achieve such performances include improving braking and driving on wet roads at high driving speed, improving controllability in driving by increasing the grip force on road surfaces, increasing cornering performance by increasing the block stiffness of the tire tread pattern to inhibit the tire from block deformation at cornering, and inhibiting hydroplaining from occurring by inhibiting groove parts on tire tread from deforming to achieve smooth draining. Recently, to satisfy these requirements, tires having an increased grip performance on wet road surface are provided by using rubber compositions obtained by mixing silica with SBR of a high styrene unit content for tire treads.
However, although the rubber compositions for tire treads mentioned above provide an increased grip force at a low temperature range of at most 15° C. of road surface, they do not provide a sufficient grip force on wet or semi-wet road surface. Rubber compositions containing silica decrease in stiffness and decrease significantly in grip force with the repetition of driving. Rubber compositions containing silica have problems such as an increase in Mooney viscosity and a decrease in processability. For example, when extruding, the silica disperse insufficiently in the rubber compositions.
Various proposals have been traditionally made to solve these problems mentioned above. Rubber compositions which are effective in improving the grip performance of tires improve, for example, Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 133375/1995, and No. 311245/1996 which disclose rubber compositions obtained by mixing calcined clay with diene rubbers Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 3373/1996 discloses rubber compositions obtained by mixing vulcanized rubber powders comprising diene rubbers and kaolinite with specific kinds of diene rubbers. As rubber compositions showing the same effects, Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 59893/1996 discloses rubber compositions obtained by mixing specific kinds of inorganic powders and carbon black with SBR comprising specific amount of styrene units, and Japanese unexamined patent publication No. 149954/1995 and No. 31250/1997 disclose rubber compositions obtained by mixing kaolinite base clay with diene rubbers having a specific ratio of 1,2-bond in the butadiene units part.
However, no rubber composition provided shows an excellent wet grip performance with a low heat build up characteristic and without a decrease in processability and a decrease in abrasion resistance.

Rubber composition for tire treads and a pneumatic tire having a tread made of such composition


A bushing assembly for a turbine vane includes a bushing and a housing. The bushing includes a bore for receiving a trunnion of the vane, a first electrical contact carried on an outer surface thereof, and a first conductor extending from the first electrical contact. The first electrical contact is adapted to be connected to a heater element disposed on the vane. The housing is positioned over the bushing and rotatable relative to the bushing. The housing includes a second electrical contact disposed in contact with the first electrical contact and a second conductor extending from the second electrical contact for connection to an electrical power source.

This invention relates generally to variable inlet guide vanes for gas turbine engines and more particularly to bushings for such vanes.
Gas turbine engines often include airfoil-shaped inlet guide vanes for directing inlet flow to a downstream fan or compressor. In some applications the inlet guide vanes have a variable effective angle in order to throttle mass flow through the engine as needed in different operating conditions.
Portions of the engine near its forward end, including the inlet guide vanes, are subject to ice accretion in some flight conditions. This ice is typically removed by directing heated bypass air on or through the inlet guide vanes. Unfortunately, use of bleed air directly impacts engine efficiency and requires relatively heavy high-temperature pipes and valving.
It is known to use electrical heating for de-icing, for example using slip rings to transfer electrical current from a helicopter rotor head to the rotor blades. However, variable inlet guide vanes must react significant gas loads not present in other applications and thus must be firmly supported at their points of rotation, making delivery of electrical current more difficult. Furthermore, the guide vane bushings must be packed into a tight physical space.

Slipring bushing assembly for moveable turbine vane


In an optical transmission system: a first unit generates a first optical supervisory signal being arranged on the shorter-wavelength side of main signals and containing information for determining continuity of an optical transmission line and a second optical supervisory signal arranged on the longer-wavelength side of the main signals and used for supervisory control of optical communication; a second unit generates a wavelength-multiplexed signal by optically multiplexing the main signals and the first and second optical supervisory signals, and transmits the wavelength-multiplexed signal onto the optical transmission line; a third unit receives the wavelength-multiplexed signal, and optically demultiplexes the wavelength-multiplexed signal into the main signals and the first and second optical supervisory signals; and a fourth unit determines whether or not the optical transmission line is optically continuous, based on the first optical supervisory signal, and performs supervisory control of optical communication based on the second optical supervisory signal.

1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical transmission system. In particular, the present invention relates to an optical transmission system which performs WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplex) transmission of optical signals.
2) Description of the Related Art
The WDM technology is a widely used, core technology for optical transmission systems. According to WDM, signals in a plurality of channels are concurrently transmitted through a single optical fiber by multiplexing light having different wavelengths. In WDM systems, optical supervisory signals having a bandwidth of about 1.5 to 150 Mb/s and being called OSC (Optical Supervisory Channel) signals are transmitted as well as main signals having a bandwidth of 2.4 to 40 Gb/s.
The OSC signals are optical signals used for detection of troubles in transmission lines as well as condition monitoring and setting for administration, e.g., condition monitoring and setting control of optical amplifiers. Therefore, normally, in the WDM systems, only the main signals are amplified by optical amplifiers (e.g., erbium-doped-fiber amplifiers, which are hereinafter referred to as EDFAs) for transmission, and the OSC signals are transmitted without being amplified through the optical amplifiers. In addition since the OSC signals are used as control signals, the transmission levels of the OSC signals are set at low levels so as not to interfere with the main signals.
On the other hand, repeaterless optical transmission systems are currently receiving attention. Since no repeaters are placed in the transmission lines in the repeaterless optical transmission systems, the construction cost can be reduced, and low-price services are enabled. Therefore, demands for construction of reliable repeaterless optical transmission systems are increasing.
In the conventional repeaterless optical transmission systems, some attempts to increase the transmission distance have been made by raising the transmission level of each optical amplifier provided on the upstream side, or providing a Raman amplifier on the downstream side of each optical-fiber transmission line and injecting strong excitation light into the entire length of each optical-fiber transmission line.
However, since the OSC signals are concerned in the overall control of each system, the OSC signals are required to be transmitted between terminal stations regardless of operations of the optical amplifier in the terminal station on the upstream side or the Raman amplifier in the terminal station on the downstream side, e.g., even when the optical amplifier on the upstream side or the Raman amplifier on the downstream side is not in operation.
That is, in the case where transmission is performed over a long distance in a repeaterless optical transmission system, and main signals are amplified with a gain sufficient for transmission of the main signals over the long distance, the OSC signals are required to be normally transmitted between terminal stations and received by the terminal stations even when the OSC signals are not amplified with the same gain as the main signals. Since it is impossible to raise the transmission levels of the OSC signals more than +10 dBm above levels at which an anti-hazard measure becomes necessary, or lower the reception levels in an O/E (opto-electric conversion) module provided on the receiver side below a minimum reception level, conventionally, long-distance transmission of the OSC signals is difficult.
A technique for preventing deterioration of OSC signals during transmission has been proposed, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-269902, paragraph Nos. 0033 to 0046 and FIG. 4. According to this technique, the OSC signals are processed by using an optical amplifier having satisfactory noise characteristics and gain efficiency.
In the case where the transmission line is a single mode fiber (SMF), and wavelengths on the shorter-wavelength side of main signals (e.g., around the wavelength of 1,510 nm) are allocated to OSC signals, loss in the OSC signals is great, and therefore it is impossible to increase the transmission distance. Thus, conventionally, systems in which wavelengths around 1,510 nm (located on the shorter-wavelength side of main signals) are allocated to OSC signals have been used in only configurations in which the transmission distance is short, or repeaters are arranged at short intervals.
On the other hand, in the conventional repeaterless optical transmission systems, normally, wavelengths on the longer-wavelength side of the main signals (e.g., wavelengths around 1,625 nm) are allocated to OSC signals. This is because the transmission loss through SMFs are small at the wavelengths around 1,625 nm, and the OSC signals are amplified by stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) by the main signals when the wavelengths on the longer-wavelength side of the main signals (e.g., wavelengths around 1,625 nm) are allocated to the OSC signals. Thus, it is possible to increase the transmission distance of the OSC signals. The SRS is a nonlinear optical phenomenon in which light having a shorter wavelength amplifies light having a longer wavelength.
However, when the gain levels of the main signals vary due to some cause in the above case, the gains in the Raman amplification of the OSC signals also vary, i.e., the optical power levels of the OSC signals also vary. Therefore, in this case, an error is detected by an OSC receiver unit provided in a receiver. In this case, even when no trouble actually occurs in the transmission line, the receiver may recognize that an abnormal condition has occurred in the transmission line.
Incidentally, in repeaterless optical transmission systems, the output power of optical amplifiers provided on the transmitter side is as high as at least 1. W, and the output power of Raman excitation light supplied from the receiver side is as high as at least 1 to 2 W. Therefore, if the optical fiber breaks, and light leaks out, it is very dangerous.
In consideration of the above danger, a function called APSD (Auto Power Shut Down) is provided in the conventional repeaterless optical transmission systems. When a trouble such as a failure in an optical fiber occurs, the APSD function automatically stops the Raman excitation light source and the optical amplifier which outputs the high-power optical signals, and shuts off light emission to the outside of each repeaterless optical transmission system, for the purpose of human body protection and fire prevention.
Conventionally, the APSD function is activated when an error is detected in an OSC signal. That is, when an error in a downstream OSC signal is detected by an apparatus on the downstream side, the apparatus stops the optical output of Raman excitation light from the apparatus, and transmits through an upstream line an OSC signal for a notification of the error. When an apparatus on the upstream side receives the notification of the error, the apparatus on the upstream side stops the output of an optical amplifier in the apparatus on the upstream side.
However, since wavelengths on the longer-wavelength side of the main signals are allocated to the OSC signals in the conventional repeaterless optical transmission systems in which the APSD function is activated in response to detection of an error, the levels of OSC signals are affected by variations in the main signals. Therefore, there is a possibility that the apparatus on the downstream side detects an error even when a failure in an optical fiber does not actually occur, and the APSD function is activated by error when optical communication is normally performed.
Further, according to the conventional technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-269902, the OSC signals are processed by arranging an optical repeater in a transmission line, and choosing an optical amplifier having satisfactory characteristics in the repeater. Since this technique uses an optical repeater, this technique cannot be applied to the repeaterless optical transmission systems.


A container assembly includes a container bounding a chamber and having a floor. A well is mounted on the floor of the container. The well bounds a compartment that extends below the floor of the container and communicates with the chamber of the container. An anchor has a side wall with a first port opening formed at a first end and a second port opening formed on the side wall or at a second end of the anchor. A fluid passageway extends between the first port opening and the second port opening. At least a portion of the anchor is secured within the compartment of the well such that at least a portion of the second port opening is disposed within the compartment. A dip tube is fluid coupled with the first port opening of the anchor.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dip tube anchors and related containers in which a dip tube is disposed.
2. The Relevant Technology
Dip tubes are commonly used in association with various types of containers for withdrawing a fluid from the containers. A dip tube simply comprises a tube having a first end that is lowed into a container so as to be disposed toward the bottom of the container. A second end of the tube extends out through the top of the container. By applying one of various different types of forces, the fluid can be selectively removed from the container by entering through the first end of the dip tube and exiting through the second end of the dip tube. The first end of the dip tube is typically located near the bottom of the container so as to maximize removal of all of the fluid from the container, thereby minimizing waste of the fluid.
Although dip tubes as discussed above are commonly use, they have a number of shortcomings. For example, dip tubes are commonly formed from flexible polymeric tubing that is typically coiled upon formation. Dip tubes made from such tubing have a natural tendency to partially coil or bend when disposed within the container. As a result, the first end of the dip tube is spaced upward, away from of the bottom of container. The dip tube is thus unable to remove all of the fluid from the container without further manipulation of the container and/or the dip tube. Where the fluid is highly expensive, such as is commonly found in the biotechnology industry, this shortcoming can be a significant detriment.
In one attempt to overcome the above problem, an anchor is used to secure the dip tube to the bottom of the container. The anchor comprises a flat plate from which a tubular spout projects. A first opening is formed on the side of the spout next to the pate. A second opening is formed on the upper free end of the spout. A passageway extends between the two openings. The plate is secured on the interior surface of the floor of the container so that the stem projects up into the container. The first end of the dip tube is coupled with the upper end of the spout. As such, fluid enters through the first opening on the spout and travels up through the spout and into the dip tube.
Although use of such anchors solves some problems, it creates others. For example, many of the containers used to hold the fluid comprise a collapsible polymeric bag. An adhesive is used to secure the plate of the anchor to the floor of the bag. The use of an adhesive inside of the bag, however, is problematic in that it increases the risk that unwanted contaminates could leech from the adhesive into the fluid. Furthermore, acceptable adhesives are often found to have insufficient strength, thereby resulting in the anchor breaking free from the bag during manufacture, transport or use.
In addition, securing the plate of the anchor to interior surface of the floor of the bag is a difficult manufacturing step to automate. Thus, the process typically requires that the anchor be manually secured to the bag, thereby slowing production and increasing cost. Finally, because the spout of the anchor projects above the plate which is mounted on the floor of the bag, the first opening on the spout is still not the low point on the floor of the container. As such, the dip tube is still unable to capture a portion of the fluid within the container.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art are improved ways for enabling a dip tube to maximize the removal of fluid from a container.

Dip tube anchor assembly and related container


A slider having a thin film magnetic head. The thin film magnetic head has an upper magnetic core, a lower magnetic core and a coil disposed between the upper magnetic core and the lower magnetic core. The upper magnetic core and the lower magnetic core is an electroplated thin film with an average crystal grain size smaller than 500 xc3x85, and the electroplated thin film is made of Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy of which Ni is 38 to 60 wt % and Fe is 40 to 62 wt %.

The present invention relates to a disk storage system, a thin film magnetic head therefor and a fabrication method thereof.
The present invention relates to a magnetic core for a magnetic head, and more particularly to a recording head for a dual element head for a disk system having a high recording density.
In recent years, the recording density of a disk storage system has become higher and the magnetic coercive force of recording medium has increased; accordingly, there is a need for a thin film magnetic head which is capable of sufficiently recording on a recording medium having a high magnetic coercive force.
In order to realize this, it is necessary to use a material having a high saturation magnetic flux density (BS) as a core material of the magnetic head. In the past, a 80Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy film of 3 xcexcm thickness has been used for the core material.
However, since the resistivity of the 80Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy film is as low as 16 to 20 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm, the eddy current loss becomes large in the high frequency bands. Therefore, the strength of the recording magnetic field of the magnetic head in a high frequency band is decreased, and accordingly the recording frequency is limited to about 30 MHz at maximum.
As an alternative material, Co system amorphous materials and a Fexe2x80x94Alxe2x80x94Si sendust alloy thin film are proposed. However, these materials are not in practical use as yet because the former is thermally unstable, since the material is amorphous, and the latter has a disadvantage in the fabrication process as the magnetic core material for the inductive head, since it requires a high temperature heat treatment at nearly 500xc2x0 C.
In recent years, three-element group materials of Coxe2x80x94Nixe2x80x94Fe have been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-82,638, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 61-76,642, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 64-8,605, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-68,906, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 2-290,995).
Although the saturation magnetic flux density (BS) of these three-element system materials is as high as 1.5 T, the resistivity is not large and the crystal grain size is not small in the 80Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy; and, in addition to this, there is a disadvantage in the high frequency characteristic as in the 80Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy.
On the other hand, the memory capacity of the disk storage system has been steadily growing year by year, and a real density of a 3.5-inch type disk in production now has been increased up to 350 MB/in2.
In this case, the data recording frequency is nearly 27 MHz, which is near the performance limit of a magnetic head using the 80Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy film or the Coxe2x80x94Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy film.
Although there is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-68,744 a magnetic film for high frequency use formed by adding Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo to (40-50) Nixe2x80x94Fe through a sputtering method, it is difficult to magnetically form a thick film using a sputtering method because the material has a large magnetocrystalline anisotropy.
One object of the present invention is to provide a disk storage system, a thin film magnetic head therefor and a fabrication method thereof wherein there is provided a disk storage system with a magnetic head for high density recording in a high frequency band.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic head for high density recording in a high frequency band, that is, a magnetic head which is capable of performing high speed access and has a high transfer rate.
The present invention has been developed for solving the above problems, and involves a thin film magnetic head that is mounted on a disk storage system having a high transfer rate and high recording density, in which there is a magnetic disk rotated above 4000 rpm when the disk storage system is recording or reproducing, and in which the recording frequency is not higher than 45 MHz.
It is required that the magnetic core of the write head be made of a material having a large saturation magnetic flux density (BS), a small magnetic coercive force in the hard axis direction and a large resistivity.
In other words, the range of composition obtainable for a large resistivity and high saturation magnetic flux density is a range containing Ni of 38 to 60 wt% for Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy.
However, when a magnetic film having a thickness of above 2 xcexcm is usually applied to a thin film magnetic head or the like fabricated through a sputtering method, the crystal grain size of the film becomes large, the magnetic coercive force in the hard axis direction is large and the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy is hardly induced, since this composition region is in a range where magnetocrystalline anisotropy is largest.
Therefore, a plating method has been employed in order to suppress the crystal grain size to a small value, and it has been proposed to add a third element, such as Co, Mn, Cr, Pd, B, In and the like, to a base of 38 to 60 wt % Nixe2x80x94Fe two-element alloy.
The results were found to be a composition range and a fabrication method of an outstanding thin film having a saturation magnetic flux density (BS) larger than 1.5 T, a magnetic coercive force in the hard axis direction (HCH) smaller than 1.0 Oe and a resistivity larger than 40 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm, while keeping the film thickness of 2 to 5 xcexcm which is required for the recording magnetic field.
By using this material for a thin film magnetic head, it is possible to provide a high performance disk storage system having a real density of 500 MB/in2, a recording frequency of 45 MHz and a transmission speed of above 15 MB/s.
The present invention is characterized by a disk storage system comprising a thin film magnetic disk for recording information, rotating means for the thin film magnetic disk, a thin film magnetic head for performing writing and reading of information and provided in a floating type slider, transfer means for supporting the floating type slider and for making access to the thin film magnetic disk.
The present invention is characterized by a disk storage system wherein at least one of an upper magnetic core and a lower magnetic core the write head is made of a metallic magnetic material having an average crystal grain size smaller than 500xc3x85, a resistivity at room temperature larger than 40 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm and a magnetic coercive force in the hard axis direction smaller than 1.0 Oe.
The present invention is characterized by the fact that, in a disk storage system, at least one of an upper magnetic core and a lower magnetic core of the writing magnetic core of the write head is an electroplated thin film made of a Nixe2x80x94Fe group alloy having Ni of 38 to 60 wt % and Fe of 40 to 62 wt %.
Further, the present invention is characterized by a disk storage system comprising a magnetic disk having a transfer rate larger than 15 mega-bytes per second, a real density of recording data larger than 500 mega-bits per square inch and a diameter smaller than 3.5 inches.
The present invention is characterized by a disk storage system wherein the magnetic disk rotates faster than 4000 rpm during recording and reproducing, the recording frequency is larger than 45 MHz, and at least an upper magnetic core of a thin film magnetic head for performing the recording is made of a Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy having Ni of 38 to 60 wt % and Fe of 40 to 62 wt % and having a film thickness of 1 to 5 xcexcm, an average crystal grain size smaller than 500 xc3x85, a resistivity of 40 to 60 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm and magnetic coercive force in the hard axis direction smaller than 1.0 Oe, the recording magnetomotive force of the write head being larger than 0.5 ampere-turns.
The magnetic core in a disk storage system according to the present invention contains a substance composed of at least one kind of one of Co less than 15 wt % and Mo, Cr, Pd, B, In less than 3 wt % in the total weight.
Further, the present invention is characterized by a disk storage system comprising a thin film magnetic disk for recording information, rotating means for the thin film magnetic disk, a dual element head for performing writing and reading of information with individual elements provided in a floating type slider, and transfer means for supporting the floating type slider and for making access to the thin film magnetic disk.
The present invention is characterized by a disk storage system wherein the magnetic film having the same characteristics and the same composition as those described above are used for the magnetic film of the write head.
Furthermore, the present invention is characterized by a disk storage system comprising a magnetic disk having a transfer rate larger than 15 mega-bytes per second, a real density of recording data larger than 500 mega-bits per square inch and a diameter of a magnetic disk smaller than 3.5 inches.
The present invention is characterized by a disk storage system wherein the magnetic disk rotates faster than 4000 rpm during recording and reproducing, the recording frequency being larger than 45 MHz, a dual element head for performing the recording and the reproducing with individual elements, the film having the same characteristics and the same composition as those described above and being used for at least an upper magnetic core of a write head.
The present invention is characterized by a thin film magnetic head comprising a lower magnetic film, an upper magnetic film formed on the lower magnetic film, one end contacting one end of the lower magnetic film, the other end facing the other end of the lower magnetic film through a magnetic gap, whereby the upper magnetic film forms a magnetic circuit including the magnetic gap together with the lower magnetic film, and a conductive coil forming a coil having a given number of winding turns passing between both of the magnetic films.
The present invention is characterized by a thin film magnetic head wherein at least one of the upper magnetic film and the lower magnetic film is formed through a plating method, being made of a Nixe2x80x94Fe alloy having Ni of 38 to 60 wt % and Fe of 40 to 62 wt % and having a film thickness of 1 to 5 xcexcm, an average crystal grain size smaller than 500 xc3x85, and a magnetic coercive force in the hard axis direction smaller than 1.0 Oe.
The present invention involves a fabrication method of a thin film magnetic head comprising a lower magnetic film, an upper magnetic film formed on the lower magnetic film, one end contacting one end of the lower magnetic film, the other end facing the other end of the lower magnetic film through a magnetic gap, whereby the upper magnetic film forms a magnetic circuit including the magnetic gap together with the lower magnetic film, and a conductive coil forming a coil having a given number of winding turns passing between both of the magnetic films.
The present invention involves a fabrication method of a thin film magnetic head wherein at least one of the lower and the upper magnetic films is formed by electroplating using a Nixe2x80x94Fe electroplating bath containing a metallic ion concentration of Ni++ ions of 15 to 20 g/l and Fe++ ions of 2.0 to 2.7 g/l, the ratio of the Ni++ ions and the Fe++ ions (Ni++/Fe++) being 7 to 8, and containing a stress release agent and a surface active agent, the pH being 2.5 and 3.5.
Particularly, it is preferable for the thin film magnetic head to be formed by electroplating though a mask in a magnetic field while keeping the temperature of the plating bath at 20 to 35xc2x0 C. and a current density of 5 to 30 mA/cm2.
Further, in the present invention, it is preferable that the thin film magnetic head comprises a magnetic core, the magnetic film being formed using a plating bath to which is added Co ions of 0.4 to 0.6 g/l and/or Cr, Mo, Pd, In, B less than 0.1 g/l.
Further, it is preferable that the magnetic film of the thin film magnetic head is formed by electroplating though a mask in a magnetic field.
In the present invention, writing blur due to the recording frequency and fluctuation of an over-write value are prevented by designing the thickness, resistivity and relative permeability of a magnetic film of a magnetic pole for a write head while taking eddy current loss into consideration, and at the same time by setting the data recording frequency to a high value and rotating a magnetic disk fitted to the above head at a high speed.
(1) It is preferable to provide a means having a transfer rate higher than 15 mega bytes per second, a real density larger than 500 mega bits per square inch.
(2) It is preferable that when storing of information is performed using a magnetic disk having a diameter smaller than 3.5 inches, the magnetic disk is rotated at 4000 rpm during recording and reproducing, and the recording frequency is set to a value above 45 MHz.
(3) It is preferable to provide a magnetic disk using a metallic film having a magnetic coercive force larger than 2 kOe.
(4) It is preferable to set the build-up time of the recording current to a value smaller than 5 nano-seconds (ns).
(5) It is preferable for the coil of an inductive head for performing recording of information on a magnetic disk to be formed through a thin film process, for the number of terminals to be three, and for the inductance between the terminals to be smaller than 1 micro-henry (xcexcH).
(6) It is preferable for the coil of an inductive head for performing recording of information on a magnetic disk to be of a two-layer structure, for the number of winding turns in the first layer to be equal to that in the second layer, and for the directions of winding to be opposite to each other.
(7) It is preferable for the coil of an inductive head for performing recording of information on a magnetic disk to be of a single-layer structure, and an additional terminal to be connected to a position (c) corresponding to one-half of the number of winding turns between the starting point of the coil (a) and the end point of the coil (b), and for the current flowing between (c) and (a) and the current flowing between (c) and (b) to be in opposite phase to each other.
(8) Letting the film thickness of a magnetic film of a core of an inductive head be d (xcexcm), resistivity be xcfx81 (xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm) and the relative permeability at a low frequency be xcexc, it is preferable to provide a means in which these parameters satisfy the relation xcexcd2/xcfx81xe2x89xa6500.
(9) It is preferable for at least a part of the recording magnetic pole of a magnetic head used for data recording or data recording and reproducing to be of a multi-layer structure in which a magnetic layer and an insulator layer are alternatively laminated, and for the thickness of the film to be thinner than 2.7 xcexcm.
(10) It is preferable for the Fexe2x80x94Ni alloy described above to be used for at least the upper magnetic film of the recording magnetic films of a magnetic head used for data recording or data recording and reproducing, and for a Co base amorphous alloy or an Fe base amorphous alloy to be used for the lower magnetic film.
(11) It is preferable for the material of the recording magnetic pole contains at least one of Zr, Y, Ti, Hf, Al and Si.
(12) It is preferable for the recording magnetomotive force, that is, the product of recording current and number of winding turns of the coil of a magnetic head used for data recording or data recording and reproducing, to be set to a value larger than 0.5 ampere turns (AT).
(13) It is preferable for the resistivity of at least a part of the recording magnetic pole of a magnetic head used for data recording or data recording and reproducing to be larger than 40 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm and for the relative permeability to be larger than 500.
(14) It is preferable for the recording coil of an inductive head for performing recording of information on a magnetic disk medium to be of a single-layer structure, for an additional terminal to be connected to a position (c) corresponding to one-half of the number of winding turns between the starting point of the coil (a) and the end point of the coil (b), for the current flowing between (c) and (a) and the current flowing between (c) and (b) to be in opposite phase to each other, and for a dual element head using a spin valve element and a giant magnetoresistive element to be used as the reproducing head.
In the high frequency band above the recording frequency of 45 MHz, the head efficiency (efficiency to induce magnetic flux) of the magnetic head is dominated by the eddy current loss. Although, in order to decrease the eddy current loss, it is most effective to decrease the film thickness of the magnetic core, decreasing of the film thickness causes a recording incapability due to a shortage in the recording magnetic flux.
In order to sufficiently record on a medium having a high magnetic coercive force larger than 2000 Oe, particularly above 2300 Oe, the film thickness is required to be larger than 2 xcexcm and the saturation magnetic flux density is required to be high. In general, a multi-layer film may be employed for decreasing the eddy current loss, but the head process for coping with the high recording density makes it difficult to obtain a high accuracy in the dimensions.
Therefore, it is necessary to decrease the eddy current loss by increasing the resistivity of the magnetic core in order to extend the frequency characteristic of the permeability (xcexc) of the magnetic core up to a high frequency.
The Nixe2x80x94Fe magnetic film (3 xcexcm film thickness) shows a saturation magnetic flux density (BS) larger than 1.5 T and a resistivity (xcfx81) of 40 to 50 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm when the Ni concentration is within the range of 38 to 60 wt %. That is, when the Ni concentration is below 38 wt %, the specific resistivity (xcfx81) is large, but the saturation magnetic flux density (BS) becomes lower than 1.5 T.
On the other hand, when the Ni concentration is above 60 wt %, the saturation magnetic flux density (BS) also becomes lower than 1.5 T. Especially, it is preferable for the concentration of Ni to be 40 to 50 wt %.
A plating process is suitable for fabricating a film having such a composition. That is, since the crystal grain size can be made very small using an electroplating method, the magnetic coercive force can be made small and the orientation of the crystal can be decreased as low as possible even in a case of a composition having a large magnetocrystalline anisotropy. For example, it is preferable that the orientation ratio of the crystal is suppressed below 5.0, that is (111)/(200) less than 5.0.
The composition of a plating bath for fabricating such a film has Ni and Fe ion concentrations at Ni++: 15 to 20 g/l, Fe++: 2.0 to 2.7 g/l, and the ion ratio (Ni++/Fe++) at 7 to 8. In this case, the plating current density is 10 to 20 mA/cm2, the pH is 3.0, and the bath temperature is 30xc2x0 C.
On the other hand, in the case of adding at least one of the elements Co, Mo, Cr, B, In and Pd, it is preferable for the Co to be less than 15 wt % and for the Mo to be less than 3 wt % in order to keep the saturation magnetic flux density (BS) higher than 1.5 T and the resistivity (xcfx81) larger than 40 xcexcxcexa9xc2x7cm.
In a case of using Co as a component in the bath, it is preferable to add up to CoSO4.6H2O of 100 g (Co ions of 21 g/l), and in a case of Mo, Na2MoO4.2H2O of 4.8 g/l (Mo ions of 1.9 g/l). For example, in a case of adding Cr [Cr2(SO4)3. 18H2O] instead of Mo, the same effect can be observed In a case of adding B or In, the resistivity (xcfx81) is increased not as much as about 10%.
On the other hand, in the case of adding Co, the saturation magnetic flux density (BS) is increased by nearly 10%, though the resistivity (xcfx81) of the film is slightly deceased. Therefore, it is preferable to use Co together with Mo. Further, since Co increases the anisotropic magnetic field (HK), Co is preferable for stabilizing the magnetic characteristic.
When Co is added in an amount more than 15 wt %, the saturation magnetic flux density (BS) of the film is increased, but the resistivity (xcfx81) of the film is deceased too much. Therefore, the resistivity (xcfx81) of the film cannot be increased up to a desired value unless a large amount of Mo, Cr are added.
This is not preferable because the magnetic coercive force of the film becomes large. In order to increase the resistivity (xcfx81) without increasing the magnetic coercive force of the film, the amount of Mo, Cr to be added should be limited to 3 wt % or less.
In the case of adding B, In, Pd or the like, the amount added should be limited as indicated above. In these cases, the plating condition may be the same as in the case of a Nixe2x80x94Fe magnetic film, as described above.
Assuming that the high frequency loss (tan xcex4) of the magnetic film is attributed only to the eddy current loss, the high frequency loss can be expressed by the following equation.
tan xcex4=xcexcxe2x80x3/xcexcxe2x80x3=R/xcexa9L=xcexc0xcexcΠd2f/Cxcfx81xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
where xcexcxe2x80x2 and xcexcxe2x80x3 are a real part and an imaginary part of the complex magnetic permeability. C is a constant determined by the shape of the film, and xcexc0 is the permeability of a vacuum.
From the above equation (1), when the relative permeability xcexc inherent in the magnetic film, the film thickness d, and the resistivity p are given, the eddy current loss tan xcex4 corresponding to the frequency f can be obtained. Since the change of the head efficiency (efficiency to induce magnetic flux) corresponding to the frequency is proportional to the change in the real part of the complex permeability, the frequency dependence of the head efficiency can be obtained by calculating xcex4 from Equation (1) and taking the cosine component.
That is, the head efficiency xcex7 for each frequency can be expressed by the following equation.
xcfx81=cos[arc tan(xcexc0xcexcΠd2f/Cxcfx81)]xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
From Equation (2), by specifying the value xcexcd2/xcfx81 which can be obtained from the relative permeability xcexc inherent in the magnetic film, the film thickness d and resistivity xcfx81, the head efficiency xcex7 for an arbitrary frequency f can be extrapolated.
By combining the above head and a magnetic disk using a metallic magnetic film having a magnetic coercive force larger than 2 kOe, which exhibits a small write blurring during high frequency recording and a small fluctuation of overwriting, it is possible to obtain a high performance disk storage system having a real density larger than 500 MB/in2, a recording frequency higher than 45 MHz and a transfer rate higher than 15 MB/s.
In a case of using a fast and wide SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) having a data bus of two-byte width as an I/O interface, from the relationship between the price of an input/output device and a transfer rate per one magnetic disk device composing the input/output device, it is possible to transmit data up to 20 MB/s at a maximum when the fast and wide SCSI having a data bus of two-byte width as an I/O interface is used.
In this case, when the transfer rate per one magnetic disk device is above 15 MB/s, it can be understood that the price of the input/output device can be decreased.
Further, when the capacity per one magnetic disk device is 550 MB, it is possible to employ an OS (Operation Software) such as Windows, Workplace and the like. In order to realize this capacity with one magnetic disk of 3.5 inch type, a real density capable of recording the data is required to be 500 MB/in2.
According to the present invention, a recording head, which is capable of performing sufficient recording to a medium having a high magnetic coercive force and at a high frequency range, is fabricated by a specified composition and through a low cost electroplating method.
Thereby, it is possible to obtain a disk storage system with a high recording density capable of a high data transfer rate, decreasing access time and increasing memory capacity by keeping a transfer rate higher than 15 MB/s, a recording frequency higher than 45 MHz, and the rotating speed of the magnetic disk higher than 4000 rpm.

Thin film magnetic head with electroplated Ni-Fe alloy thin film having small average crystal grain size range


The present invention relates generally to the field of computer and network software, and more particularly it relates to a method and apparatus for promoting and rewarding users within a rules-based virtual world system in accordance with personalized/customized/user-generated content and/or virtual spaces. According to some aspects, the invention allows users to customize virtual content and activities in a manner that drives traffic to their own virtual spaces or those of other users or partners within the system. According to other aspects, the invention provides mechanisms to reward users whose customized content and activities drive a certain level of traffic to partner sites and/or their own virtual spaces. According to further aspects, the invention enables users to promote their customized virtual spaces and/or customized content and activities outside their own circle of friends, and to users of the system as a whole.

There has been a recent surge in "virtual world" technologies that allow users to assume virtual identities (e.g. avatars) and possibly also to interact with other users online, such as Second Life, Habbo, Zwinky, Gaia, Club Penguin, Webkinz. These are typically accessed via dedicated websites and subscriptions, and are typically closed systems (i.e. a user in one virtual community cannot directly interact with users in other virtual communities). These online communities sometimes further offer virtual items that can be bought and sold within their virtual worlds, such as virtual furniture, virtual clothing, virtual real estate, etc.
One problem with existing "virtual world" products is that they typically require users to go to specific online destinations to assume virtual identities and to acquire and use virtual items rather than allowing users to assume virtual identities and/or pick up and use virtual items while browsing any website on the Internet. Accordingly, it would be desirable if a system was provided in which users could interact with other users using virtual identities and/or obtain and use virtual objects and virtual goods while they surf anywhere on the worldwide web.
Meanwhile, there has also been a surge in popularity of many other non-virtual social networking applications such as MySpace, Facebook, etc., as well as many dating sites, such as eHarmony.com, Match.com, etc. These applications also generally require users to go to a specific site in order to interact, and do not allow interactions between users while they are otherwise casually surfing the web. These applications also allow users to promote themselves by customizing their home page and having the most visitors. However, the promotion mechanisms are limited and not very effective in reaching out to new users, and so generally users only interact with a limited circle of friends, and users only visit home pages of their friends.
Co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 12/037,019, commonly owned by the present assignee, dramatically advanced the state of the art by providing a method and apparatus for distributing virtual objects such as Virtual Collectibles. According to an aspect of the co-pending application, the system automatically allows users to enter virtual world(s) where Virtual Collectibles can be displayed, used, and traded, and where users can interact with other users. Although this functionality by itself vastly improves upon conventional means of promoting on-line activities, additional improvements are possible by further leveraging the discoveries and functionalities of the co-pending application, including improvements that even further overcome the above-described and other disadvantages.
For example, while the virtual world(s) of the co-pending application allows users to interact with Virtual Collectibles and/or other users in entertaining ways, it would be desirable if the principles of the invention of the co-pending application could be extended to allow for users to customize content and activities in a manner that drives traffic to their own virtual spaces, other virtual spaces within the system or websites, and rewarding users accordingly, thereby encouraging users to spend more time and invest more effort in the system.

Method and apparatus for promotion of users in rules-based virtual worlds


A cooling device for cooling an inner part of an approximately sealed box includes a casing and a heat exchanger disposed in the casing. Plural inside air passages through which air inside the box flows and plural outside air passages through which air outside the box flows are alternately adjacently arranged in the heat exchanger. In the cooling device, both outside air introduction port and outside air discharge port are provided in an outer side plate of the casing, and a drain space is provided between the heat exchanger and the outer side plate of the casing so that outside air passages communicate with the outside air discharge port through the drain space. Thus, even when rain water is introduced into the casing from the outside air discharge port, almost rain water flows downwardly through the drain space, and it can restrict rain water from being introduced into the heat exchanger.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a cooling device for cooling an inner part of an approximately sealed box by a heat-exchange between air inside the box and air outside the box. Mare particularly, the present invention relates to a waterproof structure of a heat-exchanging device.
2. Description of Related Art
In a conventional cooling device for cooling a heat-generating member such as an electromagnetic member used within a sealed cabinet, a heat exchanger is disposed in the cabinet so that an inner part of the cabinet is cooled by performing a heat-exchange between air inside the cabinet and air outside the cabinet. However, because it is necessary to have a waterproof structure when the cabinet is disposed at an exterior space, an outer peripheral part of the heat exchanger is potted by a potting resin material so that a waterproof line is formed around the heat exchanger in the cooling device. Therefore, a potting process of resin material is necessary, and assembling steps of the cooling device become trouble. Further, when once the waterproof process is performed, it is difficult to remove the heat exchanger from a casing of the cooling unit, and maintenance performance of the heat exchanger is deteriorated.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cooling device with water proof structure


An apparatus including a glass window, a front cover, a back cover, and an elastic frame. The elastic frame is configured to form at least a first neutral plane and a second neutral plane.

Portable electronic devices have begun to dominate consumer electronic markets and possess an increasing market share. Small size, thin structures and low weight combined with intuitive and enjoyable user interfaces provide mobile users with an enhanced user experience.
Generally electronic devices have a rigid structure. An elastic, flexible or bendable portable device is desirable in many situations. Such a device should retain the other outstanding qualities of state-of-the-art portable devices, such as tablet computers or smartphones.